IMissHeathShuler Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I don't think this has been posted yet. http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=2612469&CMP=ILC-INHEAD Portis brings new dimension By KC Joyner ESPN Insider Archive After starting the season 0-2 and scoring a mere 26 points in those two losses, the Washington Redskins' offense has experienced a complete turnaround. The Redskins have scored 67 points in the last two games and Mark Brunell has posted two consecutive games with a passer rating of over 117. The most obvious reason for the turnaround has been the return of Clinton Portis. His presence certainly helps the running game, but has also had a surprising effect on the passing game. One would expect Portis to help the deep passing game, as defenses are more likely to commit an eighth defender in the box to stop him, but his presence has actually helped the short passing game more than any other segment of the offense. Take a look at the Redskins' passing metrics by route depth for the first two weeks of the season (with throwaway passes being factored out of the equation): Weeks 1 and 2 Depth Att Success Yds TD INT YPA Short 35 29 214 0 0 6.1 Medium 9 2 42 0 0 4.7 Deep 4 3 67 0 1 16.8 Total 48 34 323 0 1 6.7 The short pass yards per attempt was solid (6.1 being the league average in 2005), but the medium yards per attempt was abysmal. The deep pass yards per attempt was quite good, but the figure was inflated due to two long completions late in the Dallas game against the Cowboys' loose prevent defense. Contrast those numbers with the metrics Washington put up in Weeks 3 and 4: Weeks 3 and 4 Depth Att Success Yds TD INT YPA Short 43 37 423 3 0 9.8 Medium 5 3 46 0 1 9.2 Deep 6 3 126 1 0 21.0 Total 54 43 595 4 1 11.0 The medium pass yards per attempt is acceptable (9.4 yards was the league average in 2005). The deep pass yards per attempt is much improved, but the 68-yard TD pass to Santana Moss in overtime to beat the Jaguars inflated the figure. Prior to that play, the Redskins were only averaging 11.6 yards per deep pass attempt, just above the league average. The real difference for the Redskins' offense the last two games has been an exceptionally efficient short passing game. Offensive coordinator Al Saunders likes to center his short passing game around his offensive linemen, through the heavy use of screen passes. In 2005, the Redskins threw only 41 screen passes, an average of two or three per game. Saunders kept them at that pace for the first two games of this season by calling only five screen passes in those games. The change began in Week 3 against Houston, as Saunders called 16 screen passes. Brunell completed 15 of them for 168 yards, over 10 yards per attempt. Saunders slowed down the pace a bit against the Jaguars, calling only five screen passes, but Brunell completed four of those for 66 yards, over 13 yards per attempt. To put those numbers in perspective, consider the league leader in yards per attempt usually averages between eight and nine yards. The Redskins are gaining more than this on their screen passes alone. The odd thing is that Portis isn't the one catching most of these passes, as he has only been thrown three of the screen passes. Saunders realizes defenses are going to key on Portis whenever he touches the ball, so he is calling plays to make defenses respect the other ball carriers on the team. This should open up more running lanes for Portis. If the Redskins continue to have this kind of success in their short passing game, and augment it with a revitalized deep passing game and the Portis-led rushing attack, they will have all of the ingredients of a Super Bowl-caliber offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for posting. Nice read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayouSkinsfan! Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Yeah thanks alot! I don't have insider so I only got to read the first four sentences...lol. thanks again! HAIL. jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 :rotflmao: kc needs to slow down. its only week 5! :rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrFan Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I don't think this has been posted yet.Portis brings new dimension By KC Joyner ESPN Insider The odd thing is that Portis isn't the one catching most of these passes, as he has only been thrown three of the screen passes. Saunders realizes defenses are going to key on Portis whenever he touches the ball, so he is calling plays to make defenses respect the other ball carriers on the team. This should open up more running lanes for Portis. If the Redskins continue to have this kind of success in their short passing game, and augment it with a revitalized deep passing game and the Portis-led rushing attack, they will have all of the ingredients of a Super Bowl-caliber offense. Good analysis, a multiple threats offense is the ultimate weapon, keeps your opponents guessing and wondering what the hell is going on. I have never doubted that we do have not only a SB caliber team offense but just a SB caliber team.Thanks for the post. Keep on Hailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XxSpearheadxX Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 The best thing I've seen about this offense is that when its rolling the field is so balanced the defense has to play everything honest. That just gives Clinton Portis and his 5 uglies (and Sellers) in front of him a 1 on 1 thug it out track meet. It was beautiful, and it can be even better I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyf316 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 THANK GOD that somebody finally based an article in facts instead of their own personal fiction. I like the fact that the catches that inflated statistics were made known to provide for a more accurate picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da_Truth Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Bring on the Giants!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[[ghost]] Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 we're starting to resemble the same team that won teh last 5 games last season. Woo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I really need to get around to buying K.C. Joyner's book. His take on metrics and the game is fascinating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flexxskins Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Wow, a member of the media that actually did his homework. This was a nice refreshing and surprisingly informative read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRay Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 We own U should see this article since he is such an expert on our offense and he's a cowpuke fan :doh: . He has all the answers about how our offense is ran and how to stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winning Season Please! Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Now if we could just hold someone under 300 yards of offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMissHeathShuler Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 I really need to get around to buying K.C. Joyner's book.His take on metrics and the game is fascinating. His book is great...fascinating is just how I would describe it. :gaintsuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xameil Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 ]']we're starting to resemble the same team that won teh last 5 games last season. Woo! I have to disagree with this for one reason. At the end of last season there were only 2 or 3 that were catching passes....now there are 8 Menatlly tho...yes we are...comaraderie yes we are...and fun wise yup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinzFanatic Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 After reading that article and seeing some real stats I feel even better about our chances this season. Heres to the continuation of the Saunders offense Cheers and HTTR :dallasuck :eaglesuck :gaintsuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbag 28 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 This is great, I knew they would get the ball rolling!:gaintsuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphil006 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 it was only two games...let's not kid ourselves, although it is nice to see how everything is working out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 we're so screwed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rook Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 A very good article - and yet we have people who complain about the "dink and dunk" passing. :doh: :helmet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragemdw Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 YAY OFFENSE!! Definitely been clicking. Now...... what about that defense Mr. Williams!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOVA2Tampa Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 We need Springs back ASAP! Once he's back and shores up our pass D, we will be UNSTOPPABLE!!! HTTR!!! :point2sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mangan Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Multiple threats.....any D in the league must respect each one......they simply dont know where it's coming from. Keep MB upright, keep a myriad of missdirections and shifts going, special teams keep on keepin on.....and the running game continue to put up 100 per......we will be good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHALEN Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Were on our way lets get the d stepping up a bit:cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasRoane Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I agree with him. I really like how Saunders has adapted his play calling to the personnel. And I love the use of zone stretch plays to tire out the DT's vs Jax. He's proving to be worth the money and we're only in the 4th game! Good times ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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