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by John S. Pappas – 11/21/05 Mark Brunell will pick apart the best defense - when he has time. Chris Simms will murder you if he is not hurried. If you fail to get pressure on Kerry Collins - he can do just enough to beat you. Sunday the Washington Redskins lost to a very ordinary Oakland Raiders. After a 3-0 start this year, the redskins have lost five of their last seven games. They have a woeful minus turnover ratio of 21-32. They have fumbled the ball 26 times compared to their opponents’ 14. They have been sacked 26 times, but have sacked opponents only 14 times. Washington’s woes - nearly all of them - can be traced directly to the poor play of the offensive and defensive lines. While Washington is clearly an improved team over that of 2004; they are failing in critical areas. Offensive Line On paper Washington has an all-star offensive line, yet their talent has not translated into consistent line play. Too often they have failed to create a running lane, or protect the quarterback when they absolutely had to. While the team has been more potent offensively, and has run well overall, they have been unable to get first downs in critical short-yardage situations with games on the line. This was evident in the Tampa game in the fourth quarter, where a third-and-two conversion would have effectively ended the game. Instead they failed to convert, gave up a score, and ended up losing by one point. Part of the Redskins’ failure running for critical short-yardage can be blamed on scheme. Gibbs’ offense offers a high percentage of run plays that feature pulls. This is where one or more guards, tackles, or tight-ends will leave their primary area of blocking responsibility and run to another area in order to create a block for the runner (the famed counter-tray features two linemen pulling). These types of running plays are effective at times, but take longer to develop than conventional runs. Meanwhile, today’s NFL features quicker, faster defenses that get better penetration at the point of attack, as well as from the backside, where the lineman often vacates in order to pull. The Redskins have had problems converting short-yardage plays with these types of runs. Most of the Redskins’ failure running for critical short-yardage however can be blamed on the line’s inability to get a good surge off of the snap. This has resulted too often in a Redskin running back either being jammed at the line, being hit or having to evade a defender in the backfield, or being unable to score on goal-line situations. While the offensive line has not allowed an inordinate amount of sacks on the year, they have allowed pressure on Brunell in key situations, such as the final plays in the Tampa and Oakland games where Brunell was sacked on fourth down in one game and was forced to scramble only to be tackled on fourth in the other. Additionally, the at times poor protection of the offensive line has limited the offensive coaches’ options in critical situations. Often, Gibbs and staff have felt compelled to max-protect - meaning they will bring in two tight-ends to block in order to protect Brunell. This limits the amount of receivers available for routes and has resulted in the Redskins’ inability to convert key downs. Washington’s much publicized problems with offensive turnovers are in many cases directly related to the play of the line. Pressure on Brunell has resulted in fumbles when being hit while trying to scramble, or interceptions when throwing under pressure. Defensive Line Nowhere is Washington’s line play more suspect than on defense. Washington has been largely unable to create sacks with their front four. Maybe more important, they have been unable to hurry opposing quarterbacks. Washington’s inability to create defensive turnovers is directly related to the play of the line. As the Redskins’ offense has demonstrated, quarterback pressure results in fumbles and interceptions. Greg Williams understands this, and uses linebackers, safeties, and even cornerbacks to create pressure. This scheme was successful last year. This year however, teams have begun to figure out how and when the Redskins’ bring pressure and how to block them. Worse for Washington, when additional players are dedicated to applying pressure, they are unavailable to defend the pass. This combination has resulted in big pass plays against the Redskins. While the play of the offensive line has been somewhat surprising, given the level of talent - the play of the defensive line has not. The Redskins are playing with the same defensive line they had last year, when they could not pressure opposing quarterbacks. In this, the Redskins’ coaches and talent staff have no-one to blame but themselves. During the 2005 draft, ample defensive ends and tackles were available, yet the Redskins drafted none (conversely, the Dallas Cowboys drafted 3 defensive ends and one hybrid linebacker/defensive end). Williams has come to the realization that he does not have the requisite talent on the defensive line, admitting as much during a radio interview last week. Unfortunately, there is little Williams can do this year to remedy his lack of talent there. Washington has six games remaining for the season, three against teams with winning records. The bottom line is that unless Washington can elevate the play of the offensive and defensive lines, they face real challenges pursuing the postseason, or even a winning record.
© 2005 Capital News Services |