JLC Blog: Second Half Breakdown (stats)

[vainglory]

Second Half Breakdown

Had some research I did that didn't get in the paper looking at the second half offensive problems.

Check this out:

Vs. Arizona
Skins Second Half Offensive TDs: 1
5 first downs
78 net yards
5 Second Half Drives
--Drives where fail to get first down: 4
--1 drive over 2:50

Green Bay
Offensive Second Half TDs: 0
4 first downs
98 net yards
9 Second half drives
--Drives where fail to get first down: 6
--0 Drives over 2:50

Detroit
Offensive TDs: 1
8 first downs
130 net yards
5 Second Half Drives
--Drives where fail to get first downs: 1
--4 drives over 2:50

NYG
Offensive Tds: 0
4 first downs
81 net yards
6 Second Half Drives
--Drives where fail to get first down: 4 (first 4 of half)
--Drives over 2:50: 0

PHI
Offensive Tds: 1
8 first downs
128 net yards
4 Second Half Drives
--Drives where fail to get first down: 1
--Drives over 2:50: 1

MIA
Offensive Tds: 0
14 First Downs
305 first downs
6 Second Half Drives
--Drives where fail to get first down: 2
--Drives over 2:50: 3

Definitely not a good trend. Went from running the ball down Miami's throat with the two-headed RB monster (Portis and Betts both got 17 carries) to getting very little on the ground. Injuries are a part of it, Clinton not being in full game shape has a lot to do with it too, and having Betts sit for an hour or more at a time then giving him the ball in critical situations late in games is part of it, too.

Check out the Second Half Rushing in the past 3 close games (losses to GB and NYG and win over Az).
Skins led at the half in all of those games and wanted to close it out on the ground, but I think they need to rethink the approach given the running game is inept now (25th in the NFL) and the fact that JC is willing and able to handle the pressure if given the chance to try to finish teams off through the air.

Second Half Rushing
AZ 16 carries for 39 yards - 2.4
GB 12-31 - 2.6
NYG 17 - 25 - 1.5
TOTAL 45 for 95 - 2.1 per carry - Ouch!


http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/
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These stats are disturbing to say the least. I would be satisfied if we lost a game because we actually tried to put one away as oppose to run the clock out and lose the way we have in two of our games.

[#98QBKiller]

Not many surprises there. Thanks for sharing though.

[vainglory]

I say someone please send these stats to Gibbs because honestly i don't think he realizes that the run game hasn't been working or otherwise he wouldn't be sticking with it the way he has been in the 2nd half throughout all of these games.

[Riggo-toni]

What this proves is that Randy Thomas is more important to our offense than Portis. Seriously, look what happened in '05 after Thomas got hurt.

[dfbovey]

What this proves is that Randy Thomas is more important to our offense than Portis. Seriously, look what happened in '05 after Thomas got hurt.

And Jansen in 2004. Those guys are important and in previous years it showed how paper thin we were on the line. I think we have much better depth this year but these guys haven't played together and it's very tough to recover from 3 linemen being injured and another new starter who joined us very late in the offseason program with Kendall. It's no surprise that our line is a doormat right now. Samuels is the only starter left on the field that played regularly for us last season.

That's insane.

[laxpck]

O Line Injury. We call games like we have to right now. You wanna drop JC back to throw downfield and get a potential matchup with Pucillo protecting our QB? Fabini?

With our Franchise QB?

Really?

We call games like we have to right now due to injury.

[Henry]

Those are definately disturbing numbers.

However, let's not get carried away about Gibbs 'running out the clock' with 30 minutes to go. Look at the Green Bay game. We were up 14-7 at halftime.

While we still had a 7 point lead we passed 5 times and ran 3 times.
While we had a 4 point lead we passed once and ran once (Moss' fumble).
While behind by 3 in the third quarter we passed 3 times and ran once.

Third quarter breakdown: 9 passes and 5 runs.

Gibbs wasn't trying to 'close out the game on the ground' in that game as Jason claims. We simply couldn't execute basic plays, whatever they were.

I would say the same about the Giant game. Both sides of the ball completely broke down in that game. Offensive playcalling was only a small part of the problem, if at all.

There is definately a problem with the way this team plays in the second half. But I don't think it's as simple as Gibbs trying to force a bad running team to run the ball.

[dfbovey]

O Line Injury. We call games like we have to right now. You wanna drop JC back to throw downfield and get a potential matchup with Pucillo protecting our QB? Fabini?

With our Franchise QB?

Really?

We call games like we have to right now due to injury.


You've gotta start passing the ball. It's a must. If it means calling more roll outs and moving the pocket around, you've gotta do it. Use Campbell's mobility to cover up for the weakness in the line and get people more off balance. Also call more quick hitting pass plays, NOT SCREENS.... slants and quick ins. Go more out of the shotgun. There are things they can do to minimize the injuries on the line but I haven't really seen them try any of it.

[DCsportsfan53]

I think we've got to start playing to the strengths of our players. Right now, with the injuries on our OL, we're MUCH better at pass protecting than run blocking. We seem to have gelled there. Fabini is a converted tackle and while he's been very good in pass pro, he's struggling with the additional bulk he's playing against in terms of getting movement in the running game. Add in that Wade is longer, leaner guy with those long arms and he's always been more of a pass pro tackle, too. We've really come together there. Jason has had a solid pocket pretty consistently in every game.

I think we need to start spreading defenses out more, running more draws and runs out of spread sets. Use the pass to set up the run instead of vice versa. Gibbs' and Saunders just have to look at what we have and what we are and aren't doing well. Running out of big sets, with Pucillo at TE, running in obvious running situations, running against stacked boxes......none of it is working for us right now because the right side can't get push and teams know to cheat to the left side on us. We need to re-evalute how we're going about trying to establish a run game. I really think we need to start coming out letting Jason fire the ball around and then gash them on draws and quick hitting run plays in unexpected situations to try and get some yards there. We just don't have the personnel to play smash mouth football right now. If we go into NE with that mentality instead of the "everyone in the stadium knows we're going to run and we'll still do it" mentality, we've got an excellent shot to pull off an upset. :2cents:

[DCsportsfan53]

You've gotta start passing the ball. It's a must. If it means calling more roll outs and moving the pocket around, you've gotta do it. Use Campbell's mobility to cover up for the weakness in the line and get people more off balance. Also call more quick hitting pass plays, NOT SCREENS.... slants and quick ins. Go more out of the shotgun. There are things they can do to minimize the injuries on the line but I haven't really seen them try any of it.



Excellent points. I don't think we moved the pocket for Jason once against AZ and I think that was probably a mistake. I don't have a problem with the screens, however. If Jason gets that one over the LB Portis had 20 yards easily.

The only thing I would say is, if we're going to use quick hitting pass plays like slants and quick ins, who's going to catch them? Do we have a WR who can do that in traffic on a consistent basis?

[#98QBKiller]

You've gotta start passing the ball. It's a must. If it means calling more roll outs and moving the pocket around, you've gotta do it. Use Campbell's mobility to cover up for the weakness in the line and get people more off balance. Also call more quick hitting pass plays, NOT SCREENS.... slants and quick ins. Go more out of the shotgun. There are things they can do to minimize the injuries on the line but I haven't really seen them try any of it.



I think Jason does very well out of the shotgun, I don't know why they don't line up in that formation more, especially considering our OL issues.

[Henry]

The only thing I would say is, if we're going to use quick hitting pass plays like slants and quick ins, who's going to catch them? Do we have a WR who can do that in traffic on a consistent basis?

That should be Moss. But the guy has stone hands this year for some reason. That may be a reason we haven't been calling them as much. ARE got us some yards on a quick slant this week, but he's not terribly consistant either ... better than Moss these days though.

Short answer is ... I don't know. :)

[DCsportsfan53]

That should be Moss. But the guy has stone hands this year for some reason. That may be a reason we haven't been calling them as much. ARE got us some yards on a quick slant this week, but he's not terribly consistant either ... better than Moss these days though.

Short answer is ... I don't know. :)


I have a feeling McCardell is probably the best suited on our team to run the short, quick hitting possession routes he's talking about. Him and Cooley. ARE and Moss' small statures do hurt us in that area. You're also asking to get them hurt running them on those kinds of routes all day.

On that note, I love Thrash, I love him as a player but I think his days on offense are done. He's taking far too many snaps from McCardell and Lloyd. :2cents:

[skinsn24]

the stats are scarry, what i want to know is how many 7-15 yard passes we have completed. Ie. Chain movers. throw a 7 yard on second down or even first down.

Throw a 15 yard post on first down.

ANother play i would like to see is a cambell draw, he is quicker than most think, he always gets the corner when he needs to. Why not call cambell up the middle for 6.

[Henry]

I have a feeling McCardell is probably the best suited on our team to run the short, quick hitting possession routes he's talking about. Him and Cooley. ARE and Moss' small statures do hurt us in that area. You're also asking to get them hurt running them on those kinds of routes all day.

On that note, I love Thrash, I love him as a player but I think his days on offense are done. He's taking far too many snaps from McCardell and Lloyd. :2cents:

McCardell seems to do good things every time he takes the field, so I agree with you there. If he's the guy that gets us some consistancy in the passing game, so be it. Lloyd I'm not so sure about.

I say Moss is excellent in this role (normally) because he can take any simple slant and turn it into a 40 yard gain as well as anyone in the game. That is, when he actually catches the ball. Hopefully he'll pick his game back up and break a few open over the next few weeks.

[DCsportsfan53]

McCardell seems to do good things every time he takes the field, so I agree with you there. If he's the guy that gets us some consistancy in the passing game, so be it. Lloyd I'm not so sure about.

I say Moss is excellent in this role (normally) because he can take any simple slant and turn it into a 40 yard gain as well as anyone in the game. That is, when he actually catches the ball. Hopefully he'll pick his game back up and break a few open over the next few weeks.


Maybe Moss is just struggling to adjust to catching balls with NFL velocity on them? Afterall, he's been used to catching passes from Pennington and Brunell his whole career. :laugh:

I don't know, I'm at a loss, I don't know what's up with him but we need him in the worst way right now.

[kappaluvacee]

Excellent points.

The only thing I would say is, if we're going to use quick hitting pass plays like slants and quick ins, who's going to catch them? Do we have a WR who can do that in traffic on a consistent basis?

Until getting McCardell, we did not have the WR's for slants and quick-ins on our roster because those routes get your WR's blasted. Santana can't stay healthy running mostly go-routes, what's he going to do when he is getting blasted by LB's and DL's. If you expose randle-El to those hits, you lose a starting WR and your Punt Return man.

[DaMuller7]

What crappy stats........ Gibbs and the coaching staff need to change something THIS WEEK!!!

[fansince62]

Those are definately disturbing numbers.

However, let's not get carried away about Gibbs 'running out the clock' with 30 minutes to go. Look at the Green Bay game. We were up 14-7 at halftime.

While we still had a 7 point lead we passed 5 times and ran 3 times.
While we had a 4 point lead we passed once and ran once (Moss' fumble).
While behind by 3 in the third quarter we passed 3 times and ran once.

Third quarter breakdown: 9 passes and 5 runs.

Gibbs wasn't trying to 'close out the game on the ground' in that game as Jason claims. We simply couldn't execute basic plays, whatever they were.

I would say the same about the Giant game. Both sides of the ball completely broke down in that game. Offensive playcalling was only a small part of the problem, if at all.

There is definately a problem with the way this team plays in the second half. But I don't think it's as simple as Gibbs trying to force a bad running team to run the ball.

Henry....perish the thought...but do you think we ought to go back to all those wideout screens/quick slants we complained about so much when MB was the qb as a quasi running game until the o-line is healthy again?

[Henry]

Henry....perish the thought...but do you think we ought to go back to all those wideout screens/quick slants we complained about so much when MB was the qb as a quasi running game until the o-line is healthy again?

Honestly, I don't think it will make a difference. When we did try the short stuff against the Cards and Packers, it wasn't much more effective than the running game. I really don't think more of that is the answer.

Frankly, getting Rabach back is.

[terpfan]

When's Randy coming back? :(

[Henry]

When's Randy coming back? :(

December? :(

[Tastes Like Chicken]

The good thing is, these linemen are gaining valuable experience. So when we get Rabach and Thomas back, we'll have some backups with more game experience going into the home stretch.

I don't know what's wrong w/ Santana this year, but I think maybe we'll see him in true form against the Patriots. How about a huge day for Moss, but not the Moss that everyone's expecting? :)

[fansince62]

The good thing is, these linemen are gaining valuable experience. So when we get Rabach and Thomas back, we'll have some backups with more game experience going into the home stretch.

I don't know what's wrong w/ Santana this year, but I think maybe we'll see him in true form against the Patriots. How about a huge day for Moss, but not the Moss that everyone's expecting? :)

don't know....he seems to be what he was with the Jets...a real threat who is frequented by injuries that reduce his effectiveness over long stretches of time.

when I see dropped passes...I'm thinking lack of concentration. simple as that. there have been far too many for a number 1 receiver this year. something's not right.

[DCsportsfan53]

The good thing is, these linemen are gaining valuable experience. So when we get Rabach and Thomas back, we'll have some backups with more game experience going into the home stretch.

I don't know what's wrong w/ Santana this year, but I think maybe we'll see him in true form against the Patriots. How about a huge day for Moss, but not the Moss that everyone's expecting? :)


I guess you're right about the experience but really, how much are we talking about here? Wade, Fabini and Pucillo have all started over 50 games before coming here and are all experienced veterans. Fabini and Wade have been together for a few games now. Rabach only missed one. I don't think we'll get TOO much better as far as running the ball goes. We're simply lacking push on the right side and I'm not sure that will change.

I think it's time for Gibbs to consider switching philospohies and start opening up the run with the pass instead of the other way around. I heard him on Redskins Radio last night and they asked him about it and his answer was something to the effect of "well, what you're trying to do is force them to bring a safety down in the box and commit to the run so you can hit them deep". Not sure if you noticed coach but almost every team since you came back place us 8 in the box from the start of the game and run the ball into the 8 man front anyways. No one's been scared of our passing game for the last 3 years. Maybe, just maybe, since our lack of a passing game your entire tenure causes teams to bring that safety down and play the run from the OPENING PLAY, maybe you should hit them deep a few times first and then run it. Just a thought.