Yes — unless the offense can get on track
This is not what the Redskins expected, not after hiring a coach whose offenses always excelled and an offensive coordinator on the rise and trading for a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback.
Those three were supposed to help overcome glaring deficiencies, such as a makeshift and at times porous offensive line and a receiving corps that lacked depth.
The result? An offense that continues to sputter — ranked 20th in the NFL and 21st in points scored — one that has the quarterback’s future here in jeopardy and one that is staring at a potential overhaul after the season.
Unless.
Yes, there is an unless. And that is this: unless they start to mesh and become, if not an explosive attack, a consistent one.
“The thing that is frustrating is I know and I believe that we can do better,” Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “I feel we have better players than what we are showing.”
Maybe, maybe not. The Redskins’ third and fourth receivers — Joey Galloway and Roydell Williams — have caught a combined 11 passes. That doesn’t figure to change considering Galloway turns 39 on Nov. 20 and has been on the decline for several years and Williams has never been on the incline. So it’s up to Santana Moss (48 catches) and Anthony Armstrong (21.6 yards a catch) to continue producing.
The line, bad as it has been at times, has a chance to improve. Rookie left tackle Trent Williams should, in theory, get better with experience. But the problem is right tackle Jammal Brown has shown no reason to believe he’ll be healthy. Without a healthy right tackle, the problems on that side will remain. Maybe experience helps left guard Kory Lichtensteiger, but he won’t suddenly become stronger, solving the issue that plagues him.
But there is hope in the unknown: How long does it take to jell? Is that all that’s missing here? Remember, 10 starters are playing for a new coach and in a new system. It’s not wrong to say it takes time.
“Offense is harder to put things together because everything is intertwined and all it takes is one guy not to be in synch with everyone else to have a busted play,” right guard Artis Hicks said. “We’re still building, and we’re going to get there. We just have to be more consistent.”
Thing is, the offense has a dynamic punt and kickoff returner setting it up and a defense that now has forced as many turnovers as anyone in the league. Yet it still struggles.
But the biggest issues are in the backfield. Quarterback Donovan McNabb’s problems are well-documented. In the areas in which quarterbacks make their name — third downs (62.8 passer rating) and red zone (two scoring passes, both to running backs) — McNabb has struggled.
If he’s healthy, the line protects more and running backs Clinton Portis and Ryan Torain aren’t injured, then the offense has a chance to help. If not, another postseason sitting at home is likely.
Here’s what they must do, according to Armstrong: “Just make sure we are perfect each play.”
He’s not far off.
