WP: Throwing Downfield Is Redskin Offense's Antidote

[bubba9497]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/06/AR2007080601467.html

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Throwing Downfield Is Redskin Offense's Antidote

By Jason La Canfora

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 7, 2007; Page E01

Joe Bugel lets each syllable dangle in the air a few seconds, exaggerating his pronunciation of the word "vertical" as if the elongation might somehow help the Washington Redskins finally stretch opposing defenses, too. Bugel, the Redskins' assistant head coach-offense, is pondering the team's three-year offensive rut -- the lack of big plays and touchdowns.

"Let me just say this -- you've got to throw the ball down the field. That's the bottom line," Bugel said. "Say no more. Get vertical. Ver-ti-cal."

Joe Gibbs ended his retirement and reassembled a staff of longtime assistants intent on reprising the glory years when his Redskins bludgeoned opponents on the ground, and finished them off with aerial artistry. The combination was successful from 1981 to '92, during which Gibbs won three Super Bowls. Fans knew what to expect from Washington's offense, and it delivered with rare exceptions.

Yet, as Gibbs's fourth season back approaches, the Redskins are still seeking offensive stability, rediscovering running success but lacking a sustained downfield presence. There have been built-in excuses -- whether Gibbs's staff adjusting to a very different NFL in 2004, or the players adapting to associate head coach Al Saunders's new offense in 2006 -- and flashes of brilliance. But players and coaches agree that an erratic deep game has much to do with a tepid scoring offense, 5-11 record last season, and 21-27 mark since Gibbs returned.

[McD5]

We need a second receiver to step up worse than Rosie Odonnel needs a stomach staple.

It is a little difficult to throw it deep when Moss is doubled.....unless Lloyd or ARE really step it up.

This is probably the most overlooked weakness on our entire team, and the key for our success this season.

Sure, teams are going to run it down our throat.....but if we can score quickly, we can offset some of that.

I still believe either Betts or Portis....plus Lloyd and a draft pick for Calvin Johnson would have been the greatest trade in team history.

We could have still kept the sixth for Landry.....but would have opened the field up big time.

Come on Lloyd and ARE!

[Touchdown Redskins]

The article hit it right on the head. We have a great running attack, maybe the best in the NFL, but we just don't use it to our effectiveness. What has been the difference between Denver, who always has a good ground game, and Atlanta, who also possesses a great running attack? Denver uses the ground game for play action and gets big plays, whereas Atlanta doesn't (can't, cause Michael Vick is a horrible QB). Hopefully we're creep closer to the Denver side of that spectrum this year.

[G-Prime]

Two Words.. one man...

James Thrash

[SkinsManNJ]

After a 5-11 season we can't go anywhere but vertical. So hopefully a vertical game will have our record going vertical.

[Touchdown Redskins]

After a 5-11 season we can't go anywhere but vertical. So hopefully a vertical game will have our record going vertical.

Would a horizontal game make our record get more...horizontal:whoknows: ?

[RedskinzOwnU]

I like how they are talking about a vertical attack.... after 3 years of Brunell. I coulda told them this in 2004.

[taylorcoreskin]

That tidbit about Gibbs being 21-27 since his return left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

[TheTotalPackage]

we need a big.

calvin johnson would've been perfect.

so would T.O.

[taylorcoreskin]

we need a big.

calvin johnson would've been perfect.

so would T.O.

Get over it. Trading up for him would have set us back big time.

[Touchdown Redskins]

we need a big.

calvin johnson would've been perfect.

so would T.O.

You've got to be kidding me. Watch him destroy the Cowboys (I get giddy at the thought) this year. By week 6 he's going to be being his old insecure, attention-craving self, saying that the team would be better off with Parcells back in town.

[wit 33]

We need a second receiver to step up worse than Rosie Odonnel needs a stomach staple.

It is a little difficult to throw it deep when Moss is doubled.....unless Lloyd or ARE really step it up.

This is probably the most overlooked weakness on our entire team, and the key for our success this season.

Sure, teams are going to run it down our throat.....but if we can score quickly, we can offset some of that.

I still believe either Betts or Portis....plus Lloyd and a draft pick for Calvin Johnson would have been the greatest trade in team history.

We could have still kept the sixth for Landry.....but would have opened the field up big time.

Come on Lloyd and ARE!

That trade scenario is unrealistic, and never had a chance of coming to fruition.

A downfield passing attack has been a key ingredient missing. I do however, have confidence in Brandon Lloyd and Randle El. Both of these guys have proven in the past to be soilid deep threats. A reprieve should be given to both of these guys for last year's performances.

[Riggo-toni]

Our problem isn't with receivers. If Campbell learns to make quick enough reads to spot if his secondary receiver is open downfield, problem solved. If he can't do that, not even Calvin Johnson would make a difference (I can't believe people are still whining about that...)

[TheGreek1973]

I am tired of "dancing" around the truth here man. We couldn't throw deep because Brunell CAN"T throw deep. Period. He IMO was the one and only negative part in the first two years of Gibbs return. Yes we made the playoffs the second year but with the kind of D we had we should have gone to the playoffs both years. Brunell not only can't throw deep at a consistent basis he can't throw even the passes to his right. Hell last year all the opposing Ds had to do is stack the line and watch for the left role out. That is it.

[Gregpeck99]

This is a great thread. Once again McD and TheGreek have it right. You can't go vertical if you play not to lose.

[Koolblue13]

That tidbit about Gibbs being 21-27 since his return left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

11-5 this year and it'll be all good. A couple of playoff wins, Gibbs is back on top going into next year with a winning record.

[Xameil]

we need a big.

calvin johnson would've been perfect.

so would T.O.

Isn't there a dead horse you could be kicking somewhere? :doh:

Ou r receivers are fine, in fact I would say more then fine. With more work with the first team now, and more exposure to Saunders and his playbook, I think you will see a much greater vertical attack from Campbell.

[Chump Bailey]

Brandon Lloyd is going to have to play an integral part this season. He can and does get open - now we have a guy that can deliver the ball to him.

[NVskinsfan]

What ever happened to the run "setting"up the pass?

When Johnson (Brad) was here, the play action had a lot of success and big plays!

Of course with Brunell, it was like tossing it up in the air and hoping for the best!!! :doh:

Need to really be creative with both the running and passing game!!!

[Buck812]

I like how they are talking about a vertical attack.... after 3 years of Brunell. I coulda told them this in 2004.

:laugh:

[NoItAllRS]

This is so true. Every Sunday I sit infront of the TV screeming "throw the ball down field". This was a staple in our glory day teams and I think this year it will be back in full effect. The reason it will be back is Jason Campbell. I have yet to see Campbell miss on many deep balls (Lloyd in the TB game is the only play that comes to mind). Most other deep passes i've seen Campbell hit the WR in stride. We don't need size at WR, we need speed and we got that in Moss/Lloyd/ARE. These guys will stretch the field deep openning up huge rushing lanes for Portis and Betts. With Cooley stretching the middle this offense is going to be scary. Campbell is the key with his accuracy on his deep ball.

[McMetal]

Sounds good in principle, but all we saw in the scrimmage were checkdowns, underneath stuff, and passes to the flat. I hope they will break out some bombs for this weekend's game.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

My concern is we have a young QB who is going to take chances downfield. And chances lead to turnovers. And turnovers make Gibbs 2.0 cry.

So...we'll see if we really have an attacking offense.

[Xameil]

My concern is we have a young QB who is going to take chances downfield. And chances lead to turnovers. And turnovers make Gibbs 2.0 cry.

So...we'll see if we really have an attacking offense.

Honestly do you ever post anything with a positive outlook?

[jthor99]

I am tired of "dancing" around the truth here man. We couldn't throw deep because Brunell CAN"T throw deep. Period. He IMO was the one and only negative part in the first two years of Gibbs return. Yes we made the playoffs the second year but with the kind of D we had we should have gone to the playoffs both years. Brunell not only can't throw deep at a consistent basis he can't throw even the passes to his right. Hell last year all the opposing Ds had to do is stack the line and watch for the left role out. That is it.

Agreed, one other point i would like to touch on was a couple of you have mentioned the double coverage of Moss. This is what we want to happen in early in the game this means espically with 3 wide reciever set in that everyone else is man to man, which is espically good for Chris Cooley. If we can get Chris open and started early and defense will have to start rolling coverage over his direction, which in case frees up Moss for alot of single coverage along the outside. Im almost convinced at this point that Lloyd at best is going to be nothing better than a possession reciever (i hope im wrong here), but this gives a chance for Randel El really to step up in that slot position and create alot of mismatches on opposing defenses.