The Real Problem in Washington

[GSF]

Hi guys, long time no post.

I've had a chance to watch all 3 games, and rewatch several plays thanks to TiVo. I know the defense looks ridiculously bad, and RG3 is rusty, but there is a problem at the core of this team that is the real root of the current struggles: The oline.

Yes the defense is getting killed, and the secondary can't cover, but these guys in general have spent way too much time on the field, especially in the first game, and the timing of when our offense has put them back on the field because of turnovers has been absolutely terrible. Against the Lions, the defense was able to make some key stops and key plays.

This oline cannot pass protect up the middle, and they really can't run block that well either without the use of gimmicks. If you watch other games, you just don't see olines getting blown up like the Skins' oline does on a regular basis(except for maybe the Steelers and they're struggling too).

There is nothing worse for a QB than knowing the pressure is coming straight up his face most plays. Especially a young QB coming off an injury.

The number 1 priority moving forward has to be the oline. The defense is going to have to do the best with what they have for the next year or 2 for the most part. Hopefully those rookie DBs will pan out. The only way this team can become a true powerhouse is a rebuild on the oline. Imagine how good RG3 could be with "all day" back there. You can win with a mediocre defense. You can't win without a QB, and you can't win without an oline. If you have both you will always be competitive.

The Redskins must obtain at least 1 stud olineman and draft multiple guys this offseason. I personally believe they need a stud center and to bring in FA to play right guard.

The redskins tricked the fans and themselves into thinking this oline is good last year. This oline is not good at all and RG3 is going to be running for his life all season.

 

[Goaldeje]

Welcome back, heckuva nice post.

Couldn't agree more. I think the coaching staff and fans (myself definitely included) got fooled into thinking the line was all right last year b/c of the winning streak and the awesome offensive numbers, about which we had been salivating for 20 years. The "gimmick" part of our offense disguised the fact that our OLine was below average at best, almost all season.

The problem this year is Griff's injury. It has prevented him from running those disguised plays he did so well with last year that fooled the D's and kept them honest. If Robert and his Dad are dead set on him becoming a pocket passer, they need to lobby hard for some serious OLine help this off season.

Oh, and eff Mara.

(I have a feeling a few upgrades coulda been available if it weren't for butt boy there)

 

[Fear The Spear]

Yep, RG3's incredible mobility last year covered a multitude of sins on the OL.
This year, with a fraction of that mobility, our OL's flaws are fully exposed.

 

[SkinsOrlando]

We finally have Cap space next year with this "penalty" bs behind us, I believe we can make several key additions(not a total rebuild, we need the draft as well) on both the o-line and defense.......no sexy fa signings on the line but good hard nosed don't "f" with me dudes who can be paid in the mid-upper level and hopefully a mid-tier corner (which is better than what we currently have overall). Of course I say this without yet researching who the fa O-linemen or db's are for 2014 sooooooooo, take it cum grano salis.

 

[GSF]

Thanks for all replies guys.

Yep, RG3's incredible mobility last year covered a multitude of sins on the OL.
This year, with a fraction of that mobility, our OL's flaws are fully exposed.

Yup but it was more than his mobility. It was the whole package. RG3 executed the play fakes extremely well. The formations were so "out of the box" that opposing defenses were completely confused. I always will remember the Dallas game when RG3 and KS made Ware look like an absolute dummy. Alfred Morris caught everybody off guard. It was a bit of a perfect storm for us.

Defenses now have a better idea about how to defend that portion of our offense. Kyle needs to install much more of the offense they were running with Rex. there were a ton of great medium range pass plays in that offense, but now they have RG3 making almost all short throws with the occaisional bomb sprinkled in. The reason for that is they know he's unprotected and he can't make the reads quick enough yet to beat the blitzes coming up the middle.

RG3 will evolve into a complete QB, but he's not there yet. He needs protection bottom line.

 

[burgold]

I don't disagree with the notion that the oline is a problem, but it's without question an "and" and not an "or"

The defense doesn't get to use the offense as an excuse or a crutch. Not when they have offered no resistance during the opening drives and were unable to force a first quarter punt esp. in the opening two games. The D is historically bad and that is independent of other factors. The oline and RGIII rust just help make the D's problems in the run and passing game obvious... it does not create or cause them.

 

[ntotoro]

How do guys who suddenly forget how to tackle get to this level of sport?

Nick

 

[Ax]

seriously, if the D just started working on tackling properly and not going for the big hit they would be top 20 within 2 games. we are hitting them at the line of scrimmage or within a few steps after catching the ball. Its just that our technique is SO piss poor that these players are just bouncing off of us and getting huge gains.

Agreed. Our horrendous tackling is our biggest problem, right now.

The offense, in general, and Robert, in particular, have shown improvement.

Our tackling woes, specifically, the total failure to wrap up, as you eluded to, is inexcusable.

Offensive linemen get beat by another man. Missed tackles are an individual failure.

 

[Bulldog]

It's both lines.

Other than Trent Williams we don't have many players that would be starters elsewhere, let alone core performers.

 

[Ax]

It's both lines.

Other than Trent Williams we don't have many players that would be starters elsewhere, let alone core performers.

I respectfully disagree.

There are several local high schools that could use some of our guys, for depth.

 

[Bulldog]

The OL to me outside of Williams has always been a collection of hand me downs. Street free agents, waiver pickups and free agents whose previous clubs declined to extend their deals.

I heard all the arguments about the scheme and the OL that fit it, etc.

But in going back and looking at the Broncos, Shanahan traded for all pro tackle Gary Zimmerman from Minny and had a pro bowl center in Dan Neil as well as Mark Schlereth at guard who had been a starter for a number of years and won with the Redskins.

What we have in Washington doesn't look anything like that.

 

[Win4us]

Yeah I've wished every April for the past umpteen yrs for some uglies with no luck. Shan needs to quit dicking around and grab a RT early and a G to follow.

In another note, just how bad is Leribus and Hurt if they can't crack this lineup?

 

[Neophyte]

Yeah I've wished every April for the past umpteen yrs for some uglies with no luck. Shan needs to quit dicking around and grab a RT early and a G to follow.

In another note, just how bad is Leribus and Hurt if they can't crack this lineup?

In fairness to Hurt, he was a 6th or 7th round pick. What do you expect from him?

Rib was a 3rd but probably should have been a 5th or 6th and his best position is LG where we have arguably our second best lineman playing.

In fact, it just occurred to me that our lineman go left to right in order of talent. Interesting.

 

[Ax]

Isn't Hurt, hurt?

Physically Unable To Perform list?

 

[Neophyte]

Isn't Hurt, hurt?

Physically Unable To Perform list?

Indeed he is.

 

[Fear The Spear]

How do guys who suddenly forget how to tackle get to this level of sport?

Nick

smoking weed ?

(the players, not you )

 

[GSF]

It's both lines.

Other than Trent Williams we don't have many players that would be starters elsewhere, let alone core performers.

Thanks for your reply BD.

Yeah ok, but the dline is not near as bad as the oline imo. Cofield and Bowen are not spectaclular, but they are solid and would start for other teams.

The oline, as you said in your other post, doesn't have a single legit starter other than Williams. Some of them could be serviceable if they had good players around, but as a whole they just can't get it done consistently. The only time RG3 gets time to throw is on a well executed play action.

I know the defense looks bad right now, but it would be good enough to be competitive if the offense could consistently stay on the field and score points. This was shown last season.

This team has the pieces to be a perennial contender if it had a first class oline. It's built very much like the superbowl broncos team minus the oline.

I feel like this is going to be a throw away season based on the fact that RG3 is not 100% and we are already 0-3. We will win games and get better as RG3 gets better, but we're probably looking at an 8-8 season at best. I also feel however, this team could be right back in the mix to go to the superbowl next season with some dramatic upgrades to the oline.

 

[Henry]

Guys, I know losses make us all sad but wasn't Monty a pro-bowl alternate last season? He's pretty good generally. The line isn't great but until Bob gets himself into game shape he's gonna struggle regardless.

Our star QB blew out his knee less than a year ago. Thats the real problem in Washington.

Well, that and the defense.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Elephant]

Guys, I know losses make us all sad but wasn't Monty a pro-bowl alternate last season? He's pretty good generally. The line isn't great but until Bob gets himself into game shape he's gonna struggle regardless.

Our star QB blew out his knee less than a year ago. Thats the real problem in Washington.

Well, that and the defense.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

With, at most, serviceable guards on either side he is struggling this year. Chester has regressed...maybe it's age, maybe it's playing next to the worst RT in football. And Polumbus is terrible! He is decent in run blocking but is TERRIBLE in pass pro. Terrible Henry. If we had a pro-bowl RT to compensate for Chester's regression and book-end Trent, then maybe the interior of the line wouldn't get blown up so badly. But Henry...suggesting that because Monty had a good year last year makes him good this year isn't a very solid argument. Have you seen the team play on offense this year? Scheme can only go so far and once teams figure out scheme...it lies on the players shoulders. Well...our offensive line is being exposed for the terrible unit it is w/out the scheme working.

 

[Fear The Spear]

The Real Problem in Washington

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