ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins’ offense returns with almost the entire cast as what opened the season last year. The only real change is at running back and fullback, where Alfred Morris and Darrel Young once started. Everyone else is back in the same spot they were a year ago.
That doesn’t mean the offense can’t, or won’t improve. If the Redskins want to improve on a nine-win season, then the offense will have to get a little better (specifically in the run game). And it’s not as if there’s no room for improvement; there’s plenty. Washington ranked 11th in yards per play; 15th in offensive points per game (excluding returns) and 15th in yards per game.
It remains to be seen how much they improve, but here’s how they can do so:
Quarterback Kirk Cousins: He’s a stronger leader and in more command of the offense than a year ago thanks to an offseason when the Redskins clearly became his team. But he’s also smarter having gone through a full season as the starter, allowing the Redskins to add to what they want to do offensively -- and it's a system opponents respect. The question is: Will they ask too much? That answer will be revealed in time, but entering the season Cousins has shown to be sharper at the line of scrimmage with audibles and protection calls. It makes a difference. Now, he must continue taking care of the ball otherwise this all goes for naught. But Cousins knows why he’s in this spot – it’s because he used the talent around him. It's not as if any old quarterback could do this, so credit him for doing that well. Do it again and it will lead to good things. It might not end the debate for some about how good Cousins really is, but I'm guessing he won't care.
The line: There were inconsistencies with the line this summer, so I don’t know where this group is headed. Getting older doesn’t always mean a player will get better, but it stands to reason that second-year starters such as right guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Morgan Moses should improve because of that first year of experience. If they do, that’s a big help. Getting Shawn Lauvao back is a big help, too. For most of last season, the Redskins used a center who is no longer here (Josh LeRibeus), had two new starters on the right side and a second-year player -- and first-time starter -- at left guard.
Tight end Jordan Reed: Yes, he’s coming off a terrific year and will be the same difficult matchup he was last season. So how much better can he be? Go back to the offseason, when Reed continued working on his game. He focused on being able to cut in and out of breaks with the same power regardless of which direction he went. Reed is not necessarily a speed demon at tight end, but his quickness in and out of breaks is top-notch. It could be quicker this season. In three-tight-end looks, it will help to have two other tight ends who are pass-catching threats who also can block in Vernon Davis and Niles Paul.
Tight end blocking: Too often when the run blocking gets discussed, the focus is solely on the line. That should never be the case. Yes, the line matters a great deal. But the tight end blocking was bad last season and that hurt Washington quite a bit. If the blocking had been better at this position, Alfred Morris and company would have been more productive. Period. In the preseason there were a handful of runs in which a tight end block (often by Vernon Davis) turned a possible two-yard run into four. It's a subtle, but big difference. This must continue or the run game will suffer, but it can definitely help running back Matt Jones, or anyone else for that matter.
Receiver Jamison Crowder: DeSean Jackson has looked good this summer and Pierre Garcon looks like his usual tough self (I’ll be curious to see if he’s targeted as much as in the past). So I have a feeling I know what the Redskins will get from those two. As for Crowder, his production slowed down at the end of last season, once Jackson returned from injury. Of Crowder’s 59 receptions, 42 came in the first nine games. But the Redskins love – love – what they’ve seen from him this offseason and in camp. He’s not at the level of the other receivers, but if there’s too much attention focused on the other weapons, then they’re confident in what Crowder (who is also a good blocker) can do. A big key will be how he gets away from press coverage and if he creates separation or even hesitation by the corner off the line, something he didn’t always do last season.
