WT: DALY: For a team going nowhere, the Redskins sure can run

[Califan007]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...skins-sure-ca/

(Also in the Bubba's Breaking News section via HapHazard)

No Washington Redskins fan should be very happy with Saturday’s holiday present from the team: a 33-26 home loss to a Minnesota Vikings club that was in the running for the first pick in the draft. After a series of encouraging performances, the Redskins had a relapse and played like the stumblebums they were earlier in the season, when they were finding creative ways to drop six straight. For their efforts — or lack thereof — they wrapped up last place in the NFC East for the fifth time in six years.

It wasn’t all gloom and doom, though. Take the running game, which has struggled to gain traction amid all the injuries and inhaling (see Trent Williams). Even though rookie revelation Roy Helu couldn’t go against the Vikings because of knee and toe ailments, another rookie, Evan Royster, stepped in and rushed for 132 yards, a team high this season.

Think about that for a moment. A sixth-round draft choice who began the year on the practice squad went over 100 yards in his first NFL start — operating behind a line that featured two more rookies, left tackle Willie Smith (who was passed over in the draft) and left guard Mo Hurt (who was taken in the seventh round and, like Royster, began the year on the practice squad). And the Vikes, truth be known, have a pretty solid run defense. In fact, they rank in the top dozen in the league in that department.

So take heart, Redskins Nation. The offensive line, which was desperately lacking in depth back in September, now has some acceptable replacement parts. Indeed, the unit is functioning so well right now that it doesn’t seem to matter who’s carrying the ball, Helu or Royster. Yards will be gained.

This bodes well for the future — on a couple of levels. First of all, the line should be more injury resistant next season (assuming, that is, most of the players are retained). You always want that kind of stability, of course, but you especially want it when you’re trying to bring along a young quarterback (and Mike Shanahan will almost certainly draft one in the spring).

Having a reliable running attack will take some of the pressure off the kid, whoever he is. The same goes for the pass protection, which hasn’t been bad lately, either. Too many first-round QBs have had their growth stunted by shaky O-lines. If the Redskins are going to make a major investment in a Quarterback of the Future, they have to create the proper environment for him. Otherwise, they’ll just be wasting their money — and a few more years of their fans’ time.

[HigSkin]

It's one component that definitely shows promise. However, do we really know whether Helu and/or Royster have enough playmaking ability to wins games? I don't know - they seem like solid guys and so do those along the Oline but we need to start stockpiling playermakers on offense, those guys that are going to win us games when we need them to. It starts at QB and Oline but RB and WR are next big pieces.

There's never going to be a legitimate headline that reads, "They may have lost the game but they've got a good running game".

[terpskins10]

I think our OL, with one or two more good pieces added, will be perfectly fine to develop a young QB behind. We don't need to have a line that features 5 Pro Bowlers before we can take a franchise QB.

If a young QB is a good player, he'll be fine behind our line and will produce. Then, we can continue adding upgrades as he progresses.

If he isn't good, he won't be good even if our line was Joe Thomas, Steve Hutchinson, Nick Mangold, Jahri Evans, and David Stewart. He may be better than he would have been with a bad line, but if a QB isn't a good player a great OL won't make him a winner. I firmly believe that.

[JerseyGator]

I believe they have been doing better against run defenses that are quite bad. But it's not a bad start.

[authentic]

It's one component that definitely shows promise. However, do we really know whether Helu and/or Royster have enough playmaking ability to wins games? I don't know - they seem like solid guys and so do those along the Oline but we need to start stockpiling playermakers on offense, those guys that are going to win us games when we need them to. It starts at QB and Oline but RB and WR are next big pieces.

There's never going to be a legitimate headline that reads, "They may have lost the game but they've got a good running game".

I say add a couple of pieces to the Oline, obviously address QB, and get about 2 big time playmaking WRs.... If we could bring back a healthy Hightower, i think we will be set @ RB.

[Skinsfan4life83]

It's one component that definitely shows promise. However, do we really know whether Helu and/or Royster have enough playmaking ability to wins games? I don't know - they seem like solid guys and so do those along the Oline but we need to start stockpiling playermakers on offense, those guys that are going to win us games when we need them to. It starts at QB and Oline but RB and WR are next big pieces.

There's never going to be a legitimate headline that reads, "They may have lost the game but they've got a good running game".

I think you underestimate the RB talent we have. It's no fluke that Helu has been running for 100 yards a game against some very solid defenses. I think the talent we have at RB is comparable to any other team. I've seen Helu's playmaking ability when he hurdled that linebacker and took it to the house. I've seen him cut on a dime as good as any big time back in the league does. I've seen him consistently fall forward for extra yards when hit. And all this behind a patchwork line with two rookies on it.

Then out of nowhere comes Royster who has also excelled. Not as fast as Helu but more of a grinder. I am definitely more exited about the future of our running game. I see two young solid players that could possibly put up good numbers in this offense. I see a position that is set for now. No need to waste money on running backs when we have other needs. The potential in Helu, Hightower and Royster is very high.

Also a Quarterback that doesn't throws picks like he gets paid for it would make the entire offense better. Two guys that can put up 100+ a game is more than you would need to win with a competent QB and Elite WR. I would address Wideout right after QB.

[NewEraofSkins08]

I believe they have been doing better against run defenses that are quite bad. But it's not a bad start.

The Vikings Run defense has been a strength for them, and Seattle has a great run defense. I've been surprised by our running game.

[SkinsHokieFan]

No reason the team can't sign Ben Grubbs and Chris Meyes to shore up the interior o-line and find another RT in the draft

Improving the o-line AND trading up for a QB are NOT mutually exclusive. The Hogs only had 1 first round pick on that line

[BleedBNG]

No question, I feel we're set at RB. Now... after their good hard effort would be nice to have a QB who doesn't play like a stumblebum when the game is on the line.

[Ashburn Dave]

I say add a couple of pieces to the Oline, obviously address QB, and get about 2 big time playmaking WRs.... If we could bring back a healthy Hightower, i think we will be set @ RB.

Agree with everything but two WR's. I would prefer instead to get 1 big time WR and then bet that Hankerson recovers OK.

[Califan007]

There's never going to be a legitimate headline that reads, "They may have lost the game but they've got a good running game".

There is when you're rebuilding. The Lions had headlines like that all the time...turns out those headlines were foreshadowing what was to come.

[Tsoe]

No reason the team can't sign Ben Grubbs and Chris Meyes to shore up the interior o-line and find another RT in the draft

Improving the o-line AND trading up for a QB are NOT mutually exclusive. The Hogs only had 1 first round pick on that line

The Hogs would get pushed around if they played today, your point?

[authentic]

Agree with everything but two WR's. I would prefer instead to get 1 big time WR and then bet that Hankerson recovers OK.

i hear you. But my vision for a WR corp would be that any of our top 3 could be potential #1s on other teams. Just a bit tired of not being able to strike fear in opposing team's defenses. Even as good as Gaffney has been this year, he and Hank aren't enough going into next season. Hopefully N. Paul could step it up in his 2nd year.

[Timmy Smith]

We need offensive playmakers - I think everyone knows and understands that. Next year we'll get Davis, Cooley, Hightower and Hankerson back: now, maybe those guys aren't top-shelf playmakers, but it'll be a big upgrade over what we've been playing with at the end of this season. And undoubtedly we'll spend draft picks on offensive playmakers too.

[posse87]

Why are people thinking we need to get so aggressive with a WR? Hankerson really looked to be coming on as a true #1 WR. With Moss, Gaffney, and Hank, I think we have enough talent to field a very procductive WR corp. Hankerson should recover fully and be perfectly healthy for next season. I also like Niles Paul as a developmental player during the offseason..