Keys To Redskin's Success
- Stop the run.
The New York football Giants have a ridiculously diverse but undoubtedly stellar ground attack. Their arsenal consists of a power back, Brandon Jacobs, who can also run right by you.
A small, quick, and elusive back who can get to the outside in a hurry named Ahmad Bradshaw. Oh and don't forget about rookie Derrick Ward, who has proved three times this season that he can go for 75+ yards in only 10-15 carries.
Mainly, the Giants run game can beat you a whole bunch of ways and its on Greg Blache to prevent that.
- Clinton Portis/Mike Sellers
The Redskins would be looking for a miracle of Clinton Portis didn't suit up for Sunday's game. I'm not saying its impossible for them to win with out him, but they would need tons of turn overs or for Ladell Betts to go for 100+ yards. Both of which are unlikely, considering that Ladell's season high this year is 44 and the defense has only 10 turnovers.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Back to the point, Portis needs to play and preferably go for over 100 yards and 2 scores, and Mike Sellers will be key that. Seller's statistics with the ball are not spectacular, but what doesn't show up on his stat sheet is the yards Portis gains because Seller's knocked someone on their backside.
- Santana Moss
Santana Moss, as any Redskin's fan will tell you, is an explosive wide receiver. For the offense to be productive Santana will need to run lots of quick and deep slants, and may be a screen or two.
Give Moss the chance to make things happen after the catch and i doubt he will let you down. He has an average of 18 yards on first down, so look for him to get the ball on the first play. Third down is also a situation that Moss excels, averaging 11.2 yards and converting 10 times for the team.
Basically, Campbell needs to hit Moss early and often on quick routs and let him do work.
- Jason Campbell extending plays
The receiving core of the Redskin's consists of pro bowl athletes like Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, and is reinforced by Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash. With those guys down field the skins are not short on play makers. Jason Campbell on the other hand needs to become comfortable in the play maker role as well.
It is imperative that he avoids the inevitable rush (Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins will be coming) and extend plays to allow Moss and Cooley time to get open.
In other words...
Overall, the Redskins need to stop or at least slow down the Giants impeccable ground game, have all their play makers show up, and utilize timely blocking from the big man Mike Sellers. Five yard spurts on the ground from Portis and Betts combined with quick passes to Moss accompanied by yards after the catch will be the key to offensive success in this game.
Hopefully, the Giant's will walk out of FedEx Field singing "Hail to the Redskins," because we all know who needs this one more. Look for yet another exciting NFC battle Sunday. Go 'Skins.
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about 1 month ago
Nice article, especially the portion about Santana Moss. However, I disagree with what you said about my boy JC. He's done a great job extending plays...when he has a chance. What you didn't mention is Campbell's recent lack luster play and inability to go deep is solely the fault of our aging O-line. We have one of the worst pass-protecting lines in the league. Our center, Casey Raubach, and right tackle Jon Jansen, have especially been having very poor seasons. Campbell has less 5 seconds to get rid of the ball. In that little time provided because of the poor blocking recievers can't develop their routes and get open and it forces quick decision for Campbell (who has actually been pretty good with throwing the ball away and avoiding turnovers). JC has shown some pretty good escapability when he's not swarmed instantly due to the O-line. He has made a lot of plays on his feet including a 30 yard run last week. And besides Cooley, Moss, and Portis we have no play makers. Although I respect and like the jobs of the other players you mentioned, I don't think you could call Randel El and Thrash play makers. Randel El only has very mediocre 39 catches for 473 yards, and he's trying to play the role of a true #2 receiver which he isn't. Thrash has 7 receptions all season...enough said haha. Overall I think we'll lose 24-17 to the Giants.
about 1 month ago
We can win...how? I'm glad you asked! Keep Eli and company off the field by converting on 3rd down and getting a lead. If we can force them to throw the ball...a lot...we can create turnovers, destroy their rhythm in the running game, and take them completely out of their game plan. We need to strike hard and fast and have a at least a 2 score lead going into the 2nd half. That's the only way.
about 1 month ago
ya campbell also gets sacked alot which is a drive killer, those short pass plays that allow santana (and even randle el) to get their feet going and do things are a key to any offenses success, and their just plain easy to convert. As far as long plays go, if campbell is going to drop any bombs he will undoubtedly have to drop back then step up as the DE's crash around him, creating his own pocket and delivering a strike,,,then Moss will of course need to use his hands (referring to Cowboy's game in the 4th quarter).
Sean you are completely right about the third downs, and the person he needs to be catching the ball in those situations is Moss. Also stopping their run game (easier said than done) is the only way we can win.
about 1 month ago
The Redskins cannot win without a big game from Portis. Period.
If the Redskins somehow manage to limit the Giants' run game, Eli will gladly take the pass plays as everyone witnessed against the Cardinals.
Also, Ward is not a rookie. Please check your facts.
about 1 month ago
the cardinals secondary is a joke compared to the redskins, my mistake on Ward NFL.com only had stats for 2008 that i could find, and i said we dont have a chance in the world if Portis doesnt play.
about 1 month ago
If we can get Plaxico Burress to shoot some more Giants we'd be in good shape!!
about 1 month ago
Edgar,
The Skins can win without a big game from Portis, if we have a gameplan in place anticipating the run game is shut down.
If Zorn and Company were smart, they reviewed game film from Week 1 and figured out how to attack the Giants through the air.
There are a few players, the Skins have that they didn't have in the season opener.
A healthy Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas, on the field together pose a matchup problem for the Giants DBs.
At 6 ft 3, Kelly can be an effective redzone target, as the field gets shorter, and plays become harder to execute.
It appears Zorn has reservations about opening up his playbook for the offense. I am not sure why, because given the time Jason can find open receivers.
He doesn't help himself a lot of the time either by holding the ball too long, and locking in one particular receiver. If Santana Moss gets double covered JC must check down to a second or third option.
As the quarterback goes, so do the Skins for this second time around.
Here's hoping Eli gets sacked a few times, cuz lord knows Campbell, will be getting his behind tattoed, atleast 4 or 5 times.
Be competitive Skins. Remember it is your house. Nobody disrespects you in your own house.
about 1 month ago
I think the Skins were the surprise team of the 1st half, but it's become quite apparent that after going to 6-2, teams began to figure out Zorn and his style of play calling. They were buried against the Steelers and put up an anemic performance against the Cowboys. And last week, they barely got by against a 2-10 Seahawks' team. Some of that could've been because of the familiarity of Zorn and Holmgren, but I think it'll be extremely tough for Washington to win this game vs the Giants, desperation or not. The Giants are such a complete team on both sides of the ball that it leaves very little margin for error to beat them. If the Skins can take away their run, Eli will beat you; and vice versa. We'll see what happens but I think the writing is on the wall to a 9-7, out of the playoffs finish for the 2008 Washington Redskins. www.profootball101.org
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