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

Well as it stands we are 1-5 and last in the division. We are four games behind TTiT who are 5-1. But there is still a lil glimmer of hope if we turn things around right now. This Sunday is a must win against a mediocre team in the Titans. If we cant win this game then I dont know what else to say.

But here are the keys to success if we are to turn this thing around.

1. Alfred Morris and the running game.
Alfred Morris must have a huge game this Sunday. While we may win against the Titans without Alf having a huge game. We need Alf to gain momentum and confidence going forward. This teams identity should be Alf pounding the rock for positive yards every single game for us to stand a chance of winning.

Our defense gives us little chance to win each Sunday. Its pretty much all on our offense to win us games. We have to be amongst the leagues top scoring teams or time of possession to even stand a chance.

3. Jordan Reed getting more involved.
Our most talented tight end is Jordan Reed. He has proven he can make plays. So we need Jordan Reed to be targeted more. Forcing opposing defenses to put a saftey on him. Which will free up Djax and Garcon.
Most teams when facing our team will double Djax or Garcon. Which in most situations leaves JReed one on one. Jordan Reed must be targeted more especially on third down passing situations.

4. Kirk Cousins and Oline

Kirk has the talent to lead a good offense. I just think our identity is lost right now.
Right now we should be relying on Alf first and foremost.

It should go like so. We have a run called every play unless the opposing defense has seven to eight lined up to stop the run. In which case Kirk checks off to a pass.

Our Oline should be helped more with Double tight end formations. This will give our Oline some help and our running game a boost with two additional tight ends blocking. Double tight end formations also has Jordan Reed as an optional reciever.

So our first offensive play should go like this.
Kirk calls a running play for Alf. Our offense lines up in a double tight end formation with Paulsen and Reed as our tight ends. Alf is the single back with Garcon and Djax lined up wide on opposite sides.

With this formation either the defense lines up closer to the line of schrimmage or risk giving up positive yardage on a run.
If the defense does decide to line up seven or eight players on the line of schrimmage. Then Kirk can check of to a passing play.

Our passing plays should consist of Djax going deep forcing as saftey to go with him. If Djax is one on one he should get the ball.
Garcon should be exploiting the deep middle. If he is left one on one he can also be an option.

Jordan Reed should be going through the middle for most passes. Reed should be able to beat most linebackers one on one.

You can mix it up with with each player. But basically this is what our passing game should look like. Jordan Reed short mid, Garcon deep mid and Djax Deep straight. Whoever is left one on one should have a favorable match up.

Our schedule going forward for the next four games is not too bad. We have a winnable game against the Titans this Sunday. If we can manage a win against the pukes we also have two winnable games after that. Which would bring us to 500. We also would need for our division opponents to drop a few games going forward. But first things first win this Sunday and establish an identity on offense as a running team with a capable QB and receivers.

Our defense just needs to just do everything it can do. I dont expect alot out of our defense especially stopping the pass. But we can put pressure on opposing Qbs.

Haslett is such a bonehead. I dont know how many times I can say this. He just sucks at calling a game.

Simple changes which should help.

Our defense is doing fine against the run. Its stopping the pass thats a problem.

For starters Kerrigan and Rak should not be dropping in coverage any more then 10 percent of the time. Any more than that is just stupid.

Since our secondary is hurting. We need to just rush four or even just two to three pass rushers. But every single passing down we must have Rak and Kerrigan rushing the passer.

For instance a third and long situation. We could rush just Kerrigan on the strong side and Orakpo on the weak side. Leaving nine defenders who could feasibly drop into coverage. Thats just one possible scenerio.

You could have four pass rushers leaving seven who could drop into coverage.

Last key that could spark a turn around.

Win this game against the titans and RG3 returning to form. Then we have a legit shot at turning this around.

HEROHAMO wrote:For instance a third and long situation. We could rush just Kerrigan on the strong side and Orakpo on the weak side. Leaving nine defenders who could feasibly drop into coverage.

You can't have the three interior linemen dropping into pass coverage. That's insane. There aren't that man pass-eligible players on offense anyway. And Rak and Kerrigan would be getting triple-teamed and have no shot at reaching the QB.

Deadskins wrote:

HEROHAMO wrote:For instance a third and long situation. We could rush just Kerrigan on the strong side and Orakpo on the weak side. Leaving nine defenders who could feasibly drop into coverage.

You can't have the three interior linemen dropping into pass coverage. That's insane. There aren't that man pass-eligible players on offense anyway. And Rak and Kerrigan would be getting triple-teamed and have no shot at reaching the QB.

I doubt he meant all 9 dropping at once. I think he meant any of the 9 could do so feasibly.

Just guessing.

1 Re-sign Hocker

2 Run pistol/read option 2-3 times per quarter.

3 Force the issue with DBs at least 3 yards before the line of gain on 3rd down plays.

4 Put 7 guys in the box on every play, have every guy standing up threaten blitz, and bring 5-7 guys in every "passing situation" without tipping who it is.

5 Play with heart.

6 Play with heart.

7 Play with heart.

8 Play with heart.

9 Play with heart.

10 Play with heart.

11 Play with heart.

12 Play with heart.

13 Play with heart.

14 Play with heart.

15 Play with heart.

16 Play with heart.

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we don't need to 'turn the season around' - only very biased fans thought we had much of a chance at being a good team this season

we went into the season knowing we would have issues with the O line and the secondary - we also knew we have a depth issue with both offensive and defensive line

the defense is not playing well but Haslett is not the reason for his players not doing what they should be doing - the special teams coordinator has not missed a single tackle this season, unless I missed one ....

some of us thought we could win 8 or 9 games and we could very well be at 3-3 right now

1-5 is not at all good but for the past 10 seasons, this franchise has, for the most part, not been able to play consistently good football and we have always seemed to be just a season or 2 away ...

at least we have a QB and finding a good QB is not an easy thing to do

I think Gruden and Allen are capable of getting things together here but just like always ...

it's going to take time

There is no turning this season around...not with this team...this season is a bust...I think the Skins are going for a record number of consecutive seasons where the season is over before the halfway point...they suck...now bring on the comments by the perpetual "glass is half full" reality deniers...

I'm not sure there is any "turning the season around", but I'd sure like to win a few games.

I heard ey make this point yesterday on the radio. In spite of Cousins' INT woes and the disappointing run game, did you know we're statistically a top 10 offense? Look it up, its true. ey's point though was that you can't win games if you're losing two of the three phases of the game (defense and special teams).

So it seems to me that the key to turning the season around - whatever that ends up meaning - is that we have to get significantly better play from either the defense or special teams. I'm just not confident that's going to be possible this year. We're not going to have D. Hall out there covering Dez Bryant when we see the Cowboys in a few weeks.

Also, SkinsJock, I take exception with your comment about very biased fans thinking we were going to be good this year. I'm 100% if you look at the preseason threads, most fans were saying the team had an opportunity to be competitive in the division. Every team in the NFC East had some serious flaws. The frustrating part is that these other teams have been able to rise above those flaws (Eagles linebacker injuries and defense, Cowboys defense, Giants offensive line).

If this team can somehow get to 5-11 or better I'd consider that "turning the season around". Our pass defense is going to struggle all year, we don't have the safeties or corners to line up and play good pass coverage right now plus our ILB's have struggled against good TE play. Our secondary made Eli look ELITE while the Eagles bad defense made him look awful and again Sunday we didn't get any sacks and gave huge cushions to the Cardinal WR's. I just don't see how that's going to change with Breeland and Amerson, they just aren't ready. The run game has regressed, Kirk can't take care of the ball consistently and we don't generate any turnovers and can't convert a 3rd down. Sure, some of this can change but enough to win more than 4 or 5 more games? I don't see it. Another last place finish seems inevitable right now but i'll keep cheering and hoping they somehow find a spark.

oneman56 wrote:If this team can somehow get to 5-11 or better I'd consider that "turning the season around". Our pass defense is going to struggle all year, we don't have the safeties or corners to line up and play good pass coverage right now plus our ILB's have struggled against good TE play. Our secondary made Eli look ELITE while the Eagles bad defense made him look awful and again Sunday we didn't get any sacks and gave huge cushions to the Cardinal WR's. I just don't see how that's going to change with Breeland and Amerson, they just aren't ready. The run game has regressed, Kirk can't take care of the ball consistently and we don't generate any turnovers and can't convert a 3rd down. Sure, some of this can change but enough to win more than 4 or 5 more games? I don't see it. Another last place finish seems inevitable right now but i'll keep cheering and hoping they somehow find a spark.

I hear you, man. At this point 5-11 would definitely look like a turnaround. I'm frustrated too but I just know how much I miss following the team when the season is over, so I'm with you. Tuning in every weekend and cheering for our team win or lose.

Personally though 5-11 still seems pretty disappointing. I think we should have been more than two games better than last year's fiasco. With ten games left though I just don't see much hope for 8-8.

riggofan wrote:Personally though 5-11 still seems pretty disappointing. I think we should have been more than two games better than last year's fiasco. With ten games left though I just don't see much hope for 8-8.

It would be very disappointing, but I never figured RGIII getting injured again into my pre-season expectations.

roggofan - you're exactly right about the expectations - there were a few here, myself included that thought we had a good chance of being competitive in the NFC East

I still am not convinced that the other 3 franchises are much better than we are - they are not as good as their records and we are not as bad as ours

I hate being 1-5 and I'm very disappointed in the play we are seeing on the field

God bless you Hero

Im still reading Hero-
BUT. .
#3 offense about Jordan Reed.. his first game back since like the second play of the season vs HOU and he was the most targeted player with nearly 100yds. I definitely agree with the sentiment however, Reed is a total stud and should help us win games ifbhe can stay on field!

Deadskins wrote:

riggofan wrote:Personally though 5-11 still seems pretty disappointing. I think we should have been more than two games better than last year's fiasco. With ten games left though I just don't see much hope for 8-8.

It would be very disappointing, but I never figured RGIII getting injured again into my pre-season expectations.

That's for sure.

Deadskins wrote:

HEROHAMO wrote:For instance a third and long situation. We could rush just Kerrigan on the strong side and Orakpo on the weak side. Leaving nine defenders who could feasibly drop into coverage.

You can't have the three interior linemen dropping into pass coverage. That's insane. There aren't that man pass-eligible players on offense anyway. And Rak and Kerrigan would be getting triple-teamed and have no shot at reaching the QB.

The Giants past Superbowl teams had a package where they had 3 to 4 linebackers/defensive ends line up as down lineman in long passing situations. They rushed four or less players while the rest were in coverage.
Its not a full time defense its only for long passing situations.

Haslett could dial up Hatcher, Rak and Kerrigan rushing the QB while we have eight in coverage either man, zone or mixed.

DarthMonk wrote:

Deadskins wrote:

HEROHAMO wrote:For instance a third and long situation. We could rush just Kerrigan on the strong side and Orakpo on the weak side. Leaving nine defenders who could feasibly drop into coverage.

You can't have the three interior linemen dropping into pass coverage. That's insane. There aren't that man pass-eligible players on offense anyway. And Rak and Kerrigan would be getting triple-teamed and have no shot at reaching the QB.

I doubt he meant all 9 dropping at once. I think he meant any of the 9 could do so feasibly.

Just guessing.

If the situation is 3rd and 15 then I would opt for eight dropping while Hatcher, Rak and Kerrigan rush the QB.

Hatcher would be NT and the other Down lineman would be linebackers our ILBs. So it would be out of the 3-4.
It would be Hatcher NT, ILB and ILB at the line. Then Rak and Kerrigan would be lined up as OLBs.
Basically the two ILBs would be dropping into coverage splitting the middle of the field.
Hatcher would stunt to the either side of Rak or Kerrigan.

It worked well for the Giants and helped them win two more SuperBowls.

Oh and yes if the situation calls for it. Then I would definatley drop 9 into coverage.

We just dont have the corners and safties to play a straight up scheme. We have to adjust accordingly.

I hate to bring this up but the Cowgirls are building an Oline with #1 picks. Now that we have one I hope that is the direction we go, and fill in gaps with FA until they are all home grown and ready. Being an ex QB Gruden has to see this logic.

The only thing that turns this season around is if the secondary and Oline play beyond expectations.

...

the most important thing for this franchise this season is for Griffin to get some playing time

he's the most dynamic player going forward - Cousins obviously needs more playing time but that will be over soon ..... hopefully

If we win the next three games, we're right back into the thick of things.

StorminMormon86 wrote:If we win the next three games, we're right back into the thick of things.

that would be really great ... are you hopeful that Griffin can play 1 or 2 of those games ....

BECAUSE

we (most of us) know that Cousins needs playing time just to become a good QB

AND

we (most of us) know that Griffin also needs playing time to become a better QB

hopefully Griffin can be ready to play soon

StorminMormon86 wrote:If we win the next three games, we're right back into the thick of things.

Man, I can't even bring myself to look that far ahead. Can we PLEASE just beat the Titans?

So far in the schedule I think we have the best chance to rebound and win a game against the titans, other than tho Jags game, lucky to have the jags early in the season after the loss to the Texans. Plus Kirk has played exceptional after a awful game (giants) thanks to the coaching staff preparation.

EA7649 wrote:So far in the schedule I think we have the best chance to rebound and win a game against the titans, other than tho Jags game, lucky to have the jags early in the season after the loss to the Texans. Plus Kirk has played exceptional after a awful game (giants) thanks to the coaching staff preparation.

It would help to keep Kirk out of these comeback situations late in the game. Down two scores with eight minutes left, that type of scenario.