The 2005 version of the Washington Redskins have all the pieces to be a playoff team. They have an offense that’s shown it can be in the upper half of the league. The special teams have really turned it on after a slow start and besides a dicey punter, all facets are above average. The defense, while not up to par with the 2004 version is still a decent unit. Two critical flaws are bringing this team down and unless they are fixed immediately this team’s hopes are finished.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team just can’t bring themselves to stop turning the ball over. It seems to be a new culprit every week. This week it was Clinton Portis turning the ball over twice, after going the first nine games without a fumble. In the past it’s been guys like Chris Cooley, Santana Moss, Mark Brunell, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright. The Redskins managed to start the year at 3-0 despite turnovers, but it’s come to bite them in the ass of late. There aren’t any teams in the NFL good enough to turn the ball over on a consistent basis and still win. The Redskins are quickly finding that out.
The other side of the coin is the big plays being allowed by the defense. Every game the opponent rips off a huge play for a touchdown. It’s a defense that can shut the opposition down for 5 straight drives, and then allow a 60 yard back breaking touchdown pass in the next possession. This lack of consistency kills the Redskins game after game. Today was another ridiculous defensive play call, having a linebacker, Lemar Marshall, cover one of the better receivers in the game on a deep route. As quick as you can say ‘One more for the road’, Kerry Collins hit Jerry Porter for a 49 yard touchdown pass, and the Raiders were right back in the game. The Redskins dominated the 1st half, but one big play turned the momentum and led the Redskins to another defeat.
After 10 games, you’d expect a playoff team to solve these issues. Judging by the way the Redskins continue to struggle with the same problems every week, we may just have to face the hard truth: Once again, the Redskins just aren’t a playoff team.
If this is your 1st time here, these recent articles may interest you:
NFC Playoff Picture: How all the contenders, including the Redskins stood heading into this week.
Taylor Jacobs’ Big Chance: He pulled a David Patten yesterday, but before the game there was plenty of hype about Jacobs, read here.
Is Greg Blache a Good Fit?: Blache, when the DC of the Bears, once said “Sacks don’t matter”, a look at the DL and Blache’s players.
Game Summaries/Opinions around the web:
WP: Another One Gets Away - You saw it, I don’t need to recap this article.
WP: Redskins Notebook – More good news, Mike Sellers has a fractured rib.
Washington Post Opinion Pieces
Kornheiser – Five Years Later, Norv sticks it to The Dan
Wilbon- The Raiders? Geez How Could ya?
Boswell- For Turner, Gratitude is Shown
This really doesn’t have anything to do with the game, but it concerns drinking and are fans getting out of control. Its from the Washington Post, interesting debate. Click here
None of the other local papers have updated yet. But if you’re a glutton for punishment, here’s a link to the Washington Times Sports section, which should have something up early Monday.
ismit me or does joe gibbs looks uninterseted or maybe he wants to win so bad that his calls are not logical often he runs when he should pass and today long passes when he should have gone short..i just dont see the adjustments he made at halftime in years past..they seem to be making the same mistakes on defense and uncreative game calling and lousy passing on offense,,,where is the passion the Redskin spirit of yesteryear where the players gave 100%….
The Skins actually aren’t that bad about turning the ball over. They’ve fumbled often (21 times which ties them with San Fran and Miami for 5th-most this year) but have thrown just six interceptions, tying them with Cincy, Buffalo, and Atlanta for 3rd-fewest.
The main problem with their turnover differential is that they’ve been extremely unlucky at recovering both their own fumbles and opponent fumbles. See here for my latest update on this.
Ashley, you are right in certain regards. I’ve actually written about it as well in the past. However, as I’m sure you know the likelyhood of the offense recovering a fumble is different on each type of fumble. The Redskins haven’t been mishandling snaps which are the most likely to be recovered.
Look everyone this is the deal, you fans have to look at the rebuilding process on a continuim, not a we are great every time they win and we stink every time they lose. All you should be looking at is are they better than this time the previous year and the answer is obviously yes.