Quick Hitters: Week Three

[Spence]

The Sunday victory over Seattle marked the arrival of what fans like me have waited many years to see: a mid-range passing game. Short passes dominated Washington’s offensive passing “attack” in 2004 and in week one of 2005. In week two, the Redskins connected on two long passes, but came up mostly empty on mid-range passes. In game three of the season, however, the Redskins exploited Seattle’s defensive scheme and completed mid-range passes all day. With Seattle leaving an extra man at the line of scrimmage to stop Portis and dropping the safeties back to guard against a big play from Santana Moss, the middle of the field was wide open. Moss and Cooley spent most of the day racing – or in Cooley’s case, lumbering – across the middle of the field, catching bullet-fast passes from Mark Brunell. These passes have been there since Gibbs returned, but the offense couldn’t hit them. The Redskins offense is coming closer and closer to becoming a normal NFL offense, something this town hasn’t seen since Norv Turner was fired late in 2000.Get all the knowledge. (http://www.hailredskins.com/blog/index.php?p=155)

[redskin_rich]

Nice article Spence! I agree about Brunell being healthier but I also think he has his confidence back. Ever since those final minutes in Dallass, he has been on fire. This last game was the performance I really wanted to see from Brunell to show that the week 2 heroics were not a fluke. Now I am a 100% believer in Brunell's abilities.

[openallnight]

Get all the knowledge. (http://www.hailredskins.com/blog/index.php?p=155)
Very good write up Spence!!! You bring up some very valid points about our problem areas on offense: short yardage and 1st and 2nd down production. Obviously, Good running teams don't have problems in these areas. I think we still need to do a better job of mixing up play action on 1st down. We also need to get Portis outside. Why we did not run a single pitch out to Portis against that Seattle D is beyond me.
Although, we weren't able to power it in from the goal line it was very promising to see Gibbs use some "creativity" with the boots and roll-outs down in the red zone to take advantage of Brunell's ability.
I'm continuing to be very optimistic about our offense. Our line is gelling, for the 1st time in a long time did an excellent job on cutting down the mental drive killing miscues. As you mentioned we tightened up our protection after the 1st qtr. I thought the backs did an excellent job as well in pass protection. While I agree that the 3rd down efficiency rate can't be counted on week in and week out. It was extremely promising to see our guys especially on the oLine and at the QB position make these plays when they had to. It's also so refreshing to not have receivers drop half these 3rd down balls as in years past.
As the offense especially the oLine continues to improve I think you'll see more and more of the play book being revealed. As I've been saying since week 1 our offense once firing on all cylinders WILL be a force to be reckoned with.

[dj_stouty]

Moss and Cooley spent most of the day racing – or in Cooley’s case, lumbering – across the middle of the field, catching bullet-fast passes from Mark Brunell

Yes...they were bullet-fast. I haven't seen crisp passes like that from Brunell since he was a 3-time Pro Bowler between the years of 1996 and 1999.

Gibbs knew he could do it...and he was one of the last people on earth who had confidence in Brunell. I guess Joe was right when he said; "this isn't the last you have seen of Mark Brunell".

We should be glad Gibbs is not the coach...and not the fanbase!

[The Skinsinator]

Really enjoyed the comments about the intermediate passing game. That part of an offense opens up everything from the running game to the bombs. Sunday was a miraculous display of intermediate passing. Brunell should have relieved any doubts regarding his play and his arm. I think this offense can get much better. We get up to 24 points/game and you can bank on the playoffs.

[Skinz4lyfe]

Good article. I totally agree w/your assessment of the 'Skins. Brunell does indeed look like a different QB and I'm glad he's proving everybody wrong. Now if our O-line can get a push on the D-line we'll be in business. It was discouraging to see our goal-line offense not score a running TD but a TD is a TD so I'll take it. We hadn't been scoring TD's in the redzone. All in all we're moving in the right direction.

[GWBlitzST]

Great article. I was waiting to see this type of passing game implemented this week, though I thought Patten would get the majority of throws. Moss just gets too open I guess. And thanks for calling out all of those Thrash-bashers who don't understand what an important role he plays on our team.

[skinfan43]

Good read, but disagree heavily with the Musgrave comments. He has made a HUGE difference, IMO. Having coached Brunell in Jacksonville already, he was able to show Gibbs how Brunell could be used most effictively. The Musgrave-implemented shotgun is a huge plus thusfar, and i wouldn't be surprised if he has a bigger say-so in the offensive play-calling/schemes than ANY of us know, he was an offensive coordinator before coming here, anyway. His importance has never been more evident than in the last two stellar Brunell performances.

[Spence]

I didn't mean to imply that Musgrave has done little to earn his game checks. I honestly have no idea how much he's done or what exactly he is responsible for changing in the offense. Clearly, the offense is better this year so he must be doing something correct. I was merely suggesting the possibility that Brunell himself helped to sell Gibbs on the shotgun. Gibbs wouldn't listen to Ramsey, but he would listen to a tested vet like Brunell.Good read, but disagree heavily with the Musgrave comments. He has made a HUGE difference, IMO. Having coached Brunell in Jacksonville already, he was able to show Gibbs how Brunell could be used most effictively. The Musgrave-implemented shotgun is a huge plus thusfar, and i wouldn't be surprised if he has a bigger say-so in the offensive play-calling/schemes than ANY of us know, he was an offensive coordinator before coming here, anyway. His importance has never been more evident than in the last two stellar Brunell performances.

[Meatsnack]

I had been wondering what Ray would do in that game. The last time we faced him, he played a cover defense and rushed four and got beat. This time we prepared for the same conservative defense and Ray came out aggressive. Bugel adjusted the blocking schemes to compensate and we resumed control of the LOS.

This just in: Bugel > Rhodes.

[skinfan43]

I didn't mean to imply that Musgrave has done little to earn his game checks. I honestly have no idea how much he's done or what exactly he is responsible for changing in the offense. Clearly, the offense is better this year so he must be doing something correct. I was merely suggesting the possibility that Brunell himself helped to sell Gibbs on the shotgun. Gibbs wouldn't listen to Ramsey, but he would listen to a tested vet like Brunell.
And Gibbs REALLY won't listen if YOU don't listen to him. Ramsey obviously never listened to how important it is to not FORCE turnovers. But Brunell has done a fine job at taking what's there, and knowing that there's another play coming next, so long as WE control the ball and don't hand them a gift...

How many times vs. Seattle did you see Brunell chuck the ball away or use his feet effictively, negating a sack, a loss, or AN INTERCEPTION? And know full well that Ramsey would have done one of those negatives in the exact same situation? I also like Campbell learning from an intelligent veteran QB how to lead a team and not try to be 'the man' all the time. The SMART QB's (Brady) win big in this league now, not the cannon-armed gunslingers.(Culpepper)

[GibbsRules!]

Excellent write up Spence. I was happy to see the mid range passing game click. It saved the day. If Brunell performs at the level he has been teams will have to rethink the way they defend us and hopefully that will create opportunities for our running game. CP is due to break out.

Patten has been kind of quite for us but I think that will change. He has no 4th quarter receptions yet and it seems Cooley has displaced him as a passing option. I'm sure he'll get his before its done though.

[CornerBlitz]

I loved reading the article, great job. Your comments were very factual and the article is worth reading.:awesomewo

[redwolf1218]

Excellent write up Spence. I was happy to see the mid range passing game click. It saved the day. If Brunell performs at the level he has been teams will have to rethink the way they defend us and hopefully that will create opportunities for our running game. CP is due to break out.

Patten has been kind of quite for us but I think that will change. He has no 4th quarter receptions yet and it seems Cooley has displaced him as a passing option. I'm sure he'll get his before its done though.
we needed that midrange passing attack. you dont covert so many 3rd and longs without it. it seems almost like each week we are adding one more facet to the offense. if you listen to Gibbs on the news conference on redskins.com he quoted a lot of stats. one was the midrange passes. something like a 16 yarder, an 18 yarder, a 19 yarder, etc...he had each one listed in his notes. he also listed the yards after contact in the running game, 40 some yards. they are keeping stats on every aspect of the game and addressing it all in practice each week like an experienced coaching staff should.

[thecheat48]

Great article.

I agree about Thrash - he is crucial to this team and I cant believe there were folks that wanted to see him go. Then again, I said some things about Sellers that I regret now and am eating BBQ crow with extra sauce....

I like what you said about Thrash - he will often be lined up against the 3rd corner (who is often a rookie/young/inexperienced player) and the skins should take advantage of that. Thrash has decent size, ok speed and good speed. Jacobs may not get much PT cause Thrash is taking it all.

[skins74]

Good read. I would like to see Brunell dump the ball off to Clinton a little more, he needs more touches.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

Yes...they were bullet-fast. I haven't seen crisp passes like that from Brunell since he was a 3-time Pro Bowler between the years of 1996 and 1999.

Gibbs knew he could do it...and he was one of the last people on earth who had confidence in Brunell. I guess Joe was right when he said; "this isn't the last you have seen of Mark Brunell".

We should be glad Gibbs is not the coach...and not the fanbase!
im really not trying to say i told you so, but i said last season that the offense's lack of success was not just on brunell and that something was really wrong with him. now that he is healthy, gibbs is really looking down and laughing at all that doubted him and his decision to start mark......

[JoeDaSchmoe]

People can launch "I told you so"s at me for the rest of the season regarding Brunell... he's finally looking like the player I never thought he'd be.

[Keino]

People can launch "I told you so"s at me for the rest of the season regarding Brunell... he's finally looking like the player I never thought he'd be.

:beer:

[GoDannyBoy]

Good read. I hope we see more of Thrash on "O", but I don't think we can afford to lose him on teams.

We need another Rusty Tillman or Pete Wysocki laying people out on very kick!