Comments on The Om Field: Meanwhile, back at Redskins Park ...

ok

2009-03-23T05:39:00.000-04:00

I'm very interested to see how Zorn changes his of...

2009-03-13T12:53:00.000-04:00

I'm very interested to see how Zorn changes his offense, if at all. I think that what led to his unit ranking below the Lions in scoring was the result of different factors, including subpar play at WR and QB, injuries to the offensive line, and lack of solid scheme adjustments. By now, Zorn should have a good handle on his players' strengths and deficiencies, and can plan accordingly.

As for Blache, I'm not too worried . . .

dr wnc,

That's the double-edged sword of ro...

2009-03-13T09:46:00.000-04:00

dr wnc,

That's the double-edged sword of roster building, unfortunately. On the one hand, you absolutely need to find out what your youngsters already on the roster can do, but on the other, you better have a Plan B in place in case they can't. And the only real avenue to fill that Plan B is going out and getting a known quantity via FA.

Like anything else, it comes down to whether or not a team is able to find a healthy balance between the two. The Redskins FO is definitely being put to the test in that regard this off season.

Thought,

Hopefully one of Zorn's lessons learned last year was getting a better sense of how hard to push the team early. There's no way to learn that w/o going through it, and now he has at least some data to go on.

I do feel better about playing just 4 preseason games this year, as well as not starting camp a week early due to having a new coach. On a team heavy with veterans like the Redskins, I'd like to think that would translate into at least some benefit in terms of fresh legs during the season.

That said, in the grand scheme of things I don't think the extra week/game last year had a whole lot to do with the 2-6 finish. I'd probably put the over/under on how big a factor it was at around 5%.

Another thing thats been on my mind has been the t...

2009-03-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

Another thing thats been on my mind has been the training camp schedule. I wonder if our having such an early start to training camp had any impact on our late season collapse. And whats more, I wonder if this is something thats on Zorn's mind. We definately have less preseason games this year, we'll see if the training camp schedule is any lighter though.

Defensive Depth, and 20/20 hindsight,
The Defen...

2009-03-12T20:00:00.000-04:00

Defensive Depth, and 20/20 hindsight,
The Defense ranked number 4 last year. When Buzzbee and Daniels went down I too thought another DE needed to be signed, and as alway the Redskins got a "high" polished name.
But due to circumstances Taylor was limited in what he was able to contribute to the Defense last year...And with the reserves who were on the team, stepped-up and played the Defense was number 4.
My point is the Redskins didn't need to run out last year and get players they had unproven players that could play. With the 4 picks in 2009 the Redskins need to add depth to the areas of concern but it's time to have SAM, DE, Lineman, WR, TE and everyone on the team to step up and play...it might be amazing what the Redskins actually have available.

Thought,

A resounding YES on your second pa...

2009-03-12T14:42:00.000-04:00

Thought,

A resounding YES on your second paragraph.

Given the endless talk about the lack of *any* promising OL, DL or LB depth in-house, the big hope is that the guys you mentioned, as well as DL’s Buzbee and L. Alexander and LB’s Matt Sinclair and Tyson Smith, are absolutely chomping at the bit to step up and stake their claim.

If even one of those guys suddenly emerges as a viable option at one of the “positions of need,” the offseason dynamic changes again.

It’s not the kind of thing a team can count on, but sure has hell needs to be watching and nurturing. Here’s hoping the team is watching, and the guys are busting their backsides.

I'm really curious to see how Blache and Zorn are ...

2009-03-12T14:24:00.000-04:00

I'm really curious to see how Blache and Zorn are going to change our schemes (if at all). Supposing that the rookies are now ready to be members of the offense, are they still going to be running the routes that are no longer than 20 yards, or is Zorn going to open up the playbook and start sending some of them deep? Is Blache still going to play with a stop the run first mentality, or is he going to send the line to attack the passer more?

And outside of the rookies you mentioned, whats on the mind of guys like Chris Wilson, Rob Jackson, and Chad Rinehart? I'd think the first two are licking their chops to get a chance to be the starting LDE this year. And I wonder if the signing of Rinehart takes us signing Dockery as a blow to his confidence. Does Buges think he's just a backup, or does he have the potential to replace Thomas in a few years? And what about Blades and Fincher? I bet they are trying to impress coaches and become starting SAMs right now.