Redskins Roundup: Week 5 Andrew Lent | Vent Manager
| Published 10/10/03
Graphic By: Matt Witherow
These Roundups are really going to seem redundant this year, mainly
because
the Washington Redskins (3-2) still lose due to all the old problems
that
they've had throughout this season. Most people would like to put the
blame for this loss on their second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey on
that final
two-point conversion attempt. However by reviewing the play you can
clearly see that the reason that the high throw from Ramsey to Coles was
due to the Eagles' defensive end putting pressure on Ramsey and
extending his arm to
force the throw to be higher than Ramsey would have desired.
The reasons the Redskins lost are simple. First, it's the penalties that
they mass during games, specifically procedural penalties. How many
false starts are the tackles going to accumulate? How many off sides
calls against the linemen and linebackers are going to negate positive
plays and keep drives alive? Most of the false starts happen during in-game audibles, but I am not going to put the blame on Patrick Ramsey.
Either Steve Spurrier needs to devote more time in practice to these
audibles, or he needs to strip away
Ramsey's freedom in changing plays.
Second reason is the offensive line. Derrick Dockery made his second
start in place of the injured David Fiore, and now I cannot wait for the
original starter to return. On two consecutive plays, the lumbering
Dockery allowed the Eagles defensive tackle to split a double team and
pressure Ramsey; the second time Ramsey's throwing was hit, and the pass
was intercepted by Eagles' defensive end Kalu and returned for a
touchdown. A year ago, the Redskins' interior line is what shot them in
the foot. Now after an off-season of shoring up the line, we still have
the exact same problems.
The defensive line is the third reason why the Redskins are losing.
Originally, I did not buy into the hoopla and cut downs of the line, but
after five weeks I am convinced the critics were right. Get Bruce Smith
off of that line. Give Upshaw and Zellner more playing time. Also get
those tackles to absorb blocks in order to let the linebackers make some
plays. The Redskins just cannot effectively pressure the quarterback.
Until they learn to do so, these games will remain within three points
for either
team.
The Redskins' running game needs improvement. Spurrier is playing the
same game he did with the quarterback position last year. Steve, listen.
Pick one of your backs and give him 20 to 25 carries a game. Each one
gets between 10 and 15, and usually gives you from 50 to 75 yards per
game. Let that same back carry the ball 25 times, and we will have a
hundred yard back.
Hopefully, next week Spurrier will make some adjustments. I call for
them every week, and I am growing increasingly disconcerted with the
team's lack of discipline. While I really like Spurrier's game planning
and his teams play execution, the coaches really need to figure out what
is to be done with the problems and penalties that are being conducted.
This needs to be addressed in practice.
Changes are very necessary for next week, and you can bet the Redskins
will
have their hands full against a superstar-studded Buccaneers' defense.
___
George used to be curious, until I castrated him.
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