1. Man, where to start after that one. The only thing missing from that debacle was a pre-game contract extension for John Beck. This one has to go on the coaches. Yes, they have a reshuffled line and they’ve lost key players. It’s a factor. This group had no margin for error when the season opened in terms of health, so these losses have been huge. But they were facing a defense that allowed more than 400 yards in five straight games, yet they couldn’t manage to crack 200? They have a line that struggles in one-on-one matchups. So what did they do? Left them in too many one-on-one matchups. This line can’t run the stretch zone right now either. You want to complain about the receivers? This staff brought in every one of them. And I’m not that smart, but I saw how the Eagles adjusted when their line was banged up; oh, and guess what? The Bills were on their third left tackle — and ex-Redskin Chad Rinehart started at guard! (That’s my first exclamation point ever in Ten Observations; clip and frame, please). The Bills didn’t give up a lot of pressure; their offense does a good job of giving the quarterback immediate options. And while the defense can’t be blamed when the offense is shut out, certain problems continue to arise. More on that later.
2. The offense under Mike Shanahan? In 23 games, they’ve managed to score 20 or more points only eight times – and just once did they finish with at least 30. This is an offensive league for goodness sake. No Redskins receiver has surpassed 76 yards this season. Fred Davis has done it five times, but when your tight end is the only one making plays you’re in trouble. Thing is, these offensive woes go back to the start of the Dan Snyder era. Actually, the post-Norv Turner era (another shocking statement). Under Snyder, the Redskins have hired Steve Spurrier (great college offensive mind), Joe Gibbs (I think you know what he did in the 80s), Jim Zorn (well, he played QB) and now Shanahan. Yet all of these minds haven’t produced an offense worth a darn. There are many reasons why; but the bottom line is nothing has worked. Trust me, this staff knows they have offensive talent deficiencies. But the Bills have fancied a powerful attack out of a QB from Harvard and an ex-practice squad running back.
3. As for all the sacks and pressure, please don’t buy the excuse of “we got down early” so the Bills “pinned their ears back” and just started rushing the passer. It wasn’t just the nine sacks, it was the constant pressure. Can you think of a time in the first half when Beck had a good passing lane? I can’t. Maybe when watching the game again one or two will pop up. But too often the pocket collapsed on him as he threw. On third and 4 on the first series, Beck was hit as he threw. On the third series in a 7-0 game, the pocket closed quickly on a couple passes. On the fourth series, after a fumble recovery, Beck threw from another tight pocket and hit his thumb on another helmet after one completion. Point is, the pressure was there all game.
4. You saw what happened on the pressure. Mostly, it was individuals losing matchups. It’s amazing the impact Kory Lichtensteiger’s injury has had on the line. Was he a Pro Bowler? No, but he understood his position and was becoming more consistent. Will Montgomery is not a left guard; it’s not his fault. He was playing much better at center. What can the guy do? He tries hard, but it’s not his best spot. Is it his fault or the organization’s for not having a better alternative when ‘Steiger was hurt? Sean Locklear is a standup guy, but left tackle is not his best spot either. There were a couple times he didn’t block anyone (will get to that stuff Tuesday). And one time he got off the ball faster than anyone; almost a false start. And he was still beaten by his man! (Second exclamation point). Thing is, that’s not the only places where there were issues. And it’s not just the passing game that suffers from the blocks; the Redskins miss Trent Williams’ run blocking; his ability to make blocks on the run, whether play side or backside. Chris Cooley is a better blocker than Logan Paulsen so there’s another downgrade. The Redskins can’t run the ball and that’s supposed to be their offensive base. Ryan Torain’s longest run was six yards. The problem is that on the stretch zone he’s having to cut back too soon and too deep and the cutback lanes aren’t open.
5. So how do we measure John Beck? He tends to hold the ball too long; at least one sack came after he held the ball for nearly four seconds. OK, that’s one of nine but still. But I’ll say this: mobility is nice, but quick decisions are better. That’s how you help a rush; or unless you use the mobility to create better situations for everyone with the play design. Anyway, for a while he did not seem to notice the rush, but there were a couple times late where it seemed like he did. Not sure I can blame him. And I wasn’t thrilled that on his fumble, he put his head down and started running six yards behind the line of scrimmage. So if a receiver had broken open he would not have seen him. But Beck also showed poise on other routes and hung in despite knowing he’d get hammered. He wasn’t exactly throwing to open guys. The deep throws were covered; Anthony Armstrong had a terrific year last year but for whatever reason it’s not happening this year – defenses know him better; injuries, etc. And Donte Stallworth is not a threat downfield anymore. Guys just aren’t running free and there isn’t anyone, save for Fred Davis, who is a threat after the catch. Beck finished with 208 yards passing, but 84 came in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. And while Davis finished with 94 yards receiving, 72 came when the Redskins trailed by 20 points; and 57 came when they trailed by 23. In other words, it’s like hitting two homers when your baseball team trails 8-0 in the eighth inning. The yards had no impact.
6. I do wonder what the players genuinely think about Beck. I know he has some supporters, but players were staunchly behind Rex Grossman keeping his job. I’m not laying this loss on Beck by any means but it is something to wonder about. Then again if I’m Beck, I’m wondering about some of the guys I’m playing with. At this point, nobody’s in position to worry about anyone other than themselves. Again, he’s not getting any help. Wait a minute, we’ve been saying that same line for a year-plus about anyone who plays quarterback. The tough part is that some of the more intriguing young talent is just not ready to play and the older guys don’t scare anyone. Tough mix. Beck has not yet looked like a long-range option; at this point the Redskins just need someone to hand the torch to a young QB next season. Is Beck that guy? I’ve seen some good qualities, but not enough to say he is.
7. While the defense isn’t totally to blame, they didn’t exactly have a stellar day. Too many big plays. Again. Yeah, that’s another trend that goes back to last year. Sunday, the Bills had six plays of 20 yards or more – including a 34-yard pass interference penalty on Josh Wilson. Yeah, the defense was on the field too much because the offense couldn’t move the ball and they did force two turnovers, one of which gave the offense the ball at the Bills’ 31. They tried to play tight with their corners and they didn’t get beat deep so they can celebrate that one. The big pass plays mostly came on short throws turned into long runs.
8. I can’t believe that Oshiomogho Atogwe is healthy. He’s just not that quick when he changes directions. It’s happened in most of the games he’s played and it happened again today when he missed Fred Jackson on a pass over the middle; when Jackson cut inside Atogwe had no explosiveness changing directions.
9. Not LaRon Landry’s best day. He blew his assignment on a TD pass in which it initially looked like London Fletcher was beat. Landry was caught too far up and never came close to recovering. He takes chances and sometimes it costs the Redskins. Also didn’t like that he wagged his finger at receiver Steve Johnson when he knocked him backwards at the end of a run play (Johnson was blocking) that resulted in a first down. The Redskins trailed 10-0 at this point. Too often over the years I’ve seen the Redskins do stuff like this. I like his emotion, but sometimes you just need to play. Johnson sort of looked at him like, what are you doing?
10. OK, London Fletcher. A positive end to this ugly tale. Fletcher did not have his best games of late, missing too many tackles. Well, that wasn’t an issue today as he recorded 20. Of course, there were a lot of tackles to be made so that always helps pad that total. But he also had a half a sack and intercepted a pass with excellent coverage. Yes, he allowed one but he made plays too. And this after a week in which he missed time with a sore hamstring. I’m surprised the way he lost his anger with Landry, but that tells me some things must have been building. Just several weeks ago all we heard was about the special feelings in the locker room. The word special has not been used in a couple weeks. That’s why these next few weeks will be crucial, clearly not just for the season but for Shanahan’s regime. This isn’t about him keeping his job beyond this year, but it is about maintaining players confidence that this still is headed in the right direction. Winning lets them know that is the case. He and his staff have work to do.
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