Burner's Burning Questions: Week Two Grades, Evaluations, Questions

[Burgundy Burner]

Greetings from the international headquarters of BBQ.

Week two is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Cowboys. It was a contest that gave fans plenty of hope, but it became a contest that left many of us shaking our heads in disgust. We will try to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades, evaluations and questions. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, questions, and opinions.

Let

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[Burgundy Burner]

Week Two Grades, Evaluations, Questions​

Greetings from the international headquarters of BBQ.

Week two is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Cowboys. It was a contest that gave fans plenty of hope, but it became a contest that left many of us shaking our heads in disgust. We will try to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades, evaluations and questions. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, questions, and opinions.

Let’s take a look at week two.

Quarterbacks:
Question: What is wrong with Kirk Cousins?
Answer: Opposing teams now have a full notebook on him and the Redskins offense. Kirk needs to learn the art of adjusting and not staring down receivers. His accuracy is very questionable right now and these factors lead to struggles and poor decisions.
Grade: D+

Running Backs:
Question: Do we still blame the running backs when the pass to run ratio after two games is 89 to 29?
Answer: Redskins coaches need to trust the running game and have a better mix. Matt Jones had a much better week two. Both he and Chris Thompson did a fine job of blocking. Once again, BBQ would like to see more of Robert Kelley.
Grade: B-

Wide Receivers:
Question: Do you think this group is frustrated and upset after Sunday’s game?
Answer: That goes without saying. DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder, and Josh Doctson all had easy touchdowns and were either underthrown or overthrown. The receiving corps ran crisp, precise routes and could’ve had a huge day.
Grade: A

Tight Ends:
Question: Why didn’t the Redskins target our tight ends in the red zone?
Answer: Good question. This was the “bread and butter” of the offense last season in the red zone. The team needs to return to it immediately.
Grade: B

Offensive Line:
Question: How much did this unit improve over the previous week?
Answer: A lot. It wasn’t perfect, but the running game was improved. Pass protection was very good. The only player to struggle a bit was the center.
Grade: B+

Defensive Line:
Question: Does BBQ take into consideration that an injury occurred on the first play?
Answer: No. Next man up and keep on going. The line was improved from the first game, but it still had some difficulties. Rushing defense was certainly better, but the pass rush still needs improvement.
Grade: C

Linebackers:
Question: Why isn’t Su’a Cravens starting?
Answer: Patience with the rookie is a virtue, but he could be a starter by midseason. This unit overall was lacking in the short passing defense and rarely got any pressure on the quarterback.
Grade: C-

Cornerbacks:
Question: Why is Bashaud Breeland struggling so much after the first two games?
Answer: Maybe it is the coaching. Maybe it is the scheme. Most likely it is getting away from fundamentals and being a bit long of mouth along with some arrogant cockiness. Game two was better and the corners are going to be facing their biggest challenge yet in game three.
Grade: C+

Safeties:
Question: Same question as last week: Why were the safeties so inadequate?
Answer: Same answers as last week. They lined up wrong at times and it would seem like they were on the opposite side of the field on some plays. DeAngelo Hall is a converted corner who seems lost periodically and is too slow. David Bruton is a career backup at the position and it shows. His play is atrocious.
Grade: F

Special Teams:
Question: Do you like having good kickers?
Answer: Absolutely. Special teams is going to continue to be a strength of the Redskins this season. If BBQ would be in a nitpicking mood, then we would point out that a couple of snaps were high (field goal and an extra point).
Grade: B+

Coaching:
Question: If the team loses on Sunday, does the hot seat warm up a bit?
Answer: No. It could warm up a bit if there is a loss the following week. Let’s be honest here – there will be no coaching changes during the season. In fact, it is possible that the Redskins win on Sunday and could be back in the thick of things rather quickly. However, we can’t ignore another home loss and a difficult schedule ahead. Improvement must come quickly. Too, BBQ does not rule out the possibly of Joe Barry being on the hot seat before the season ends.
Grade: F

How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? Should the Redskins kick the tires of another defensive lineman? Is the season all but over if the Redskins fall to 0-3? Was it wise to wait on giving Kirk Cousins a large contract? What frustrates you the most after two games? On to game three.

See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.

Hail to the Redskins!

 

[Bulldog]

Well, the Redskins offensive line may have had a good game overall, but they were facing a defensive front in Dallas that is among the least talented in the NFC.

This was a defense that had issues up front and that was before their best pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence was suspended.

Given the time he had to throw, Cousins earned that D+ grade because the Cowboys secondary is again largely forgettable.

The reason they were often in position for pass breakups and contesting catches was Cousins' inaccuracy.

Josh Doctson and Pierre Garcon look tailor made for the slant, but we don't run the pattern very often because of fear that Kirk will be high on the pass over the middle and it will lead to tips and interceptions.

One of our problems as a team is that we only have TWO draft choices that are making any kind of contribution to the team in 2016.

We took Kendall Fuller in Round 3 on the assumption by our FO that he was a first round grade and then he ends up on the inactive list to start the season?

If he's a first round talent he should be able to beat out DeShaun Phillips, an undrafted free agent, who came to the team to reinforce special teams. Phillips is also undersized for a CB.

I don't know about anyone else but it might have been nice to draft a DL or OC/G in Round 3 after taking skill players in Rounds 1 and 2.

Every year you need to take line players because they are expensive to find in free agency and take awhile to develop as youngsters.

The way it looks right now for 2017, we can resign Chris Baker and then go find 3-4 other defensive linemen.

 

[Ax]

All your grades are spot on BB.

Well, the F for coaching was a little too generous. But, other than that.

 

[Henry]

I'd give the RBs an Incomplete.

 

[Ax]

Or, under used.

Forgotten.

Neglected.

Ignored.

Despised.

 

[JohnssBass]

Great work as always, BB
A chance to praise what's worthy and vent on what's not so much.

Breeland definitely has had an introduction to reality and growing pains. He could also sue for lack of support, there really hasn't been much there especially underneath. On most of the tape I've reviewed, Hall tends to be lined up more towards Normans side. Bashaud will have his hands full with Shepard or Beckham and Shepard's been the guy so far. Who gets Cruz in the Nickle?
Big test for the secondary and they're gonna need some help with pressure on Eli. If they don't get to Manning he'll get 400 yards and 5 TDs.

dLine - IDK what the plan is or ever was for backup at NT but they may have no choice but to put Baker there (rather him on the end). Or, heaven forbid, put 2 DT's in the middle. Baker & RJF looked pretty good actually but Ziggy was getting shoved around. Yeah he was getting double teamed but a NT needs to handle that. Put another DT next to him.

Cousins was very effective last year with attempts in the low to mid thirties and the Skins were winning. Why does he now have to throw 45 a game now? It obviously isn't working (I don't care what the reason is) bottom line is it isn't. And when they have run the ball this year they've done quite well so it's not like Kirk has to carry the team on his back. Skins were very good last year with TOP. This year, giving up 6 min's a game.

RB's - Well they did get 17 runs, up from 12 in Week 1. They have a change of pace back in Kelly. However, if you never want to change your pace just leave him on the bench. IDK if he has even been on the field but he doesn't have a single carry.

I don't see a coaching during the season, they have nobody worth promoting from within but depending on what the Skins look in the second half of the season they might be lame ducks.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Tight Ends:
Question: Why didn’t the Redskins target our tight ends in the red zone?
Answer: Good question. This was the “bread and butter” of the offense last season in the red zone. The team needs to return to it immediately.
Grade: B

When are we gonna see more Niles Paul ?
I expected he'd come back with a vengeance after his injury, and return to his pre-injury form, and tear it up, due to all the attention that Reed requires.

 

[SkinsFTW]

You can't say that they aren't consistent.