The hope occurred in brief snippets, with players moving a bit quicker, understanding a little more, thinking a lot less. It’s what the Redskins coaches wanted to see this spring. For the offense to take the next step — and, in all honesty, it must be a large one — the initial lurch forward had to be seen during offseason workouts.
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Starting Thursday, the coaches will get a chance to gauge just how far along the offense has come. As the Redskins open training camp, the defense appears to be in sound position. They added tackle Albert Haynesworth and have a strong secondary and were ranked No. 4 last year. Yes, they must make more big plays.
However, the major question — the one that prevents so-called experts from predicting a playoff run — involves the offense. Will Jason Campbell finally flourish? Will the offense score more points?
If not, then this could be the last preseason Jim Zorn and his coaching staff gets to field those questions.
But such is life with an offense that ranked 19th in yards was 28th in points scored.
“This won’t be some totally new offense,” said offensive coordinator Sherman Smith. “It’ll just be better based on execution.”
Or so the theory goes. More is needed, of course. The Redskins can tweak plays and schemes, which they will, but it’s about more than that.
“The big thing we have to do is protect the quarterback better,” Smith said. “And we’ll do a better job in that because the guys understand the protections more and Jason has a great understanding of what he has to do. You can see the growth. It’s like the difference between night and day. Now halfway through a play Jason knows the formation and he knows the call.”
Said Campbell, “It’s not like we’re starting from scratch and there are 10 to 15 different things running through your head. That helps minimize a whole lot.”
But that’s not all the offense needs:
More big plays » Last season, running back Clinton Portis’ longest run was 31 yards. Only one other back who surpassed 1,000 yards for the season had a lower mark (Jamal Lewis/29 yards). Every other back had a long gain of at least 41 yards. The receivers weren’t much better. Six teams, including the Redskins, did not have a receiver who averaged at least 13.5 yards per catch. None of them made the playoffs. One more troubling stat: Of the Redskins 23 touchdowns from scrimmage, 20 were from inside the 20-yard line.
“[Early on] everyone was running, but no one was explosive,” Zorn said.
More playmakers » This is the real problem. The stats can be explained by saying they lacked enough players who could hit the so-called home run. But this is where the second-year wideouts, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, and tight end Fred Davis, enter. If two of those players contribute regularly, then the offense can improve. Thomas has deep-ball speed; Kelly is a red-zone target; Davis would help provide mismatches and increase the versatility of the offense, allowing for more two tight end pass plays. But will it happen?
Better red zone success » The development of Kelly would help, giving the Redskins a big target. Otherwise they have to rely on smaller, quicker players. Campbell needs to improve his decision making in this area. He did not turn the ball over much down here, but he also missed opportunities.
Redskins notes
» Rookie strongside linebacker/defensive end Brian Orakpo remained unsigned when players reported to camp Wednesday afternoon. The trouble for Orakpo is that he’s switching positions, which would be hurt by missing camp because of contract negotiations. Redskins coach Jim Zorn said if Orakpo misses time and is not as comfortable at linebacker, then he likely would spend more time at end. “We’ll put him in at pass rush and let him do what he does best,” Zorn said.
» Offensive lineman Mike Williams reported at 342 pounds; he weighed 450 pounds last winter. When asked his thoughts on whether or not he would win the starting right tackle job he smiled and said, “I’ll let you watch that in practice.”
» Zorn said no players would miss the start of camp because of injuries. However, he said players coming off surgeries — Chris Samuels, Randy Thomas, Malcolm Kelly — might sit out an occasional practice. Other players might get time off such as defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin and Albert Haynesworth and running back Clinton Portis.
» Zorn made the first official statement that Washington would not pursue quarterback Michael Vick. Multiple league sources had told The Examiner in June that Washington had no interest based in part on the circus atmosphere his presence would create. Zorn said there was no interest “at this juncture.”
» Zorn said Colt Brennan, Todd Collins and Chase Daniel likely all would play a lot in the preseason. However, he also said Collins is definitely the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
