Although the Redskins failed to post a "W" in the win column, they won an even larger battle towards solving an identity problem as they move closer to regaining the tradition of Gibbs Version 1.0 from 1981-1992.
Injuries shouldn't be the primary reason why a team loses when other capable players need to step up to maintain the team's attitude and approach to games. In the case of the Redskins, injuries to key individuals have continued to mount as the weeks progress. The Patriots, considered the best team in recent memory to break the Miami Dolphins record unbeaten season, know all to well about injuries as their dynasty in the NFL is all but secured. Injuries may have slowed the playbook down, but never hindered the quintessential philosophy of the Patriots by confounding the opposing teams offense despite several key players missing significant time on the defensive side of the ball including a depleted secondary and even converting a wide receiver to defensive back. So it comes as no surprise that Joe Bugel and Joe Gibbs have been able to turn essentially three journeyman offensive lineman and a rookie into capable players along the offensive line. Realistic expectations must be set when evaluating this team and comparing them to the glory days of the '80s.
The offense was dealt a serious blow when Jon Jansen went down for the year and then was struck down again as a torn triceps muscle to Randy Thomas will cause him to miss most of the season. Injuries to the back-ups along with failed experiments in the pre-season have caused this rag tag group of players to come together and begin to form some continuity, but realistic expectations must be set. The Redskins can't replace a Jansen or Thomas but we should be able to expect the offense to take shape and redeploy a game plan suited to the current cast along the line in an effort score more than 21 points a game. It's interesting to note that most people have already forgotten Derrick Dockery and have quietly overlooked his replacement. Over the past few years, Chris Samuels has received many accolades including visits to the Pro Bowl during Dockery's tenure as the starting left guard. We often heard coaches on telecasts say they were looking for consistency as Dockery continued to grow, but what we often saw was Samuels getting beat. Samuels getting beat by players that were quick and moved to the outside and by players taking an inside route or even a bull rush up the middle. It wasn't until Dockery was replaced by a offensive lineman cast aside by the Jets and considered to be a journeyman to most casual skins fans that something changed. Did anyone seem to notice that continuity and consistency building along the left side of the offensive line? Yes, as running plays were diverted to the left side with greater frequency. As a result of the loss of Jansen and Thomas more plays were following Samuels and Kendall, but continuing to run plays on this side of the ball shows their effectiveness. This being even more apparent on pass protection. What was once line backers, safeties, and lineman running free along the left side with Dockery was no more. The communication and continuity between the Samuels and Kendall is reflected in the low sack totals and pressure on Campbell. This chemistry and understanding of assignments at critical times is vital to allow a pocket to form and to protect Campbell. Wade and Fabini have held their own, but at times have stumbled. This is the nature of the game. Remembering that if Wade and Fabini were such talented starting lineman why would they have found themselves as a back up in Washington. The coaching staff has now unveiled more of the playbook to Campbell and has finally spread the offense out to create better running lanes for Portis and Betts and create a greater threat to defenses in the passing game.
The NFL goes through cycles of different philosophies. Some years you want to bunch the line together and other years you need to spread the offense out. Staring a .500 record in the mirror the coaching staff decided to open things up against Dallas regardless of injuries and provided a look into the Redskins future and identity. The Redskins were expected to lose and lose big by the pundits. The game within a game found Clinton Portis running well against a very tough Cowboys defense and with a depleted and hobbled receiving core Jason Campbell moved the ball up and down the field for the first time with consistency against a tough playoff bound opponent. The offense played tough and didn't wilt under pressure. Moss provided a memorable and spectacular one handed grab during the game for a big play. He'd been hampered by injuries most of the season as has Randel-El. Players signed over the past few weeks were also making their presence felt. Although we'll only have Monk, Clark, Sanders, Charlie Brown, and Didier running free down the field in easy fashion against the opposition in our memory and on tape, this game showed just what this offense can be. It's easy to see that Saunders and Gibbs can't wait for a healthy group after seeing such proud performances. It provides hope for the rest of the season and a glimmer into the future when Thomas and Jansen return and receivers regain that stride not seen since September due to injuries. For the first time in a long time the Redskins have found a QB that can win a game. In the '80's, we recall close games with key offensive adjustments at half-time resulting in Redskins wins or even shear blow-outs, but this could all be traced to winning the battle in the trenches with a power running game and near flawless pass protection. How else would Doug Williams and Mark Rypien be able to pick defenses apart. We all know Gibbs record of winning three super bowls with three different QB's, but the offensive line largely stayed in tact during those years as did most of the receivers. A brilliant cast surrounded the QB position to allow the position to do just one thing - run Joe Gibbs offense and in the Super Bowl years it was run to near perfection. The question now is - now that there's a quarterback capable of running a myriad of plays and winning a game, how does Gibbs upgrade the rest of the offense? The Hogs, Riggins, Monk, Clark, Sanders, and a host of others helped make the Skins what we all recall in our memories today. How do the Skins recapture the high level at which the hogs set or find a receiver the likes of Art Monk that Moss and Randel-El can compliment? Some answers can be provided by isolating weaknesses in the opposition while others will take time and the utilization of a large playbook at the complete disposal of the starting quarterback. Rypien, Joe T., and Doug Williams were afforded the luxury of having countless seconds to drop back and pass to pick a defense apart. The best thing for this offense is a good dose of hard nosed running with a vertical passing game. During the peak of Gibbs first tenure, we'd often see drives ending in a touchdown preceded by running plays, but there were also drives started with a first down play action pass for 20+ yard gains. It was a 100% aggressive offense with a balance of run and pass. More often than not the offensive line would be able to dominate the opposing team by the 4th quarter. On the odd occasion that a strong team belted them in the jaw, the skins were able to not only take a blow but not even blink and deliver one right back. This is the glimpse that we saw at the end of the game against a tough Cowboys team and even though it's not reflected in the score one can only imagine the impact Jon Jansen, a tough throw back to the hogs, or Randy Thomas could have had on this game. The Redskins played tough, took their shots down the field, weathered the storm, and held their own in big D-.
