An outsider's breakdown of the Redskins offense

Damn good read. Just reinforced what I was already thinking on most parts.

Greg Cosell, nephew of Howard Cosell, works for NFL Films and breaks down coaching tape -- something he's done since 1984. He created the "NFL Matchup" show and while not a coach, has seen lots of films on lots of players over the years.

He has a blog, and gave what I thought was an interesting breakdown of the Redskins vs. the Lions, offensively.

Here's his take. (http://www.fantasyguru.com/StaffBlog/2009/10/01/cosells-coaching-tape-10109-notes/)

And here's a snippet:

Good stuff. On that int to Moss JC had ARE wide open on a crossing route but I think he had his mind up that we was going to Moss. And if you saw the video you saw ARE letting JC know he was open.

I won't lie, but if you're not an actual football coach, credibility is lacking there JUST a touch. Haven't all of us been watching football in depth for years? What makes his critique more legit than our's?

Interesting read, but a lot of those things I disagreed with.


How many of us actually have been watching game film for years?
I think that is a major differentiator in this instance.

that was a depressing read,especially since the progress of Kelly and Thomas were 2 things we as fans were counting on.The things about JC and Portis I already knew.I don't think it's too depressing on Thomas and Kelly. We knew who they were already. Thomas is a burner who you want to stretch the field or hit on a short slant or crossing route in some space and let him outrun people. Kelly ran about a 4.7 I believe, so he's no speed demon, but has good hands and runs solid routes. No shame for either guy, this just re-inforces who they are. We all knew neither was Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

No real surprise on JC or Portis either. JC's release has always been an issue and so has his pocket presense, although I think he's doing a better job of stepping up and finding lanes in the pocket. We all knew Portis was slowing down and becoming a between the tackles guy.

What Zorn needs to do is not try to put square pegs in round holes and make sure he understands the players strengths and weaknesses and plays to their strengths.

I thought it was good to hear something positive about Chad Rinehart.

About the credibility issue -- I've thought about this too. Can only football experts or coaches comment on what they see on film? I mean, can't anybody look at a football game and see that a wideout has trouble getting separation? Is the person who makes that statement somehow less credible because he isn't a football coach?

It's not quantum physics we're talking about here.

Yeah, I agree.

However, more of the same in other areas:

-Struggling in pass pro (Samuels included, which is troubling)
-Portis a shadow of his former self
-Thomas and Kelly slow/struggling
-Poor route combinations hurting the passing game (playcalling issue, or playbook issue?)
-Campbell with poor footwork, slow delivery, long windup

Anybody curious just what in the hell Jim Zorn is looking at when he says "we're improving?" Not a good sign when the head coach thinks you're an improving team right after you just lost to a team that hasn't won in 20 months.

I am really happy that Rinehart looks like a gamer though.

I don't think it's too depressing on Thomas and Kelly. We knew who they were already. Thomas is a burner who you want to stretch the field or hit on a short slant or crossing route in some space and let him outrun people. Kelly ran about a 4.7 I believe, so he's no speed demon, but has good hands and runs solid routes. No shame for either guy, this just re-inforces who they are. We all knew neither was Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

No real surprise on JC or Portis either. JC's release has always been an issue and so has his pocket presense, although I think he's doing a better job of stepping up and finding lanes in the pocket. We all knew Portis was slowing down and becoming a between the tackles guy.

What Zorn needs to do is not try to put square pegs in round holes and make sure he understands the players strengths and weaknesses and plays to their strengths.

That ain't gonna happen.

that was a depressing read,especially since the progress of Kelly and Thomas were 2 things we as fans were counting on.The things about JC and Portis I already knew.

I don't think it's surprising that he called Kelly an intermediate possession receiver. That's exactly how they should be using him, with Moss being the deep threat. Doesn't mean he can't win jump balls downfield or in the end zone for us.

Nice info. Thanks for the link Beem. Cosell's a well respected game evaluator. As mentioned before, he watches lots and lots of tape that few people have access to and he's constantly in communication with NFL player, coaches, and execs to get their take and better understand the game.

His analysis of Campbell and Portis is accurate.

Absolutely. Especially this comment - "Campbell lacks a refined sense of pocket movement". JC can't seem to detect pressure until it's too late. He hangs in the pocket too long.

I don't think it's too depressing on Thomas and Kelly. We knew who they were already. Thomas is a burner who you want to stretch the field or hit on a short slant or crossing route in some space and let him outrun people. Kelly ran about a 4.7 I believe, so he's no speed demon, but has good hands and runs solid routes. No shame for either guy, this just re-inforces who they are. We all knew neither was Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

No real surprise on JC or Portis either. JC's release has always been an issue and so has his pocket presense, although I think he's doing a better job of stepping up and finding lanes in the pocket. We all knew Portis was slowing down and becoming a between the tackles guy.

What Zorn needs to do is not try to put square pegs in round holes and make sure he understands the players strengths and weaknesses and plays to their strengths.

Can you give an example? I'm really not trying to be a smart ass for once either. The fumble and TD against the Giants? Got his arm hit again on a long pass attempt against the Lions that caused the ball to hang in the air like a punt.

And I just can't recall any plays where he ran OUT of the pocket as it was collapsing, kept the play alive and made a big play. Stafford seemed to do a lot of that on Sunday. Just don't recall seeing much of that from Campbell.