You know what the Redskins really needed Sunday against Tampa (Bay)?
They really needed to put up 30+ points and look dominant against a team that was starting a new quarterback and a defense that had been walloped frequently this season. The Lions aren't the worst team in football - the Buccaneers are.
But the Redskins' struggles against the winless Bucs -- a 16-14 bittersweet victory -- pointed out all of this team's flaws.
And there were positives as well as negatives. The running game was a bit more effective, the passing game less so. The pass rush a little more effective, the rush defense a little less so.
The Redskins have proved they can compete against the worst teams in the NFL. Even win, if they really try hard. They're 2-2. Time to take what they've done in the first quarter of the season and learn. The team isn't destined for failure. But they could be, easily.
Some stuff to take away from Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.
Jason Campbell, who are ye?
Campbell and the Redskins had less than 100 passing yards in the first half and finished with just 170 yards. By the end of the game, he had managed to throw three interceptions. He finished with his lowest passing percentage of the year (54.5%). All in all, he looked a rookie version of himself. Which isn't good for a fifth-year player.
It kind of looked like Jim Zorn and Co. wanted to be a little more aggressive - Campbell threw deep a few times, connecting with Moss once on a 59-yard TD - but there is being aggressive and then there is making bad decisions, which is what happened.
It's hard to imagine Campbell having this kind of performance again. The guy is very protective with the ball -- to a fault. Everyone has bad games, and his wasn't good. But I do like the aggressive play. Keep up trying to get deep. Just leave out the INTs next time.
The defense has to improve
Cadillac Williams and the Bucs ran over, under and through Albert Haynesworth and the Redskins defense. Haynesworth himself had zero tackles. Greg Blache's defenses in the past have been excellent at stopping the run, but this year, maybe because of an emphasis at getting after the QB, the rushing defense has not been good.
In total defense, the Redskins were 4th last year, but now are 12th. And that's after adding to the defense. It's a sad trend, and hopefully something the Redskins can improve upon. The Skins did improve in one area Sunday: they were the worst team in the league as far as giving up third-down conversions, but Sunday, they allowed Tampa Bay to convert just 2 of 15 third-down attempts. But that may have more to do with the QB the Bucs started - Josh Johnson - who doesn't seem much like an NFL QB.
On the plus side, the Redskins are the fourth-ranked scoring defense, giving up just 15.5 points a game. Unfortunately the team's offense is still awful.
Smaller thoughts
I like DeAngelo Hall. I like his playing style. I like his INTs. I do NOT like his celebrations. Get ahold of yourself, Hokie. ... Wither Malcolm Kelly/Devin Thomas/Fred Davis? They've been highly unproductive, and they're going to start costing some serious money soon. But it's never about the receivers. Receivers are very easy to find. It's all about the quarterback, offensive line and the offensive coordinator or whoever calls the plays. They are the cogs that make offenses go. Not running backs or receivers. ...
Speaking of running backs, Clinton Portis had a good day Sunday. But he still doesn't look explosive or anywhere close to it. Not sure how long the Redskins can keep him around. It won't be a popular decision, but it's time to move on. To who? Not sure that guy is on the team yet. ...
I thought Reed Doughty played very well at safety. He's impressed me with his tackling. Solid, not spectacular, but simply solid. ...
Chris Cooley had a heck of a game. He seems to be the only offensive set piece the Zorn and Co. seem to know how to use effectively. Though I'm not sure how much more mileage they can get out of those bubble screens. Reminds me of Gibbs-era screens to Santana Moss. ...
Speaking of Moss, I wish he would be just a little more consistent. One game he catches 10 passes, and the next he catches two. A lot of that has to do with the QB and the play caller, but gosh. ...
I was happy to see Brian Orakpo on the line more against the Bucs. He's a tremendous passrusher. Finished with a sack.
The Redskins travel to Carolina this week. Another game the Redskins will probably be favored to win. Another game the Redskins will play another unnecessarily close game.
Want to guess when the last time was that the Redskins had won by more than two touchdowns?
It's been more than two years. Oct. 7, 2007, against the Detroit Lions. 34-3.
That's what the Redskins really need right now. To completely obliterate a team. A team just like Carolina.
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I like that you have the courage to call for the end of the Clinton Portis era. I like the guy. He's a great personality and a great talent. But, the tread is wearing thin on his tires. The 'Skins need a guy that defenses fear, not just a guy willing to put his head down and grind out 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
ReplyDeleteReading your description of Campbell's woes, I was reminded of another former 1st round 'Skins QB who ended up riding the bench for other teams: Patrick Ramsey. Strong arm, likable guy, but with too many flaws to be a consistent starter in the NFL. Is it that the 'Skins don't know how to choose 'em or don't know how to groom 'em? It's probably a bit of both.
It's interesting you bring up Ramsey.
ReplyDeleteHe and Campbell DO seem to be quite similar.
Both selected in the low first round. Both are tall and have strong arms. Both suck at throwing anything requiring touch. Both lack anything resembling a personality.
Ramsey is a capable backup in Tennessee now.
The only thing I know about Campbell's future is that it won't be in D.C.
As far as the draft goes, I'm think the Redskins get trapped in the "Hey, we need a QB, let's pick the best one available."
Someone was going to pick Campbell high. People were impressed when Campbell led Auburn to an unbeaten season his senior year. These same people forgot (probably on purpose) that Campbell was a average to below-average QB for most of his college career and rose Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown in his senior year. And Campbell didn't exactly light up the night in his year, stat-wise. But people fell in love with his senior year.
Besides, who else were the Redskins going to pick? The figured they needed a young QB (Brunell was the starter). David Greene? Charlie Frye? Maybe Kyle Orton would have been a better pick, but who's to say Orton would have fared any better?
The key to any quarterback is getting him in the right system with the right offensive coordinator.
I would like to see what Colt Brennan can do in Zorn's offense. His play style seems to be a better marriage than Campbell's. But it's looking less and less likely that Brennan will ever get a shot.