 | | Jaworski on the Redskins |  |
Although the Washington Redskins have won three straight close games, the majority of their games will be close because they lack the explosive offensive personnel to put people away. One on one, their receivers won't beat many defensive backs. They have possession receivers. Albert Connell is fast, but he is just another receiver and has not stood out as a threat.
The lack of explosiveness has forced head coach Norv Turner to design and manufacture plays. Their offensive line now is a patchwork group. Andy Heck may move in at left guard for Keith Sims, who has a bad foot. Mark Fischer has struggled at center. Jay Leeuwenburg is at right guard for the injured Tre Johnson. In the Redskins' running game, the line is called on to move on the counter trey and pull for Stephen Davis. Having new linemen hinders what the Redskins want to do.
The Redskins' constant is now defense. Their front four is playing as well as any four down linemen in the league, the linebackers have made significant improvements, and the secondary is outstanding. Overall, defense is the catalyst for their success. Although they haven't scored more than 21 points in a game this year, the Redskins can continue to win, but the defense
is the reason.
Five keys for the Redskins:
1. Bother Banks: The Jaguars caused confusion for Ravens quarterback Tony Banks. Banks and the Ravens receivers missed a lot of their hot reads and side adjustments, forcing head coach Brian Billick to scale down his offense. In the second half, the Ravens came out in base formations because they didn't make the proper adjustments when the ball was snapped. The Redskins will look at that and try to create some problems
for Banks.
2. Blow up the running game: The Ravens are trying to run the football and get big plays out of play-action passing. Jacksonville was able to get penetration with their slants, stunts and twists and never allowed the Ravens' offense to get on track. The Redskins defense likes to do the same thing -- get penetration and blow things up. The Ravens haven't been running the ball that effectively lately. Jamal Lewis is a tremendous back, but he needs somewhere to run. The Redskins will commit the eighth man to the box and go man-to-man on the outside with
their cornerbacks.
3. Run it: This is a huge challenge against the Ravens, who are the league's best unit against the run (50 yards a game). They haven't given up a 100-yard rusher in 23 games; in fact, no back has rushed for more than 74 yards since then. The Ravens have arguably the best defense in football. The Redskins need to be persistent with the running game. They have to stay with Davis and not give up on him running the ball. If the Redskins control the football, that will force the Ravens safeties to get nosey, leading to some big-play
opportunities.
4. A dazzling design: The Redskins receivers can't run one-on-one routes against Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. By design, Turner must get creative with motion and personnel packages. He will use picks and screens and different ways to free his receivers
up.
5. Accurate arm: Brad Johnson had an outstanding game against the Eagles and must continue to be accurate against the Ravens. The Redskins receivers don't create much separation against coverage, so for Johnson, it's almost like throwing the football through a tire. He must be precise with his
passes.
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 | | Salisbury on the Ravens |  |
With a 5-1 record, the Baltimore Ravens have very little to complain about. In the last two games the Ravens have no touchdowns and nine field goals from Matt Stover -- and they won both of them. That's a nice plus for any team. In such an offensive-oriented NFL era, it's rare for a field-goal kicker to carry an offense. Great teams are ones that continue to win when they aren't playing their best football. And that's what the Ravens are doing. However, it is a dangerous path to continue to follow.
They realize that they have to be more explosive on offense. But if they can win with only field goals every week, they will worry about being more explosive in the offseason. In the meantime, they will take the victories any way they can. There is no question the Ravens have the best defense in the league. Teams can't run on the Ravens, who lead the league in run defense at 50 yards a game.
It remains to be seen if kicking and defense will be enough for Ravens to beat the Washington Redskins and later make a dent in the playoffs. In the current NFL, offense wins championships. If this trend continues, they know it will take more than nine or 12 or 15 points to win games in the
playoffs.
Five keys for the Ravens:
1. Derail Davis: The Ravens must continue to stop the run, and particularly Stephen Davis and the Redskins' ground game. The Redskins play much like the Ravens; they are very physical up front. The Ravens will have to win the battle on first down so the Redskins are hindered in their passing game on second and
third down.
2. Prevent defense: The Redskins should be in a lot of long-yardage situations, so the Ravens must not allow the big play. The Ravens did give up the big play in the first game against Jacksonville and almost lost the football game. Brad Johnson has big-play ability, and he can hurt teams down the field with Albert Connell. They can't let Connell or somebody else go crazy like Jimmy Smith did.
3. Hot Stover: The game could come down to field goals, so Stover must stay hot -- although the Ravens would rather score touchdowns. Stover is leading the NFL in scoring. If the trend of field goals winning games for the Ravens continues, then that means Baltimore's defense is still winning games.
4. Tony the tiger: Tony Banks is the key. He needs to be more aggressive with the football from the first quarter on. He has a tendency to be very protective, which is good. In single coverage, his receivers will be facing Deion Sanders, Darrell Green and Champ Bailey. But Billick's philosophy has been to attack, and Banks must be willing to challenge single coverage. If he's more aggressive, the Ravens will score more
points.
5. Tight ends as targets: Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates should see single coverage from a linebacker or a safety, and they should win those battles. Sharpe and Coates must have big games because the Redskins cornerbacks are difficult to beat and could shut down the wideouts. Banks needs to lean on Sharpe or Coates if his receivers aren't
open.
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