Not to Sugar Coat, But The Redskins Stink
Any hope the Washington Redskins had in salvaging the 2009 season was completely obliterated beyond recognition on Sunday as our Heroes in Burgundy and Gold lost for the second time in three games to a winless and otherwise decrepit opponent. Jim Zorn saw himself in a quite unfamiliar position against the Panthers. It was Washington who had built a 17-2 lead in the third quarter, a lead that was the largest Jim Zorn had ever experienced during his tenure as head coach. It inevitably became the largest lead Jim Zorn would see disappear as well. Washington’s fifteen point third quarter advantage was set up by Carolina turnovers that gave the Redskins possession deep in the Panthers Red Zone. Having great field position was the only way the Redskins would have any chance to score.
Offensively, Jason Campbell had a solid day but was limited by an offensive line jerry rigged and reeling from an early injury to cornerstone Left Tackle Chris Samuels. Already short handed by losing starting Right Guard Randy Thomas for the season, the line quickly showed their skills allowing constant pressure on Campbell and giving up a first half safety when Clinton Portis was tackled in the end zone. Carolina Defensive End Julius Peppers oft criticized this year for his lack of production would have a field day tallying two sacks and causing a constant disruption in the Washington backfield. Clinton Portis was less than impressive, running for only 57 yards on 19 carries against a Carolina Panthers defense that was rated dead last against the run. Portis must shoulder some of the blame.
There were quite a few plays where there was room to run whereas we saw Portis simply run into the back of a fellow teammate and proceed to fall down. He lacked any kind of explosiveness or burst from the hand off and certainly proved that his best days are far behind him. Earlier this week it was publicized that there was friction between Portis and Fullback Mike Sellers. Apparently Portis had gone to coaches asking that Sellers be replaced as his lead blocker. Sellers subsequently found out and the two had words. I have a hard time believing that Players and Coaches and even Clinton himself, aren’t seeing all the yards Portis is leaving on the field.
Perhaps Clinton should focus on himself other than calling out those who are trying to protect him. Unfortunately for the Redskins, Portis remains their best option at Running Back. Backups LaDell Betts and Marcus Mason don’t add anything and both lack the much needed blocking skills which is an attribute to Portis’ game. Depth along the Offensive Line was a glaring need for the Redskins since last season. Front Office ineptitude kept that situation intact. The result on Sunday was a sight almost as scary as the Denver Broncos Cirque Du Soleil themed uniforms. To counter the inadequacy of the offensive line Chris Cooley was often held at the line of scrimmage to aid in pass protection. It didn’t help much and at the end of the day Cooley, the Redskins leading receiver this year was held without a catch for the first time in seventy-six games.
On the Defensive side we got to see 100 Million Dollar Man Albert Haynesworth embarrass himself once again by passing out on the field and having to be helped off for a league leading third time this year. Actually that is not completely fair. He was only helped off the field twice. The other time he had to be carted off. The rest of the game went down in typical Zornian fashion as the Panthers were able to methodically drive down field in the second half scoring two touchdowns including a two point conversion and a field goal.
The momentum would clearly be in the hands of Carolina after a Panthers punt deflected of a Redskins blocker setting Carolina up for the go ahead score. Any hopes for a Redski
ns comeback was dashed when Carolina faced a third and eight in their own territory. Jake Delhomme would run a naked bootleg to the right leaving only DeAngelo Hall between him and the first down. Hall (no relation to myself) proceeded to display the prowess of his tackling skills, only comparable to something I saw once at a bar in which a highly intoxicated female attempted to single handedly take out the venue’s bouncer.
Delhomme proceeded to run right by DeAngelo in a way that perhaps I will never be able to understand and will inevitably be remembered in Redskins lore as the time our Defense tackled like a bunch of girls. You can see the play here at the tail end of the highlight reel. The sun would set in Charlotte with a 20-17 loss and the routine Jim Zorn post game conference ending in with Zorn telling us how hard his team played. Believe it or not I’m right there with Coach Zorn.
The Redskins played hard, but they are no where near being good enough to have any hope at the post season. At least we still have the likes of Kansas City, Oakland, and even Dallas left remaining on the schedule.
