1. Jim Haslett adjusted. The Redskins are not equipped right now to be a blitz-happy team. It looks great and it’s fun to play. But when you’re giving up big plays and the coverage is bad, then it’s a problem. So the Redskins opted for a less aggressive, and smarter, approach. They used a lot of cover-2 zones, especially in the second half, as they forced a team that wants to make big plays to be patient and work it downfield. They still used a number of looks, sometimes using Andre Carter as an end; Lorenzo Alexander as a tackle and Albert Haynesworth as a one-man front. But they almost always only rushed four guys with an occasional fifth. It helped that Alexander can play in space; it enables him to jam receivers and make plays when in one-on-one situations. And did you see his diving tipped pass on the two-point conversion? That just showed his athleticism; Alexander needs to keep starting. His ability to react laterally sets him apart from Carter. The Redskins used their personnel wisely in this game, getting Chris Wilson in a bit more just for the speed.
2. Pressure with four. But the only way that strategy can work is if they’re applying pressure with four guys. They were doing just that; Brian Orakpo drew two holding penalties while Albert Haynesworth and Carter both drew one. Haynesworth was more of a force than at any other point this season. He actually looked engaged in the game. He needs to play more if the Redskins are going to have any sort of consistent success. Thought that this summer; think it now. The Redskins were able to get him in one-on-one situations and that’s when the flags fly or plays are made. It was also good to see Carter at end. He’s not a linebacker. Why pretend anymore? Devise more situations where his hand is in the ground as a rusher. Anyway, back to rushing four. You can’t stop big plays downfield with just one safety; at least not consistently. And, for this game, with LaRon Landry and Kareem Moore often both deep, that’s a lot of speed to contend with for a quarterback. Heck, at times it did not seem as if Kevin Kolb was even looking downfield. He was more anxious to dump the ball off, knowing pressure was coming and guys weren’t breaking free. The one time he had a guy open on a corner route, he threw too wide. He had no rhythm for the deep ball. It helped that Michael Vick was out; he might have softened the coverage with his runs. But would he have been able to stay patient? It had an impact, but not sure it caused the loss.
3. Attacking the edges works. This was not the sort of running game Washington will use all the time, but the Eagles were weaker on the edges because their corners are not very good in run support and when they bring a safety down, they’re leaving the outside open. I’m curious to see how many of their runs went outside, but it was a large amount. It helped that they used a lot of two tight end sets; I like Chris Cooley as a blocker. And the wideouts, including Joey Galloway, had a solid game blocking. The offense also kept Philly off-balance early; they were motioning one way and going another and taking advantage of an aggressive defense. It also helped take some pressure off Will Montgomery at RG. He’s not very good there – it’s not a natural spot for him. But the scheme sort of prevented him out from doing much damage.
4. They played physical. Obviously a couple plays stood out early on, starting with Ryan Torain’s 12-yard touchdown run in which he ran over safety Quintin Mikell and then on the ensuing kickoff Alexander drilled the returner. When plays like that occur, it sends a message to the other team. But it also energized Washington’s sideline unlike any other time I’d seen this year. They were into it right away and delivering the punches. Philadelphia did not react accordingly. It took a long time for its sideline to show the same sort of enthusiasm. Does that matter? Sure. After a tough loss followed by an ugly loss to have two such plays so early set a major, major tone. The physical play extended to the Eagles’ receivers. They jammed the receivers, sometimes with corners and other times with linebackers. These receivers want no part of physical play. Did you see DeSean Jackson pull up on a pass near Landry late? Landry noticed. When you send messages, some guys have long memories. And this has nothing to do with being physical, but I’m running out of space so I’ll say it here: nice job with Brandon Banks. The kid made a difference. He is smart; he lets his blocks set up, takes a quick survey and then hits it. Because he can get to a high speed right away, he can get away with being a bit more patient.
5. Donovan’s shaky return. Donovan McNabb had an up-and-down day in his return, starting strong with six completions in his first eight passes. But he had just two completions in his final 11 throws, and had just 10 yards passing in the second half. McNabb left a lot of plays on the field, missing a wide-open Fred Davis in the first quarter (though Davis might have been able to make a circus catch). And near the goal-line in one series, McNabb tucked the ball and ran too soon. Had he been a second more patient, he would have had another touchdown pass to Roydell Williams breaking free in the middle of the end zone. Actually, Williams broke open before McNabb tucked the ball. He should have seen him. But McNabb still made plays when needed, mostly with his legs. His 18-yard scramble on third and four in the fourth quarter was huge. He had some inaccurate throws, some of which drew hoots from the crowd (yes, hoots), but were really caused by good pressure. He also had some inexplicable throws. In other words, a normal day for him in Philly.
Got a question for Redskins mailbag this week? Click here.
