Gameplanning for the Opponent

[joethefan]

After looking at the game, I could not understand what was the point of attack from the offense. What areas of the defense did we try to attack? I noticed Portis saying something to Zorn after he broke the big gain. Then they began going with the quick 22 and 21 (towards the interior line) for many of the run plays and after that big run everything else got shut down. My question is did we really gameplan or were we just calling plays? I know you will say "Joe we gameplanned". But what did we try to get after? Everyone knows Portis likes sweeps, but to not try it at all just baffles me. The Giant defense may have gameplanned for it but it doesn't mean don't try it. I noticed that they went at Taylor from the get go. That's called gameplanning. All the running plays were up the middle. Huh?

We didn't seem to attack no part of the secondary. Rarely did we see 4 wide sets hoping to get a matchup with a speedy guy on a linebacker or something.....If Zorn watched tapes from last year, it seemed that Jason thrives in no huddle offenses. We didn't get into no huddle until about 2:00 in the 4th quarter. Huh? It seems that he (Zorn) didn't gameplan for this game well at all. I was looking for Davis and Cooley on the field together in a 2 TE set...I mean different things to confuse the defense. Zorn made the Giants look like Superbowl Champs the first half.

I was one that was looking really forward to Zorn's playcalling this year. But I guess I should pay attention more to the gameplan. Even though I don't know initially thier point of attack, most people can tell by the first half what areas of the defense teams are looking to attack. I just didn't see it here.


It seemed that after that first sack on JC Zorn was done. He said something to the degree that he couldn't get that off his mind in the press conference. While on the sideline, you rarely saw him speaking to anyone he just had that (why am I here look). It 's a bit scary

[guess88]

It seemed that after that first sack on JC Zorn was done. He said something to the degree that he couldn't get that off his mind in the press conference. While on the sideline, you rarely saw him speaking to anyone he just had that (why am I here look). It 's a bit scary

I had a friend that listened, and came up with her greatest thoughts, with her head buried in her arms, looking like she hated life, and the air she was breathing. People have different looks for how they think, hopefully that's the case with Zorn. 1st game as a new HC is never going to be pretty.

[shally]

I had a friend that listened, and came up with her greatest thoughts, with her head buried in her arms, looking like she hated life, and the air she was breathing. People have different looks for how they think, hopefully that's the case with Zorn. 1st game as a new HC is never going to be pretty.

yup. learning curve for all things.. let's hope his is not too steep this year

[joethefan]

yup. learning curve for all things.. let's hope his is not too steep this year

reminded me of the Spurrier Lip fiasco...LOL

[hail2skins]

A couple of things first. Davis was inactive, so you weren't going to see him. Also, with the pressure the Giants DL was getting a 4 WR set could have caused trouble. Also, maybe they don't have confidence in Devin Thomas to go with a 4 receiver set. We also only had 4 WR's active for the game. Kelly was inactive.

Zorn mentioned that Portis told him to stay with the inside stuff. I'm not one that thinks Portis love sweeps.

Just because you couldn't figure out what the game plan was doesn't mean it was one. I do however understand what you're saying. The Giants went after Taylor like they should have. A guy playing on a knee that wasn't 100%. Yeah, you're supposed to test that. They were also supposed to test Rogers which they did for the same reason. Also, Rocky McIntosh could have been a target as well. The Giants point of attack was with people, there are however other points of attack like a side of the field or taking advantage of coaches tendencies.

[jaylen]

I just thought Zorn made no adjustments at all as the game was going on.

Blatche's defensive adjustments shut the Giants down in the 2nd half. Jerry gray did as I said they should have done to start the game he went press coverage and we closed down Plax and the other Giants wr's. They couldn't beat us deep at all.

Zorn just seemed out of it, he didn't call a timeout in the 1st half and acted confused down the stretch at the end. Maybe he just got out of sync with the initial stuff not working but he needs to be alot more aware or take the counsel of his offensive coordinator more often.

I still have faith in Zorn and JC as qb they will get it together. Hassellback struggled initially in this offense then clicked I think JC will do the same as well.

[shally]

I just thought Zorn made no adjustments at all as the game was going on.

Blatche's defensive adjustments shut the Giants down in the 2nd half. Jerry gray did as I said they should have done to start the game he went press coverage and we closed down Plax and the other Giants wr's. They couldn't beat us deep at all.

Zorn just seemed out of it, he didn't call a timeout in the 1st half and acted confused down the stretch at the end. Maybe he just got out of sync with the initial stuff not working but he needs to be alot more aware or take the counsel of his offensive coordinator more often.

I still have faith in Zorn and JC as qb they will get it together. Hassellback struggled initially in this offense then clicked I think JC will do the same as well.

there was a short article by dr Z in todays www.si.com on line.. he called zorn on his lack of urgency in the final 6 minutes and it sounded like zorn's response indicated he was very disappointed in himself..

as kendall said, rookie coach's first game... zorn will get better, i believe.
let's face it, gibbs wasnt much better last year despite being in the HOF...

[BurgundyNGold]

I think there is more of an argument that the defense didn't have much of a game plan. As per usual.

[shally]

I think there is more of an argument that the defense didn't have much of a game plan. As per usual.

they were missing their number 1 corner to go up against a number 1 wideout and the new pass rushing DE was playing essentially on one leg.... still, they held the giant offense scoreless in the second half.. they clearly made some adjustments at half time that worked..with even a half decent offense the game was winnable

the offense did absolutely nothing the entire second half and let momentum slip back to the giants.. then to top it all off, the offense ran out the clock for the giants with 6 minutes left in the game

nope, when your defense holds a home team to 16 points, that is a game your offense should win for you. i cant blame the defense for this loss..

[jaylen]

there was a short article by dr Z in todays www.si.com on line.. he called zorn on his lack of urgency in the final 6 minutes and it sounded like zorn's response indicated he was very disappointed in himself..

as kendall said, rookie coach's first game... zorn will get better, i believe.
let's face it, gibbs wasnt much better last year despite being in the HOF...

I'm not bailing on anyone yet. I think Zorn will get it together. I just didn't like the vibe coming off his demeanor during the game. He looked too relaxed and not nearly as urgent. Maybe's thats just his persona. The mistakes were obvious and correctable. With as bad as we played had our butter finger secondary caught the 3 other balls in their hands we still could have won.

I think there is more of an argument that the defense didn't have much of a game plan. As per usual.

Our defense played well in the 2nd half Jerry Grey the secondary coach said in redskins insider with the Washington Post that at halftime they adjusted and went press coverage on the Giants and it worked Plax only had 3 catches for 35 yards. we should always be playing press coverage.

I think there's something to build on there.

[CarMike]

When did Campbell have the time to attack any part of their defense in the first half? Field position was horrible until Rock had that nice KO return.

I keep saying it. The OL was horrific in their pass protection.

[shally]

When did Campbell have the time to attack any part of their defense in the first half? Field position was horrible until Rock had that nice KO return.

I keep saying it. The OL was horrific in their pass protection.

i think you are correct for the first quarter.. after that i think it was on JC, not the o line. he had enough time but could not find anyone, or wouldnt throw to anyone except his check down receivers..

[LATrueRedskin]

When did Campbell have the time to attack any part of their defense in the first half? Field position was horrible until Rock had that nice KO return.

I keep saying it. The OL was horrific in their pass protection.

Not just the pass protection. Cooley just wasn't quick enough to block Tuck on the back-end of running plays, and Stephon Heyer even dropped back to pass block a couple of times during run plays. It just wasn't really a good day for anybody, except for Randy Thomas.

[Death_Venom]

Not just the pass protection. Cooley just wasn't quick enough to block Tuck on the back-end of running plays, and Stephon Heyer even dropped back to pass block a couple of times during run plays. It just wasn't really a good day for anybody, except for Randy Thomas.

Hold on a minute a NOW!!! We still need to find a way to lay all fault on Jason Campbell.........Lets not get ahead of ourselves here!!!

[Skins-fo-life]

How many times did everyone here find themselves screaming get rid of the ball? I know myself and the people i was watching with were screaming at the tv constantly.

[Death_Venom]

How many times did everyone here find themselves screaming get rid of the ball? I know myself and the people i was watching with were screaming at the tv constantly.

And usually was because Campbell was getting hurried/rushed/or nearly sacked each time......

[NamVet4]

How many times did everyone here find themselves screaming get rid of the ball? I know myself and the people i was watching with were screaming at the tv constantly.

Same here in my house.....The chant went something like:

"1 - 2 - 3 throw", "1 - 2 - 3 throw", "1 - 2 - 3 throw" . . . Oh NO!!!!!! :smash:

[CarMike]

And usually was because Campbell was getting hurried/rushed/or nearly sacked each time......

I agree with you Death_Venom. Not only did he not enough time, perhaps no one was open? I'm not trying to say that Campbell wasn't at fault. But how do we know his WR's weren't open?

LOL...I'm done with this subject. I've said my peice...lol

[Skins3]

seem to me we were trying to attack stephon heyer 3 yards deep in our backfield

[Skins3]

between zorn wanting to run behind Heyer and Campbells lockin of 1 reciever we are in trouble

running behind heyer is an easy fix but campbells lack of progressing through his reciever is not something you fix in one week

if you watch the 1st offensive play where campbell locked in on Moss (with a minimum of 3 giants all around him) and ran right into tucks waiting arms while still locked in on moss then signaled to the sideline that he never saw him.

[VegasSkinsFan]

JC's biggest problem to me is his confidence. He seemed to get rattled early. We have a big problem blocking for him also though. To get inside his head, if he knows he only has a split second, because of the line, and then knows that he has to rely on cooley and sellers to help out, that would rattle me. I will probably take heat for this, but sellers does not impress me. For a guy as big as he is, he doesnt block too good, yeah sure he can bulldoze a db....but so can jacobs, just ask landry. I will give JC the rest of the year to look for improvement, but we will need to address the line/fb position this offseason, but i do like some of the PS guys we have...so we at least have started to revamp the line, just another draft pick each of the next 2 years. GO SKINS !!!!!!!!!

[SkinsfaninNJ]

there was a short article by dr Z in todays www.si.com on line.. he called zorn on his lack of urgency in the final 6 minutes and it sounded like zorn's response indicated he was very disappointed in himself..

as kendall said, rookie coach's first game... zorn will get better, i believe.
let's face it, gibbs wasnt much better last year despite being in the HOF...

And if you really want to be optimistic, although I was too young to remember, Gibbs wasn't much better in his first game ever as a coach, and we all know how that story turned out.

[shally]

And if you really want to be optimistic, although I was too young to remember, Gibbs wasn't much better in his first game ever as a coach, and we all know how that story turned out.

gibbs went 0-5 in his first games.. but it was different then because the offense was playing very well in terms of stats.. he just wasnt managing the games that well overall

still, you are correct, the howls were deafening.. i can still remember the column written by bob addie (it was either him or shirley povich) who was the redskin columnist for the washington post.. the headline went ....." 0 and 15 ??? "
and the entire content of the article was how big a mistake the selection of gibbs had been and how he simply didnt have what it took to be a successful HC in the nfl.. i wonder if gibbs has a copy of that column somwhere ?

[Death_Venom]

I agree with you Death_Venom. Not only did he not enough time, perhaps no one was open? I'm not trying to say that Campbell wasn't at fault. But how do we know his WR's weren't open?

LOL...I'm done with this subject. I've said my peice...lol


Thanks CarMike-my whole point is that there are several problems on this team and the MOST GLARING to ME is that Wide Reciever position-either Santana Moss is past his prime or just a one hit wonder-or whatever excuse he can muster for his lackluster play on the field-we need a TRUE #1 Wide Reciever-and I am slowly becoming more covinced that it may not be MOSS..........

[shally]

Thanks CarMike-my whole point is that there are several problems on this team and the MOST GLARING to ME is that Wide Reciever position-either Santana Moss is past his prime or just a one hit wonder-or whatever excuse he can muster for his lackluster play on the field-we need a TRUE #1 Wide Reciever-and I am slowly becoming more covinced that it may not be MOSS..........

nothing would help moss more than thomas stepping up into the #1 role..
but i dont think it will happen this year and moss may be gone next year

timing is off that way