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Team Report: Strategy and Personnel
Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
REPORT CARD AFTER 7 GAMES
PASSING OFFENSE: C-minus -- As with the running game, the stats don't really tell the full story.
QB Mark Brunell's passer rating is a solid 90.4, but the Commanders are just 20th in passing as his diminished arm strength prevents many
downfield throws despite coach Joe Gibbs' goal of opening up the offense by turning the play-calling over to new associate head coach Al Saunders.
Pro Bowl WR Santana Moss had a spectacular 3-TD game to beat the Jaguars but hasn't scored otherwise. TE Chris Cooley's production is also down despite TDs the past two games.
Expensive new WRs Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El have combined for just 29 catches and one TD. The pass blocking has generally been solid and a notch ahead of the run blocking.
RUSHING OFFENSE: D-plus -- The Commanders are fourth in the league in rushing, but they averaged 40.5 carries for 193 yards in their two victories, 23 carries for 102.6 in their five losses.
For example, in the Week 7 loss at Indianapolis, RB Clinton Portis broke off a 34-yard run up the middle, but he gained just 9 yards on his other 11 carries.
Portis, who didn't start the opener and missed Week 2 because of an ailing shoulder, is way off his usual 1,500-yard pace, and that's after games against the lowly run defenses of the Colts, Titans and Texans.
Ladell Betts didn't really take advantage of Portis' absence early in the season.
PASSING DEFENSE: F -- Former SS Ryan Clark apparently was more critical to the team's past success than the Commanders believed.
High-priced new SS Adam Archuleta has played poorly and can't help often-undisciplined FS Sean Taylor, who has taken a big step back in coverage.
Second-year man Carlos Rogers showed he wasn't ready to be a No. 1 cornerback when Shawn Springs was hurt the first five games.
CBs Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph also played one notch above their best roles while Springs was sidelined.
The general lack of a pass rush has also hurt this aspect of the defense. Washington's front four has just seven sacks.
Losing third S Pierson Prioleau in the opener hurt, too.
RUSH DEFENSE: C -- Playing without one or the other starting defensive tackle, Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a, in three of seven games hasn't helped this one-time strength.
However, those veterans haven't been up to snuff either as Washington is 0-3 with them both in the lineup.
After three strong showings the first four weeks, the Commanders were gashed by the Giants for 155 yards and the lowly Titans for 194. The pass-happy Colts didn't run as often but still averaged 4.4 per carry.
The linebackers and safeties have missed plenty of tackles outside, and new RDE Andre Carter is a liability against the run.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C -- Randle El took a punt back 87 yards for a touchdown in Indianapolis. Rock Cartwright, who has supplanted Betts as the top kick returner, brought back a kickoff 100 yards in Houston.
The kickoff and punt coverage has been decent, but it's down from last year.
K John Hall was 9-for-11 on field goals before getting hurt for the umpteenth time and winding up on injured reserve, probably never to return.
Nick Novak, a solid replacement last year, missed both his field-goal attempts in Indy's dome. P Derrick Frost has been inconsistent and ranks 23rd in the league in net average.
The punt team allowed a block for a safety against Tennessee.
COACHING: C-minus -- The Commanders ended a five-year playoff drought by winning their last five games last year.
Adding top offensive mind Saunders to call the plays was a bold move by Gibbs, who had always made the calls for his teams.
However, so far Saunders hasn't meshed well with his personnel, particularly Portis, Brunell and Lloyd.
Gregg Williams' aggressive defense that was the Commanders' signature the past two years hasn't worked nearly as well.
Washington keeps giving up big plays downfield, and the run defense also has developed serious issues.
Special teams coach Danny Smith's units have committed more than a few foolish penalties.
I really see a blowout and Romo fever hitting a crescendo!
Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
REPORT CARD AFTER 7 GAMES
PASSING OFFENSE: C-minus -- As with the running game, the stats don't really tell the full story.
QB Mark Brunell's passer rating is a solid 90.4, but the Commanders are just 20th in passing as his diminished arm strength prevents many
downfield throws despite coach Joe Gibbs' goal of opening up the offense by turning the play-calling over to new associate head coach Al Saunders.
Pro Bowl WR Santana Moss had a spectacular 3-TD game to beat the Jaguars but hasn't scored otherwise. TE Chris Cooley's production is also down despite TDs the past two games.
Expensive new WRs Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El have combined for just 29 catches and one TD. The pass blocking has generally been solid and a notch ahead of the run blocking.
RUSHING OFFENSE: D-plus -- The Commanders are fourth in the league in rushing, but they averaged 40.5 carries for 193 yards in their two victories, 23 carries for 102.6 in their five losses.
For example, in the Week 7 loss at Indianapolis, RB Clinton Portis broke off a 34-yard run up the middle, but he gained just 9 yards on his other 11 carries.
Portis, who didn't start the opener and missed Week 2 because of an ailing shoulder, is way off his usual 1,500-yard pace, and that's after games against the lowly run defenses of the Colts, Titans and Texans.
Ladell Betts didn't really take advantage of Portis' absence early in the season.
PASSING DEFENSE: F -- Former SS Ryan Clark apparently was more critical to the team's past success than the Commanders believed.
High-priced new SS Adam Archuleta has played poorly and can't help often-undisciplined FS Sean Taylor, who has taken a big step back in coverage.
Second-year man Carlos Rogers showed he wasn't ready to be a No. 1 cornerback when Shawn Springs was hurt the first five games.
CBs Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph also played one notch above their best roles while Springs was sidelined.
The general lack of a pass rush has also hurt this aspect of the defense. Washington's front four has just seven sacks.
Losing third S Pierson Prioleau in the opener hurt, too.
RUSH DEFENSE: C -- Playing without one or the other starting defensive tackle, Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a, in three of seven games hasn't helped this one-time strength.
However, those veterans haven't been up to snuff either as Washington is 0-3 with them both in the lineup.
After three strong showings the first four weeks, the Commanders were gashed by the Giants for 155 yards and the lowly Titans for 194. The pass-happy Colts didn't run as often but still averaged 4.4 per carry.
The linebackers and safeties have missed plenty of tackles outside, and new RDE Andre Carter is a liability against the run.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C -- Randle El took a punt back 87 yards for a touchdown in Indianapolis. Rock Cartwright, who has supplanted Betts as the top kick returner, brought back a kickoff 100 yards in Houston.
The kickoff and punt coverage has been decent, but it's down from last year.
K John Hall was 9-for-11 on field goals before getting hurt for the umpteenth time and winding up on injured reserve, probably never to return.
Nick Novak, a solid replacement last year, missed both his field-goal attempts in Indy's dome. P Derrick Frost has been inconsistent and ranks 23rd in the league in net average.
The punt team allowed a block for a safety against Tennessee.
COACHING: C-minus -- The Commanders ended a five-year playoff drought by winning their last five games last year.
Adding top offensive mind Saunders to call the plays was a bold move by Gibbs, who had always made the calls for his teams.
However, so far Saunders hasn't meshed well with his personnel, particularly Portis, Brunell and Lloyd.
Gregg Williams' aggressive defense that was the Commanders' signature the past two years hasn't worked nearly as well.
Washington keeps giving up big plays downfield, and the run defense also has developed serious issues.
Special teams coach Danny Smith's units have committed more than a few foolish penalties.
I really see a blowout and Romo fever hitting a crescendo!
