Season preview: Washington Redskins
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:25 pm
Has us 2nd behind the Iggles. Whatever.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=0 ... &type=lgns
Season preview: Washington Redskins
By Paul Woody, SportingNews
August 7, 2006
More NFC East previews: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles
Here's why Joe Gibbs wasn't supposed to succeed in his second stint with the Washington Redskins: The league had changed too much for his tired one-back, maximum-protection offense to work; owner Dan Snyder would be too much for him to handle; Gibbs did not possess the skills to adequately evaluate current talent and upgrade the team.
But as he enters the third season of his NFL comeback, Gibbs has the Redskins poised to make a serious run at the Super Bowl. It took Gibbs a season to get his NFL legs, but he adjusted. Last season, he proved he still had the old Gibbs magic by milking victories out of a limited offense while relying on a strong defense and solid special teams.
Gibbs has been putting the team together, piece by piece, just as he did with his last Super Bowl club 15 years ago. This offseason, the Redskins added the missing pieces on offense by trading for wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and signing free-agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The team also continued to add talent on defense by signing pass rusher Andre Carter and safety Adam Archuleta.
There are depth concerns, particularly on the offensive line, but Gibbs has built a balanced team with a capable offense and a powerful defense. The Redskins used to win the offseason, then fade when the real games began. With Gibbs in charge, that dynamic is changing.
GAME PLAN
Offense: Under new coordinator Al Saunders, there will be tweaks to the system but not an overhaul. He will find ways to take advantage of the team's wealth of receivers, and the offense will have a quick read-and-release component that should be a good fit for quarterback Mark Brunell. Defenses should not be able to shade coverages toward Santana Moss on every passing play, which means he'll have more big-play opportunities.
Defense: Gregg Williams' scheme is best described as aggressive, innovative and confusing to offenses. He blitzes multiple players at times and sends them from all over the field. Williams and his excellent staff disguise tactics well, and the players generally enjoy the challenges that come with playing in the system – though Williams is extremely demanding.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
RB Clinton Portis: Portis – a big-play threat every time he touches the ball – hits holes quickly, accelerates and runs away from tacklers in the open field. He still might not be the perfect back for Gibbs' system, which puts a premium on power and size, but Portis is effective. As long as he is healthy, he should gain at least as many yards (1,516) as he put up last year.
Portis' performance in the passing game is average at best, but the team doesn't need great production from him in that area. Letting him rest on obvious passing downs is more important for his overall effectiveness.
OLB Marcus Washington: Washington sets the tone for the defense. He never takes a play off and forces teammates to raise their games to keep up with him. He has the strength to play the run well and enough speed to do a solid job in coverage. As an every-down player who can come off the edge and go after the quarterback, Washington can affect passing games in a number of ways.
S Sean Taylor: By covering tremendous amounts of territory quickly, Taylor permits the coaches to make some daring calls and provides a safety net for the cornerbacks. Taylor is an aggressive safety who makes punishing hits, but his desire to deliver knockout blows gets him into trouble at times. He must curb his tendency to bite on play-action fakes and control his emotions.
FALL FORECAST
The weak spots on offense have been bolstered, a strong defense has been made stronger and the depth has been improved at almost every position. There are problem areas, particularly at outside linebacker and the backup positions on the offensive line, but those are not crippling concerns.
If Brunell stays healthy and the wide receivers produce, the offense will provide more than enough points to take some pressure off the defense.
The coaching staff knows how to put players in position to be successful. The team should contend for the NFC East title and make a run at the Super Bowl.
Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch and Sporting News.
Updated on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 12:45 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=0 ... &type=lgns
Season preview: Washington Redskins
By Paul Woody, SportingNews
August 7, 2006
More NFC East previews: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles
Here's why Joe Gibbs wasn't supposed to succeed in his second stint with the Washington Redskins: The league had changed too much for his tired one-back, maximum-protection offense to work; owner Dan Snyder would be too much for him to handle; Gibbs did not possess the skills to adequately evaluate current talent and upgrade the team.
But as he enters the third season of his NFL comeback, Gibbs has the Redskins poised to make a serious run at the Super Bowl. It took Gibbs a season to get his NFL legs, but he adjusted. Last season, he proved he still had the old Gibbs magic by milking victories out of a limited offense while relying on a strong defense and solid special teams.
Gibbs has been putting the team together, piece by piece, just as he did with his last Super Bowl club 15 years ago. This offseason, the Redskins added the missing pieces on offense by trading for wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and signing free-agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The team also continued to add talent on defense by signing pass rusher Andre Carter and safety Adam Archuleta.
There are depth concerns, particularly on the offensive line, but Gibbs has built a balanced team with a capable offense and a powerful defense. The Redskins used to win the offseason, then fade when the real games began. With Gibbs in charge, that dynamic is changing.
GAME PLAN
Offense: Under new coordinator Al Saunders, there will be tweaks to the system but not an overhaul. He will find ways to take advantage of the team's wealth of receivers, and the offense will have a quick read-and-release component that should be a good fit for quarterback Mark Brunell. Defenses should not be able to shade coverages toward Santana Moss on every passing play, which means he'll have more big-play opportunities.
Defense: Gregg Williams' scheme is best described as aggressive, innovative and confusing to offenses. He blitzes multiple players at times and sends them from all over the field. Williams and his excellent staff disguise tactics well, and the players generally enjoy the challenges that come with playing in the system – though Williams is extremely demanding.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
RB Clinton Portis: Portis – a big-play threat every time he touches the ball – hits holes quickly, accelerates and runs away from tacklers in the open field. He still might not be the perfect back for Gibbs' system, which puts a premium on power and size, but Portis is effective. As long as he is healthy, he should gain at least as many yards (1,516) as he put up last year.
Portis' performance in the passing game is average at best, but the team doesn't need great production from him in that area. Letting him rest on obvious passing downs is more important for his overall effectiveness.
OLB Marcus Washington: Washington sets the tone for the defense. He never takes a play off and forces teammates to raise their games to keep up with him. He has the strength to play the run well and enough speed to do a solid job in coverage. As an every-down player who can come off the edge and go after the quarterback, Washington can affect passing games in a number of ways.
S Sean Taylor: By covering tremendous amounts of territory quickly, Taylor permits the coaches to make some daring calls and provides a safety net for the cornerbacks. Taylor is an aggressive safety who makes punishing hits, but his desire to deliver knockout blows gets him into trouble at times. He must curb his tendency to bite on play-action fakes and control his emotions.
FALL FORECAST
The weak spots on offense have been bolstered, a strong defense has been made stronger and the depth has been improved at almost every position. There are problem areas, particularly at outside linebacker and the backup positions on the offensive line, but those are not crippling concerns.
If Brunell stays healthy and the wide receivers produce, the offense will provide more than enough points to take some pressure off the defense.
The coaching staff knows how to put players in position to be successful. The team should contend for the NFC East title and make a run at the Super Bowl.
Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch and Sporting News.
Updated on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 12:45 pm EDT
Gibbs system? We're not running a tradional Gibbs system. We're running a system where backs his size have flourished.