Burner's Burning Questions: Midseason Grades

[Burgundy Burner]

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[Burgundy Burner]

Burner’s Burning Questions – Midseason Grades

Do you remember the midterm exams and papers at your high school or college? Preparation was the key and when it was time to take the tests or hand in that paper, you were hoping for the best grades possible.

Welcome to BBQ’s mid-season grades for the Redskins. With a 3-5 record, some of the grades are not worthy of praise or pride. There are some good scores and this provides hope for the second half of the season. Let’s get right to the scoring.

Offense:

Quarterback:
Robert Griffin, III has struggled mightily at times and has shown flashes of brilliance. If the record was at .500 or better, the grade would be respectable under the circumstances (coming off of a major injury).
Midterm Grade: C-

Running Backs:
Darrel Young struggled until the most recent game. He has opened some holes for Alfred Morris at times, but seems to be a bit slower than last season. Alfred Morris has done well when given the ball, but the difficulties with blocking and quarterback play has limited him just a bit. Roy Helu has done a fine job as a third down back.
Midterm Grade: B

Tight Ends:
Jordan Reed has been nothing short of spectacular and is on pace for 76 catches this season – very impressive for a rookie. Logan Paulsen continues to provide a steady presence as a blocker and offers the occasional catch in clutch situations.
Midterm Grade: A+

Wide Receivers:
Pierre Garcon has been the one bright spot amongst the wide receivers. Coming off a record setting game, he is on pace for 108 catches and more than 1,300 yards for the season. Leonard Hankerson is starting to show that he is a dependable number two, but like the remaining corps of receivers, he needs to focus not dropping passes at key moments in a game. Even reliable stalwart Santana Moss has faced some issues. These players need to step up quickly if a playoff run is possible.
Midterm Grade: C+

Offensive Line:
Nearly every lineman has taken a step backwards from the previous season. Kory Lichtensteiger has been the most reliable and Trent Williams continues to provide a steady presence at left tackle. The right side of the line continues to play poorly and Will Montgomery at center has been inconsistent. All three players must improve rapidly or the season could be in jeopardy.
Midterm Grade: D+

Defense:

Defensive Line:
This unit has been hit with injuries and an early suspension, but continues to do an admirable job with limited bodies. If this group can get healthier in the second half of the season, they could bring more pressure and open up holes for the linebackers.
Midterm Grade: C+

Linebackers:
The bookends of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan continue to bring the heat and Rob Jackson is simply proving why he belongs in the lineup. No one can question the heart and soul of London Fletcher, but there comes a time when the body can go no further. This is probably his last season.
Midterm Grade: B+

Cornerbacks:
Many football gurus were convinced that this would be a weakness, but DeAngelo Hall and David Amerson have been stellar this season. Amerson is on the verge of stardom, but also has much to learn. Josh Wilson continues to provide a steady influence, but has a lost a step since last year.
Midterm Grade: B+

Safeties:
Where do we begin? Poor tackling? Poor angles? Silly mistakes? Boneheaded penalties? Perhaps the most recent game offers some encouragement. Brandon Meriweather played his best game of the season against the Chargers and did so with clean hitting. Bacarri Rambo played his best game of the season too, but the young rookie must adjust to the speed and talents of the NFL.
Midterm Grade: D-

Special Teams:

Special Teams:
There are no real positives with this group. Is it the coaching? Lack of talent? Lack of focus? Sav Rocca has done a good job at times and the same can be said for Kai Forbath. However, the bottom line is missed tackles, penalties, touchdowns allowed, poor field position, blocked punts, and blocked field goal attempts. If a grade of “pathetic” was in our curriculum, this is would be the choice.
Midterm Grade: F

The Redskins need improvement at quarterback, wide receivers, offensive line, safeties, and special teams.
Overall Midterm Grade: C

What would you give for midterm grades at this juncture? Do you agree or disagree with these grades? How do you see the second half of the season unfolding? Feel free to leave your answers and suggestions.

Hail To The Redskins!

 

[fansince62]

don't know BB. I think you lean too favorably for the defense. they were on a path to set records for ineptness. that has been slowed somewhat….but it's still pretty bad….IMO

 

[Burgundy Burner]

I think the defense has been put in some horrible situations by the offense and has responded rather well at times. I rated the safeties pretty low and the defensive line as mediocre.

Rookie CBs tend to have their struggles, but Amerson was graded solely as a rookie. Future grades will be more critical. Meriweather had a good game against SD - sure hope that continues.

 

[Henry]

Nothing too outrageous there. I might move Cornerbacks down to a B or even a B-. Amerson has been working through some pretty significant growing pains this season. Against the Chargers he was getting spun around like a top most of the day (though he did get that pick which was nice.) I think he'll be ok, but I'd put his play at a C or a C- and Hall's at an A. Like I said overall a B or a B-.

I think you might be generous to our safeties as well. Other than a few small flashes from Doughty and Meriweather the unit has been unbearably awful. I'd give them an F so far.

I also think you were to generous to our Special Teams. They should be getting an F-.

I would put our RBs at a B+. With Helu back, he and Morris make a fantastic one-two punch. The only reason I wouldn't give them an A is because they are being under-used ... and Morris is having a liiiitle trouble holding onto the ball.


Other than that, and those are minor quibbles, I think you're pretty much right on.

 

[Ax]

Too early to grade Amerson. As Mike said, he's made plays.

But IMO, he's 1 good play, for every 10 bad ones.

I affectionately call him, toast. But I do understand he's a rook. And hope he turns out to be a career, all-pro, Redskin, HOF'er.

 

[Boone]

Too early to grade Amerson. As Mike said, he's made plays.

But IMO, he's 1 good play, for every 10 bad ones.

I affectionately call him, toast. But I do understand he's a rook. And hope he turns out to be a career, all-pro, Redskin, HOF'er.

You're full of sunshine today

He's improving and single-handedly kept our season alive last Sunday. What more can you ask of a rookie? He's the best young corner we've had since Champ.

 

[Ax]

You're full of sunshine today

He's improving and single-handedly kept our season alive last Sunday. What more can you ask of a rookie? He's the best young corner we've had since Vhamp.

Not single-handedly.

No question that his interception, and goal line stop, wound up being HUGE.

He did, however, contribute mightily to them making it to the goaline. And, had the team not taken advantage of the situation, we'd be talking about that.

And hey, Sunshine is my middle name.

 

[tshile]

I think those grades are spot on.

The only thing I differ on is the running backs, I think they should grade out higher, but it's hard to decide how much of it is them or the line or the lack of a respectable passing game.

You didn't include any grades for coaching? That would be the only thing I would add.

Time management wise I give them an F.

I would give Haslett an A+ - when you look at who the defense has played, how long they've been left on the field, the positions they've been put in, the lack of talent across the board except for line backer, and how awful we thought they'd be coming into the season I think Haslett is doing an awesome job.

I would give Kyle a B. My opinions on him and his playcalling have been shared plenty, so I'll leave it at that.

Mike Shanahan I would give an overall A - looking at everything he's had to deal with since he got here (abysmal roster, salary cap penalty, free agency being altered due to uncapped years, low stock of draft picks, etc) I think he's done a pretty decent job. Admittedly the grade is probably inflated due to the low bar set by the previous group.

I'm sure many would disagree with my grades given the record, but I'm a firm believer that the problem is with execution on the field.

As for the second half the season - it hinges on tonight. I think they can still win the division but they have to start playing competent football for 60 minutes. Otherwise winning the division will be luck, and they won't do anything in the playoffs.

Good news is we're healthy. Now everyone knock on something made of wood after reading that.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Good point about grading the coaches. I'll do that for "midterms" and "finals" in the future. I had the grades figured out before the Chargers game, but the way they played last Sunday made a difference for some positions. Special teams was an F and is still an F.

To let the cat out of the bag, BBQ is going to use a format like this for each game, albeit on a smaller scale each week. Individual plays could get graded too.

 

[Win4us]

I can dig your grades BB, seem pretty legit.

As far as coaches go I'd give Kyle a C-. Woulda been low D high F until last weeks game. Not sure if he's learning or if that was Mikes doing.

I like tshile's coaching grades the rest of the way though other than that.

 

[servumtuum]

I'm wondering something, is Amerson's progress on his learning curve-or perceived lack thereof-indicative of a failure at some level in Raheem Morris' coaching? I'm not looking for a reason to indict Morris or exonerate Amerson, just curious as to opinions on the existence of that possibility.

 

[Ax]

I'm wondering something, is Amerson's progress on his learning curve-or perceived lack thereof-indicative of a failure at some level in Raheem Morris' coaching? I'm not looking for a reason to indict Morris or exonerate Amerson, just curious as to opinions on the existence of that possibility.

I think it's much too early to tell at this point. If Amerson continues to progress, there will be plenty of credit due to both the player, and the coach. Just as there will be plenty of blame, for both, should he turn out to be a bust.

 

[tshile]

I'm wondering something, is Amerson's progress on his learning curve-or perceived lack thereof-indicative of a failure at some level in Raheem Morris' coaching? I'm not looking for a reason to indict Morris or exonerate Amerson, just curious as to opinions on the existence of that possibility.

I actually thought Amerson was doing well, but I think in general you can place a fair amount of blame on the position coach if a rookie is not living up to his potential. There are always exceptions, but yeah Morris has some responsibility in that...

 

[Boone]

Key word is 'perceived' serv. I think Amerson is making progress and for a rookie thrust into a starting role with only DeAngelo Hall to learn from, I think he's showing promise. Ax has a different opinion, but that doesn't make it a fact

 

[Ax]

Key word is 'perceived' serv. I think Amerson is making progress and for a rookie thrust into a starting role with only DeAngelo Hall to learn from, I think he's showing promise. Ax has a different opinion, but that doesn't make it a fact

Not sure where you get the idea that I think the kid hasn't shown progress. I've simply pointed out the fact that he's making a lot of rookie mistakes, and that they are expected. I'm not sweatin' the kid. But he has a long way to go. I like the fact that he's capable of making big plays. It speaks to his potential. But he has been skewered far more often, than not, to this point.

I hope he's the NFL DROY. He's got a shot at it too. He needs to turn the good play, to bad play ratio in the opposite direction, first.

 

[tshile]

didnt Amerson get pulled for a little bit during the game because of bonehead moves? It was like as soon as he got that great INT he lost focus.

Well he went back in the game after that, I don't recall when though.

Shanahan addressed it in the post came press conference. A reporter asked about the tackle and the interception, Shanahan said yeah those were good plays, then Shanahan brought up the blown coverage on the TD. He basically said that's what you get from a rookie with potential - great plays here and there and screw ups in other places. He was overall very pleased with his progress though.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Never again will BBQ post an entry on game day. Not superstitious or anything like that - knock on wood, crossing fingers, tossing a coin into the fountain, carrying the rabbit's foot...