Scouts Inc. take on the Giants game

[RoanokeSkin]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

[JsMaViSd]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

i thought the same thing during the second half, mainly after the first drive on the second half.

When New York drove down and scored that first TD, we should of opened it up, right there, not continue to play conservative..

[bergiemoore]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

This is a very apt description of what we should expect.

Teams like Pittsburgh and New England blow people up because they never let up on them. Gibbs' propensity to try and sit on a lead, instead of going full-go on offense and defense, is going to lead to situations like we saw last night. The play calling in the second half was that of a coach playing not to lose, rather than a coach playing to win. The Skins will not be able to compete in the NFC East with that mentality. They need to go for the kill. Break the other team, and give your team some confidence.

[guinness4health]

I got to agree 100%....the gaints loaded up the line of scrimmage and dared us to throw....

where we was the 8-12 yard pass the killed the eagles this week?

there were at least 3 or 4 times in the second half that we threw a screen or swing pass and asked our running back to go out and get the 8 yards we needed....

sure that works from time to time but it seemed like that was the only way that we attempts to convert 3 and long until the final drive when it was too late.

[skins74]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

I think they hit this right on the money.

[70chip-on-1]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.

Hello!?!? I don't know what game you guys were watching, but from where I sat on the 30 yrd line, I witnessed Betts and Portis carry for maybe 5 or 6 plays, during the entire 2nd half! When we should of been pounding it, we were passing incompletes like last year on 1st and 2nd downs... completely contrary to what this ESPN writer is proclaiming. This article smells of Fantasy Football filler garbage.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Hello!?!? I don't know what game you guys were watching, but from where I sat on the 30 yrd line, I witnessed Betts and Portis carry for maybe 5 or 6 plays, during the entire 2nd half! When we should of been pounding it, we were passing incompletes like last year on 1st and 2nd downs... completely contrary to what this ESPN writer is proclaiming. This article smells of Fantasy Football filler garbage.
Thank you. I think our two RBs carried the ball a total of 4 or 5 times in the second half.

[youngestson]

Hello!?!? I don't know what game you guys were watching, but from where I sat on the 30 yrd line, I witnessed Betts and Portis carry for maybe 5 or 6 plays, during the entire 2nd half! When we should of been pounding it, we were passing incompletes like last year on 1st and 2nd downs... completely contrary to what this ESPN writer is proclaiming. This article smells of Fantasy Football filler garbage.

They ran the ball 5 or 6 times because that's about how many first downs we had. And the predictable first down run was swallowed by a stacked defense. That was followed by dinks and swing passes for 3 yards when we needed 9.

NOT a good day at the office for the offense, but it's the defense that has me scared.

[Charlz]

From ESPN.com

...this team has no "killer" instinct. ...Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell...This offense is way too conservative.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

Did Gibbs tell Saunders to play it safe? Truth be told, the Redskins often look flat when playing divisional foes. Saunders bear no blame for the D falling apart, although admittedly, the G-men are deep at the skill positons.

[Death_Venom]

i thought the same thing during the second half, mainly after the first drive on the second half.

When New York drove down and scored that first TD, we should of opened it up, right there, not continue to play conservative..

After NY scored that TD I truly thought now we are going to attack with some deep passes and maybe some play-action.........And what the hell was with Portis on the sideline and Betts in on a Goal-line play???

[jaylen]

Everyone knows what the problem is there is no mystery here. I won't call that a positive because knowing and changing it are 2 different things.

Gibbs has become convinced maybe because of Ramsey maybe because of Brunell that JC can't function in a wide open offense and that we don't have the personel to be more agressive.

This is a Gibbs problem not a Saunders problem, he's being handcuffed by Gibbs.

Ever since that declaration last November that we were gonna play Redskin football we have looked like an antiquated offense.

Division opponents understand our players strength's and weaknesses too well to beat them with the same offensive gameplans. Its why Gibbs has been so successful against AFC teams compared to NFC teams.

My solution is quite simple. Let Saunders do what he wants to do all game.

He's been successful doing things his way in the league.

Run more situations with PORTIS AND BETTS on the field together. , run some 3 wide and 4 wide sets, More draws, and screens and more skinny posts.

Let JC throw and lets get this offense cranked up.

[70chip-on-1]

Everyone knows what the problem is there is no mystery here. I won't call that a positive because knowing and changing it are 2 different things.

Gibbs has become convinced maybe because of Ramsey maybe because of Brunell that JC can't function in a wide open offense and that we don't have the personel to be more agressive.

This is a Gibbs problem not a Saunders problem, he's being handcuffed by Gibbs.

Ever since that declaration last November that we were gonna play Redskin football we have looked like an antiquated offense.

Division opponents understand our players strength's and weaknesses too well to beat them with the same offensive gameplans. Its why Gibbs has been so successful against AFC teams compared to NFC teams.

My solution is quite simple. Let Saunders do what he wants to do all game.

He's been successful doing things his way in the league.

Run more situations with PORTIS AND BETTS on the field together. , run some 3 wide and 4 wide sets, More draws, and screens and more skinny posts.

Let JC throw and lets get this offense cranked up.

Crank up the offense and let Jason Campbell pass??? Thats exactly what we did yesterday in the 2nd half, and it miserably WREAKED of Al Saunders. With a 14 pt lead, we need to pull out an old Lombardi game plan.. Butter that bread and pound baby pound! 5 or 6 carries combined by our HB's in the 2nd half with 14 POINT LEAD... its outrageous! I saw Dink and Dunk every 1st and 2nd down.. Incomplete, Incomplete, 3 & Out. There were bombs thrown, End around Reverses, and plenty of play action to boot! Guess what?? Jason Campbell and this opened up 2nd half offense flopped. Receivers dropped balls, Jason late to throw, and frequently off mark. I saw 2 throws in the 2nd half that I thought for sure were going to be intercepted. He got away with several bad decisions. I do agree with having #26 in there more however... Portis just offers more than Betts can deliver.

[Battle Cat]

Crank up the offense and let Jason Campbell pass??? Thats exactly what we did yesterday in the 2nd half, and it miserably WREAKED of Al Saunders. With a 14 pt lead, we need to pull out an old Lombardi game plan.. Butter that bread and pound baby pound! 5 or 6 carries combined by our HB's in the 2nd half with 14 POINT LEAD... its outrageous! I saw Dink and Dunk every 1st and 2nd down.. Incomplete, Incomplete, 3 & Out. There were bombs thrown, End around Reverses, and plenty of play action to boot! Guess what?? Jason Campbell and this opened up 2nd half offense flopped. Receivers dropped balls, Jason late to throw, and frequently off mark. I saw 2 throws in the 2nd half that I thought for sure were going to be intercepted. He got away with several bad decisions. I do agree with having #26 in there more however... Portis just offers more than Betts can deliver.
Hard to pound and pound the ball when you can only run left and the other teams defense is fully rested.

[jaylen]

Crank up the offense and let Jason Campbell pass??? Thats exactly what we did yesterday in the 2nd half, and it miserably WREAKED of Al Saunders. With a 14 pt lead, we need to pull out an old Lombardi game plan.. Butter that bread and pound baby pound! 5 or 6 carries combined by our HB's in the 2nd half with 14 POINT LEAD... its outrageous! I saw Dink and Dunk every 1st and 2nd down.. Incomplete, Incomplete, 3 & Out. There were bombs thrown, End around Reverses, and plenty of play action to boot! Guess what?? Jason Campbell and this opened up 2nd half offense flopped. Receivers dropped balls, Jason late to throw, and frequently off mark. I saw 2 throws in the 2nd half that I thought for sure were going to be intercepted. He got away with several bad decisions. I do agree with having #26 in there more however... Portis just offers more than Betts can deliver.

What game were you watching.

The Skins run offense consists of 2 plays sweep and off tackle left thats it. Nothing works running going right.

Giants knew it and jammed it up.

A couple ill fated passes to Moss in which JC got no time incidentally we were in max pro which rarely gives you a chance nowadays if your wideouts can't win early in routes and we have 1 guy who can and thats Moss.

everything else was predictable and conservative.

3rd and long ,a run on 1st down to portis, Betts left , swing pass, 1 ill timed deep pass to ARE. stupid reverse.

That was it.

The espn scout has it right.

Lombardi stuff worked back then not now. You gotta open things up and attack a team that struggles with pass defense. The Giants are stout against the run so the Running game had no chance when they know where we're going.

Giants like the up coming Lions are terrible in pass coverage yet we make the game close playing to their strengths.

We gotta diversify what we do or the formula for beating us will be simple load up stuff the run take a few hits deep and the Skins will do the work and keep you in it and steal it late.

[Hr fan]

From ESPN.com

The Washington Redskins took an early lead in this game, but this team has no "killer" instinct. Despite three Washington turnovers and plenty of opportunities, offensive coordinator Al Saunders refused to take the handcuffs off QB Jason Campbell. The Redskins never opened up the passing game until it was too late. Campbell showed great poise in the first half, but then in the second half, the Redskins had way too many third-and-long situations because they would not throw the ball on first and second down. When the Redskins needed to crank up the passing game late, it just was not there. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were completely neutralized in this game. That's not just Campbell's fault, Saunders and the offensive coaches need to shoulder a big portion of the blame as well. This offense is way too conservative. With three shots inside the 3-yard-line, Clinton Portis is on the bench and they only attempt one pass. Until they open up the offense and turn Campbell loose, the Redskins are going to be in close games every weekend.


Its hard for me to disagree with this take on the game. Its exactly what I was thinking the whole 2nd half. I think Al Saunders shoulders a great deal of that loss yesterday.

In Gibbs I we saw nearly flawless halftime adjustments. In Gibbs II we see virtually no or negative halftime adjustments - ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL! The take is correct, but what has happened to cause such conservatism throughout the coaching staff? Could it be the HC?