Stepping Up in 2009

[hail_2_da_skins]

Stepping Up in 2009

1) OFFENSIVE PASS PRODUCTION - The passing game has to improve drastically. Wide receivers could not consistently get separation. Quarterback reads were too slow. Pass protection broke down too often. The passing plays relied to much on run after the catch and many times failed to get sufficient yardage to convert third down situations.
KEY PLAYERS THAT NEED TO STEP UP:Campbell, Thomas, Kelly, entire offensive line

2) PASS RUSH - The acquisition of Albert Haynesworth is a godsend. If he performs as he has done in the past the pass rush will be greatly improved. Investing so much into one player is a big gamble and if he misses any stretch of games, the defense will regress. Need Jason Taylor to revert back to form and Andre Carter needs to continue to play at a high level.
KEY PLAYERS THAT NEED TO STEP UP:Haynesworth, Taylor, Carter, Griffin

3)LINEBACKERS - With the release of Marcus Washington, the age of London Fletcher and the lack of production of Rocky McIntosh, this unit is the weak link of the defense. I have nothing bad to say about London Fletcher, he may be one of the best free agent acquisitions of the Snyder era. With the 13th pick in the draft, the Skins need to get an outside linebacker that can play immediately. I'm not sold on H.B. Blades being a starter.
KEY PLAYERS THAT NEED TO STEP UP:Rocky McIntosh, #13 Draft pick


4)PLAY CALLING - Jim Zorn's play calling in the first half of the season caught the rest of the NFL by surprise and was successful. As the season progressed, it seemed as though the rest of the league caught onto what they were trying to do and the offense backtracked. Zorn continued to attack teams the same way and did not adjust to what other teams were doing. The NFL is all about adjustments and it didn't seem the Redskins did a good job of adjusting to their opponents. I think Zorn needs to delegate more responsibility to other coaches. He is trying to do too much. You can't be head coach, offensive coordinator, play caller and quarterback coach, all at once.