The reality

[jaw32]

1) Offensive philosophy -

I don't believe the standard Gibbs pound the run methodology is going to work. The truth is that the running game has been very average except for the first Portis run in game 1. Our offensive line is playing pretty good, but they are not dominating.

I think some "pass to open up the run" may be required. In other words for the passing and running game to work we need to throw down the field (15 yard ins & outs and bombs) on 1st down more.

2) The deep ball

I believe everyone agrees that we need to throw deep. The one concern of Brunell not being able to throw deep is over used.

a) He had no problems throwing deep to Jimmy Smith in JAX.
b) Didn't he come in 5th in the long ball in the off-season QB Challenge?

He doesn't have the cannon to throw off his back foot and throw past the coverage, but he can throw a "planned" deep route and throw it well. As I mentioned above, we need to try it on 1st & 2nd down.

3) WR's

Continuing from note 2, I believe part of the "deep ball" problem is the speed of the WR's. Coles and Gardner are fairly fast, but I haven't seem them run by anybody except for the double move by Gardner. I just don't think we are going to have enough time do run double moves successfully.

WR drops are making it difficult for the QBs to get rhythm. The 3rd down drops are killers.


4) Handling the blitz

We were exposed on pass blocking against the blitz. The blocking was bad and we didn't adjust to it (like NY adjusted to ours). It was probably a good thing to happen early in the season (we'll learn from it).

5) DL pass rush

Our standard 4 man rush package could not put pressure on the QB, we are almost forced to blitz everytime. We need to adjust the coverage against the quick throws. I think we'll do more zone blitzing and have the Ends drop back into those short routes.

6) The good news

I believe this team can still win 10 games or so. It was just one of those days:

Portis has not fumbled in his last 2 billion carries...donink, doink.

Brunell has not thrown an interception in his last 4 million throws...doink.

That stuff gets contagious. Let's lace em up on Monday and kick some Cowboy butt!

[Redskin in Canada]

It is a good post:

1) I still feel that the run will help. Rushing yard gains have been decent. The bootleg by Brunnel and ey worked thanks to the previous runs.

I agree that our offensive line is not openning big enough holes. Hey we lost Jansen.

2) QBs are learning the system. They need to act quicker.

3) A bit more of a deep threat as in the "smurfs" or the "possee" is missing. Taylor Jacobs should get a chance.

4) Our DL handled the blitz against Tampa just fine. They simply did not expect that from the G-men.

5) Hey this is the number 1 defense in the league. It may not be perfect but the system in place has worked so far. Sure, we would like to have had manley, Mann and Butz but they are not available at the moment.

It will be interesting to see the adjustments and personnel changes this week.