Insider X’s and O’s aren’t the winning formula for the Washington Redskins.
Forget debriefing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan on his former Houston Texans offense. That’s not where victory is made. If the Redskins want to beat a better Texans team on Sunday at FedEx Field, they need to resolve many hot spots in their own huddle.
Can the offensive line run block? Will a second receiver emerge? Does the run defense work?
The Redskins have problems despite a 1-0 start. Thinking a little inside information by a former Texans staffer becomes magic dust is fool’s gold.
“It boils down to who makes that play and who makes that mistake. Who makes that big play,” cornerback Carlos Rogers said. “Let’s go back to what we do. If we do what we’ve got to do, we’ll be all right.”
Certainly, the Redskins do some things very right. The back eight is among the NFL’s better defensive units. Special teams is decent. But, and this sounds like the same assessment as the past several years, the offense is shaky.
They don’t score an offensive touchdown in the opener, and suddenly there’s some second guessing over an offseason that didn’t address many critical needs. The Redskins rightly spent their first-rounder on left tackle Trent Williams, who despite a couple gaffes fared decently in his debut. Facing Texans defensive end Mario Williams is another Pro Bowl challenge, but Williams appears a cornerstone player.
But the rest of the offensive line that sabotaged last year’s 4-12 season is still shaky. That coach Mike Shanahan rotated two linemen in the first game proves the makeover was patchwork.
Santana Moss remains the only reliable receiver. Indeed, the Redskins’ top two pass catchers haven’t both been wide receivers since 2004, and even then Rod Gardner caught only 51 behind Laveranues Coles’ 90.
On third down of the final drive against Dallas on Sept. 12, Washington threw unsuccessfully to Roydell Williams, the only time a pass went his way that night. When the Redskins desperately needed a reception, Plan B was whoever lined up opposite Moss. That just can’t continue, though nothing short of a trade can get them an impact player.
Clinton Portis gained only 63 yards on 18 carries against Dallas. Take away the 18-yarder late and it’s 2.6 yards a carry. Portis didn’t have much room, but the Redskins will soon learn whether he has anything left at age 29 with 109 games under his belt.
Tight end Fred Davis also provides a dilemma for Shanahan. Davis caught 48 passes last season but doesn’t block well enough in this offensive scheme to merit serious playing time. Offseason talk of two-tight end formations compensating for the lack of a second receiver seems less likely unless Davis blocks better. For now, it’s tight end Chris Cooley and Moss as the only targets — an excellent tandem but not enough.
So forget backroom debriefings. Washington’s chances rely on the offense proving itself once more.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
