Did the Redskins get too pass happy?

By Rich Tandler

Last night I had the pleasure of talking with the guys on Ballhogs Radio and the topic turned to something that also was brought up in the press box while the game was unfolding on Sunday. The question is whether or not Kyle Shanahan got too pass happy during the second half of the win over the Cardinals.

So that this can be discussed in terms of the facts and not impressions at the time, I broke down the runs and passes during key periods of the game. For context, the league as a whole is averaging 55 percent pass plays so far this year and averaged 53 percent passes during the 2010 season. The numbers exclude four kneel-downs by Rex Grossman, one in the first half and three while in victory formation in the second.

For the game, the Redskins rushed 31 times (42%) and passed 43 (58%). The ratio was nearly even in the first half as Shanahan called 19 runs and 21 passes. The running game was working well, with the Redskins picking up 115 yards on those 19 carries (6.1-yard average). Rex Grossman averaged seven yards per pass attempt and he did have those two interceptions.

The second half was more pass happy as they had 12 rushing attempts and 22 passes, a 32% to 68% ratio. They picked up 63 yards rushing in the second half, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Grossman passed for 144 yards, 6.5 per attempt.

The Redskins led 10-7 at halftime, and the missed opportunities have been well chronicled. They had one drive in the third quarter with that lead and they passed twice (one was the 40-yard rollout-throwback to Fred Davis) and ran twice in a four-and-out series. After they punted, Arizona drove in for a Beanie Wells touchdown to take a 14-10 lead. After the kickoff, the Redskins did go pass happy. The drive lasted five plays with four passes (one of which ended up drawing a 23-yard pass interference flag) and one run and ended in a punt.

They ended the third quarter with six passes and three runs.

Washington regained possession at the Arizona 44 at the start of the fourth quarter. They had three scoring drives during that quarter.

During a drive to a field goal to cut the Cardinals lead to 14-13 they passed three times and ran three times.

After Kevin Kolb hit Larry Fitzgerald for 73 yards and a touchdown to give Arizona a 21-13 lead, the Redskins took possession on their own 27 with 10:52 left to play. They ran four times and passed eight times during their 73-yard drive that culminated in Grossman’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss on fourth down.

After an Arizona three and out, the Redskins got the ball at their own 36 with 4:20 left. During the drive to what proved to be the game-winning field goal they called two runs and five passes.

In the fourth quarter they ran nine times and passed 16.

You can draw your own conclusions as to whether or not Shanahan went with the pass too much. The second-half ratio jumps out at those who want to make the case that they were too pass happy. Keep in mind that they were behind for about 15 of the final 30 minutes, although never by more than one score.

It will be interesting to see how this aspect unfolds as the season goes on. There is more reason now to have confidence in the rushing game than there was after they averaged 2.9 yards a carry against the Giants. 

 

Comments

[SKINSRLIFE]

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[SKINSRLIFE]

Rich, why hasn't there been any talk about Kerrigan's performance this past week? I thought he had another great game and its beginning to look like he could be one of the Skins' best draft pics in a long time. Thanks.

[SKINSRLIFE]

Rich, why hasn't there been any talk about Kerrigan's performance from this past week? I thought he had another great game, and IMO, its beginning to look like he could be one of the Skins' best draft pics in a long time. Thanks.

[SKINSRLIFE]

Sorry for the multiple posts, I'm in Iraq right now and the internet doesn't always work right.

[SKINZ]

What's up with Ryan Torain??

[caio gomes]

We did what we had to do to win. This is a passing league. But in the future, opponents will be thinking pass and we will run instead during the second half. I loved the misdirection and draws they ran. I thought the play calling was terrific. Grossman had a phenomenal second half and second quarter.

[Billy Crawford]

Caio,

I'm with you 100%. There was no way to predict what the next play call was going to be. It was even better than the first two years of Gibbs 1, and that's saying it was awesome.

The Shanahans placed a heavy burden on Grossman's shoulders these first two games, something the opposing defensive coordinators did not expect. Now that teams know our OC is more than happy to rely on Rex's killer instinct,and pass the ball on any down and distance situation, they have no choice but to respect the 'Skins passing game, thus opening up the running game. I had no idea during the pre-season that Helu had these skills on interior zone runs. He looks like he's been in the league for years! Did you hear the stat during the game that Helu never fumbled the ball in college. Not once. (OMG, what a draft we had in '11.) This is an explosive offense.

I've been going to the games and watching the 'Skins for almost 45 years. (Parents had 4 season tickets and they bred Redskins football into us.) I've never seen a 2 minute drill as good as what we have now (or had during last 3 games of last season), ever!!! I still remember this O and Grossman converting two out of two 2-point-conversions against the Cowboys last year. Impressive. (yea, likely not a popular opinion at all...)

People want to talk about Grossman's tipped passes. They are ignoring a number of things. First, we haven't seen A LOT of that in his previous four starts. Second, his athleticism was impressive in getting to, and not just hitting, but completely slam dunking to the ground 2 of those tips in the midst of those defenders. Third, where were the chop blocks by our O line as soon as they saw the defenders beginning to raise their hands and jump up on the blocks/tips? Four, size of the pocket and, five, 3-step and 5-step dropbacks, as opposed to 7 step dropbacks hasn't been mentioned as far as I've seen.

With that name of yours, what with the pre-season the 'Skins Gomes had, I bet you can't wait to see more of him and his much-needed speed in our secondary.

[Terence]

Of course they passed the ball more, Cardinals has one of the worse pass defenses in the league!! I would've attacked through air more too. I like what I'm seeing thus far, The Skins are begining to show there versility. By week four, I believe we'll see the total package. They'll dominate by running and passing and it'll be tough for opposing defenses to cover us!! Helu's playmaking ability change things and when he get more opportunities to showcase his skills, the combination of him & #25 going to do BIG THANGS!!!