Did the Redskins abandon the run?

By Rich Tandler

As the second half unfolded yesterday, there was a lot of chatter about the Redskins abandoning the run, especially after they took a seven-point lead in the third quarter.

In what could become a weekly feature as second-half running was a topic of discussion after last week’s win over Arizona as well, let’s take a look at the Redskins run-pass play selections and see if complaints that they failed to run the ball enough hold water. (Statistics include sacks)

For the game:

62 plays

22 runs for 65 yards, 3.0 yards per carry

40 passes for 233 yards, 5.8 yards per pass play

That is a ratio of 65 percent passes and 35 percent runs, which is about the ratio they ran for the 2010 season. Earlier this week, Kyle Shanahan said that one of the things they wanted to do this year was to run the ball more. For this game, they did not and considering that they trailed in the game for a total of about four minutes that seems to be a bit pass happy.

It also should be noted that they came in averaging 71 plays per game so they ran about nine fewer plays. They also came into the game leading the NFL in time of possession but they held the ball for just 28:24 to 31:36 for Dallas.

First half

35 plays

15 runs for 41 yards, 2.7 yards per carry

20 passes for 121 yards, 6.0 yards per pass play

This is closer to the run-pass ratio that the most of the NFL runs. They had a time of possession advantage of just over 16 minutes to just under 14 minutes for Dallas. 

Second half

27 plays

7 runs for 24 yards, 3.4 yards per carry

20 passes for 112 yards, 5.6 yards per pass play

It gets really out of whack here. Dallas had a substantial advantage in time of possession as they held the ball for about 18 minutes to around 12 for the Redskins. Let’s look at the individual drives to see where it got that way.

Redskins get the ball at own 24 9:31 left in third quarter game tied at 9

5 runs (all Hightower) for 20 yards, 4.0 yards per carry

4 passes (all complete) for 56 yards, 14 yards per pass play

This is the touchdown drive, a nice mix of Rex Grossman passes and Tim Hightower runs. Kevin Barnes’ interception gave them possession and it looked like they were going to take control of the game after the scored on Grossman’s one-yard pass to Hightower to take a 16-9 lead with 4:00 left in the third.

Redskins get ball at own 25 0:14 left in third quarter leading 16-12

3 passes, all incomplete

This is where the chatter about too many passes started. After a solid, balanced drive, the Redskins burn all of 30 seconds off of the clock and punt it away to the Cowboys.

Redskins get ball at own 10 13:03 left still leading 16-12

1 run (Helu) 3 yards

3 passes (1 complete) 15 yards

The Redskins do get out of a hole at their own 10 with a 15-yard first-down pass from Grossman to Jabar Gaffney. But from the 25 it’s Helu for three yards (where’s Hightower?) and then two incompletions, one shallow and one deep.

Redskins get ball at own 17 6:58 left leading 16-15

1 run (Helu) for 1 yard

5 passes (3 complete, 1 sack) for 24 yards plus a 15-yard penalty

To be fair here, the passes were working initially. A screen to Helu picked up 14 yards and then Grossman went to Chris Cooley for four yards and then to Moss for six. A 15-yard personal foul was tacked on to Moss’ catch and the Redskins were at the Dallas 44 nearing field goal range. It falls apart when Helu runs for one and then Grossman is sacked for a loss of eight. The third and 17 pass has no chance and the Redskins punt. 

 

Comments

[Tim]

Spot on! Poor play calling was among a handful of reasons they lost. I like the Gibbs era of throw to get the lead, and then run it up their butts until they cry for mercy!

[TroyLok]

Until this team can figure out how to get the ball deep, teams are going to keep on crowding the line of scrimmage and shutting down that running game. What's needed are early deep passes to stretch that defense. They have a roster chock full of receivers so let's see them use some four and five receiver sets early to loosen up that defense. So, basically, what I am saying is use the pass to open up the running game.

[Skinzfan1960]

When is somebody going to have the nerve to speak the truth??? kyle Shanahan IS NOT very good offensive coordinator. His daddy needs to have the guts to get involved more with the play calling or fire his son. this guy showed his ineptness last year. I agree we need to try to throw deep more often but Grossman neither has the arm or the accuracy. get the ball to Hightower 20-25 times a game. We WILL NOT ever be a real contender with rex at the helm. We may win some more due to the defense but never reach the past glory with him. A new offensive coordinator and QB for next year. Not giving up on a winning season this year yet.

[ernie billings]

Sorry folks! But this is a passing league now. Kyle was being aggressive. And too say that he is not a good offensive coordinator is plain crazy. Stop whining!! The Skins had opportunities too win the game. But they didn't get the job done. Now move on!

[SKINSRLIFE]

I don't see how anybody can justify not getting Torain involved in the running game. Sure Helu is showing some potential but he is a rookie and is still learning. Torain is a bruiser and can punish D lines. Monday would have been the perfect situation to bring him in loosen that D up a little. Then pepper in some Hightower and screens to Helu. I just don't understand why you would keep a back like Torain on the bench, especially when he is rested and 100% healthy.

[skinsadvisor]

They had trouble running the ball on Dallas and unfortunately a pattern is forming that is now "GO TO" dfense to be played against Washington. Word is out that if you trust Your 4 downlineman to be able to stop the run with the run blitz help of one linebacker, you have the Redskins beat. There is no deep threat so crowd in and drop 2 linebackers into coverage a little deeper and one shallow. If your dlineman and one linebacker can stop the run without any extra help, Washington is finished. You never have to worry about getting beat deep because they do not even try it, nor does grossman have the arm. As far as someone's comment about 4 wide sets, why not??? They do not have to go deep on them, run screens and if memory serves that is the only way the Cards had success running the ball in the second half of that game. If the oline is not getting it dun, SPREAD THE D OUT. I would have loved to see what Rob Ryan would have tried to do idf Washington went 4 wide. It would have disrupted his whole scheme. Especially when Ball came in for Dallas as corner, when his natural position is safety.

[Eirik]

The Cowboys were placing eight men in the box, declaring their disbelief in the Redskins passing game and making their run game implausible (to any team but those with outstanding run games). Ryan basically said to Rex, I knew Tom Brady, and Rex, you're NO Tom Brady; you've got to beat us with the pass because we will take away your run at all costs.

I saw QB's from both teams under intense pass rush. One could extend plays long enough for receivers to get separation; the other could not. One could put enough heat on the ball to complete passes wherever needed; the other could not.

Rex is not bad. He's not great. He won't offset major shortcomings of the rest of the team. So, if the O-line cannot protect or run-block, or if the corners cannot shutdown, or if the LB's cannot fill their gaps and pick up their covers, Rex would be unlikely to compensate. He cannot carry a team.

Beck has more such potential. But, he failed to show he's mastered the game as well as Rex. So, can Rex get better such that can be an off-set? If not, can we fix the team's problems or take a chance on Beck, who might make matters worse before making them better, if at all.

[Dan]

Terrible play calling-
The defense has given this team soooooo many chances to win over the years and the offense just can't step up. How many games have we just needed one more sustained drive to put a team away?
We were running over Dallas and we stopped.

WHY?

I feel I have reached my limit with "hope and change" from the Redskins......hell with Washington D.C. in general.

[dancing bear]

did it dawn on any of you that the problem with not calling more run plays is tied to only having 2 good O-lineman (williams & Montgomery) Brown's barely average and both guards are below average. we can't run the ball when we want to, much less when we have to. it's why our O's redzone efficiency is so poor. we're 1-2 drafts from being genuinely competitive with the top teams (as opposed to the middle crawlers like the pukes & gnats) and anybody who thinks little Kyle can't call plays, ask Schaub, Foster & williams what they think!!!

[Eirik]

I too have grave concerns about the O-line. After Week 2, supposedly John Madden called out the Redskins O-line as best performing / most impressive for the week. I never saw much detail. I've hoped for a major trade to upgrade or just increase it's depth. I've always said, I'll take an average QB with an outstanding O-line over the reverse. Although, I have to admit that Romo gives me some pause on that point. Where does one find comprehensive analysis of our team, most of what I know is superficial?

[ColeB]

KYLE SHANNAHAN IS HOLDING THIS TEAM BACK, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF HIM! UNTIL THEY MAKE A MOVE THERE I AM NOT BUYING IN. HE IS NOT AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR OR A PROFFESIONAL IN ANY SENSE. FIRST HIS WHINNING DECREASED ANY VALUE WE WOULD HAVE HAD IN A TRADE FOR MCNABB BECAUSE HE COULDNT BE A MAN AND DEAL WITH HIM. THEN WE HAVE AT LEAST 2 VERY GOOD RBS (ONE IS ON THE BENCH) AND HE DOSENT USE THEM. I KNOW THIS IS A PASSING LEAGUE BUT NOT WITH A REX GROOSMAN, HE IS T. DILFER AND NEEDS TO JUST MANAGE THE GAME (HE SHOULD NOT BE DROPPING BACK ANY MORE THAN 30 TIMES A GAME