ASHBURN – Earlier this season, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, seeking praise for another quarterback, pointed to third downs. St. Louis’ Sam Bradford made plays on that down in beating the Redskins, and Shanahan noticed. He referred to it as a money down for a quarterback.
The Redskins have converted an NFL-worst 21.6 of their third downs. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is the NFL’s worst-rated passer on this down with a rating of 44.5.
Cha-ching?
Hardly.
But it’s not just McNabb. And the failures on third down have prevented Washington from being a consistent offense.
“I’ve never been a part of it like this before,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “I think we’re all frustrated with it.”
In the last 12 seasons, the worst third-down percentage for a season is 31.6 in 1998. And nine times they converted at least 35 percent of their third downs for a year. But the Redskins aren’t even close this year.
“It’s a collection of miscues,” McNabb said.
Washington has turned only four of its last 37 third downs into first downs. It doesn’t help that they’re often in third-and-long. In the past two games, the Redskins have needed to gain at least 10 yards on 12 of their 24 chances; they’ve converted twice. And they’ve needed at least 10 yards on a staggering 45 of their 111 third downs (converting six). Meanwhile, they’ve faced third-and-3 or fewer only 25 times (converting 10).
It’s not just a function of being in a new offense, either.
“People have new offenses all the time,” Shanahan said. “That doesn’t just mean they’re going to be as bad as we’re doing. It’s an area that we’re struggling in big time.”
Monday’s 59-28 loss to Philadelphia provided a good look at why they struggle.
Here’s a look at their first four third downs:
Third-and-3 » The Eagles used a five-man front and walked a safety up, giving them eight defenders in the box. It was a mismatch; rookie Keiland Williams ran to the left, cutting back with little power, for 1 yard.
Third-and-4 » McNabb was flushed to his left after a failed blitz pickup by Williams. However, McNabb had time to set his feet to hit an open Santana Moss. But McNabb drifted to his left, the pass did as well and it skipped off Moss’ hands for an interception.
Third-and-3 » McNabb, with time, missed high to an open Chris Cooley.
Third-and-8 » Once more the Redskins tried to pass. This time, McNabb hit receiver Joey Galloway in stride. But the veteran dropped the ball. Later in the game Galloway failed to run a route with much urgency, allowing the corner to beat him inside for an interception — one of three McNabb threw on third downs.
Other times, McNabb had to elude instant pressure. On and on it went. The Redskins converted zero of 10 third downs vs. the Eagles.
“It’s just one guy on each play, and that’s all it takes to not get a first down,” Shanahan said. “You’re going to have guys break down, but the amount of times we’ve had it on third down, it’s tough to be successful.”
