In early June, Mark Brunell headed home following another team workout, carrying his usual companion: the four-inch thick playbook. It contained dozens of plays, not to mention increased hope for this season.
“I never carried anything like this home last year,” he said.
That’s not a swipe at the Redskins’ offense the past two seasons. But it is a nod to the increased size of Washington’s arsenal under playcaller Al Saunders, the team’s new associated head coach-offense. And it’s a main reason why the Redskins began training camp Monday with great hope.
Washington’s offense improved last year, from 30th to 11th. But the Redskins sputtered in their two playoff games, with a combined 20 first downs, 27 points and 409 total yards.
“We’re hoping to transfer some of Kansas City’s success into what we’re doing,” Brunell said.
The Redskins could enter a game with more than 250 plays to choose from, approximately double what they had last year.
Among the big differences:
» Rather than throw to the receiver, the quarterbacks must throw to an area. For example, on one particular sideline route, the target is two yards inside the line and 12 yards deep. Also, receivers will run “speed routes,” meaning they won’t do a stutter step and break; they’ll just break.
“They get out of their [routes] as fast as they can,” Saunders said. “We’d like to throw before the receiver gets out of his break. They get an opportunity to run after the catch and that translates into more big plays.”
» The offensive line likely won’t have to block as long because of the emphasis on the quarterback getting rid of the ball quickly. It’s also likely they won’t use nearly as much max-protection as they have the first two years under Gibbs. They prefer to flood the field with options for the quarterback.
» Terminology — the language used to let everyone in the huddle know what they’re supposed to do on a certain play.
New quarterback Todd Collins, a free-agent addition from Kansas City, learned that first-hand when Saunders brought the offense to the Chiefs in 2001.
“At first it was difficult,” Collins said. “It’s pretty wordy. I don’t think it’s all that similar [to the Redskins’ previous offense].”
Saunders said there’s simplicityfor the wide receivers, allowing them flexibility as to running routes from any of the four receiver spots. And that enables coaches to use more motion and shifting.
“I’m absolutely thrilled at how good it can be,” Brunell said. “That doesn’t mean automatically that it’ll be a high-powered offense. But we have the potential.”
Upping the offense
» Kansas City led the NFL with 70 plays of 20 yards or more last season; Washington had 49 such plays.
» In 2004, Kansas City set an NFL record with 398 first downs.
» In Saunders five years as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, they led the NFL with 2,157 points. The Chiefs ranked No. 1 in offense each of the past two seasons.
Training camp notes
» It was the heat and, likely, the humidity that got to fullback Mike Sellers. He was the lone Redskins casualty from the heat on a day where temperatures reached the mid-90s.
Sellers was carted off after suffering multiple cramps. They started in his right calf, went to his hamstring and down to his left foot.
“I’m already broken in,” Sellers said. “It can’t get any worse than that.”
Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El also missed some practice time, but it stemmed from lower back pain.
» Right tackle Jon Jansen sported a familiar look, wearing a protective cast on his right thumb. Jansen said in a few days he’ll start wearing one that’s less cumbersome. It’s expected to stay on for at least half of camp.
“It’s just not at the point where we need to take a chance,” he said.
» Defensive tackle Joe Salave’a missed practice and will be out until Wednesday due to the death of his mother. Cedric Killings replaced Salave’a with the starting unit.
» Safety Sean Taylor worked with the third defense, as he did in minicamp. Last year, Taylor opened with the second unit before regaining his starting job early in camp. Safeties Adam Archuleta and Pierson Prioleau opened with the first unit.
» The Redskins signed linebacker Philippe Gardent from France, who will stay on their practice squad all season as part of the NFL’s International Development Practice Squad Program. He’s ineligible to be promoted and the Redskins will be allowed to have an extra practice squader.
