The ugly truth is that the Redskins have four offensive touchdowns in the last four games. But as I explored in today’s paper, coach Jim Zorn feels that’s a product of players failing to execute in a new system that they might not fully understand. He said he’s going to make an effort to simplify things this week.
One area where it seems he can’t simplify things any further is at the receiver position. He said Sunday (and confirmed again yesterday) that he feels that Antwaan Randle El and Chris Cooley are “playing at a very high level.“ Which is true. They are.
But Cooley is needed as a blocker, which leaves just one high-caliber receiver. Santana Moss has shown flashes of dominance, but has also battled injury and double-teams. Malcolm Kelly seemed to be the cure, but then he dropped a ball that hit him in the chest on Sunday. Devin Thomas is being used sparingly, as is Fred Davis. And if you’d told most serious observers during training camp that James Thrash would be getting the ball in key third-down situations, they would have either laughed or cried.
Zorn seems to think the other stuff is starting to take care of itself. He’s pro-Campbell and even feels that his offensive line is improving. “I want you to know – we improved our pass protection in the game. We really did,“ he said. “Did we have a couple errors? We had a couple situations where we had a free guy because the back saw movement and got preoccupied. Its just the unpredictable things. I think our schemes are sound.“
Baltimore’s defense isn’t shabby, and Redskins fans will want to keep a close eye on the offense Sunday night. It will determine this team’s postseason fate.
Jeff White
December 01, 2008 7:12 PM
Michael Phillips
December 01, 2008 5:08 PM
Our friends in Green Bay are reporting that the Packers have released punter Derrick Frost.
Frost was the Redskins punter until losing his job in training camp to Durant Brooks, who was then cut to bring in Ryan Plackemeier.
So as much as you complain about the team’s lack of punting success this season (and I’m hearing a lot of it right now), remember that the alternatives are not any better.
Vic Dorr
December 01, 2008 4:28 PM
Notes, quotes and observations