Paintrain
05-22-2005, 12:46 PM
To me it's as pointless as Power Polls and Draft Report Cards, but it's May so it's discussion fodder..
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BURNING QUESTION
Will the offense be more effective this season?
The line should be better, but blocking alone will not bring points. The passing game has to improve, and the team has to make opponents pay for stacking the box. Wide receivers Santana Moss, David Patten and Taylor Jacobs must take their games up a level for the offense to threaten defenses. But when you count on veterans to do things they haven't done in the past, you are bound to be let down.
WHAT'S NEW
Coach Joe Gibbs knew the 2004 season was going to be hard. But even when he said that -- and he said it often -- his Hall of Fame aura was such that people discounted that as modesty.
But Gibbs had been gone from the NFL since 1992, and the game had changed and the way players were acquired and paid had changed dramatically. Few thought it possible for a Gibbs-coached team to lose 10 games, but it happened. You can look it up. Now, Gibbs is relying chiefly on the "we're a year older" philosophy to get the team back on a winning track. He and his coaching staff know their players and the league better -- and the players have a clearer idea of what is expected of them. But it's going to take more than that to turn this team around.
For the second year in a row, Gibbs has created a quarterback controversy -- and that takes a toll on a team. The only area on offense that can be called improved is the line, where right tackle Jon Jansen returns from injury and former Ravens center Casey Rabach was added. That hardly seems to be enough to overcome the talented, aggressive defenses the Redskins will face again this year.
Gibbs says he is in this for the long haul. That's good because it's going to be a long haul to get this organization back to the glory days he so fondly remembers.
GAME PLAN
Gibbs is patient, low-key, calm at all times -- and extremely demanding. He firmly believes that things must be done his way for his offense to succeed. There is no doubt that he runs the show, and he does not put any one player above the welfare of the team.
Gibbs still believes in the one-back offense with maximum pass protection, and he is not going to change now. What he does plan to change is the quality of the blocking, which he believes will improve performance. Gibbs will continue to use motion and formations in an effort to get favorable matchups for his blockers and playmakers.
One minor change will be in the running game. Instead of running "40-gut" and "50-gut" up the middle, Gibbs will have his blockers stretch out so that Clinton Portis will be able to glide to his side, then cut back into the best hole he finds.
New quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave brings the concepts of the West Coast offense with him. The Redskins are not going to become a West Coast team -- Gibbs believes in a solid protection front with fewer hot reads -- but some aspects of the West Coast will be incorporated. Plays that give quarterback Patrick Ramsey the opportunity to make a quick read and quick pass will help him.
Few things will change on defense. Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams tries to generate maximum pressure at every opportunity to keep opponents off-balance. The lack of a pass-rushing end means Williams again will have to create pressure with linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, but few defensive minds in the league are as capable of devising such schemes as well as Williams and his staff.
Williams' style of coaching mirrors his style of defense. He is aggressive, stays on the players and makes corrections on the field immediately.
Greg Blache, the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, has a great eye for detail, is meticulous in his planning and does an outstanding job of getting points across to the players. He, too, is demanding and unafraid to pull any player who is not buying into the program.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
OLB LaVar Arrington: Keep an eye on Arrington, not just to see if he has completely recovered from his knee problem of 2004 but also to see if his contract disagreement with the team carries over to his on-field performance. His knee should be well by the time the regular season starts. His attitude might never be the same again. Arrington missed all but 12 games last year. When used properly, he is a devastating force. He is best suited to play off the line, where he creates havoc for any player who comes into his area. But Arrington has not been used that way since 2001. Instead, coaches prefer to send him after the quarterback. That inflates Arrington's sack total, but it doesn't get everything from a player of Arrington's ability.
WR Santana Moss: The receiving unit was a weak link in the offense last season, and it doesn't seem to be improved much, if at all. Moss takes over the No. 1 job from Laveranues Coles, for whom he was acquired. Moss, who is smaller but might be a bit faster than Coles, has been plagued by injuries in his career. If healthy, Moss has the speed to get downfield and make big plays.
OLB Marcus Washington: He was everything the team hoped he would be and more last season after the team signed him as a free agent. The Redskins knew he had pass-rushing and run-stopping skills, but his ability in coverage surprised and delighted the coaching staff. Washington can play either outside spot and probably could step into the middle and excel if needed. He has speed, power and smarts, and he's a sure tackler. He will be counted on to build off of last year's performance and has a chance to become one of the elite linebackers in the league.
DAN POMPEI'S TAKE
Anyone who can figure out the Redskins' plan should immediately alert team owner Dan Snyder so he will know as well. Prediction: 5-11 (fourth/NFC East).
FANTASY SOURCE SPIN
Stud: Portis. With the team tailoring the offense to accentuate Portis' strength -- his ability to glide to the side, then cut through a hole -- he should return to being a top-five fantasy back.
Sleeper: TE Chris Cooley. The H-back was master of the red zone in his rookie season, catching six TD passes, and should be a force inside the 20 again. He is a great fill-in starter for bye weeks.
Stumbler: Ramsey. When he took over for Mark Brunell last year, he was not impressive. Gibbs could be forced into using Brunell if Ramsey struggles.
FALL FORECAST
Offseason moves have left the team treading water instead of moving ahead. The receiving unit isn't much better, and Ramsey practically received a "no confidence" vote from Gibbs. The offensive line will be better, and that should mean increased protection for Ramsey and more running room for Portis. But that is not enough.
The team needs big plays and a significant boost in points from the offense, and there is no evidence either will occur. With that in mind, there probably won't be vast improvement over last year's 6-10 record. A third-place finish in the division and an 8-8 record is possible if things break right.
Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch and Sporting News.
__________________________________________________ _______________
BURNING QUESTION
Will the offense be more effective this season?
The line should be better, but blocking alone will not bring points. The passing game has to improve, and the team has to make opponents pay for stacking the box. Wide receivers Santana Moss, David Patten and Taylor Jacobs must take their games up a level for the offense to threaten defenses. But when you count on veterans to do things they haven't done in the past, you are bound to be let down.
WHAT'S NEW
Coach Joe Gibbs knew the 2004 season was going to be hard. But even when he said that -- and he said it often -- his Hall of Fame aura was such that people discounted that as modesty.
But Gibbs had been gone from the NFL since 1992, and the game had changed and the way players were acquired and paid had changed dramatically. Few thought it possible for a Gibbs-coached team to lose 10 games, but it happened. You can look it up. Now, Gibbs is relying chiefly on the "we're a year older" philosophy to get the team back on a winning track. He and his coaching staff know their players and the league better -- and the players have a clearer idea of what is expected of them. But it's going to take more than that to turn this team around.
For the second year in a row, Gibbs has created a quarterback controversy -- and that takes a toll on a team. The only area on offense that can be called improved is the line, where right tackle Jon Jansen returns from injury and former Ravens center Casey Rabach was added. That hardly seems to be enough to overcome the talented, aggressive defenses the Redskins will face again this year.
Gibbs says he is in this for the long haul. That's good because it's going to be a long haul to get this organization back to the glory days he so fondly remembers.
GAME PLAN
Gibbs is patient, low-key, calm at all times -- and extremely demanding. He firmly believes that things must be done his way for his offense to succeed. There is no doubt that he runs the show, and he does not put any one player above the welfare of the team.
Gibbs still believes in the one-back offense with maximum pass protection, and he is not going to change now. What he does plan to change is the quality of the blocking, which he believes will improve performance. Gibbs will continue to use motion and formations in an effort to get favorable matchups for his blockers and playmakers.
One minor change will be in the running game. Instead of running "40-gut" and "50-gut" up the middle, Gibbs will have his blockers stretch out so that Clinton Portis will be able to glide to his side, then cut back into the best hole he finds.
New quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave brings the concepts of the West Coast offense with him. The Redskins are not going to become a West Coast team -- Gibbs believes in a solid protection front with fewer hot reads -- but some aspects of the West Coast will be incorporated. Plays that give quarterback Patrick Ramsey the opportunity to make a quick read and quick pass will help him.
Few things will change on defense. Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams tries to generate maximum pressure at every opportunity to keep opponents off-balance. The lack of a pass-rushing end means Williams again will have to create pressure with linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, but few defensive minds in the league are as capable of devising such schemes as well as Williams and his staff.
Williams' style of coaching mirrors his style of defense. He is aggressive, stays on the players and makes corrections on the field immediately.
Greg Blache, the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, has a great eye for detail, is meticulous in his planning and does an outstanding job of getting points across to the players. He, too, is demanding and unafraid to pull any player who is not buying into the program.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
OLB LaVar Arrington: Keep an eye on Arrington, not just to see if he has completely recovered from his knee problem of 2004 but also to see if his contract disagreement with the team carries over to his on-field performance. His knee should be well by the time the regular season starts. His attitude might never be the same again. Arrington missed all but 12 games last year. When used properly, he is a devastating force. He is best suited to play off the line, where he creates havoc for any player who comes into his area. But Arrington has not been used that way since 2001. Instead, coaches prefer to send him after the quarterback. That inflates Arrington's sack total, but it doesn't get everything from a player of Arrington's ability.
WR Santana Moss: The receiving unit was a weak link in the offense last season, and it doesn't seem to be improved much, if at all. Moss takes over the No. 1 job from Laveranues Coles, for whom he was acquired. Moss, who is smaller but might be a bit faster than Coles, has been plagued by injuries in his career. If healthy, Moss has the speed to get downfield and make big plays.
OLB Marcus Washington: He was everything the team hoped he would be and more last season after the team signed him as a free agent. The Redskins knew he had pass-rushing and run-stopping skills, but his ability in coverage surprised and delighted the coaching staff. Washington can play either outside spot and probably could step into the middle and excel if needed. He has speed, power and smarts, and he's a sure tackler. He will be counted on to build off of last year's performance and has a chance to become one of the elite linebackers in the league.
DAN POMPEI'S TAKE
Anyone who can figure out the Redskins' plan should immediately alert team owner Dan Snyder so he will know as well. Prediction: 5-11 (fourth/NFC East).
FANTASY SOURCE SPIN
Stud: Portis. With the team tailoring the offense to accentuate Portis' strength -- his ability to glide to the side, then cut through a hole -- he should return to being a top-five fantasy back.
Sleeper: TE Chris Cooley. The H-back was master of the red zone in his rookie season, catching six TD passes, and should be a force inside the 20 again. He is a great fill-in starter for bye weeks.
Stumbler: Ramsey. When he took over for Mark Brunell last year, he was not impressive. Gibbs could be forced into using Brunell if Ramsey struggles.
FALL FORECAST
Offseason moves have left the team treading water instead of moving ahead. The receiving unit isn't much better, and Ramsey practically received a "no confidence" vote from Gibbs. The offensive line will be better, and that should mean increased protection for Ramsey and more running room for Portis. But that is not enough.
The team needs big plays and a significant boost in points from the offense, and there is no evidence either will occur. With that in mind, there probably won't be vast improvement over last year's 6-10 record. A third-place finish in the division and an 8-8 record is possible if things break right.
Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch and Sporting News.