WP Redskins' Offense Has Hit the Break

[TK]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18395-2003Oct25.html

washingtonpost.com

Redskins' Offense Has Hit the Break

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, October 26, 2003; Page E1

The hits, haymakers and hurt put on quarterback Patrick Ramsey were easier to overlook just a few weeks ago amid the highlights generated by the Washington Redskins' high-powered offense. Ramsey frequently cheered from the ground after connecting with wideout Laveranues Coles, or dusted himself off before receiving congratulations from a teammate.

After four games, the Redskins' offense was ranked atop the NFL-an extraordinary position for a team guided by a second-year quarterback. However, during the team's current three-game losing streak the offense has steadily fallen back to earth while its fatal flaw-sacks and hits against Ramsey by opposing defenses-has increased.

During last Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Ramsey was forced from a game because of injury for the first time in his NFL career, his bruised right (throwing) hand caused by the latest wallop.

The Redskins' offense reached its nadir. Ramsey, the league's top-rated quarterback early on, had career lows in completions (nine) and passing yards (115). Coles, the NFL's top receiver a few weeks ago, ended his stretch of 19 straight games with at least five catches (he had three).

"We're struggling right now," said Coach Steve Spurrier, whose Redskins managed a season-low 169 yards against Buffalo while punting 10 times. "I don't think I've ever had a team that punted 10 times."

The offense has swooned to 17th in the NFL after being the best four weeks ago. With a bye this weekend, the Redskins (3-4) are searching for answers before visiting the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 2.

At least for now, Spurrier says he will respond by embracing his Fun 'n' Gun system: deep throws to set up the run, which brought him glory-and an average of 35 points per game-during his 12 years as head coach at the University of Florida.

Spurrier sees a correlation between the Redskins' three-game slump and his more conservative offensive play-calling in recent weeks-more runs, shorter passes. He said in an interview Thursday he had become "NFL-ized." Following a flurry of false start penalties by the offensive line, plus the sacks, Spurrier heeded criticism that his audible-heavy system, in which quarterbacks frequently change the play at the line of scrimmage after examining the defense, needed to be, well, audibled.

In Washington's past three games, Spurrier has called an average of 40 pass plays vs. 20 run plays. However, Spurrier's play-calling during the stretch, though pass-oriented, has been heavy on screens and other short passes with few audibles.

This season, Spurrier embraced a more balanced style, occasionally using a Fun 'n' Run system. And after four games, the Redskins averaged 370 yards. But with the average dropping to 317 after the Bills game, Spurrier said he will return to his play-calling pizzazz. He said he doesn't intend to limit the number of receivers for the sake of blockers, meaning that the club's porous pass protection remains the most critical issue facing the offense.

The Redskins have allowed a league-worst 25 sacks, including 22 against Ramsey, who also bruised his right hip Sunday.

The problem was crystallized in one play against Buffalo. The Redskins used eight blockers while Buffalo countered with only four pass rushers. But the Bills' linemen easily reached Ramsey despite being outnumbered.

Spurrier's challenge is striking a balance between using multiple receivers to pressure defensive secondaries-a staple in his system-and protecting Ramsey from being pummeled. Despite the offensive slump, the Redskins are 13th in passing yards per game while ranking 30th in the number of quarterback sacks allowed per pass play.

Spurrier's decision to return to a more free-wheeling offensive system occurred Monday after a lunch at Redskins Park with owner Daniel Snyder, according to a source who requested anonymity. In the meeting, Spurrier agreed with Snyder that, beyond the losing streak, Spurrier had been coaching out of character, the source said.

The consensus is one reason that Snyder gave Spurrier permission to try to re-sign quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who was cut by the Redskins-with Snyder's backing but against Spurrier's wishes-just before the season began. Spurrier acknowledged he was unhappy with the team owner over the decision.

Wuerffel, who was a quarterback under Spurrier at the University of Florida, lacks a strong arm. But his ability to make quick decisions is valuable in Spurrier's offense. And Wuerffel can help teach the system to Ramsey, who still hasn't mastered it. On Wednesday, the Redskins cut Ramsey's backup, Rob Johnson, who struggled to understand the offense. Johnson's replacement, Tim Hasselbeck, has never thrown a regular season pass in the NFL.

The Redskins are so desperate to rectify the situation that on Tuesday, Snyder flew in Joe Bugel, considered one of the best offensive line coaches in NFL history, to offer his advice. Bugel, who oversaw the offensive line under Redskins coach Joe Gibbs during the 1980s, watched film for several hours before returning to his Phoenix area home.

Washington's coaching staff has yet to receive Bugel's recommendations.

Critics contend that Spurrier's offense leaves quarterbacks too vulnerable. During a 122-27-1 record at Florida, Spurrier's quarterbacks routinely dropped back five or seven steps from the line of scrimmage on passing plays-deep for today's NFL in which most quarterbacks drop back only three steps and get rid of the ball quickly. Spurrier's system allows receivers to run longer pass routes and gives them more time to get open, but it also means the quarterback must hold on to the ball longer. This increases the chance a rushing defender will break free and hit the quarterback.

After Spurrier ushered in the Fun 'n' Gun last year, the Redskins were sacked an average of 2.4 times per game as the offense finished the season ranked 20th in the 32-team league. During the offseason, Snyder revamped the unit in Spurrier's image, acquiring faster receivers and releasing tailback Stephen Davis, whose hard-hitting style didn't fit in with his head coach's stealth-based offense. This season, however, defenses have increased their blitzes against the Redskins, who have been sacked an average of 3.6 times per game. Tackles Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels have shown discomfiture in the pass-blocking schemes despite this being their second season under Spurrier.

The worst pass protection came in a 35-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 12, when Washington gave up six sacks. Ramsey suffered four before being removed with about nine minutes left. Afterward, Bucs players confirmed Ramsey's suspicions about opponents: the plan was to knock the quarterback out the game.

Defenses view Washington's Achilles' heel as its susceptibility to the blitz. "The key," Ramsey said, "is how we react."

Ramsey's injury in the Buffalo game occurred on an incomplete pass intended for wide receiver Patrick Johnson. Ramsey was slammed to the ground by defensive end Aaron Schobel, who had eluded tight end Byron Chamberlain.

Last week, Spurrier briefly considered discarding a blocking scheme in which tight ends are frequently required to block defensive ends. But it's so essential in Spurrier's system, and common in the NFL, that Spurrier has decided merely to limit the number of times that matchup occurs.

After a fast start, Ramsey has shown the inconsistencies inherent in a quarterback who entered the season with only five NFL starts. Ramsey's inexperience was lost amid his gaudy statistics earlier in the season, but it has become more apparent as his quarterback rating dropped to 77.2. But Spurrier said on Tuesday, "I wouldn't put it on Patrick."

One flaw, which has contributed to the sacks, is also one of Ramsey's most admirable attributes: his willingness to hold on to the ball until the last moment to give receivers a better chance of getting open.

Washington's slump has coincided with a stretch against stingy defenses; every Redskins loss has been to a club with a defense ranked in the top half of the league. Nonetheless, game film reveals that the offense isn't executing with the same precision as before. Receivers are dropping passes they once caught and running routes slightly askew, and Ramsey's passes are less crisp. And the breakdowns in blocking remain.

"There's no algebra or geometry to it," said Patrick Johnson, whose Redskins have committed 72 penalties, putting the club on a pace to break the NFL record. "People want to say it's the plays, but we're just not executing across the board."

But number three wide receiver Darnerien McCants believes there is another reason for the offensive problems. The offense exuded panache and punch early in the season, particularly the season-opening 16-13 victory over the New York Jets. McCants feels the unit of late has been playing in an uncharacteristic stupor. He said it started during a 20-17 victory over the New England Patriots at FedEx Field on Sept. 28, when the club improved to 3-1. During the losing streak, the vitality-and production-has diminished with each game.

"I'm the type of person who can feel the spirit of the team," said McCants, who leads the Redskins with four touchdowns despite only 16 catches. "For the most part, there's no energy on the field. It's just like we're out there. 'Okay, we're playing another game.'."

McCants's teammates can't quite explain the offensive dive. "It's hard to come up with answers," Ramsey said.

"We're just in a bit of a funk right now," Jansen said, "but we still have a lot of games left. Offensively, it's the most frustrating we've been, just because we started off so promising, and have fallen from there."

© 2003 The Washington Post Company

[Om]

Last week, Spurrier briefly considered discarding a blocking scheme in which tight ends are frequently required to block defensive ends. But it's so essential in Spurrier's system, and common in the NFL, that Spurrier has decided merely to limit the number of times that matchup occurs.

"Hi, my name is Kim, and I'm an offensive line coach."