Redskins' Offensive Scoring Woes Certainly Nothing New

by David Elfin

Filed under: Redskins, NFC East

The Washington Redskins have changed coaches and coordinators on both sides of the ball since the end of 2009. They have new schemes on offense and defense and a new quarterback. About the only thing that hasn't changed in Washington is the burgundy and gold color scheme and even there, new general manager Bruce Allen has outfitted his players in copies of the uniforms that his late father George's Redskins teams wore in the 1970s.

But one much more important factor didn't change during the first half of offensive-minded coach Mike Shanahan's first season in Washington. The Redskins are struggling to score on offense. Only Arizona, Carolina, Miami and Seattle have scored fewer offensive touchdowns than Washington's 13. With their defense allowing the league's second-most yards, it's a wonder that the Redskins are 4-4, especially since they've already faced division leaders Green Bay and Indianapolis.

Of course, this paucity of penetration of the opponent's end zone -- as Howard Cosell might have termed it -- is nothing new for the Redskins. After scoring at least 23 points on offense in their second through fifth games under then-rookie coach Jim Zorn in 2008 while reeling off victories over the Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys and Eagles, the Redskins reached that level in just four of his remaining 27 games. No surprise, Washington's record in those 27 games was 8-19 so there went Zorn's job along with those of his offensive assistants, quarterback Jason Campbell, right guard Randy Thomas and receiver Devin Thomas. Left tackle Chris Samuels retired and left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Stephon Heyer were benched.

 

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