voicekiller Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Friday Afternoon H-Back http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/12/friday_afternoon_hback.html#comments Let's begin at the end, shall we? Very different feel to the final few offensive drives Thursday, eh, with Todd Collins at the helm? It was clear the approach was different with a fourth quarter lead with Collins behind center. The Redskins were more aggressive and played to win, rather than trying to milk a lead not to lose. To me, they should have been giving Jason the same chances - rather than sticking with an inept running game against Buffalo and blowing it, again - but Saunders and Collins have been together a long time, and Gibbs - who is clearly more comfortable with older QBs - was gushing about him after the game. "I've been with Todd for a long time," Saunders said after the game in a quote that was cut from my game story. "And it's like anything else: When you have a lot confidence and know what they can do, you have a tendency to do things a little differently." On the final two drives in the game, clinging to a 14-10 lead, the Redskins threw the ball 12 times and ran it just seven times. Again, the poor running game had something to do with this, but Portis has been averaging about 2 yards per carry for a month now, so nothing new there. Contrast that to Sunday against Buffalo, when the Redskins led 9-2 at the half and ran the ball 15 times (for a paltry 34 yards) while throwing it just 14 times. Trust me, the players were overjoyed at this development, everyone from defensive players to offensive linemen. Collins deserves major judos for playing perfect football (144 rating) and this was by far the best outing of his career (his previous best rating for a game in which he attempted at least 11 passes was 101.3, back in 2007. Now, whether he can keep this up against better defenses on a regular basis will be the big question. Next Sunday will be his first start since Dec. 14, 1997, all 32 teams in the NFL were content to let him remain a backup for a long, long time. That also provides a unique motivation as well for the QB, and no doubt Al Saunders's rep is riding on this as well (he was shaping up to be a bit of a fall guy around here, and I found myself wondering about his long-term future in Washington. But if his boy can rally them to a strong finish, then it would work strongly in Saunders's favor, because most in Redskins Park believe that if it was up to Al Todd Collins would have been his starter here since Day One. Now, if the offensive line continues is horrid play in the second half of the season - letting the passers get pounded and opening up few holes - and the running game remains this poor, then Tom Brady will have a hard time doing much in this offense. There are problems at tackle and guard, and Randy Thomas's return was shortlived, though he hopes to be back for the Giants game. He was playing with essentially one arm Thursday, though. Campbell had been getting hit repeatedly in the blindside - tackle Chris Samuels whiffed on the hit to Jason's knees Thursday - and as a unit they look slow and fatigued. Portis isn't hitting holes the way he once did, either, and aside from a two-game outburst at midseason he has been among the least productive backs in the NFL. On the season Portis is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry - a half yard below even the NFL average - and by far the worst of his career. He has just one run over 20 yards all season - in 255 carries, only three men had rushed more times than him entering Week 14. Portis ran 66 times for 333 in two weeks, carrying a heavy load against the Jets and Eagles in games the Redskins split. In four games since he has rushed 74 times for just 190 yards, a staggering 2.6 yards per carry. Portis has just one carry over 10 yards in the past four games. In three of those four games he does not have a rush over seven yards. Those who read the H-Back in its many forums (Monday Morning/Sunday Night/Friday Afternoon) know that I have been calling for a expanded role for Betts for a long time. Still can't figure this one out. As for the defense, well, the secondary is a mess with all the injuries and hobbled starters, but they held together to make a huge red-zone stand late in the game. The bend-don't-break philosophy has kept the Redskins in games and kept the season alive. They have allowed just two touchdowns in the past three games, and one was on a very short field after the offense turned the ball over against Tampa Bay. Washington's offense, meantime, has scored just 11 touchdowns in the past seven games. Gregg Williams was more aggressive than we've seen him all season, bringing lots of heat from safety Reed Doughty and the linebackers. It rattled Chicago's offensive line and resulted in one QB being knocked from the game, and Griese operating under duress a lot of the time. Lots of balls knocked down at the line, too. There will, however, be big issues in the defensive backfield to overcome. Losing Sean and Carlos Rogers and now having Springs - who had to beg his way onto the field with a back injury that kept him from walking normally all week - and Smoot (hamstring) playing while beat up does not bode well. The Bears used Devin Hester to attack the secondary with 8-to-10 yard patterns with him spilt wade. Young DBs John Eubanks, Leigh Torrence and Doughty all had their struggles - Eubanks in particular - and several veterans I spoke to today are already bracing from an all-out passing barrage from the Giants and BBM in their next game. Williams will likely have to continue to use LaRon Landry very deep in a prevent role at free safety, and the rookie most curb the over-aggressive penalties. Random Ramblings: Not sure what you guys think, but in those conditions, at home, moving the ball early, I thought Gibbs should have gone for it on fourth-and-short on that first-quarter drive rather than try the 47-yard field goal. Not surprised in the least that he kicked, but thought he could have made a statement there ... Nice job by Kedric Golston blocking that field goal ... Great work avoiding Hester in the return game for the most part, and Frost got it done in the punt game for the most part, too ... Springs had his first two-pick game since 2004. Both were huge, and I thought swayed the game at a pivotal moment ... MLB London Fletcher had his best game in a few weeks and was all over the place, picking up 12 tackles (9 solo). For those out there who think that the play calling wasn't different for Todd than Jason here is some proof for you...Saunders said so himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskinsfanatical Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I thought the same thing and it's disgusting. They need to have confidence in Jason and let him build his confidence. I would rather LOSE with him trying to throw in Buffalo on our last possession than run run run when it's not working - which to me isn't even trying....;( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voicekiller Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 I hope Saunders leaves after this season...i have no confidence in him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMetal Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Back to form for whiny, bitter JLC. Could he be any more negative after a win? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshow24 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I thought the play calling was different. Looks like i was right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 For those out there who think that the play calling wasn't different for Todd than Jason here is some proof for you...Saunders said so himself. Of course it was different. Do you think you run the same plays with an inexperienced but strong-armed QB than with a very experienced QB with a weaker arm? Course, I don't agree with JLC's logic. In the Buffalo game, the defense had pretty much stoned their offense the whole game, so it logically followed that you run time off the clock and put it in their hands. In this game, it was obvious the defense was getting gassed and that the Bears had figured out how to move the ball against us. There is much more urgency to put more points on the board. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMike619 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Collins deserves major judos for playing perfect football (144 rating) I am a Ninja myself but I can get down with some major Judo. Muhammed was talking trash the whole game so while I think LaRon maybe should have not done what he did, but Muhammed was talking trash the whole game up until that point.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenegadeTK Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 just makes you think.... did gibbs & company feel pressured to give the nod to JC?? maybe if they would have preferred going with TC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnyderMustGo Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 For those out there who think that the play calling wasn't different for Todd than Jason here is some proof for you...Saunders said so himself. So what? That's the damn pointed you can't seem to get your mind around. It doesn't matter if it was the same plays that TC did better at or if the coaching staff gave TC more chances. Either of those options has the same practical effect: it shows that JC is not performing up to snuff. It's either (1) JC runs the same plays less effectively; or (2) JC is so inconsistent, inaccurate, or slow that the coaches can't trust him to run those plays effectively The fact that our offense played better un TC is a direct reflection on JC no matter how you slice it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenegadeTK Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Collins deserves major judos for playing perfect football (144 rating)I am a Ninja myself but I can get down with some major Judo. Muhammed was talking trash the whole game so while I think LaRon maybe should have not done what he did, but Muhammed was talking trash the whole game up until that point.. yeah... MM seemed like he was talking trash and giving dirty looks to laron all night i like that while they were just super-intense, we were having fun and playing effectively. i mean, most of the big passes they had were spectacular catches on good coverage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveStrongSkins Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Back to form for whiny, bitter JLC. Could he be any more negative after a win? How is he being negative? He is proving to his readers that in fact, the game was called differently for Collins. Excuse him for not jumping on extremeskins and jumping on the superbowl bandwagon after we just went 1-4 in the most crucial stretch of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMike619 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 yeah... MM seemed like he was talking trash and giving dirty looks to laron all nighti like that while they were just super-intense, we were having fun and playing effectively. i mean, most of the big passes they had were spectacular catches on good coverage yeah bro totally. that guy who caught the TD for the Bears earned that catch and the guy who caught that pass on the sidelines against Springs made a super catch as well. I was actually happy with our play. Our D needs to loosen up and our O needs to tighten up and hit their marks consistantly.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I find it hilarious that when Gibbs played it close to the vest after pulling Brunell, so many people here kept harping on how we must have "HAD" to do that because he didn't trust Ramsey or the wideouts or the line or pink unicorns. And they're OK with that. But when the coaches show more confidence in a backup veteran's ability to run the offense, somehow Saunders who, like, developed this system and Joe Gibbs are morons and Saunders should go. ANyone calling for Saunders to go or not having confidence in him need to slapped in the face. Several times, one would prefer. They OPENED IT UP for JC. JC has a tendency to throw too high, forcing his receivers to spend all their energy making the catch and with little chance for YAC and more vulnerable to big hits. JC checks down a touch too much, doesn't throw short screens well and has delivered a few massive chokes down in the opponent's red zone, which had he played it differently could have put us in prime playoff position. Don't hate on Saunders because JC isn't quite ready yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 For those of you saying they'd wish Campbell would get the same chances as TC, then why do you all complain about JC so much? Campbell has been given the opportunity to win games, unfortunately this was his first full season as starter, meaning there is a learning curve. Todd doesn't have that learning curve, thus the coaches have more confidence. Also, I don't think many of us were saying that the playcalling wasn't any different ( I myself said it all looked similar, except for the Betts play), rather we are saying the same person who always calls the plays was calling them last night. The plays may have changed, the play caller did not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Full Monty Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 JC needs to marinate a little more - needs another offseason of work with his starters - before he can unleash that potential to the utmost. That much is clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntotoro Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I don't understand what the controversy is here. Of course the game was called differently for Collins. It has everything to do with the fact that Campbell still obviously isn't there yet. You can only take "poise" so far. It doesn't help with accuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 So true, Nick. But some here can't accept reality penetrating their Campbell mancrush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saqs Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I honestly think the game would have been called the same way if JC wouldnt have gotten hurt. Whether the same plays would have been made is a different story but I dont buy that what was called was called because of TC being in the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voicekiller Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 I honestly think the game would have been called the same way if JC wouldnt have gotten hurt. Whether the same plays would have been made is a different story but I dont buy that what was called was called because of TC being in the game. You don't buy it even though Saunders said he did...interesting...hey did you find out the earth was round and not flat yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I agree with JLC that they should've been giving Jason those chances all along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chow184 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 So what? That's the damn pointed you can't seem to get your mind around.It doesn't matter if it was the same plays that TC did better at or if the coaching staff gave TC more chances. Either of those options has the same practical effect: it shows that JC is not performing up to snuff. It's either (1) JC runs the same plays less effectively; or (2) JC is so inconsistent, inaccurate, or slow that the coaches can't trust him to run those plays effectively The fact that our offense played better un TC is a direct reflection on JC no matter how you slice it. the overall fact of the matter is they let todd collins play to win the game and they let jason campbell play to not lose the game more often than not the latter is less successful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voicekiller Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 the overall fact of the matter isthey let todd collins play to win the game and they let jason campbell play to not lose the game more often than not the latter is less successful. Break it down :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tastes Like Chicken Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 The gameplan was in place and the allotment of available plays did not change when the QB substitution took place. When and in what situations they were used is on GibbSaunders. How they were used was up to the QB. Secret magic plays were not busted out the moment Al's boy got in the game. I'm okay with this. JC is still inexperienced, and has his flaws. But he'll get there, it just takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was Peyton Manning. Let's see if Collins can be Doug Williams for us. TC is such a wild card for us, since teams really only have 2 quarters of relevant tape on him. Things could get very interesting if we beat NY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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