Wash. Times comics section - The Orange Mane

Needa Pass Rush · 10-07-2005, 09:03 AM

I know you all like the funnies!

www.washingtontimes.com

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Third downs are bane of defense
By Ryan O'Halloran
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published October 7, 2005

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Teams aren't scoring on the Washington Redskins defense -- only 12.3 points a game, which is tied for fourth in the NFL.
But Seattle's touchdown drives of 85 and 91 yards last week showcased two areas in which assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams wants to see improvement: third-down efficiency and sacks.
Entering Sunday's game at Denver, the Redskins are 26th in third-down defense (45.2 percent) and 30th in sacks (four).
Seattle converted six of 12 third downs, including five chances on its touchdown drives, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was sacked only once in 39 drop-backs.
"I would like to see us off the field better on third down," Williams said yesterday. "We have to get better at that to win close ballgames."
Williams said the Redskins' goal in third- and fourth-down situations is limiting opponents to about 30-percent efficiency. Opponents are a combined 20-for-44 on third and fourth down -- 45.4 percent. Last season, they were 31.6 percent.
The Redskins had 40 sacks last year, but this season teams have used max-protect schemes -- keeping an extra blocker to pass block -- to thwart the blitz.
"They're doing an awful lot of that, and we have to do our job of countering that," Williams said. "Each team has had a different form of it, and some teams have used it in almost all third-down situations."
Linebacker Marcus Washington chalked up Seattle's touchdown drives to "a couple of mental things. A bad half for us."
Portis on LaVar
Redskins running back Clinton Portis conducted his weekly group interview wearing an oversized pair of retro glasses so "I could feel like a star in front of all these [television] lights."
"It's a special opportunity," he said of returning to Denver on Sunday. "But at the same time, we're going there to win as a team. It's not about me. It's not about Champ [Bailey]."
Portis also was asked about LaVar Arrington's lack of playing time.
"I wouldn't say that this team is better served by not having a guy of his caliber on the field. I think we need that guy on the field," Portis said. "But I'm not the defensive coordinator. As a team, we all know that he has talent. ... I can't go to [Williams] and say, 'Put him out there right away.' "
During yesterday's practice, Arrington participated in special teams drills.
Legal or illegal?
The blocking techniques of the Denver offensive line have been under scrutiny for years, and opponents have accused the Broncos of dirty plays like cut blocks and leg whips.
"From a defensive point of view, you're like, 'It's a cheap shot because I'm on the ground,' " Washington said. "If I'm on the sidelines and the Redskins are blocking that way, I'll be like, 'That block is legal.'
"They definitely coach cutting in Denver and how if you don't get the defensive player the first time to continue to roll and get them with a second effort and maybe the leg whip on the third effort." yeah, they flag the leg whip a LOT! Said safety Ryan Clark: "The size of their offensive linemen mean they can cut block or crack back a little more. We're definitely [aware] of that."
Extra points
Cornerback Walt Harris (calf) remains questionable and did not practice yesterday. Kicker John Hall attempted a few kickoffs during the first portion of practice. ...
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) remains questionable, but he practiced yesterday. ...
The Redskins might encounter some bad weather Sunday in Denver. The forecast calls for thunderstorms and a high of 62 degrees.

westcliffe · 10-07-2005, 09:08 AM

Jeez, another team crying about the cut blocks. Enough already. Play some damn football.

Mile High Shack · 10-07-2005, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westcliffe

Jeez, another team crying about the cut blocks. Enough already. Play some damn football.

every time we play a team we haven't played in a couple of years, it always gets brought up

it's really annoying

elsid13 · 10-07-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westcliffe

Jeez, another team crying about the cut blocks. Enough already. Play some damn football.

Well we're in thier head now, anything that takes focus away from thier assignments

footstepsfrom#27 · 10-07-2005, 09:29 AM

We also coach our D-backs to pass interfere and our D-line guys to line up in the neutral zone because everyone knows the NFL refs will never call these penalties...

More crapola...nobody coaches their team to do something they know will draw a flag...let alone when they know they're being watched extra close for exactly that.

SHEESH...

brncs_fan · 10-07-2005, 09:29 AM

What, no Beetle Bailey?

footstepsfrom#27 · 10-07-2005, 09:36 AM

Along this same line...check out this quote after Mike Anderson's 251 yard rookie single game rushing record:

"It was just poor tackling," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "Too many guys on the ground, and we didn't play well."

Gee Jim...wonder WHY they were on the ground?

...maybe cause they were knocked over like so many bowling pins by all those cut blocks and a back that ran over you like a rhino through a flower garden?

loborugger · 10-07-2005, 09:49 AM

I was listening to DC 101 this morning as Elliot always has Boomer Esiason on the show every friday during football season. Boomer wont come out and tell Skins fans exactly how it is, but he is moderately entertaining and he provides some insight on the NFL that you dont get elsewhere.

Anyways, this morning Elliot was asking about Ricky Williams and where he (Boomer) expected Ricky to land. Boomer named a couple of teams and then mentioned AZ, as Denny Green is one of those guys who is convinced if he can just talk to Ricky, he could straighten Ricky out.

Boomer goes a little further and says that many coaches believe they can change players, and they can take someone else's trash and make them a treasure. Then Boomer says, "look at Mike Shanahan." And at that point I thought he would bring up Mo Clarrett. But instead Boomer said something to the effect that Plummer was the trash on our team that Shanny was going to change.

Now, I do like Jake, but I am not Homerish about him. I dont think he is better than Brady. But trash

Come on. That is a bit harsh. I would love to see Jake goto the Pro Bowl just on account of that.

Broncos Rule · 10-07-2005, 11:56 AM

Well, Mike did bring in Plummer with the assumption that he could be coached into being less of a bonehead.

And at this point, it's (finally) starting to prove true in year 3.

superbowlXL · 10-07-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

every time we play a team we haven't played in a couple of years, it always gets brought up

it's really annoying

That sounds a lot like what I was talking about with Dan Snyder. People base their opinions on the way he acted in 1999 and 2000.

The only Broncos game I've seen is the MNF game where you beat down the Chiefs... And I was asleep before half time in that one (5:00 a.m. comes early). Given that fact, I am not going to comment on Denver's blocking schemes.

superbowlXL · 10-07-2005, 12:05 PM

Boomer E is the single worst fooball announcer/"expert" out there. I absolutely despise how he act like he knows everything, but is wrong all the time.

ludo21 · 10-07-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broncos Rule

Well, Mike did bring in Plummer with the assumption that he could be coached into being less of a bonehead.

And at this point, it's (finally) starting to prove true in year 3.

I didnt expect the O to really be clikcing by year 3 anyway. It takes that long for Shannys system to be ingrained in your head.

I hope the SKins worry about our 'illegal' blocking scheme. Whatever takes their head out of the game is fine with me.

Odysseus · 10-07-2005, 12:45 PM

I wish we could get some 7 foot / 300 pound OL that ran faster than Portis. We get about 7 guys like that then the league would have something to whine about.

Bronx33 · 10-07-2005, 01:31 PM

If you have nothing else to write about write about the blocking,but on a good note come monday he can write about how the blocking sheme owned the skins.

Tredici · 10-07-2005, 01:58 PM

"From a defensive point of view, you're like, 'It's a cheap shot because I'm on the ground,' " Washington said. "If I'm on the sidelines and the Redskins are blocking that way, I'll be like, 'That block is legal.'

That's the most honest quote of late. I don't think those "big" guys like the "little" guys putting them on the ground. But they know it was a legal block.

Look, it's not like this isn't a topic hammered to death. So officiating staffs are deaf, dumb blind and then deliberately shut their eyes so they don't see the line play? It's a ridiculous premise.

But one that probably serves the Broncos well. A split second advantage on the line will benefit the running game tremendously.

10-07-2005, 09:03 AM	#1
Needa Pass Rush Never say Always Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,211	Wash. Times comics section I know you all like the funnies! www.washingtontimes.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Third downs are bane of defense By Ryan O'Halloran THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published October 7, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teams aren't scoring on the Washington Redskins defense -- only 12.3 points a game, which is tied for fourth in the NFL. But Seattle's touchdown drives of 85 and 91 yards last week showcased two areas in which assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams wants to see improvement: third-down efficiency and sacks. Entering Sunday's game at Denver, the Redskins are 26th in third-down defense (45.2 percent) and 30th in sacks (four). Seattle converted six of 12 third downs, including five chances on its touchdown drives, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was sacked only once in 39 drop-backs. "I would like to see us off the field better on third down," Williams said yesterday. "We have to get better at that to win close ballgames." Williams said the Redskins' goal in third- and fourth-down situations is limiting opponents to about 30-percent efficiency. Opponents are a combined 20-for-44 on third and fourth down -- 45.4 percent. Last season, they were 31.6 percent. The Redskins had 40 sacks last year, but this season teams have used max-protect schemes -- keeping an extra blocker to pass block -- to thwart the blitz. "They're doing an awful lot of that, and we have to do our job of countering that," Williams said. "Each team has had a different form of it, and some teams have used it in almost all third-down situations." Linebacker Marcus Washington chalked up Seattle's touchdown drives to "a couple of mental things. A bad half for us." Portis on LaVar Redskins running back Clinton Portis conducted his weekly group interview wearing an oversized pair of retro glasses so "I could feel like a star in front of all these [television] lights." "It's a special opportunity," he said of returning to Denver on Sunday. "But at the same time, we're going there to win as a team. It's not about me. It's not about Champ [Bailey]." Portis also was asked about LaVar Arrington's lack of playing time. "I wouldn't say that this team is better served by not having a guy of his caliber on the field. I think we need that guy on the field," Portis said. "But I'm not the defensive coordinator. As a team, we all know that he has talent. ... I can't go to [Williams] and say, 'Put him out there right away.' " During yesterday's practice, Arrington participated in special teams drills. Legal or illegal? The blocking techniques of the Denver offensive line have been under scrutiny for years, and opponents have accused the Broncos of dirty plays like cut blocks and leg whips. "From a defensive point of view, you're like, 'It's a cheap shot because I'm on the ground,' " Washington said. "If I'm on the sidelines and the Redskins are blocking that way, I'll be like, 'That block is legal.' "They definitely coach cutting in Denver and how if you don't get the defensive player the first time to continue to roll and get them with a second effort and maybe the leg whip on the third effort." yeah, they flag the leg whip a LOT! Said safety Ryan Clark: "The size of their offensive linemen mean they can cut block or crack back a little more. We're definitely [aware] of that." Extra points Cornerback Walt Harris (calf) remains questionable and did not practice yesterday. Kicker John Hall attempted a few kickoffs during the first portion of practice. ... Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) remains questionable, but he practiced yesterday. ... The Redskins might encounter some bad weather Sunday in Denver. The forecast calls for thunderstorms and a high of 62 degrees.

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DL times	watermock	NFL Draft Forum	0	03-02-2005 02:44 AM

10-07-2005, 09:08 AM	#2
westcliffe Greetings from 8000 feet High in the Sangres Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Westcliffe, Colorado Posts: 261	Jeez, another team crying about the cut blocks. Enough already. Play some damn football.

10-07-2005, 09:29 AM	#5
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,126 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	We also coach our D-backs to pass interfere and our D-line guys to line up in the neutral zone because everyone knows the NFL refs will never call these penalties... More crapola...nobody coaches their team to do something they know will draw a flag...let alone when they know they're being watched extra close for exactly that. SHEESH...

10-07-2005, 09:29 AM	#6
brncs_fan How about some Tapenade! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Coaches Cradle...Eastern Illinois University Posts: 5,496 Adopt-a-Bronco: Manti Teo	What, no Beetle Bailey?

10-07-2005, 09:36 AM	#7
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,126 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Along this same line...check out this quote after Mike Anderson's 251 yard rookie single game rushing record: "It was just poor tackling," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "Too many guys on the ground, and we didn't play well." Gee Jim...wonder WHY they were on the ground? ...maybe cause they were knocked over like so many bowling pins by all those cut blocks and a back that ran over you like a rhino through a flower garden?

10-07-2005, 09:49 AM	#8
loborugger lost in the ether Did we finally get a FB??? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The 'cuse Posts: 5,793 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Hillis	I was listening to DC 101 this morning as Elliot always has Boomer Esiason on the show every friday during football season. Boomer wont come out and tell Skins fans exactly how it is, but he is moderately entertaining and he provides some insight on the NFL that you dont get elsewhere. Anyways, this morning Elliot was asking about Ricky Williams and where he (Boomer) expected Ricky to land. Boomer named a couple of teams and then mentioned AZ, as Denny Green is one of those guys who is convinced if he can just talk to Ricky, he could straighten Ricky out. Boomer goes a little further and says that many coaches believe they can change players, and they can take someone else's trash and make them a treasure. Then Boomer says, "look at Mike Shanahan." And at that point I thought he would bring up Mo Clarrett. But instead Boomer said something to the effect that Plummer was the trash on our team that Shanny was going to change. Now, I do like Jake, but I am not Homerish about him. I dont think he is better than Brady. But trash Come on. That is a bit harsh. I would love to see Jake goto the Pro Bowl just on account of that.

10-07-2005, 11:56 AM	#9
Broncos Rule Seasoned Veteran Nemo has been found! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 374	Well, Mike did bring in Plummer with the assumption that he could be coached into being less of a bonehead. And at this point, it's (finally) starting to prove true in year 3.

10-07-2005, 12:05 PM	#11
superbowlXL Just Drafted Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 40	Boomer E is the single worst fooball announcer/"expert" out there. I absolutely despise how he act like he knows everything, but is wrong all the time.

10-07-2005, 12:45 PM	#13
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	I wish we could get some 7 foot / 300 pound OL that ran faster than Portis. We get about 7 guys like that then the league would have something to whine about.

10-07-2005, 01:31 PM	#14
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	If you have nothing else to write about write about the blocking,but on a good note come monday he can write about how the blocking sheme owned the skins.

10-07-2005, 01:58 PM	#15
Tredici Ring of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,010	"From a defensive point of view, you're like, 'It's a cheap shot because I'm on the ground,' " Washington said. "If I'm on the sidelines and the Redskins are blocking that way, I'll be like, 'That block is legal.' That's the most honest quote of late. I don't think those "big" guys like the "little" guys putting them on the ground. But they know it was a legal block. Look, it's not like this isn't a topic hammered to death. So officiating staffs are deaf, dumb blind and then deliberately shut their eyes so they don't see the line play? It's a ridiculous premise. But one that probably serves the Broncos well. A split second advantage on the line will benefit the running game tremendously.