Tuesday Morning Armchair Quarterbacking

[hail2skins]

Here's your chance. Okay, so you're now Al Saunders the braintrust behind the scenes of the Redskins offense. Your team hasn't been getting the ball downfield for a number of reasons. Pass blocking, QB issues, etc...You've been facing a Deep Cover-2 defense and you want to exploit it.

What would you do as offensive genius that you are. Gibbs has told you that there will not be a QB change.

What plays would you run and be specific about the blocking schemes, package, routes being run by receivers etc....

[RedskinsATW!]

Heavy Jumbo (Where's Riggo?).

[smoak]

Easy. Run the football until Portis and Ducket can barely stand. Then hit some mid range passes behind the LBs so that the safeties are forced to cheat up. Then run a mid range route for Moss and if the S bites, have ARE in deep behind him. The Texans secondary is vunerable as I will cover in my weekly scouting report.

[PennSkinsFan]

Double doses of Portis and Duckett open up the deep ball. Duckett has been so mis-used, I don't even know what to say about that.

[MONK_in_HOF]

While I am not one to question Al Saunders and his proven system, here is what I wouldn't mind seeing more of.

1. I would like to see more plays with ARE and Moss in motion where they are an option to receive a handoff. I think this would keep defenses honest and hestitant. I would also like to see the reverse/end around run off this play.

2. As much as I didn't like the WR screen and hitch plays, I think Moss and ARE are the 2 perfect WRs to receive this type play. Plus if Brunell is having trouble getting the ball downfield, for whatever reason (confidence, arm strength, lack of time), this play could really be useful IMO.

3. Stating the obvious, I would like to see any of our 3 WR getting downfield more often.

4. I would like to see less rollout/sprint out type plays that basically take portions of the field out of the play.

Those are just some things I would like to see, but I trust Saunders offense and think in time it will click.

[dj_stouty]

1. I would instill several quick-slant routes to Moss and ARE in the slot. Those plays do not require 5 or 7 step drops...and after completing the first quick slant to Moss or ARE, the LBs would then have to stay in coverage instead of contributing on the blitz.

ARE and Moss are some of the most deadly receviers in the open field. A quick slant to them would allow them to make a play, while giving a low-risk high-reward option for Brunell.

2. I would incorporate more stretch running plays. I would force the defense to spread out and allow more eventual mismatches in the passing game later in the series/game.

3. Put ARE in the same role as Az-Hakim was during the Rams' powerful offensive days several seasons ago. Line him up in the slot and make him run down the field on almost every play. Either he takes defenders with him, or he gets open. It would stretch the field and allow more productive running and passing plays. At a minimum, it would probably give Moss more 1-on-1 situations on his side of the field.

[vbskins]

run wideout screens and reverses because our receivers are good at those

run slants and curls between the coverage, brunell is smart enough to click with our receivers, where they can find the open holes in the D if the safties are sitting deep.

then run the ball hard up the middle. alot

i would like to see some two back splits with portis and duckett/sellers w/ ouick hits to the big guys and misdirections

[JoeDaSchmoe]

How about passing to that, uh, Koolie guy, or whatever his name is? Don't we have someone on the team with a name like that? I don't really remember, I think he was here last year, though.

[shally]

run the ball. then run the ball some more.. oh... and run the ball

not another sideline route.. all throws to be in the middle of the field.

commit to throwing to the tight ends and sellers at least 10 times in the next game.

don't forget about the screen pass.

[Ibleedburgundy]

More crossing routes (and more "accidental" picks and chips, everyone is doing it) more dump offs, and more receivers coming back to the QB when he is in trouble.

More Sellers and Duckett up the gut.

And throw in a few more max protect schemes until the O-line gets comfortable so we can really go deep down field.

[redwolf1218]

i've been surprised at the number of wide-receiver screens, i mean the ones that are actually laterals. that's about a 15 or 20 yard lateral and a really dangerous play, even though we've had some success with them. teams will be on the lookout for those, so if we spread the field, with corners up and safeties deep, we should be able to run up the middle.

[bergiemoore]

3 WR set, single-back formation, Portis off-tackle opposite the TE.

Next Play

Same formation, have the weak-side receiver run a fade route, strong side runs a curl, slot receiver runs a slant, Portis stays in to block while Cooley blocks and releases then runs down the seam. Hit Cooley after 5 yards.

Next Play

2 WR, split backs (Portis and Sellers), 1 TE. Sellers gets the run up the middle behind Thomas.

Next Play

I-Formation, Moss runs a deep cross, Sellers goes out to the flat, Portis stays in to block, Lloyd runs a streak. Hit Moss as soon as he makes his cut. (Sellers is the saftey valve).

Next Play

Single-back, 2 TE set. Stretch run left.

Next Play

3 WR set, single-back. Run off tackle.

Next Play

3WR set, WR option w/ Randle El. Lloyd streaks while Moss curls, Portis blocks.

[bergiemoore]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgandy

More crossing routes (and more "accidental" picks and chips, everyone is doing it)

I've noticed this. I saw it called once in week 1, but it has happened sooooo often, I think we will see a "Rule Emphasis" next year.

[joethefan]

I would tell the oline that they stink. Then I would work thier butts to death....As opposed to telling them that they have guts and they have character...CRAP...I had to get that out...

Portis, and Duckett. All day till it begins to work. Stop the trick plays. Go with more three Recievers Sets. W/O Cooley.

I would line Moss and Lloyd up on one side of the field. and Cooley opposite at the TE position and work that. Put Portis and Sellars in there and power the ball up the middle and towards the edges. This would beingthe Saftey up and then I sould Chllenge them down field.

I would also work the Seem routes with cooley. I would even try some 4 reciever sets. Looking for a mismatch with a linebacker...ala Glenn/Marshall Sunday.

I would stay with the run as much as possible and take my shots when needed.

[LATrueRedskin]

In a Cover 2, you have to get the ball to Cooley, and then use him to drive defenders away from Moss, leaving him one-on-one with some poor sap trying to cover him.

First and foremost, we have to run the ball and run it effectively. Blockers have to block like the DLine slapped their mama. Running effectively will bring the safeties up and keep their eyes in the backfield. Then we can playaction and get the ball downfield to our playmakers.

I'd still like to see a lot of 3-wide formations, but my bread and butter would be a 2 TE set and just run Clinton and T.J. until the defense says uncle.

When passing the ball, I'd like to see some quicker slants and curl routes ran by our quick receivers. It will keep the blitz off our backs and will keep the chains moving, all while we set up some big plays downfield. Running shorter routes will bring the CBs up to play the receivers more closely, then we can exploit that using our speed for some bigger gains, and have Cooley and Sellers mismatched with some linebackers.

None of this works, however, if our OLine can't block. That's the key to doing anything on offense, and we haven't shown that thus far. Mark needs to relax in the pocket, and trust his guys in the trenches, and he'll be much more effective.