Giving Credit Where Credit's Due: Offensive Stats Before and After the Sherm Lewis Hire

nothing much new here we didn't already know, just thought it was kind of odd for cooley to kinda talk crap about the system, and to address issues he doesn't really have first hand knowledge of, and to make our situation even more of a "laughing stock"

Chris Cooley: Lewis never talks to Campbell | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/01/chris-cooley-lewis-never-talks-to-campbell/)

nothing much new here we didn't already know, just thought it was kind of odd for cooley to kinda talk crap about the system, and to address issues he doesn't really have first hand knowledge of, and to make our situation even more of a "laughing stock"

Chris Cooley: Lewis never talks to Campbell | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/01/chris-cooley-lewis-never-talks-to-campbell/)
He did admit to the offense looking better too though.

"We have a really weird deal going on right now with the kind of rotation of who calls the plays, to where it goes, to who gets it and how it gets to Jason," said Cooley, who was placed on the season-ending injured-reserve list Monday. "It's almost unheard of. And the funny thing is the last couple weeks the offense has looked better than it has."

Redskins Insider - Cooley: Playcalling is 'a carousel of calls' (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-reid/cooley-playcalling-is-a-carous.html)

I think the more Sherms we have, the better.

YouTube - RedskinsWeek11.dv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW9t37sEbnY)

One interesting theory ive seen is that the improved offense is more a result of Portis being out than anything else. He's "snyders pet," a diva, and despite what some players may say publicly, is obviously not well-liked by many of his team mates. Betts and Cartwright are hardworking and loved by their team mates. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that the line (consciously or not) blocks better for these guys than portis. That point aside, Portis has obviously lost more than just a step and I think he's played his last snap as a redskin - even if there IS a cap next year.

One interesting theory ive seen is that the improved offense is more a result of Portis being out than anything else. He's "snyders pet," a diva, and despite what some players may say publicly, is obviously not well-liked by many of his team mates. Betts and Cartwright are hardworking and loved by their team mates. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that the line (consciously or not) blocks better for these guys than portis. That point aside, Portis has obviously lost more than just a step and I think he's played his last snap as a redskin - even if there IS a cap next year.Portis, in four years under Gibbs, went from one of the most anxious runners in the entire NFL to one of the most patient. But when Zorn came in and changed the blocking schemes, and suddenly, that patience and ability to let his blocking develop before trying to make a cut and run downhill really started to work against him.

Portis runs at the extreme of patience these days, he'll get in behind his blockers, and never make one of those classing zone running cutbacks behind everything like he used to in his younger days, as he wastes most of his carries never getting downhill. When he does turn the corner, he's usually right on the sideline where the first guy over can just push him out kind of effortlessly.

It's not really an effort thing on the OL, as much is it is that Portis never makes the defense pay for overpursuit to the football with that big cutback. So defenses that do a good job swarming to the point of attack are going to shut him down. And on film, that looks a lot like a line that isn't opening up any seams in the defense. But really, it's just the defense sending one more guy that can be blocked, and us having a back that cant really do anything about that at this point in his career.

The Chargers are having the exact same issue with Tomlinson at this point.

One interesting theory ive seen is that the improved offense is more a result of Portis being out than anything else. He's "snyders pet," a diva, and despite what some players may say publicly, is obviously not well-liked by many of his team mates. Betts and Cartwright are hardworking and loved by their team mates. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that the line (consciously or not) blocks better for these guys than portis. That point aside, Portis has obviously lost more than just a step and I think he's played his last snap as a redskin - even if there IS a cap next year.

I've heard B-Mitch say that this team started playing together the second half of the Atlanta game and no one disagreed with him. It was obvious what he was talking about.

Kelly and Thomas talk about Lewis' impact (http://www.homermcfanboy.com/2009/12/03/redskins-offense-better-with-lewis/)

Am I reading too much into this line from Kelly?

Although it was tough for him to accept, do you think it’s helped Coach Zorn to have Lewis here?

“It probably has,” Kelly said. “It probably took a little off of his plate, so now he’s focused more on Jason’s game, and Jason’s game has also improved. I guess it has. I really don’t want to be the one to bad mouth anyone.”

Kelly and Thomas talk about Lewis' impact (http://www.homermcfanboy.com/2009/12/03/redskins-offense-better-with-lewis/)

Am I reading too much into this line from Kelly?

Although it was tough for him to accept, do you think it’s helped Coach Zorn to have Lewis here?

“It probably has,” Kelly said. “It probably took a little off of his plate, so now he’s focused more on Jason’s game, and Jason’s game has also improved. I guess it has. I really don’t want to be the one to bad mouth anyone.”

all i have to say is wow, just wow, sounds like a low blow from our second year not all that effectve wideout

I've heard B-Mitch say that this team started playing together the second half of the Atlanta game and no one disagreed with him. It was obvious what he was talking about.

Mike Sellers all but indicated that in an interview. I think the offense is coming together now; whereas before it couldnt - Portis is too much of a diva and a divisive force on the team. For example, he tried to get Sellers pulled from a game for missing an assignment. I read that Sellers is the "Alpha Male" on the team - the one guy you can't mess with and get away with. That, after Portis' lack of practicing and buddy-buddy relationship with the owner for the past several years, could very well have been the proverbial "last straw."

I get that Portis himself has lost a step or two, but I think this offense has more "energy" and is more productive when Portis isnt there.

all i have to say is wow, just wow, sounds like a low blow from our second year not all that effectve wideout

I agree. A very low-blow indeed. Its obvious that his play has improved, but there was no need to add that last jab about not wanting to bad-mouth anyone. I dont expect Kelly to get many balls thrown his way Sunday...