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Five thoughts
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
11/04/09 10:23 AM EST
1. Dan Snyder's "apology" was not enough. If he wants to show the fans how truly he sorry is about the mess this organization is in, he'd answer some legitimately tough questions. Vinny Cerrato, like him or not, did just that during the bye week -- taking more bullets for an owner more involved than he'll ever admit. Snyder needs to discuss the sign issues at the stadium; the coaching situation; the future of the franchise. Surely, he can't provide all the answers now, but I'm guessing his apology did not exactly pacify the fans. Snyder can't get away anymore by saying he's sorry or, in other instances, talking about how much he's learned from his mistakes of the past. That's a line he's uttered several times in interviews. If you truly have learned, it's time to show it. After 10 years, fans can figure out if you have or if you have not. The record speaks for itself.
2. I wonder if George Costanza, and his overly large head, was waiting for an apology from Snyder as well. Maybe Snyder could be-bop and scat all over him. Yes, Seinfeld references could apply to almost any situation.
3. What he needed to also apologize for is the faulty planning of the team. The Redskins have not anticipated problems well; their offensive line a few years ago was considered a good run-blocking one, but weak in protection. They were also showing signs of age, yet never adequately addressed it. Now they'll have to do it wholesale after this season. They needed more D-line help for the past few years, yet never fully patched that hole until this offseason (overpaying for Jason Taylor wasn't exactly an answer for more than one year). One former longtime employee used to say the Redskins have a Fire ... Aim ... Ready mentality. Makes it hard to plan for the future. Makes it hard to consistently win.
4. It's smart to get DeAngelo Hall more involved in punt returns along with Santana Moss. The Redskins need to find every way to get playmakers more touches of the ball. Hall is that sort of guy. I'm not sure about his explosiveness, but the guess is that he'll at least find a hole and hit it. We already know that Moss can do the same. Antwaan Randle El just isn't that sort of runner anymore. But the key always has been for returners: what sort of decisions do you make? This isn't the same as in college when talent overrode everything. It's worth a shot as the Redskins need to find a way to give the offense every bit of help it can get.
5. I'm interested to see how Fred Davis performs over the next month or so. He's still working on getting the details of blocking, and even his routes, down so he will make mistakes. He looked terrific early in training camp in seven-on-seven work. But the lack of detailed work caught up to him in the games, when he'd drift on routes or run others incorrectly enough to leave him covered. Still, he has talent and is athletic. My beef with the tight end position involves the blocking -- and, once more, planning. The Redskins tight ends don't block well, especially Davis. Maybe three extra sessions will have helped Davis during the bye week. But this team needs every advantage it can get in the run game, which should power this attack. Why not use Todd Yoder more in this role? And if you don't think he's good enough, then find someone who can block.Too many runs have been cut short because of the blocking on the edge. They're not alone in messing up; and, the fact is, Chris Cooley and Davis are pass-catchers. It's not necessarily their fault they aren't great blockers. But it is the fault of the organization not to have a good blocker on the edge. Again, this offense needs every edge it can get and having pass-catching tight ends trying to block much of the game doesn't make a lot of sense.
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