Vision Quest: Getting Hit On Both Sides

I admit it. And if you are honest with yourself you will admit it. And if you’re a member of the Redskin organization right now you better admit it, because you did it too.

We all believed the Redskins Press Clippings.

Leading up the Giants game we all felt this was a different team. We were led to believe this 2-0 start was just the beginning. We were told our defense rebounded and are now back on top. We believed the Saunders offense was just a few timing issues away from breaking out into a full fledged NFL offense. And we thought finally the promise that was made to us in 2004 with the re-hiring of Coach Gibbs.

So far, we are all wrong.

It is not often that one loss can put such a dour mood on the state of Redskins nation. But it is not the fact that we lost that is killing us. It’s not that every other tem in our division won. It is not even the fact that we lost at home for the second straight year to n inferior division opponent. We are used to that. That is life in the NFC East, there are no easy games.
No we could shrug all that off and look forward to Detroit. But like so many things it is not the fact that a devastating loss happened, it is the way in which it happened that is killing us.
Did you think we were good at defending on third downs? Well the Giants went 9-16 for 565. Many of those conversions were on long third downs, the kind the defense gave up in 2006 but we thought we had finally found a way to handle this year.

Did you think we were good at converting on third down? How is 5-16, 31%, feeling right now? Keep in mind that 2 of those third down conversions were late in the 4th quarter after we got desperate to come back. So you thought that if we won the turnover battle we could win any football game? Well we won that battle 3-1 on Sunday but still lost by a touchdown.

What is killing us most today is the feeling that our Franchise is never going to overcome the indecision that permeates everything in and around Redskins Park. This indecision is manifesting itself in everything from the draft, to off season contract negotiations, to play calling on game day.

We can’t decide between building for the now or trusting our rookies, so we spend three years with Mark Brunell at QB with brief glimpses of success. We can’t decide whether we are going to be an attacking defense or a bend but don’t break defense, so we draft players like Landry and McIntosh that are meant to attack the ball and drop them in zones. We can’t decide whether we are a running or passing team and so we have no offensive rhythm and we can not develop linemen suited to either style.

But in no other example is this indecision more detrimental Gibbs decision to distance himself from his own team.

In 2004 he anointed Gregg Williams as the Assistant head Coach Defense. Now we all know Joe Gibbs has never really cared about the defensive side of the ball. In the old days he just let Richard Pettibone do whatever he wanted. Gibbs was wearing a different hat this time around, and that is of Team President, a de-facto General Manager. Richard Pettibone was allowed to scheme as much as he wanted, but Bobby Beathard for the most part was making the decision on the talent he had to scheme with.

This time Gregg Williams has gone out and monopolized our first round picks for defensive backs and late rounds with linebackers who never make the team. Each year he assures us our defense will be more aggressive and we will simply not lay back and let the other team dictate to us. And each year without addressing the defensive line he expects them to actually generate a pass rush.

The Defense’s second half performance on Sunday made Brittany Spears call in and say “Are they even trying out there?” We laid back in a cover-2 zone while our front four for the most part failed to generate a substantial pass rush. 21 points in a half is pitiful, period. And for a healthy defense with upgrades around the ball should not let this happen.

However Gibbs most fatally flawed decision may be the decision to hire Al Saunders as Associate head Coach – Offense in 2006. Gibbs has always been an offensive coach, acting as his own offensive coordinator. With sub par offenses in 2004 and a mediocre at best offense in 2005, Gibbs brought in a guy who was supposed to ramp up the offense to unknown heights. Unfortunately that has not worked.

The Saunders offense has been nothing special and at times looked worse then even the 2004 offense. And much of it can be blamed on a lack of identity. At times we are a passing offense, at times a running offense. Gibbs has stated Saunders does the play calling but admits that he makes the call to go for it on 4th down and at times it has been reported he has taken over the offense and exerted his will. By not just deciding to either give Saunders total control or wrest it away and take back the offense the Redskins have been in limbo for 1 season and 3 games. We change quarterback and receivers but the play calling remains the same.

If Gibbs wants to succeed in his second go around he has to DECIDE. He needs to decide he really wants to be GM and fire Cerrato, realign the Scouting department and make the decisions himself on defensive draft picks based on the schemes Williams employed. And if he can’t or does not want to do that, he needs to hire a GM.

And on offense Gibbs needs to decide whether he wants to take control. I for open don’t care which way he goes. In the last half of 2005 with inferior talent at QB and WR we put together a decent offensive football team. I would not fault him one bit to go back to this. Let Saunders perch on the roof and give suggestions but if Gibbs wants to call the plays, call the damn plays. Or hang up the head set and be the cheerleader in chief he seemed to desire to be at the start of 2006.

Otherwise the Redskins are like a guy standing in the middle of the road, and getting hit from both sides.

5 Things We Don’t Know Now

Ok we lost….so here are the things we don’t know now.

1.) When will Gregg Williams understand the Cover-2 defense does not work in the modern NFL? Besides Andre carter we have not developed a pass rush from the front four at all. A Cover-2 scheme is murdered unless you make the QB throw the ball early or put him on his back. Combine this with our Line backing corp which is better at attacking and not covering and we got picked apart in the 2nd half Sunday. Burress and Shockey exploited the middle of our defense like Home Simpson going after a cream filled donut. Please dear God drop the Cover 2 and go man to man in crucial situations.

2.) Why does a hall of fame Coach and the highest paid coaching staff in the league continue to have play clock management issues? Every freaking game a timeout is being burned, or worse a delay of game penalty incurs, because the play call is not in. With over 15 million in coaches’ salaries on that sideline, this is just not right. Why does Campbell not have quick calls he can make after making a first down? Where are the audibles? If the Redskins want to work on something in the off week, the two minute offense is it. If they want to play the ball-less close game strategy, fine. But you better count on having to run this every game or most games.

3.) Will the Saunders offense ever emerge from the mediocre 10-20 point per game lethargic sloth it has become? Only four times has the Saunders offense scored over 23 points under Saunders, and 2 of those were losses where we were trying to catch up at the end. And so many games have been in the dreaded teens range. We need to continue attacking each and every play and save the play it safe strategy for the end of the 4th quarter.

4.) If we are a running team and Portis is our best runner how does he only get 14 attempts in a game we are up by two scores? Pathetic excuses are being given for Betts running the ball not once but twice in the closing seconds attempting to score the game tying touchdown. Betts has a role on this team, but goal line back when the game is on the line is not it. Betts should spell Portis in the early parts of the game, but come to the 4th quarter, barring injury; Portis is the back we need. And it is what he is paid for.

5.) Is this team going to respond properly to this loss and make some adjustments before it is too late? This is the biggest thing we don’t know. This is a devastating loss at home and can ruin the whole season. They have two weeks to stew in their disgrace. Will they get mad and go out there and make Matt Millen’s Lions wish they never came to DC? Or will they fold up and give the same half hearted effort they gave last week. The 2005 team, after the San Diego loss at home went on a 6 game winning streak to make the playoffs and give us our first playoff win since 1999. The 2006 team, after losing to Tennessee at home limped to a 3-7 finish and a disgraceful 5-11 record, the worst ever under Joe Gibbs.

The only thing to look ahead to is a long bye week. Full of more questions then answers. Hopefully we are a stronger team after it, but the hard part is definitely ahead of us, not behind.

Vision Quest: U….G….L…Y… this is how we live or die.

Sometimes I wonder what is going through the mind of my fellow Redskin fans. Over the last two weeks while our team fought to maintain leads and win games late against tough defensive squads. Yet some fans this is not enough. Personally I think it is a testament to our squad that we are 2-0 right now, and the goes especially for Monday night’s win in Philly.

I am not calling for every fan to be Kool-aid drinkers and swallow whatever comes out of Redskins Park. Far from it. I am one of the bigger critics of the front office and its structure. I also don’t think that fans should not question play calling and questionable defensive play during the game. I do it…often. Second guessing is what being a sports fan is all about. We all are living our lives with the realization we will never do the things we see on the TV in front of us and part of the fun is thinking you could maybe do better if given the chance.

But through all that I think we need to be realistic. This is not the Redskins of the early 90s who can throw the ball downfield with abandon. Nor are we the Redskins of the mid eighties where we can run the ball with consistency and play nasty defense all the time. We are the Redskins of 2007. One thing is very clear about these Redskins.

They are UGLY.

Now some of you may say that I am putting this team down. Let me reassure you right now that is not the case. I love this squad right now, warts and all. I liken our team to the Ugly Friend that everyone has. The loyal hardworking friend that means well, but doesn’t always succeed. He is not the squeaky clean guy at the bar with all the cool pick up lines that drives a Porsche. No he is wearing flannel and may have a stain on his shirt from the drink he spilled on himself when he tried to talk to a girl. He drives a 15 year old sedan that barely runs. And he always leaves his wallet at home.

As I said everyone has an Ugly Friend like that. And if you don’t know who that is, then you are someone else’s Ugly Friend.

Every now and then you have to wonder why do you keep hanging out with this guy? Why do you pay his light bill for him when he is facing disconnection? Why are you always buying the beers when you go out? Why do you listen to his endless excuses of why things aren’t going better for him?

And then it happens. You’re alone at night and your tire is flat and you forgot your jack. It is your Ugly Friend that is the one you call to help you change your tire and get you home safe. Or you need to take down a tree in your yard. It’s your Ugly Friend who gives up a Saturday to help you out.

The Redskins are that Ugly Friend for DC right now. Sure they sign a ton of Free Agents hoping to win the lottery of the NFL and it never comes true. Sure they waste draft picks and make questionable personnel decisions. And yes they bleed you dry making you pay top dollar for everything from beer to merchandise.

But they are the same group who gave us the 2005 playoff run and are right now 2-0. And they are the reason we are pretty damn happy at the office today as well.

So yes they run the ball inconsistently. And yes Jason Campbell is a young QB who makes a ton of mistakes. And yes the bend but don’t break defense is bending an awful lot late in the 4th quarter.

But what did you expect? We have a marginally talented team that is aging and past prime. And in the one area where experience often trumps youth, QB, we have a young guy with less then a full season of NFL game experience. We have a secondary which is inconsistent and Safeties who are athletic but raw.

This is Redskins football this year. We are going to be ugly, but we are also going to work hard. We may not win games by 20 points, but we will be in almost every game with a chance to win late. We have to improve in allot of areas to make the playoffs, but if last night is any indication we have just enough moxy to get us there.

Because sometimes, just sometimes, the Ugly Friend gets to go home with the girl. And Right now our Ugly Friend is on his way to just that.

5 Things We Know Now

Ok you know the drill. We won in Philly so it is time for the 5 things we know now:

We will have to hear about our Offensive Line Depth, or lack thereof, all season long. Ironically we heard about it all off season as well. At the time of this article it is believed that Thomas has a torn tri-cep. That is easily a season long injury. With Jansen done for the year our whole right side of the line is exposed. Wade filled in for Jansen and I have no real worries there. But I watched Fabini play guard all pre-season and he got blown up by the opposing team’s 2nd string defensive tackles, let alone their first string. I expect Pucillo to get some time there, but he and Heyer are now our only real depth on the line. If I am Brad Badger or Adam Timmerman’s agent I am calling Redskins Park right now and offering my client’s services.

Brandon Lloyd, the bell tolls for you on Sunday. Caldwell was inactive on Monday, but that won’t last. With a bye week coming after the Giants game on Sunday, Brandon Lloyd has exactly one more game to prove he is going to be an NFL receiver this year. He had a chance for another TD this week and could not make it happen. The ball was a little overthrown and Lloyd did try for it unlike last week. But we are beyond ‘try’ now. Lloyd either puts up or shuts up next week. Otherwise he will probably be inactive for the remainder of the Redskin games.

Jason Campbell is going to struggle, but also progress, all season long. It seems JC has a case of the nerves early on in the season. And who can blame him. Though he has been on our roster for three years he never started an opening day game and he has never started a Monday Night game. Now he has had to do those in successive order. So he has been inconsistent early in both games, but he has calmed down and been real sharp late in games. Coming back home will help him next week and the bye week will help him even more.

Only being on Monday Night Football once is a blessing in disguise. Not for the players mind you, but for the fans. There are less camera shots in the booth at an adult video store then on Monday Night. If I wanted to see three old guys sit around and talk instead of watching the game I would go watch a Neil Simon Play. And when Barkley joined the booth it got even worse. Never mind the fact they were blathering incoherently it was like the producers of MNDF wanted the audience to know that Barkley was really in the booth….every two seconds. SHOW THE DAMN GAME!!!!!! That is why I am watching TV and not listening to the radio. Bone heads.

This team has character and guts, and that is what the big difference from last year is. We can talk about the improvement at the skills positions. We can talk about the improvement in the game planning. We can talk about improvement in the defense. But the very fact is the last two games are games the Redskins would have found ways to lose last year. They are fighting their guts out, to borrow from our Coach. They are willing themselves to the win. We will see if it can last but right now I am proud of them.

Looking Ahead to the NY Giants. The team comes home on Sunday to face the NY Giants. This can be a big test to the character of our team. The NY Giants are 0-2 and reeling right now. We need to put our boot to their neck. More importantly going 3-0 right before the bye is a big win for our guys. Also NY is an inferior team coming into our house. Overconfidence is what has killed us in the past here, but we have pretty much owned the Giants when they play under our roof. A win here and we can send them on a tailspin they will never recover from.

That is it for now as Always HTTR!!!

Vision Quest: It’s A Good Start

As many of you know I do not have the good fortune of living in the DC area. I can only justify one trip to see my beloved Redskins live every season. And I am all too aware of how lucky I am to be able to do so. I know many out of town fans can go a whole lifetime without seeing their teams play live. So I have cherished each of the last 5 years trips, even when we lost.
This year was pretty special for me though as I was going on opening day. I had never been to an opening day game and the excitement in the air was amazing. Each of the last 5 years I have gone to a game where the Redskins were already having a mediocre or losing season. Even in 2005 when we made the playoffs I had the unfortunate experience of going to the Oakland game which brought our record to a paltry 5-5.

But this year the sense of hope in the air of the season opener was electric. Only in the NFL does every team have a reasonable hope of success in the upcoming year. The parity in the league is why it is so popular. On opening day you can actually have dreams of the Super Bowl if everything goes your way. Add to that the hR tailgate, the opening of the 75th Anniversary season, beautiful weather, and a thrilling overtime win and you have the recipe for a great day.
As the wave of euphoria over the win started to pass I could finally start to figure out what this game means in the big picture. And what I finally came to was simply this:

It was a good start.

I am not sure how much we can get out of the game yesterday that will let us spy into the future with this team. For every positive there was a hint of worry. For every negative there were silver linings.

In short we just don’t know what kind of team we have yet.

I do think we are on a whole a better team then at this point last year. The offense seems to have picked up where it left off at the end of last year. At least the rushing offense did. And with Clinton Portis back on the field it is even clearer then before we are going to be a very good running team.

However JC took a step back this game. He was not very accurate and also had two interceptions. He also failed to produce a passing TD in the first time in his career. His receivers did not help him with dropped passes either.

On defense we seem to actually stop the run for the first time in recent memory. Also for the first time someone other then a defensive back led the team in tackles. Rocky McIntosh and London Fletcher are huge upgrades on defense and they will make or break the run defense all season long.

However the pass defense was pitiful. If it wasn’t for a case of the dropsy’s by the Miami Dolphins it would have been even worse. Fred Smoot was abused more then Michael Vick’s dogs. Despite one Andre Carter sack the front four still could not create reasonable pressure on its own and the cover 2 broke down repeatedly.

The Coaches seem to understand their players better then they did last year. The decisions to lift Montgomery and Randle_El to the starting lineups at DT and WR respectively were very wise decisions. Randle El exploded for his best game as A Redskin and Montgomery clogged the middle on the run defense. And the two back rotation of Portis and Betts worked to perfection most of the day.

Yet for most of the third quarter Saunders abandoned the run in favor of the passing game. After promising a more aggressive defense with a variety of blitz packages, and showing that in the pre-season, Williams went conservative laying back in a cover 2 and hoping not to get beat.
And in what can only be described as a Lindseyesque move someone made the decision to relegate Sean Springs to the third cornerback position. Springs quite simply is the best defensive back on the Redskins and should be starting. No one is buying Williams explanation that he was in a rotation scheme since Fred “Toast” Smoot was playing 2 times the number of snaps Springs did.

One thing I will not fault Coach Gibbs for though is the decision to kick the FG on first down in overtime. At the time of the kick I thought it was odd, and I would have much preferred at least 2 runs up the middle. But the probability of a holding penalty or false start was just too high. Samuels was playing his first action in months, Kendall his first start as a Redskin, Heyer was playing out of position. Anything could have happened and Suisham definitely did not need the 5 yards. With Campbell having accuracy problems it was too risky to take a shot into the end zone or pass down the field.

Kicking the ball was the right choice and at the end of the day a successful choice. You can’t fault the coaching staff for that.

So at the end of one game in the regular season the Redskins showed moderate offensive ability against an aging but thought to be superior defense and showed moderate defensive ability against what is thought to be a horrible offense. Definitely an improvement over 2006, but is it enough for a playoff run in 2007? Only time will tell if this good start is good enough.
But we can always hope.

5 Things we know now

Well it is time now for the return of the “What We know or don’t know Now” feature. For those of you who don’t remember after each Redskin win I list 5 things we know now and after a loss 5 things we don’t know anymore. I much prefer writing the former and it did not happen enough last season. So here we go:

Antwaan Randle_El was not a mistake to sign. Many who questioned the Lloyd signing of two years ago did so because we already had Randle_el on the sideline. I thought at the time Randle_El was the perfect slot receiver and may not work as a #2. I was wrong and I learned that for certain on Sunday> Randle_el has great chemistry withCampbell and more performances like Sunday will open up Santana Moss downfield.

Sean Suisham has ice water in his veins. For those of us who wondered why the Redskins never brought in competition for Suisham in the off season, we just found out why. 3-3 on FGs is one thing. But he hit each one under pressure. The first one was to give us the first score of the game. The second to go ahead in the fourth quarter and then of course the last the game winner after two timeouts with the game on the line. Ladies and Gents we have a kicker in DC.

The Dynamic Duo of running backs is a force to reckon with. Many pundits and analysts surmised that there weren’t enough carries for both Portis and Betts. They said that it would never work. They said Portis took too much time off. They said Betts won’t be happy as a backup. They were wrong. These guys are everything they were billed to be so far.

Rocky McIntosh should have been playing all along. 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. McIntosh did more in one game then Warrick Holdman could ever dream of doing. The fact that he was benched for so long last year should be a crime worthy of sterilization. He is quite simply a stud and for the first time in the Gibbs II era there are no question marks in the LBer unit.

The Real Derrick Frost has arrived. No one was more critical of Frost then this writer. But his punts all pre-season and yesterday have made me a believer. When punting with his back against the end zone in a crucial moment in the third quarter the old Derrick Frost would have shanked it out of bounds. This new improved Frost gave us a 63 yard punt and when you tack on the penalty it was a field changing event. If he remains consistent this kid has a real good leg and can be a big time player in this league.

Looking ahead

The Redskins take on the Eagles on Monday night. The Eagles will be chomping at the bit to avenge their opening day loss to Green Bay. However their secondary will be hurt with the recent news of Lito Shepard’s absence. Campbell will need to improve on his accuracy and the receivers need to hold onto the ball to take advantage of this.

Defensively this will be the first real test of the defense. McNabb may not be the pro-bowl McNabb of the past but he is still mobile with an accurate arm. Westbrook is the most underrated running back in the NFL this year as he continues to produce. Gregg Williams needs to bring his full playbook to Philadelphia next week and resist playing the Un-cover 2 that he played last week.

As Always Hail To The Redskins!!!!