Skins Quotes 8/14/16: Gruden, Cousins

I see some Norv-like qualities in Gruden. I see a lot of 'what we do works' from him, and I see him out-coached when what he does doesn't work.

That said, Norv could only win when either
a) it didn't matter if he won
b) everything was lined up perfectly for him

Norv would never win nine games, much less the division, if he was missing two starting OLmen for pretty much then entire season, and his #1 WR for half the season, and two of his three TEs. This is a man who had a losing record to the Arizona Cardinals during his tenure here.

I think in our haste to prepare for the worst, perhaps some of us are trying to see the worst they can in Gruden? Yes, he is like Norv in some respects, but I think it's a stretch to say he's WORSE than Norv. It took Norv 5 years to win the division. He needed the healthiest team we've ever seen here in DC and an equally weak division. And we still got swept by the Cowboys. Bleh. No thanks. :)
 
Personally, I think the anti-Gruden folks (myself included) don't give him enough respect for the job he did last year in the passing game. I realize DJax coming back made an enormous difference, but the fact is that we haven't had a complex passing attack like that in... well... ummm... I'm not sure, really. Gruden can call passing plays to utilize the strengths of his players, which is pretty much all you can ask of your HC.

OTOH, I think the pro-Gruden folks (with exceptions, of course) tend to disregard the importance of the running game a little too much, and gloss over the fact that as good as Jay is at designing pass plays, he's that bad at the run game. While the NFL is indeed a passing league at this point, most of us longtime fans grew up on the Hogs and enjoy dominating other teams at the LOS; besides that, you want to KNOW you can get a first down to keep the clock running at the end of the game. And Gruden thus far in Cincy and Washington, doesn't appear to know how to a) utilize players he has properly or b) design successful running plays or c) both a and b.

The passing attack is a marvel. I don't want to cast a shadow on that at all by what I'm about to say. The passing attack is incredible, Gruden has done amazing work there.

But I personally believe we have to have the balance of a running game to be successful in the playoffs. We don't nee Adrian Petersen, but we need above-average. Thus far, the rushing scheme has not been average, let alone above-average.
 
Personally, I'm not "pro-Gruden" or "anti-Gruden." I see him as work-in-progress; a young HC clearly growing into the job, with good stuff (winning record 2nd year, dangerous passing game, strong locker room), and stuff that needs to improve (i.e., running game, in-game adjustments) if the current upward trend is to continue. No matter how one slices it, improving from 4-12 to 9-7 in the first two years is an upward trend ... and should, until and unless things fall apart, have earned the guy some benefit of the doubt and cred heading into year three.
 
Yep. Friend of mine and I were talking about our team the other day, and I told him I have very little feel for this season so far. I could see a whole lot going wrong and us ending up 4-12 or something, firing Gruden and starting over yet again.

I can also see the passing game continuing to dominate, and our running attack being average, with a playoff game at home at 10-6 and even a win.

And lots in between, which is probably where we'll be.
 
I thought Callahan was installing the run game or at least heavily influencing it.:paranoid:
 
I was in the 'fire Gruden' camp after 4-12 but have since moved to on the fence. He gets a lot of credit for the passing game - deservedly so while Matt Cavanaugh gets none - unjustly so. Not ever crazy about the McVie move and still not, very predictable and not too imaginative. That worked with Counter Trey & Riggins but not so much in this century. Am still not a Barry believer but it is an improvement from the dark ages.

What I really don't get is how the run game can suffer this badly with the best Oline Coach in the game who was also an Offensive Coordinator. One would think/hope that he is the goto guy for designing running plays. Like all of them. Maybe he is and it's getting lost in translation between coaches and/or players. Maybe some of the players just aren't good enough for this scheme but certainly not all. Or maybe Callahan isn't being utilized as well as he might.
 
I still believe the loss of Shaun Lavaou was a huge part of the run game's decline. I also believe that Matt Jones is not the RB we hope he is, and for the life of me I cannot understand why Alfred Morris lost vision in the run game last year.


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What I've seen of Jones so far this year gives cause for concern, like Henry said, Thompson is a nice change of pace back, but cannot handle the 20 carry work load, and I have not seen anything from the rest to think there is a standout on the team that will step up.
 
I actually thought Jones looked strong against the Jets. I was encouraged. Or at least I was til he got his ouchy.
 
Concern for Jones for me is thy shoulder separations tend to be a chronic thing minus surgical repair, and also that they can cause reduced strength in the hands in the short term. If he can get past durability issues I believe Jones is a very talented back, especially when in a rotation with other backs. Not sure he'll ever be an every down back and I'm not sure we drafted him to be that. I think to the extent Gruden likes to run the ball, it's mostly to set up the pass (or even using the RBs as receivers out of the backfield). That tendency alone is why no single back is going to dominate carries in this offense. That's what cost Almo his job as much as anything - him needing lots of carries to get going, and the general play calling which doesn't call for frequent running plays.


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