Smoke Signals: ‘Who needs TD passes?’ edition

http://dcprosportsreport.com/?p=1835

| November 19, 2008

QB Jason Campbell says there is more to running the offense well than throwing touchdowns. True, Jason, but a few touchdown passes on Sunday sure would help. Nine TD passes in 10 games ain’t getting it done. I don’t really blame Jason for that, it’s more of a problem for the entire offense, particularly the line, the play-caller, Jim Zorn, and the lack of production from any wide receiver not named Santana Moss.

On the subject of the passing game, those optimistic Redskins still think they’re going to get decent production from their rookie wideouts this year. Yes, that even includes Malcolm Kelly, who, as I remind you every time I type his name, isn’t a football player right now — he’s just a guy limping around Redskins Park. Apparently, Devin Thomas has shown encouraging signs in practice, which I believe is what coaches always say about players who don’t produce in actual games.

Jon Keim looks at what ails Washington’s 27th-ranked scoring offense? Is it Jim Zorn? Is it the lackluster wideouts, apart from Santana Moss? Is it poor pass-blocking? Keim explores all those options, but the truth is, it’s a little from column A, a little from column B and a little from column C. 

Hey, here’s a news flash: The Redskins can’t rush the passer! Betcha didn’t know that! Or, more accurately, I’m sure you DID know that because EVERYONE knows that — especially opposing offenses. The Redskins have only 15 sacks in 10 games, which is 27th in a 32-team league. DT Anthony Montgomery has an interesting explanation for why that is so.

Since assistant coach Greg Blache’s arrival five years ago, the Washington Redskins have had a mostly strong defense whose one weakness has been its pass rush. It’s true again this season with the Redskins fourth overall in total defense but tied for 27th in sacks with 15.

The reason for the discrepancy can partly be found in the strategic approach favored by Blache, the former defensive line coach who is now coordinator. Blache espouses stopping the run above all else, with his linemen free to fire on the snap and attack upfield generally only in nickel situations. Blache is willing to sacrifice pressure for run awareness, a formula that has been quite successful and limited Dallas to just two touchdowns Sunday night.

“You look at a team like Indy, and they play pass first and then react to the run,” defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery said. “Here, when we come off [the snap] a big part of our job is to keep the offensive linemen from getting to our linebackers, so you’ve got to flatten the linemen out and get your hands on them and it kind of slows you down from just going.

“It’s harder to do, and it definitely would be easier if we were just able to get upfield and pass rush the whole time, but that’s also why Indy can’t stop the run, because their line is caught upfield and their linemen are on your linebackers and if they miss it’s a big run. But we’ve got to do a better job of converting from run to pass. It’s tough to do, but we’ve got to do it.”

Investing in a few young defensive ends might be a way to go. The Redskins have not selected a defensive lineman earlier than the 5th round since…1997. That lineman’s name: Kenard Lang. What the hell is up with that?! Some players would like to see Laron Landry blitzing more and using Jason Taylor as a stand-up outside linebacker in passing situations — taking the role the injured and ineffective Marcus Washington has been playing. 

It’s a crowded playoff field in the NFC right now. The Giants lead the field, obviously, with 9 wins and a clear lead for the NFC East division crown. The Carolina Panthers sit atop the NFC South at 8-2, followed closely by division rival Tampa Bay, which owns a 7-3 record. The Arizona Cardinals are running away with the NFC West at 7-3. After that, you’ve got the Redskins, Falcons and Cowboys with 6 wins each and a ton of teams with 5 wins. The Redskins will need at least 9 wins to get into the playoffs. 10 wins would probably do it. Otherwise, they’re relying on others to lose games for them.

What will the Redskins do about their secondary in the offseason? It seems like a strange question, since the secondary has outperformed every other unit on the entire team. However, CB Shawn Springs will probably be cut in the offseason and CB Carlos Rogers will be wanting a new deal done before his current contract expires in 2009. The way he’s played this year, Rogers has earned an extension and a nice raise. However, CB DeAngelo Hall says he’d like to remain with the Redskins and sign a long-term contract — Hall’s current deal with the Redskins expires at the end of this season. If Hall earns a new deal, giving him a contract before re-doing Rogers would likely offend Rogers and other veterans on the defense. If Hall plays well, it looks like the Redskins will have to give new contracts to both Rogers and Hall. Fred Smoot, of course, remains under contract. I like Smoot as a nickel cornerback, but not so much as a starter.

It is no surprise that one of the first accolades of the 14-10 loss to Dallas went out to newly acquired CB DeAngelo Hall, who made his first interception as a Redskin, in his first series as a Redskin.  Fact is though, Hall did not have that great of coverage, he was behind the play, and Romo made a throw behind the receiver. Washington Times follows through on the Hall story.

Following our story yesterday, a message to Vinny Cerrato, Redskins.com published a story on the offensive line and protection.

Jim Zorn, whose offense is reliant on the short and intermediate passing game, said he saw pass routes opening up downfield but Campbell did not have enough time in the pocket.

“Those are the frustrating things,” Zorn said. “They magnify when the result is a loss.”

And we reiterate again today, is this not reminiscent of Steve Spurrier?  Teams figured out that they could totally dispute the game plan by blitzing every down because of lack of pass protection.  Guess we will soon see what kind of adjustments Jim Zorn makes to the offense.  Problem is, this offensive line is just not good at pass protection, period.

LB Marcus Washington will be out for a few weeks, possibly the rest of the season.  And the sky is also blue.  So what’s the big deal.  Over the past two season, Washington has been off the field as much as on the field.  It’s something the defense has adjusted to.  The good news — Shawn Springs and Atwaan Randle El are expected to return for Sunday.

Discuss this in Redskins Park with other DC sports fans!