The Redskins have used their bye week to re-evaluate what they’re doing offensively and defensively. And they spent their two days of practice tweaking their schemes, tossing out plays that haven’t worked and refining others.
The coaches analyzed the productivity of each play on both sides of the ball.
“You drop some things you don’t do well and then set your plan based on, ‘Hey, this is the kind of team we think we are,’” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.
But Gibbs did not say they would be simplifying their schemes.
The best part about the bye for Washington is that some players have a chance to get healthy. Gibbs said linebacker Lemar Marshall (ankle) would be OK. But he’s not certain about running back Clinton Portis (ankle) just yet. Both players have mild high-ankle sprains. Portis, though, still has some swelling in his lower leg.
Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd did not practice after hurting his upper thigh in Tuesday’s workout. But Gibbs said it’s nothing serious. Others who sat out Wednesday: quarterback Mark Brunell, wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and offensive tackle Chris Samuels.
“We’re at a point where we can use [the bye],” Gibbs said.
» Moss said his strained hamstring is better than ones he played with while in New York. Moss hurt his hamstring against Indianapolis and did not practice this week.
“In New York I used to suck it up and just go,” he said. “But as a receiver you want to feel better than what it is now and it’s a strain right now.”
» Newly signed Taylor Whitley is the primary backup at right tackle and Todd Wade is now the top backup at left tackle. Third-year Jim Molinaro, who had been a backup tackle, has been moved to guard.
“He’s playing better in there,” offensive line coach Joe Bugel said. “He’s more comfortable. It’s his third year; it’s just about ready for him to make that giant step.”
As for Whitley, who has appeared in 18 games with 11 starts since entering the league in 2003, Bugel liked him because “he’s got a lot of nasty in him.”
Bugel would like to see him increase his weight by 10 pounds to 315 pounds.
