Larry Johnson Cut

I think they might be looking at him as a 3rd down back a Westbrook type back.
Or a home run hitter. Simpson's got that speed. If he has the agility and cutting ability, we are golden.

I said it before on a different thread that its amazing how good the line looks pass-blocking now that there is a QB that can get the ball out. I think the line would look a lot better run-blocking if the Skins had a quick RB that could hit holes fast.

I said it before on a different thread that its amazing how good the line looks pass-blocking now that there is a QB that can get the ball out. I think the line would look a lot better run-blocking if the Skins had a quick RB that could hit holes fast.

Irish, I would agree with you, but there aren't that many holes. I would love to see that push from our line where Portis makes his cut 1 or 2 yards up field. Right now he is stopped in the back field many times because the Defenses we are playing are pushing our guys off the line. Portis is stuggling just to get in between a seam when he makes his cut, because there is just not much there to work with. Our line is obviously a work in progress and it will take at least another year and 2 more solid linemen in my opinion before the Skins can cover up for the other less than solid guys we have.

I think the Skins could have les than talented RBs if the line was better. Right now it takes a superb RB to make our line look good and Portis is the only one that is close. Larry Johnson would have needed an excelent line to look good because he is slow.

Yeah a speedy back might help, but the thing with the zone scheme is it does require some patience, and vision as well.

At the end of the Cowboys game, and at a point last week the running game showed some flashes. I really don't think we've made a full commitment to it just yet. And as some have already said, this scheme does take some time to get the chemistry working.

any chance defenses are starting to fully understand the ZBS and how to combat it? or has the ZBS been around long enough that teams are already know how to fully prepare for it and other known ZBS teams are running it well this year so its just us going thru expected growing pains of a new O line and new scheme?

It's not just ZBS needing a patient runner, the way the game is called plays a part too. Either Mike or Kyle said that the beginning of the game you may not see much, but the point of the stretch plays and cut backs, is to get the defenses tired. Making linebackers cover the whole field on running plays, and so I believe that is why we are seeing better running late in the games. I still have lots of confidence that we will see a consistently good offense this year. Also, the 400 yd passing game is going to help because other teams actually will have to game plan for us throwing for lots of yards.

any chance defenses are starting to fully understand the ZBS and how to combat it? or has the ZBS been around long enough that teams are already know how to fully prepare for it and other known ZBS teams are running it well this year so its just us going thru expected growing pains of a new O line and new scheme?

Zone schemes are a part of just about every teams' offense these days. Some teams use it more, some less.

any chance defenses are starting to fully understand the ZBS and how to combat it? or has the ZBS been around long enough that teams are already know how to fully prepare for it and other known ZBS teams are running it well this year so its just us going thru expected growing pains of a new O line and new scheme?

The ZBS has been around for a long time, we've come to pay more attention to it now that Shanahan is our coach because he's noted for utilizing the scheme. It's more effective against some defensive lines than it is others.

It was first created to handle moving defensive linemen. It's basically a very simple concept, but it does take a lot of practice because it involves the entire offensive line working in unison and decisions have to be made while the play is taking place. You don't have a lot of different assignments, but you do have a lot of techniques. It takes many repetitions to get the feel of working together as a unit. The diversity of the scheme comes by the running back running different angles and by the offense using different formations to confuse the defense.

Once we get all the necessary pieces in place and the line has the opportunity to practice it's reps, then, and only then will we begin to see just how effective the scheme can be.

Ok so ho hum. LJ isn't what he used to be and doesn't fit our scheme.

I am more interested in why we picked up Simpson to replace him. If we needed a back then Torain gets promoted. So for some reason we needed a SP back. For what? There is more to this. There has to be. Otherwise we cut LJ and replace him with a PS guy right? What the heck to do we need this guy for? He isn't going to return kicks. Right? WTF?

This is my take on it. K. Williams and Ryan Torain were practically carbon copies of each other during the preseason. Pretty much putting up the same numbers. Only difference is Torain runs more upright which would explain his injury history. What would be the advantage of having two carbon copy backs on the gameday roster. Chad Simpson is a different kind of back. He's more of a speed back. A little bit of a change of pace back compared to Portis and Williams. On top of that, and the real reason i think this move was made, he plays special teams. I think A. Armstrong's injury may keep him out or at least limit him in the game on Sunday. Meaning, Devin Thomas would get to play some WR against a weak Rams secondary. Knowing Shanahan, and his criticism of Devin Thomas's focus, im guessing he would want Thomas to focus PRIMARILY on WR and give the kick return duties to Chad Simpson.

Zone schemes are a part of just about every teams' offense these days. Some teams use it more, some less.

Texans ran it all day against us. They killed the Colts with it! There is no stopping zone blocking unless you commit more personal to the box.