We pegged the Redskins as a team that should be 5-3 at the midway point. The schedule … the second year in the West Coast offense … the addition of a top defensive player. It should have added up to a good start. And did we mention the soft schedule? Oh, yes. Well, it’s worth repeating because it was that easy.
So our internal review is not that kind.
But neither is our review of the Redskins. And this doesn’t even include the coaches or the front office.
Quarterbacks
Review » At the midway point last season, Jason Campbell was tabbed as a possible MVP candidate as he took care of the ball (no interceptions) and led the Redskins to a winning record (6-2). Well now. Things are a little … bit … different this season. Campbell has thrown eight interceptions to only nine touchdowns and has a pedestrian passer rating of 86.5. He’s completing a lot of passes (66.2 percent), but part of that stems from a desire to check down more. He’s missed opportunities for big plays with inaccurate throws, whether on fades or deep balls. He’s been hit often this season (25 sacks) and that’s affected his comfort level in the pocket. At times he’s feeling pressure that isn’t there, leading to self-induced problems. But despite the pounding he returns for more. Campbell has a better understanding of the offense, which is another reason his percentage is higher; he goes through his progressions a little quicker. But he also hasn’t been as patient with some routes. Big plays result when you are.
Trend » DOWN. It’s not just about Campbell; it’s about the development of the offense (of which he plays a key role, obviously). But it’s hard to envision success for Campbell playing behind a constantly-changing offensive line, minus his Pro Bowl tight end and with a receiving corps that hasn’t been impressive as a group.
Running backs
Review » Clinton Portis entered the season 1,370 yards away from breaking John Riggins’ franchise all-time rushing record. It was reachable in August; it’s not reachable in November. Not with a 494-yard first half. Outside of two runs, Portis has shown no reason for defenses to worry about him. He still runs for tough yards, but now only seems to get four yards when four are available. Before, he’d get five or six in those cases. He’s been bothered with several injuries to his right leg and it’s impacted how he runs; less ability to cut hard and not as much explosiveness. Ladell Betts ran with energy vs. Atlanta; before that he showed very little. The lack of speed in the backfield has become a glaring issue. Mike Sellers has been fine as a fullback, but there’s no way he’s a Pro Bowler this season. Too many missed blocks. He’s at his best as the lead blocker out of I-formation. Just hasn’t seemed the same this season. It’s funny how people thought Marcus Mason would be an answer to some of what has ailed this unit. Please, in the future, let’s remember that what someone shows in August does not forecast what they might do in real games.
Trend » DOWN. This is an aging group that could change dramatically next season. Portis is hurt again and it’s just going to get tougher for him because of the line issues and the schedule. The big question in the second half will be: Will Portis even be here next season?
Receivers/tight ends
Review » Santana Moss is on pace for exactly 1,000 yards after a 33-catch first half. But he only has two touchdown receptions, one of which was a 59-yarder. He’s been missed on a few occasions as well. For the most part, he’s stayed at the same level that he’s been in the past. Chris Cooley was having a solid season before he broke his ankle with 29 catches for 332 yards and two scores. His blocking has been, once again, inconsistent and it’s hurt the run game. Fred Davis’ blocking improved vs. Atlanta and it made a difference. But, before Sunday, he was horrible as a blocker. He does have 17 catches so there is progress, but the details of the game are still an issue. The young receivers have not progressed and have combined for 15 catches. The coaches can say they’re doing certain things better, but this is a production league and there’s no production. Malcolm Kelly rates as one of the bigger disappointments of the first half. But Devin Thomas still has not shown the explosiveness they need. Antwaan Randle El is a decent slot receiver; he’s tough with good hands, but the Redskins could use more speed at this spot.
Trend » STEADY. Moss, Cooley (before the injury) and Randle El are playing to their level. Davis has improved; he still has issues, but at least he’s showing a pulse. The second-year receivers have not. Thomas even missed a couple blocks Sunday that prevented good gains by the backs. Please spare us the talk about young receivers taking time. It’s been long enough that one of them should have, oh, at least double figures in receptions. Marko Mitchell remains a project. Yes, he caught some slant routes, but from what we’ve heard he is still learning to run other routes well. Until he gets those down he’ll be a bit player.
Offensive line
Review » Yikes. That one word sums it up, from the injuries to the performance to the belief that they actually had legitimate depth. It was no surprise that right guard Randy Thomas got hurt again; tough guy, but has had too many injuries of late and he was dealing with a knee issue in camp. Losing left tackle Chris Samuels, who had his own knee problem, also wasn’t a surprise. To anyone, that is, but the Redskins management. The surprise, though, was that it was his neck that sidelined him. But his knees clearly limited his performance; he was not playing at a Pro Bowl level. Do we need to go over the rest of the line? Stephon Heyer is proving again that he is, at best, a third tackle. Casey Rabach has had his struggles; he is a smart player and communicates well. Derrick Dockery has been adequate at left guard.
Trend » DOWN. Way down. The line will have to be rebuilt after this season – gee, could anyone see that coming? What they need for the final eight games is some good health. If nothing else that will help them build continuity, something they have not been able to do. But with Levi Jones, who may or may not still be able to play, and Heyer as the starting tackles, this group can only perform so well.
Defensive line
Review » Defensive end Andre Carter is having his best season, leading the Redskins with 6½ sacks. He’s more comfortable moving to the left side on pass downs and is beating a lot of one-on-one’s. He’s a bit quicker this season, but he’s also been helped by tackle Albert Haynesworth and rush end Brian Orakpo. Teams must use extra blockers to contain those two players and that frees up Carter. Haynesworth has played as well as expected and, despite the criticism, he’s playing more than anticipated. But he has not transformed this unit into an elite one. Tackle Kedric Golston has been solid and continues to improve; love his tenacity and he sheds blockers well. Tackle Cornelius Griffin is solid when healthy and, combined with Haynesworth, is one reason London Fletcher will be fresher at season’s end. End Phil Daniels is strong, but has lost some of his athleticism. Orakpo is an excellent rusher and he’s now breaking through double teams because of his strength. The pass rush from this group has improved, but teams are still averaging 4.2 yards per carry on the ground and that’s too much. Of course, if the secondary could tackle better maybe the number would be lower.
Trend » UP. If nothing else the Redskins can feel good about their line going forward. Even if Griffin and Daniels are in their last seasons here, they have Golston and rookie Jeremy Jarmon, who has improved but still gets limited snaps. He needs to get stronger, but has shown enough to be optimistic about his future. And Orakpo is doing very well as a rusher. No reason to think that won’t continue.
Linebackers
Review » London Fletcher is fourth in the NFL in tackles after leading the league for much of the first half. Playing behind the stout tackles has enabled him to run more freely to the ball. He’s had just one subpar game (Atlanta), but he does not make a lot of plays and that, plus playing for a bad team, could keep him out of the Pro Bowl again. Rocky McIntosh has done an excellent job. When he’s healthy, as he has been this season, he’s a good linebacker. He’s playing fast. Brian Orakpo has endured rookie growing pains. He is looking more comfortable at linebacker, but his big plays all come with him moving forward, whether as a rush end or a blitzing linebacker. He’s better at diagnosing plays, but teams take advantage of his inexperience. The Redskins have done a good job keeping him out of coverage a lot. He’s allowed a touchdown pass as his instincts in man coverage are just not there yet.
Up or down » STEADY. I’m concerned with Fletcher’s age and holding up against some excellent offenses and I’d like to see McIntosh get through an entire season healthy before I’m sold on him. Orakpo should continue to improve the more he plays the position, but, again, they’re facing better offenses in the second half. I’m cautiously optimistic about this group, but we’ll know more in a few weeks about where they’re really are and where they’re headed.
Secondary
Review » Corner DeAngelo Hall, when not involved in sideline incidents, has done a pretty solid job this season. It’s about what you could expect; he has a team-best three interceptions and has largely done well in coverage. Yes, he’s missed some tackles, but at least he’s making plays too. Safety Reed Doughty has done better than anticipated. Carlos Rogers has had a disappointing first half. He is not making a grand case for a big contract. He’s provided more cushion than normal and does not come up with big plays. Fred Smoot no longer is the third corner, partly because of his play and partly because of of Justin Tryon’s improvement. LaRon Landry has been the most disappointing because of what seems to be a great deal of talent. But for all the talk of his big hits, are there any that you can remember him making? And no interceptions. He covers a lot of ground deep and that’s important, but his angles to the ball need to improve.
Trend » DOWN. Landry’s progress and Rogers’ decline have prevented the defense from moving into the elite category. Considering the offenses they’ll face in the second half, they can restore their standing, but that will be difficult.
Special teams
Review » Hunter Smith is an excellent punter, but a guy who never got hurt now can’t stay healthy. Welcome to Washington. The return game has lacked any sort of explosiveness. Rock Cartwright has not matched his productivity from the past two years, whether he’s getting fewer holes or he’s starting to slow down. But he’s averaging just 23.0 yards per return and he knows that’s not good enough. Antwaan Randle El has not gotten it done as a punt returner, but that’s nothing new. Shaun Suisham has been outstanding. He hasn’t had any late-game pressure kicks, but he’s made all 10 of his field goals. It’s a bad sign when the offensive MVP is the kicker. And he’s attempted just 10 field goals.
Up or down » DOWN. The Redskins need an infusion of speed in the return game. If the offense weren’t so bad, it wouldn’t be as noticeable. But this offense needs every advantage it can get. Smith’s lingering groin issue is a concern.
