Explaining the Redskins Struggles

There will be and already has been an outcry for coaching changes in Washington. Some have said Keith Burns (the special team coach) needs to go. Others have called for Haslett's job and even Mike and Kyle Shanahan's jobs. The reasons vary from the mishandling of RGIII to the obvious step back this team has taken this year. However, none of these are the real answer to the problem. With the exception of Keith Burns I see no reason to fire any of the current staff. Even firing Burns may be the wrong move. What's the real problem with the Redskins this year? and why did they take such a huge step back?

A complete lack of talent throughout the roster. The Redskins most reliable corner is DeAngelo Hall who quite frankly is one of the worst starting corners in the NFL. On defense, their safeties are Brandon, Meriweather who is constantly injured and inconsistent, and now Reed Doughty who really is a career backup and special teams player. The depth at inside linebacker is nonexistent and Fletcher's age has started to show. While the defensive line is decent and at times can be dominate, the Redskins defensive ends are not good enough to cover up the defenses other deficiencies.

As for the offense they have an offensive line that consists of small linemen who aren't built to pass protect as much as they have needed to this year. Last season the Redskins weren't getting blown out in the first half so run blocking was more important. Not to mention that they line as a whole has regressed in the run game as well. Then at the wide receiver position the Redskins don't have a true #1 threat. Garçon was great last year and has been great at times this year but he is more of a high end #2 receiver than he is a #1. Behind Garçon the Redskins have a bunch of #3 receivers in Hankerson, Moss, and Morgan. Teams this year just aren't afraid of the Redskins receiving core so they can just focus in on the run. Yes, I realize this is almost exactly the team that went on a game winning 7 straight games and the NFC East title. So, what is the reason for the regression? If this team has so little talent now how did they succeed last year?

The simple answer is that the Redskins overachieved last year. Will Montgomery played like a prow bowler last year and Trent Williams played had a career season. The defense was still terrible but players like Rob Jackson and London Fletcher made big plays late in the year. For the most part scheme was able to cover up a lot of the problems with the Redskins defense. This year players aren't making the same type of plays on defense and the offensive struggles have only hurt the defense even more. Perhaps most importantly the Redskins were unable to improve on last year because of the cap penalty and lack of a 1st round draft pick. The Redskins were lucky to be able to resign the majority of their team but they couldn't make many roster improvements through free agency like many teams around the league did. With no 1st round draft pick the Redskins have been forced to treat 2nd round pick David Amerson as if he was a 1st rounder and fans expect that level of production out of him.

The bright side is that the future is still very promising for this team. The cap penalties are over and the Redskins should be able to make some moves in free agency that they haven't been able to make the past two years. Even more importantly the team is filled with young talent at key positions. RGIII will continue to improve as a pocket passer and with the return of his mobility he is still one of the most exciting and promising young quarterbacks in the game. Alfred Morris is a strong and decisive runner who will continue to be the work horse in the Redskins backfield. Add in Roy Helu and the Redskins have talented running backs for the future. Garçon may not be a true #1 wide receiver but he has been very reliable and is an important piece in the building of this team. Jordan Reed is an athletic freak at tight end who is already creating matchup problems for defenses and has been surprisingly solid when blocking. Trent Williams is still one of the better tackles in the league and has the skills to shut down elite pass rushers. The defense is the bigger issue but Barry Cofield is a great nose tackle who is still only 29. David Amerson has been inconsistent but has shown flashes that make me believe he can become a good corner in this league. Phillip Thomas was lost for the season but he was one of my favorite draft picks from this years draft and I continue to have high hopes for him once he returns. Of course there is still Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo although I would like to see better play from Orakpo. Perry Riley also seems to continue to improve.

The pieces aren't all there for the Redskins to succeed this year but the core talent at key positions like nose tackle, quarterback, left tackle and running back will help this team to grow. I understand Redskins fans are restless after two decades of suffering. I feel that pain and know that after last season expectations were sky high. But firing Jim Haslett or Mike Shanahan would be a move that the old Redskins would make. Consistency is extremely important in football and firing these coaches would in all likely hood stunt the growth of RGIII and Kirk Cousins. I am not the biggest supporter of the current staff but am willing to give them until the end of their contract. The immediate future isn't going to be fun for Skins fans and this season will be devastating to watch. But after waiting over 20 years for the Redskins to turn it around I think we can wait just a little bit longer.