The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

A new word has entered the Redskins' vocabulary -- patience.

Team owner Daniel Snyder was patient in his search for a new coach. In free agency, Snyder and executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato showed great patience and restraint. On draft day, the team patiently waited for players to fall to it.

So far, patience has paid off. Jim Zorn is adjusting to his first job as a head coach. No money was wasted in free agency. The Redskins got the players they wanted in the draft.

Patience will be imperative in the early going of the regular season. The Redskins play three of their first five games on the road, all against NFC East opponents. That's a tough assignment, especially when the club is learning a new offense and adjusting to a new head coach.

Patience, however, does not mean this is a rebuilding year. Snyder, Cerrato and Zorn expect to win and be in the playoffs.

That will be a challenge.

The Redskins are in arguably the NFC's toughest division. Quarterback Jason Campbell is entering his fourth NFL season and learning his third new offense.

The Redskins should be competitive, and patience will be key. This is a team that has a chance to stay in the playoff race all year, but there will be times when things are not at all pretty.

Offense

Adjustments are in order. After four years of operating in Joe Gibbs' one-back, power running game, the Redskins are shifting to Zorn's horizontal West Coast offense. Sherman Smith has the title of offensive coordinator, but this is Zorn's show.

Zorn is implementing the offense and calling the plays. The Redskins have the personnel to be successful in this attack, but everyone has to learn quickly. Zorn might need to rely on the running game if the passing game is slow to develop.

Defense

After four years as the defensive line coach, Greg Blache takes over as Washington's defensive coordinator.

Blache believes in an aggressive defense. He expects his defensive line to provide pass-rush pressure and wants a big push up the middle from the tackles.

In run defense, Blache expects the front four to strip away the interference or occupy blockers so the linebackers can come in and clean up.

Blache has always done an excellent job of preparing his players for almost everything they will see an opponent do.

The book on: Jason Campbell

A rival sizes up the Redskins' quarterback:

"Jason Campbell has a number of strong points. He has a strong arm, and he's tall. His height enables him to see the field. He does a good job of not forcing things. He has the ability to make plays. One thing I really like is his willingness to stay within the system.

"A lot of times when a quarterback has Campbell's athletic ability and speed, he'll try to make more plays on his own or take more chances. He doesn't do that. He makes plays when everything else breaks down, but he's not looking to run at the first sign of trouble. He gives the plays a chance to develop.

"He does need to do a better job of protecting the ball when he's hit. He needs to improve his touch and accuracy on the shorter passes. That's a problem you see with a lot of tall quarterbacks who have the kind of long, full windup, which is another reason he needs to get rid of the ball quicker."

Bottom line

Zorn will need some time to learn how to handle all the things that engulf a head coach once the season begins. It could get shaky right off the bat with the tough early slate away from home, and closing the season with three of four games on the road is not in the Redskins' favor, either.

Zorn, however, does not seem to be the type of coach who panics, and Washington's players have shown in the past they never think the season is over, no matter how bad things look early on. Still, the NFC East is a tough division, and it's hard to see where the Redskins made dramatic improvements. SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

1niksder wrote:Nice read until the end

SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

4-2 in the division and still finsh fourth, are we the only team our division rivals will lose to Did they check the schedules of any of te teams in the NFC east?

Zorn, however, does not seem to be the type of coach who panics, and Washington's players have shown in the past they never think the season is over, no matter how bad things look early on. Still, the NFC East is a tough division, and it's hard to see where the Redskins made dramatic improvements. SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

1niksder wrote:Camp countdown '08: Washington Redskins
Posted: June 1, 2008
Paul Woody (Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Sporting News. )
For Sporting News

A new word has entered the Redskins' vocabulary -- patience.

Team owner Daniel Snyder was patient in his search for a new coach. In free agency, Snyder and executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato showed great patience and restraint. On draft day, the team patiently waited for players to fall to it.

So far, patience has paid off. Jim Zorn is adjusting to his first job as a head coach. No money was wasted in free agency. The Redskins got the players they wanted in the draft.

Patience will be imperative in the early going of the regular season. The Redskins play three of their first five games on the road, all against NFC East opponents. That's a tough assignment, especially when the club is learning a new offense and adjusting to a new head coach.

Patience, however, does not mean this is a rebuilding year. Snyder, Cerrato and Zorn expect to win and be in the playoffs.

That will be a challenge.

The Redskins are in arguably the NFC's toughest division. Quarterback Jason Campbell is entering his fourth NFL season and learning his third new offense.

The Redskins should be competitive, and patience will be key. This is a team that has a chance to stay in the playoff race all year, but there will be times when things are not at all pretty.

Offense

Adjustments are in order. After four years of operating in Joe Gibbs' one-back, power running game, the Redskins are shifting to Zorn's horizontal West Coast offense. Sherman Smith has the title of offensive coordinator, but this is Zorn's show.

Zorn is implementing the offense and calling the plays. The Redskins have the personnel to be successful in this attack, but everyone has to learn quickly. Zorn might need to rely on the running game if the passing game is slow to develop.

Defense

After four years as the defensive line coach, Greg Blache takes over as Washington's defensive coordinator.

Blache believes in an aggressive defense. He expects his defensive line to provide pass-rush pressure and wants a big push up the middle from the tackles.

In run defense, Blache expects the front four to strip away the interference or occupy blockers so the linebackers can come in and clean up.

Blache has always done an excellent job of preparing his players for almost everything they will see an opponent do.

The book on: Jason Campbell

A rival sizes up the Redskins' quarterback:

"Jason Campbell has a number of strong points. He has a strong arm, and he's tall. His height enables him to see the field. He does a good job of not forcing things. He has the ability to make plays. One thing I really like is his willingness to stay within the system.

"A lot of times when a quarterback has Campbell's athletic ability and speed, he'll try to make more plays on his own or take more chances. He doesn't do that. He makes plays when everything else breaks down, but he's not looking to run at the first sign of trouble. He gives the plays a chance to develop.

"He does need to do a better job of protecting the ball when he's hit. He needs to improve his touch and accuracy on the shorter passes. That's a problem you see with a lot of tall quarterbacks who have the kind of long, full windup, which is another reason he needs to get rid of the ball quicker."

Bottom line

Zorn will need some time to learn how to handle all the things that engulf a head coach once the season begins. It could get shaky right off the bat with the tough early slate away from home, and closing the season with three of four games on the road is not in the Redskins' favor, either.

Zorn, however, does not seem to be the type of coach who panics, and Washington's players have shown in the past they never think the season is over, no matter how bad things look early on. Still, the NFC East is a tough division, and it's hard to see where the Redskins made dramatic improvements. SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

Nice read until the end

SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

4-2 in the division and still finsh fourth, are we the only team our division rivals will lose to Did they check the schedules of any of te teams in the NFC east?

absinthe1023 wrote:

1niksder wrote:Camp countdown '08: Washington Redskins
Posted: June 1, 2008
Paul Woody (Paul Woody covers the Redskins for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Sporting News. )
For Sporting News

A new word has entered the Redskins' vocabulary -- patience.

Team owner Daniel Snyder was patient in his search for a new coach. In free agency, Snyder and executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato showed great patience and restraint. On draft day, the team patiently waited for players to fall to it.

So far, patience has paid off. Jim Zorn is adjusting to his first job as a head coach. No money was wasted in free agency. The Redskins got the players they wanted in the draft.

Patience will be imperative in the early going of the regular season. The Redskins play three of their first five games on the road, all against NFC East opponents. That's a tough assignment, especially when the club is learning a new offense and adjusting to a new head coach.

Patience, however, does not mean this is a rebuilding year. Snyder, Cerrato and Zorn expect to win and be in the playoffs.

That will be a challenge.

The Redskins are in arguably the NFC's toughest division. Quarterback Jason Campbell is entering his fourth NFL season and learning his third new offense.

The Redskins should be competitive, and patience will be key. This is a team that has a chance to stay in the playoff race all year, but there will be times when things are not at all pretty.

Offense

Adjustments are in order. After four years of operating in Joe Gibbs' one-back, power running game, the Redskins are shifting to Zorn's horizontal West Coast offense. Sherman Smith has the title of offensive coordinator, but this is Zorn's show.

Zorn is implementing the offense and calling the plays. The Redskins have the personnel to be successful in this attack, but everyone has to learn quickly. Zorn might need to rely on the running game if the passing game is slow to develop.

Defense

After four years as the defensive line coach, Greg Blache takes over as Washington's defensive coordinator.

Blache believes in an aggressive defense. He expects his defensive line to provide pass-rush pressure and wants a big push up the middle from the tackles.

In run defense, Blache expects the front four to strip away the interference or occupy blockers so the linebackers can come in and clean up.

Blache has always done an excellent job of preparing his players for almost everything they will see an opponent do.

The book on: Jason Campbell

A rival sizes up the Redskins' quarterback:

"Jason Campbell has a number of strong points. He has a strong arm, and he's tall. His height enables him to see the field. He does a good job of not forcing things. He has the ability to make plays. One thing I really like is his willingness to stay within the system.

"A lot of times when a quarterback has Campbell's athletic ability and speed, he'll try to make more plays on his own or take more chances. He doesn't do that. He makes plays when everything else breaks down, but he's not looking to run at the first sign of trouble. He gives the plays a chance to develop.

"He does need to do a better job of protecting the ball when he's hit. He needs to improve his touch and accuracy on the shorter passes. That's a problem you see with a lot of tall quarterbacks who have the kind of long, full windup, which is another reason he needs to get rid of the ball quicker."

Bottom line

Zorn will need some time to learn how to handle all the things that engulf a head coach once the season begins. It could get shaky right off the bat with the tough early slate away from home, and closing the season with three of four games on the road is not in the Redskins' favor, either.

Zorn, however, does not seem to be the type of coach who panics, and Washington's players have shown in the past they never think the season is over, no matter how bad things look early on. Still, the NFC East is a tough division, and it's hard to see where the Redskins made dramatic improvements. SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

Nice read until the end

SN prediction: 4-2, fourth in NFC East.

4-2 in the division and still finsh fourth, are we the only team our division rivals will lose to Did they check the schedules of any of te teams in the NFC east?

The only thing that I can think of is that he meant "4-12" but ended up with "4-2" as a typo.....

yupchagee wrote:Changes from the roster at the end of last yr & now:
Offense:
Gone: Kevin Sampson. Returning: Jon Jansen.
Gone Rick DeMulling. Returning: Randy Thomas. Added: Chad Rinehart
Gone: Brian Kozloeski. Added: Fred Davis
Gone: Reche Caldwell. Added: Devin Thomas
Gone: Keenan McCardell. Added: Malcom Kelly

Defense:
Gone: Randall Godfrey. Returning: Rocky McIntosh.
Gone: David Macklin. Add Justin Tryon.
Gone: Pierson Prileau. Added Kareem Moore
Gone: Omar Stoutmire. Added Chris Horton. Also added Stuart Schweigert

With the possible exception of safety, I think all these changes are upgrades.

yupchagee wrote:Why would anyone thing we would be 5 games worse than last yr?

Mursilis wrote:

yupchagee wrote:Why would anyone thing we would be 5 games worse than last yr?

5 was the magic number between 2005 (10-6) and 2006 (5-11) as well. As a fan, I think (hope) we'll be much better than 4-12, but this team just has so many questions, it's hard to predict what the final record will be. The questions start with the new head coach and go from there. How much better will J. Campbell be? Will the rookies have a big impact? Will the O-line hold up or be depleted by injury? How about the secondary and the linebackers? Can the D sustain a pass rush? And on and on and on . . .
Anything between 12-4 and 4-12 is entirely possible. It's certainly going to be a heck of a ride.

I'd like to think you're right, but let's look at that list realistically. Davis, Kelly, and Thomas haven't played a single NFL down yet. Could be great, could be busts. Hard to know until the whistle blows. McCardell and Caldwell weren't great, but they were servicable, known quantities. Their replacements are ? at this point. Same with other unknowns like Tyron, Moore, and Horton.
I'd like to see Jansen and Thomas finish the season before I call them upgrades. Sure, they're the most talented players at their position currently on the roster, but talent sitting injured on the bench is talent wasted. And finally, who knows about McIntosh? His injury was pretty major, so we have to hope he returns at close to 100%. Same with Rodgers. Lots of ?? this season for sure.

VetSkinsFan wrote:McCardell was great at what his job was last year and that was catching the ball. It seemed that he had no need for YAC, but simply catch the GD ball. I would say he had the best hands in our WR corps last year. Not going on stats, but actual clutch catches. Caldwell wasn't horrible for us, either. I wouldn't call him a solid starter, but he served his purpose as well. I agree on Macklin and Koz. Rocky will finish the season 100%, but he won't come out 100%. I can't agree with you on the draft; look how we addressed our lines in the draft. Always positive for injuries and I think Schweigert will pan out for depth at the very least. He's got decent stats IMO.