Nice link. Bringing back Pot Roast is waving a white flag.
I think we all understand that Barry isn't playing with a full deck (of players) and it was obvious in preseason that the center of the defensive line was weak. But all involved chose to go with the players they had and now have to accept the responsibility of guys like Hood & Reyes who have no business in the middle of that line. They are rag dolls. Skins had to pick up Jenkins, who hasn't been quite as bad as portrayed, due to injury. Butler always draws a double team because if not he's in the backfield. I haven't seen anyone take on Baker one-on-one and win. RJF has looked good. Trent can play anywhere they put him and is getting better every week.
Barry had to expect the Browns to put up an 8 man line - they've been doing it all year. 7.5 ypc by one guy, fortunately the Browns helped the Skins out by only running Cromwell 15 times. Lots of missed tackles but they also should have had more guys closer to the line. Pulling guys off to play deep against a single WR set should not be necessary if you have a $75 million CB.
Defense gave up 8 out of 12 third downs and six of those eight were for 7 or more yards to go on third down. 3rd & 7 (TD); & 8; & 9 (twice); & 10; & 11. I'm having trouble blaming only the players or only the coaches for that, there's plenty of suck to go around. What did they stop on third? - Stopped a 3rd & 11 which led to the only punt of the day for the Browns, a 3rd & 5, a 3rd & 6 that the Browns stopped themselves with a penalty and got a FG on and another FG when Skins held on 3rd & 7.
The other team is going to make plays but this is just plain bad. Washington worst in the league in defending 3rd downs. They also lead the league in giving up 1st downs. They also force the fewest punts in the league.
Barry is starting to make some adjustments, they even had one play with Smith lined up next to the NT and put Bates and Murphy on the ends. Imagine, moving a pass rusher into a spot besides the end of the line, where he might make a play through the center, is just unheard of. Sadly it has been unheard of through the first three games. But at least there's some attempt to fix things. Barry has limited talent to work with but what good coaches do is work with and adapt to with what they have and he has to do better. That's slowly coming around but has more to do with circumstance than brilliant planning however maybe it sticks.
I think it was kind of telling when Gruden was asked why he didn't stop the clock at the end of the half. He said he thought Cleveland would have gone for it on 4th and not settle for a FG. Translation - I didn't think my defense could stop 4th and 8.
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