Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

my concern in getting to 21 points isn't based on our annual average last year as much as it is the final 8 games when we went 2-6....what did we generate...like 12 pts a game? I think some here are forgetting the collapse of the team in the 2nd half of the season...talking about playoffs is crazy at this point..this team needs to win home games and games against lesser opponents under Zorn.

Zorn needs to learn how to coach by adjustment.
As you recall, we heard all about 2 TE sets all year, but it was rarely done because Zorn just stuck with the basics...it was all he could handle....and at the midpoint of the year, when defenses figured out how to play the skins, he could not adjust because he was a rookie overwhelmed with everything a HC has to do...he had zero hours to develop new plays/schemes...etc...so he focussed on execution alone...which certainly was not good enough.

I surely hope Zorn can develop a playbook double the size of last years.
I frankly dont know why he didn't run more shotgun, double te sets, 4 wr sets, sweeps, screens, trick plays late in the season....his playcalling was nowhere near where it needed to be to be successful.

I do agree that execution alone in yr 2 should improve 2 pts a game. But the reality is additional points per game is generated by scheming and playcalling against your opponents....if we score more points this year, it will be because Zorn has gotten more creative and aggressive in his playcalling based off of scouting weaknesses in our opponents defenses.

I hold out hope...we shall know in the first 4 games if Zorn can offensively adjust or if he will stick with the same formula no matter what like last year.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Paintrain;564342]2. The addition of Hunter Smith. His value in the field position game will have a positive impact on the defense which should again, improve the offense by proxy. His biggest impact however may be in the holding position. While I am not a big Suisham fan, he was undone a little last year with Brooks and Plackemier, who were both largely clueless as holders. I've never liked a punter as a holder but at least he's done it and done it with some accomplished kickers (Vanderjagt, Vinatieri) so hopefully Suisham's percentage will improve.[/quote]


Agreed, I think "Hunter the Punter" will greatly improve our field position, which should lead to more opportunites for points.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=skinsnut;564351]my concern in getting to 21 points isn't based on our annual average last year as much as it is the final 8 games when we went 2-6....what did we generate...like 12 pts a game? I think some here are forgetting the collapse of the team in the 2nd half of the season...talking about playoffs is crazy at this point..this team needs to win home games and games against lesser opponents under Zorn.

Zorn needs to learn how to coach by adjustment.
As you recall, we heard all about 2 TE sets all year, but it was rarely done because Zorn just stuck with the basics...it was all he could handle....and at the midpoint of the year, when defenses figured out how to play the skins, he could not adjust because he was a rookie overwhelmed with everything a HC has to do...he had zero hours to develop new plays/schemes...etc...so he focussed on execution alone...which certainly was not good enough.

I surely hope Zorn can develop a playbook double the size of last years.
I frankly dont know why he didn't run more shotgun, double te sets, 4 wr sets, sweeps, screens, trick plays late in the season....his playcalling was nowhere near where it needed to be to be successful.

I do agree that execution alone in yr 2 should improve 2 pts a game. But the reality is additional points per game is generated by scheming and playcalling against your opponents....if we score more points this year, it will be because Zorn has gotten more creative and aggressive in his playcalling based off of scouting weaknesses in our opponents defenses.

I hold out hope...we shall know in the first 4 games if Zorn can offensively adjust or if he will stick with the same formula no matter what like last year.[/quote]

Four of the teams we played in the second half were top defenses. People don't seem to ever take that into account.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=skinsnut;564351]my concern in getting to 21 points isn't based on our annual average last year as much as it is the final 8 games when we went 2-6....what did we generate...like 12 pts a game? I think some here are forgetting the collapse of the team in the 2nd half of the season...talking about playoffs is crazy at this point..this team needs to win home games and games against lesser opponents under Zorn.

Zorn needs to learn how to coach by adjustment.
As you recall, we heard all about 2 TE sets all year, but it was rarely done because Zorn just stuck with the basics...it was all he could handle....and at the midpoint of the year, when defenses figured out how to play the skins, he could not adjust because he was a rookie overwhelmed with everything a HC has to do...he had zero hours to develop new plays/schemes...etc...so he focussed on execution alone...which certainly was not good enough.

I surely hope Zorn can develop a playbook double the size of last years.
I frankly dont know why he didn't run more shotgun, double te sets, 4 wr sets, sweeps, screens, trick plays late in the season....his playcalling was nowhere near where it needed to be to be successful.

I do agree that execution alone in yr 2 should improve 2 pts a game. But the reality is additional points per game is generated by scheming and playcalling against your opponents....if we score more points this year, it will be because Zorn has gotten more creative and aggressive in his playcalling based off of scouting weaknesses in our opponents defenses.

I hold out hope...we shall know in the first 4 games if Zorn can offensively adjust or if he will stick with the same formula no matter what like last year.[/quote]

A bigger playbook, probably not, scheming for that week's opponnent, more probable. Football is a game of exploiting your opponent's weakness; and playing to your own strengths. If you can pound it, keep pounding it. If you can air it out, keep airing it. If you win in the Offensive trenches, you will cause your opponent to give in.

To Mike, above, yes we remember the four teams.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Schneed10;564214]Dockery's addition is getting overlooked a bit, I think with him we got significantly better in drive blocking in short-yardage situations. I like our chances of converting TDs in the red zone by pounding a few more of 'em in there.

But 21 points per game? Probably not. I can't see any of our young WRs stepping up just yet. Maybe in their 3rd year.

Remember, Kelly is essentially a rookie this year due to inexperience thanks to injuries.[/quote]

I remember short yardage being a problem during Dockery's first tenure. I think it is more important to be able to run consistently to the right so I am hoping that Bridges or Heyer step up. I also heard Doc Walker bring up a good point. Bugel has to find a way to use M. Williams in short yardage. Think Lorenzo Alexander + 75 ilbs. Put him on the wing next to Samuels!

I don't think that 5 points is that far away. The offense should be able to improve by 2 or 3 points just with the additional familiarity. If Thomas, Kelly and Campbell take a couple fo steps forward, 21 points a game should be within reach.

I also think the defense will be better than last year because of additional sacks. If Phat Albert stays healthy and is motivated, they should be a nightmare for offenses.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

i have to agree with most of you in that the defensive upgrades this offseason will lead to better pressure on the QB which weve needed since dexter manley and charles mann it seems... therefore leading to more picks and mistakes in our favor. All at the same time helping the offense...

i dont know how much control over this problem people like jim zorn has in playcalling... coordinators with schemes and all... or the players in terms of experience.. skill.. and trust in each other.. but we just play way to conservatively. there has to be a healthy balance.. and even in my own personal life i play it safe and im also by no means a fan of going "fun and gun" again... but it kinda relates to chicken monkey.. big plays.. we can do the normal chip away and sometimes brilliantly pull off the dink and dunk and make other teams look silly.. but we just cannot consistantly hit that 15+ yard connection. (when we need it) and it drives me nuts on sundays. so with devin thomas playing more (hopefully).. kelly back from injury and jason campbell having his first 2 year in a row program.... i hope our offense takes a step forward even though our o-line, and ports have all aged another year.

we have to take that downfield shot and test those corners. if it doesnt work at least you kept em honest and it might open the run game? sometimes we just gotta take a chance... other than when its the 4th quarter with under 2 mins to go.. its 4th and 16 and were down by 5.

(expletive)

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

21 points a game would put us at 23rd in the NFL for last year, not outrageous. I don't think 5 points is as big a number as people think. If you analyze where the points will come from that's way too complicated and tough to make a logical case. I don't expect this year to along with Detroit and Cincy to be the only teams to not score more than 30 points in any game this season. There's a lot of random stuff like that which will be different, also stuff like schedule. I also don't expect our o'line to be so injured that Justin Geisenger plays left tackle or for Suisham to be as bad when he has a better holder. I expect our punting and defense to be better, I expect a lot of guys to improve and for people to grow more accustomed to Zorn's stuff. Pretty much every player should get better, not just the rookies, because everybody was learning Zorn's stuff last year and most guys are still pretty young and getting better.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=hugeskinsfan182;564375]i have to agree with most of you in that the defensive upgrades this offseason will lead to better pressure on the QB which weve needed since dexter manley and charles mann it seems... therefore leading to more picks and mistakes in our favor. All at the same time helping the offense...

i dont know how much control over this problem people like jim zorn has in playcalling... coordinators with schemes and all... or the players in terms of experience.. skill.. and trust in each other.. but we just play way to conservatively. there has to be a healthy balance.. and even in my own personal life i play it safe and im also by no means a fan of going "fun and gun" again... but it kinda relates to chicken monkey.. big plays.. we can do the normal chip away and sometimes brilliantly pull off the dink and dunk and make other teams look silly.. but we just cannot consistantly hit that 15+ yard connection. (when we need it) and it drives me nuts on sundays. so with devin thomas playing more (hopefully).. kelly back from injury and jason campbell having his first 2 year in a row program.... i hope our offense takes a step forward even though our o-line, and ports have all aged another year.

[B]we have to take that downfield shot and test those corners. if it doesnt work at least you kept em honest and it might open the run game? sometimes we just gotta take a chance... other than when its the 4th quarter with under 2 mins to go.. its 4th and 16 and were down by 5.

(expletive[/B])[/quote]

I think we will this year. That drove me absolutely crazy last year but with the receivers running their routes better and JC hopefully having more time and knowing the receivers routes himself, I expect the passing game to be much improved.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

It's hard for me to envision our offense not being pretty improved outside of debilitating health issues.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

I know it is easy to say that everyone shares blame, but I think they do. What is JC suppose to do if receivers can't catch and they run bad routes? How about CP struggling after the line got hurt. Also, Zorn blamed execution, but we all know he got kinda predictable towards the end of the season.

But I really think the important change comes with D. Hall, Big Al and Orakpo should add to turnovers. This directly leads to more possessions further down the field. Our D last year kept points low but our offense didn't get shorter fields and momentum changers. Not saying it is all on the D, but with a less than average offense more is.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

Basically, we need 5 more points per game from someone, anyone. Because we don't care where that touchdown comes from, we can't continue to overlook any area of the team that can be improved to help us get those points. We've done some positive things in that regard, but we need to do more.

1. ARE must be replaced on punt returns. With a good PR, we could pick up 1 or two TD's per season on PR's.

2. We still need another proven NFL WR. ARE is not effective as a wide out - he belongs in the slot as a #3 receiver and I don't think we can count on any of the young WR's to get the job done.

3. We need to upgrade our FG kicker. This should have already been done and if it's not done it will cost us a game or two.

4. Our new FG kicker needs a big leg on kickoffs, as well. We're surrendering field position on kickoffs.

5. It wouldn't hurt to have more speed in the game at RB on 3rd downs. Speed kills, you know. We need to get an occaisional "home run" from a RB via run or pass.

6. Jason Campbell must get a lot better in the Red Zone. He also needs to take more chances, particularly with the long ball. I think he will.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=hooskins;564406]I know it is easy to say that everyone shares blame, but I think they do. What is JC suppose to do if receivers can't catch and they run bad routes? How about CP struggling after the line got hurt. Also, Zorn blamed execution, but we all know he got kinda predictable towards the end of the season.

But I really think the important change comes with D. Hall, Big Al and Orakpo should add to turnovers. This directly leads to more possessions further down the field. [B]Our D last year kept points low but our offense didn't get shorter fields and momentum changers[/B]. Not saying it is all on the D, but with a less than average offense more is.[/quote]

I think that's a great point. It always seems like, no matter how good the Skins' D is, they're never that opportunistic kind of defense. They never seemed to get a ton of turnovers, more like a bend, but don't break team. There are defenses, like Baltimore and Pittsburgh's who will bend you to their will and make you make mistakes and occasionally, they'll put points on the board. The Skins have had that kind of a defense recently, I would to see that.

I, personally, believe it could happen with Hall. He may not be able to cover that well, but he can catch and turn it around for 6 because he does well with the ball in his hands. I think Landry could end up being very good at returning turnovers as well, but he plays so far up the field a pick-six would be tough for him.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;564412]Basically, we need 5 more points per game from someone, anyone. Because we don't care where that touchdown comes from, we can't continue to overlook any area of the team that can be improved to help us get those points. We've done some positive things in that regard, but we need to do more.

1. ARE must be replaced on punt returns. With a good PR, we could pick up 1 or two TD's per season on PR's.

2. We still need another proven NFL WR. ARE is not effective as a wide out - he belongs in the slot as a #3 receiver and I don't think we can count on any of the young WR's to get the job done.

3. We need to upgrade our FG kicker. This should have already been done and if it's not done it will cost us a game or two.

4. Our new FG kicker needs a big leg on kickoffs, as well. We're surrendering field position on kickoffs.

5. It wouldn't hurt to have more speed in the game at RB on 3rd downs. Speed kills, you know. We need to get an occaisional "home run" from a RB via run or pass.

6. Jason Campbell must get a lot better in the Red Zone. He also needs to take more chances, particularly with the long ball. I think he will.[/quote]


Man you read my mind on all of your points except on number 6. I think that if we get one of the sophmore wideouts to stepup into the number 2 spot, then that will give us more playcalling ability in the Red Zone. I think that Jason didn't have enough options. The only players he could count on consistently were Santana and Cooley. Most of the time they were double covered so he would end up taking a coverage sack. I especially agree with you on point number 5. We need a speedy third down back, I'm sorry but Betts is not getting the job done on third downs. I hope we can fit Marcus Mason in at this position. And for Gods sake please don't let ARE return punts anymore.:benched:

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

Again, don't count on Orakpo to improve the pass rush/turnovers. IF he does, he's exceeding expectations for a rookie.

I think most everyone here is assuming the D will return to form, but last year's D was not an imposing unit, they just played disciplined & hard under Blache. In the latter half of the year they looked worn down at times too, not just from being on the field too long either. LB is still an issue & we don't know how that will turn out. Can A. Carter get some sacks again?

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

we have had a problem scoring points in the past. long drives that keep the defence off the field are the key to winning the close games we have a lot of 3 and outs that wear down the defence

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

honestly i cant remember the last time the skins O put up more than 20 ppg. every year we have a solid bend dont break defense and an offense that fails to stretch the field. i see next years O and D being the same as last years and the year before and the year before etc.

we basically have the same O unit. while the rookies are a year older now so are samuels, rabach, thomas, moss, portis. this unit has been together long enough to know what they are going to give us = approx 16-18 ppg.

im proud that we are a defensive team, just gave up hope on this offensive unit (JC, moss, portis) doing anything electric or game breaking.

go skins!!

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=over the mountain;564455]honestly i cant remember the last time the skins O put up more than 20 ppg.[/quote]

2007

20.9 PPG

[url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2007.htm]2007 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com[/url]

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Mattyk72;564484]2007

20.9 PPG

[URL="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2007.htm"]2007 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com[/URL][/quote]
That was also playing the last 14 games minus our RG & RT. In 05 we had 22 PPG .

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=over the mountain;564455][B]honestly i cant remember the last time the skins O put up more than 20 ppg.[/B] every year we have a solid bend dont break defense and an offense that fails to stretch the field. i see next years O and D being the same as last years and the year before and the year before etc.

we basically have the same O unit. while the rookies are a year older now so are samuels, rabach, thomas, moss, portis. this unit has been together long enough to know what they are going to give us = approx 16-18 ppg.

im proud that we are a defensive team, just gave up hope on this offensive unit (JC, moss, portis) doing anything electric or game breaking.

go skins!![/quote]

Alzthiemers is a bitch ain't it mountain? :)

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Mattyk72;564484]2007

20.9 PPG

[url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2007.htm]2007 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com[/url][/quote]

Snap!!! Nice stat too btw...

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=53Fan;564491]Alzthiemers is a bitch ain't it mountain? :)[/quote]

lol yeah i forgot. no sarcasim thoo, i hope we can return to 20.9 ppg and ranking 18th in scoring next year like clayton's article suggests.

go skins!

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

Suisham needs to step his game up. He needs to make FG's from 40 and in with regularity and not kick the ball out of bounds on kickoffs. How many times did he do that last year? Too many!
Ideally, we need to score more TD's and maybe we will in Zorn's second year. I'm sure the players are more comfortable in his system and he's more comfortable running the show (I wasn't impressed with his game management last year) so scoring 5 more points is very attainable IMO.
The defense should be solid though hopefully we'll force more turnovers which will give us a shorter field.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=John Denny;564580]Suisham needs to step his game up. He needs to make FG's from 40 and in with regularity and not kick the ball out of bounds on kickoffs. How many times did he do that last year? Too many!
Ideally, we need to score more TD's and maybe we will in Zorn's second year. I'm sure the players are more comfortable in his system and he's more comfortable running the show (I wasn't impressed with his game management last year) so scoring 5 more points is very attainable IMO.
The defense should be solid though hopefully we'll force more turnovers which will give us a shorter field.[/quote]

Hopefully Suisham gets beat out. He really has turned into a liability. Let him figure out his problems on some other team's time.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;564412]Basically, we need 5 more points per game from someone, anyone. Because we don't care where that touchdown comes from, we can't continue to overlook any area of the team that can be improved to help us get those points. We've done some positive things in that regard, but we need to do more.

1. ARE must be replaced on punt returns. With a good PR, we could pick up 1 or two TD's per season on PR's.

2. We still need another proven NFL WR. ARE is not effective as a wide out - he belongs in the slot as a #3 receiver and I don't think we can count on any of the young WR's to get the job done.

3. We need to upgrade our FG kicker. This should have already been done and if it's not done it will cost us a game or two.

4. Our new FG kicker needs a big leg on kickoffs, as well. We're surrendering field position on kickoffs.

5. It wouldn't hurt to have more speed in the game at RB on 3rd downs. Speed kills, you know. We need to get an occaisional "home run" from a RB via run or pass.

6. Jason Campbell must get a lot better in the Red Zone. He also needs to take more chances, particularly with the long ball. I think he will.[/quote]

I agree pretty much. Field position is so crucial. Our defense has been poor at creating turnovers and sacks, and our punt return has been really weak. If Alridge or Dorsey can crack the roster and return punts, and our D steps up the sacks and turnovers (which I really think they will), it will create shorter fields for the offense.

Basically the offense needs to get better, but it will be a helluva lot easier for them to do so if they're handed a shorter field more often.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=John Denny;564580]Suisham needs to step his game up. He needs to make FG's from 40 and in with regularity and not kick the ball out of bounds on kickoffs. How many times did he do that last year? Too many!
Ideally, we need to score more TD's and maybe we will in Zorn's second year. I'm sure the players are more comfortable in his system and he's more comfortable running the show (I wasn't impressed with his game management last year) so scoring 5 more points is very attainable IMO.
The defense should be solid though hopefully we'll force more turnovers which will give us a shorter field.[/quote]I thought Suisham turned a corner as a reliable kicker for the first 8-9 games last season, but his kickoffs were noticeably shorter the 2nd half, and he missed crucial field goals during that stretch as well. I wish we had signed Sam Swank out of Wake Forest to compete for the job. I'm pretty sure that Philly signed Swank to push Akers for the starting job there.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=MonkFan4Life;564203]If Jason Campbell can play more like he did in the first Philly game and less like he did the last 8 games of the season 21 points a game shouldn't be that difficult.[/quote]


The WR corp needs to step it up a lot for that to happen. We really took a gamble with these low round rook WRs, not too mention last year's rook WRs.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Angry;564198]We have needed 5 PPG for the past 5 years. I do not see our chances improving just by the defensive offseason additions. Unless the defense averages a pick 6 a game, then nothing is going to change. There may be a slight improvement on offense this season and the D might improve as well, but I am not about to make predictions about the scoreboard when points have been at a premium for this team.

With that being said we are going to win some games, but by no means do I believe that we will average 21 PPG.[/quote]

Well this team isn't the last five years team, with that said we can average 21points a game. Our offensive players will be playing in the same system for the 2nd stright year. Remember our team has changed offenses when Spurrier, Gibbs, and Al Saunders came in as coaches. When Al Saunders came we changed to his system to from Coach Gibbs system. Then the next year Gibbs changed it back. Our Defense will give us more chances to score.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

In the second year of the WC offense,things will click a little faster and sharper.Which,hopefully produces more yards per play in the passing game.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=schndr_tdd;564780]In the second year of the WC offense,things will click a little faster and sharper.Which,hopefully produces more yards per play in the passing game.[/quote]

I'm waiting to see how much of the spread formation - 4 wrs, empty backfield - is used v. 2 TEs or the I. Seems that when Zorn tried to go to the spread sets last year JC got killed.

If they can run 4 wr plays effectively then it's a sign this offense has improved by leaps & bounds.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=skins89moss;564773]Well this team isn't the last five years team, with that said we can average 21points a game. Our offensive players will be playing in the same system for the 2nd stright year. Remember our team has changed offenses when Spurrier, Gibbs, and Al Saunders came in as coaches. When Al Saunders came we changed to his system to from Coach Gibbs system. Then the next year Gibbs changed it back. Our Defense will give us more chances to score.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I used to think positively too until I had my homer goggles surgically removed 2 years ago.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=Pocket$ $traight;564582]Hopefully Suisham gets beat out. He really has turned into a liability. Let him figure out his problems on some other team's time.[/quote]

Careful, that's matty's favorite player! LOL.

Seriously, it all falls on Campbell's shoulders. When he's on, we win, when he's not, we don't. Granted it's not that cut and dry, but it's close. I get tired of seeing him complete 3 or 4 in row just to miss on the next 3 or 4 in a row. Consistency young man!!! Stop overthrowing your deeper WR's. Can't do slants all year. We have a playoff caliber team, no doubt about it, but do we have a playoff caliber QB? Portis is old enough where we can't rely on him. He doesn't break the big ones anymore, but he is certainly a very good all around back...we need Campbell to step up.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

I agree, JC needs to step up, but thing is J, we really didn't help him out in the offseason or the draft. Orakpo was a great pick up, as was Haynesworth, but our D was solid last year. We just didn't score the damn points!!!! The Offensive line should have been upgraded with FA and the draft. I know we had all low rounders this year, but we should have at least drafted a couple O linemen and see if we could get a diamond in the rough or at least a decent backup for depth's sake. I know we got Dockery back, but that isn't much of an upgrade if you ask me. Don't know enough about Williams to make a statement about him. Just hope and pray that Kelly doesnt become our next Taylor Jacobs, and that at least two of these young WRs pan out.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=GusFrerotte;564858]I agree, JC needs to step up, but thing is J, we really didn't help him out in the offseason or the draft. Orakpo was a great pick up, as was Haynesworth, but our D was solid last year. We just didn't score the damn points!!!! The Offensive line should have been upgraded with FA and the draft. I know we had all low rounders this year, but we should have at least drafted a couple O linemen and see if we could get a diamond in the rough or at least a decent backup for depth's sake. I know we got Dockery back, but that isn't much of an upgrade if you ask me. Don't know enough about Williams to make a statement about him. Just hope and pray that Kelly doesnt become our next Taylor Jacobs, and that at least two of these young WRs pan out.[/quote]

I absolutely disagree about Dock...he's an upgrade, and a valuable addition. Williams could be, but i think we are more on the hope side of that one. Other than that, I understand. We do have the ingredients though...we have the people to perform like we did in the first 8 games last year. Just need Campbell to improve (which I do expect).

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=SmootSmack;564229]If my calculations are correct we're talking about scoring about 70 more points (or 7 TDs) more than we did last year to get to 21 points, which could be a tall order...but my math has never been good.

Still, 21 points a game seems like something most NFL teams should be able to achieve with some regularity.

Clayton is generally pretty positive about the Redskins. He usually thinks they have the talent to be at least a solid Wild Card team[/quote]

If Campbell can get to 20TDs, we're in business. 13TDs is embarrassing. 20TDs a reasonable expectation for any legitimate starting QB. There's no way he does any worse.

Re: John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances
 

[quote=GusFrerotte;564858]I agree, JC needs to step up, but thing is J, we really didn't help him out in the offseason or the draft. Orakpo was a great pick up, as was Haynesworth, but our D was solid last year. We just didn't score the damn points!!!! The Offensive line should have been upgraded with FA and the draft. I know we had all low rounders this year, but we should have at least drafted a couple O linemen and see if we could get a diamond in the rough or at least a decent backup for depth's sake. I know we got Dockery back, but that isn't much of an upgrade if you ask me. Don't know enough about Williams to make a statement about him. Just hope and pray that Kelly doesnt become our next Taylor Jacobs, and that at least two of these young WRs pan out.[/quote]

I think that we went with more immediate impact players this year.. guys that can get on the field from the start, Orakpo and possibly Barnes. Will give us a year to evaluate Rinehart and the other young guys. Might put us into position to get more of an impact guy next year on the OL. That and we do seem to have the mentality of "if our line could just stay healthy we won't have any problems" as well.