He envisioned an offense that started with a power running game, leading to big plays downfield in the passing game. He’d call a timely screen. He’d run a reverse to help protection. Short passes wouldn’t become a staple; big plays would.
After six games, however, Al Saunders’ offense does not look the way he’d hoped.
He’s still getting in sync with the top running back. He’s still trying to figure out ways to get the ball deep. At 2-4, it’s a process the Redskins need to happen faster.
“They have a lot of plays, but they don’t have an offense,” one NFL source said. “I don’t know what their bread and butter is.”
For the Redskins to turn around their season and knowing that the defense is equally inconsistent, the offense must become more consistent.
“We’d like to be the type of team we were in Houston and Jacksonville,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Saunders said. “We’d like to be a balanced offense, a physical offense that can run the ball and throw with equal efficiency. If all you can do is play smash-mouth football you’ll get beat.”
The Redskins rank 12th in the NFL in total yards, but that’s built largely on the nearly 1,000 yards of offense in wins over the Texans and Jaguars.
Part of the problem is that Saunders is still learning how he can use, and can’t use, certain players. He’s developed a feel for quarterback Mark Brunell — hence the high number of short throws early in games.
“I still don’t have a feeling like that for Clinton [Portis] yet,” Saunders said. “He’s been in and out. I’d like to have two, three, four games to get a feel for what someone can do.”
The offense is not how Saunders envisions it will ultimately be. They have not thrown downfield nearly as much as they’d like. Of Brunell’s 105 completions, 88 have traveled 10 yards orless in the air. Protection issues, an old don’t-make-mistakes mindset and inconsistency on the ground have led to such plays — not to mention more screens than Saunders, who loves such plays, said he’d like to call.
“That’s comparable to what he did previously,” Saunders said of the short throws. “I like stretching the field vertically and if we could do that, I would.”
But they’re not.
“There’s a lot of things we want to do,” Brunell said. “Unfortunately to this point we haven’t been able to do it as much as we’d like. We’ve had moments.”
Week 7 Notes
» Cornerback Carlos Rogers (thumb) won’t play Sunday after having three screws inserted in his right thumb Monday.
Rogers said Wednesday the earliest he would return is the Dallas game on Nov. 5, the first game after the bye.
His departure comes at an inopportune time, with the Colts’ high-powered offense up next. Also, corner Shawn Springs said Monday that he’s not ready yet for full-time duty after playing for the first time since early August. He might not have a choice.
“I’m still trying to shake the rust off,” Springs said. “My leg is not as strong as it should be. I’m getting in and out of cuts better than last week so hopefully I’ll look better this week.”
» Newly-signed Troy Vincent could now have an immediate role. Though he’s spent more time at safety the past two years, he can still play in the slot in nickel situations.
“I’ve got all the coverages down,” he said, “it’s just the terminology.”
» Defensive tackles Joe Salave’a (calf) and Cornelius Griffin (hip) are both questionable and were limited in practice. Griffin is weighing the risks. “I could play one game and then miss four,” he said.
Linebackers Marcus Washington (hip) and Lemar Marshall (ankle) and left guard Derrick Dockery (hip) did not practice, but are probable. Receiver David Patten (thigh) is questionable.
» For the Colts, defensive tackle Montae Reagor (knee), safety Bob Sanders (knee), receiver Brandon Stokley (knee) and tight end Ben Utecht (lower back) did not practice and are questionable.
