Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

Exactly, why can't people admit that we have a problem with our running game? Shit, when you have over 300 yds in your passing game and just a few yards in the running game, guess what's going to happen and guess what the issue is?? The f'ing running game!! This wasn't the Steelers or the Giants we were playing, this was the Lions that we couldn't run through.Teams are overloading on our left side because they know we want to run there and they know Stephon Heyer is a sub-par run-blocking right tackle.

Also, I'm starting to wonder about Clinton Portis. I've dismissed talk about him being worn down and basically on a very sharp downward curve to his career, but maybe there is something to it.

Campbell isn't the problem. He does have ball security issues, but it's not like this is a big surprise.

The problem in the run game is the overall scheme. We continue to try to fit a square peg into the round hole. The Zone blocking isn't working. If you look at the successful runs we've had they have mostly come on Sellers leads / ISOs or on what appear to be designed cutbacks off the Zone blocking. Our OL isn't a finese OL, they aren't particularly fast, don't cut, and aren't great technicians. A more basic straight ahead scheme suits them better. A trap or counter never hurt anyone and I've seen very little of those (less than 5%). Portis is not the back he was in Denver either, he's more suited to a "between the tackles" style.

When :hitfan: you circle the wagons and go back to basics.

Quick story, it's certainly not the NFL, but the philosphy applies. Our HS JV team was undefeated for 5+ years. JV scrimmage, we're blown-out 40-0. Completely embarrased. Coming off the field a parent says to the JV HC, "You and your coaches should go hide". We looked at film, identified basic fundamental problems, lectured the kids about effort and what we expect going forward. Told anyone who didn't want to be there, they were free to turn in their stuff in private after the film session.

No one turned in their stuff, we had a great week of practice and went on to go undefeated.

Circle the wagons, simplify the run game, become aggressive on D. We'll find out a lot about everyone in this organization over the next 2-3 weeks, including the FO.

Is the problem more that JC is over-coached?

I don't see JC as the problem right now period.

If people are expecting him to carry the team like a Peyton Manning that's not going to happen. However, he's playing well enough to be winning games. He can't do it all alone though. Most QB's in this league can't in fact.

This is my thumbs down for the season as a whole so far. Fix these two areas and we can get back on track. Whether they are capable of doing it is yet to be seen.

Thumbs down: Redskins defense. Right now they can't get off the field and are getting scorched on 3rd downs. In 2 of the 3 games this year the Skins have been completely owned in the time of possession battle and the D is definitely a contributing factor to that.

Thumbs down: Redskins running game. They haven't been able to establish any consistency in the running game so far in 3 games. They're a passing team right now but it's an efficient low risk passing game, not the kind of explosive passing attack that can carry the entire offense. This offense still needs an effective running game. If they're going to get this thing turned around, they need to get the running game cranked up. Simple as that.

I agree with your cross the board assessments espically where they relate to TOP, that's been the cause of our offense having limited opportunities,and oftentimes pressing with the one's they do have.

Inconsistency in the running in many ways stems from the lack of confidence in the OL. We constantly run to the left because we have told everybody wiling to listen that we can't run right because of personnel.

Thumbs down: Decision making. How many coaches in the eague would not have kicked the FG at the conclusin of the first drive? Playing close games (like we do) points are at a premiun, and considering the way the game ended, having taken the three points early would have eliminated the trickery at the end. We were in a position to kick a FG at the end, couple that three with the three we should have taken early would have been enough to win the game. That decision is typical of a coach trying to prove a point. He has been hearing so much criticizm about how the team cannot score in the red-zone, it motiveted him to gamble on a fourth down play that wasn't neccessary that early in the game.

They've run to the left for the past few years now, a lot of people are harping on that this year but it's not a new problem. It didn't stop them in the past either from still having an effective ground game. I'm not buying it as an excuse.

I don't see JC as the problem right now period.

If people are expecting him to carry the team like a Peyton Manning that's not going to happen. However, he's playing well enough to be winning games. He can't do it all alone though. Most QB's in this league can't in fact.

I gonna chime in and say JC isnt the problem either, but he is not helping too if that makes any sense at all.....Lots of bigger issues on this team. I would like to see some stronger leadership from him. Some fire or passion. I just dont see it from him, I think the team supports him, but dont expect too much other than to do he job and say the same old things. They are not looking to him for any answers to solve the current situation. JC has play ok, not great, not bad...

They've run to the left for the past few years now, a lot of people are harping on that this year but it's not a new problem. It didn't stop them in the past either from still having an effective ground game. I'm not buying it as an excuse.

I agree Matty....I just felt our running game was much more effective when we could run both right and left, The loss of Jon Jansen as a run blocker dramatically changed the approach to some of the things we could do in the run game. I also agree we should make an atempt to get Portis more involved.

They've run to the left for the past few years now, a lot of people are harping on that this year but it's not a new problem. It didn't stop them in the past either from still having an effective ground game. I'm not buying it as an excuse.

I have to agree. It's more about execution than surprise. Sammy makes some good points about zone blocking.

I don't see JC as the problem right now period.

If people are expecting him to carry the team like a Peyton Manning that's not going to happen. However, he's playing well enough to be winning games. He can't do it all alone though. Most QB's in this league can't in fact.

I agree 100%. I thought JC got rattled uncharacteristically at one point. The int. was terrible (had ARE open but couldn't see him) & he made some other bad plays, the fumbles, etc. But he's shown improvement in his progressions & put the team in position to win.

Campbell isn't the problem. He does have ball security issues, but it's not like this is a big surprise.

The problem in the run game is the overall scheme. We continue to try to fit a square peg into the round hole. The Zone blocking isn't working. If you look at the successful runs we've had they have mostly come on Sellers leads / ISOs or on what appear to be designed cutbacks off the Zone blocking. Our OL isn't a finese OL, they aren't particularly fast, don't cut, and aren't great technicians. A more basic straight ahead scheme suits them better. A trap or counter never hurt anyone and I've seen very little of those (less than 5%). Portis is not the back he was in Denver either, he's more suited to a "between the tackles" style.

When :hitfan: you circle the wagons and go back to basics.

Quick story, it's certainly not the NFL, but the philosphy applies. Our HS JV team was undefeated for 5+ years. JV scrimmage, we're blown-out 40-0. Completely embarrased. Coming off the field a parent says to the JV HC, "You and your coaches should go hide". We looked at film, identified basic fundamental problems, lectured the kids about effort and what we expect going forward. Told anyone who didn't want to be there, they were free to turn in their stuff in private after the film session.

No one turned in their stuff, we had a great week of practice and went on to go undefeated.

Circle the wagons, simplify the run game, become aggressive on D. We'll find out a lot about everyone in this organization over the next 2-3 weeks, including the FO.

Great post.