HALFTIME!

Here we are, half way through the season...and our record is about exactly what so-called "experts" expected...well on our way to a 6-10 season.  There have been many ups and downs to our current 3-5 record, but almost every minute of it has been exciting to watch.    

So here is what we know...

We have one of the best at QB, working at becoming legendary....

We can score points on offense...

We have a nice work-horse running back...

Our team can run the football...

Our offensive line is hard-working and dependable...

London Fletcher is still, well, London Fletcher (good thing)...

D. Hall is still, well, D. Hall (sometimes not-so good thing)...

We CAN get turnovers...

We can defend against the run, but have struggled against the pass...

Sounds to me like a team that should have won more games...and I think anyone who watched the first 7 games would tell ya the same thing.  The Steelers were the fist team to bring a real answer to our option game and, by scoring early, drove us away from our running game and normal offense....we took a real whooping.

So, how can the Redskins turn this season around?

Keep on!  Continue to perform in the areas we are doing well in...QB, RB, O-line.

Establish a Pass Rush!  For any 3-4 to work, you need an effective pass rush.  Our front three seem to do a good job at locking into there guy and not getting pushed around...I am not sure if it is scheme, play-calling, or just not enough good pass rushers...regardless, we have to find some answers quick if we want to compete this year.  

Improve Tackling!  There are have been more missed tackles than I care to mention.  Whether Haz admits it or not, our defense looks like a "Bend, don't break" style defense...and it breaks if you miss tackles.

Get Healthy & Competitive in Secondary!  The Redskin's secondary has struggled.  We have both talent and depth at the position, but the either chemistry, play-calling, diminishing talent or scheme has our players not playing up to potential.  We HAVE to defend the deep play.  We have a chance for some help at safety when Merriweather comes back after the bye, but I think we are stuck at DB until next year...with that said, our guys are can play and we can win with this group.

Be Consistent on Special Teams!  Our return coverage and return game has been pretty decent.  Punting and kicking has not been.  Rocca is an elite punter, but playing through pain and knee issues may not be the best idea for consistency at punting.  Rocca is also the holder, so him going to IR would create yet another position to fill.  As of late, a kicker has arrived, and besides his 4" high extra-point kick Sunday, he has been perfect...and his name is Kai Forbath.  He needs just a little more leg on kick-offs, but hey, he makes field goals.  He will need to continue to make them if we are to win some games.

Define Ourselves at WR!  Though I have personally felt that Santana Moss has played starting WR caliber with Garcon out, no one else has cemented themselves as a roll-player on this offense.  Morgan can make plays, as shown in the Steelers match-up, but needs to be more consistent to be a solid possession WR.  Santana has proved to still be the deep threat...but I think we will need other WRs to step up.  Garcon needs to be healthy and play the remainder of this season or go ahead and go on IR...his uncertainty has hurt the development of our other WR as far as finding roles.  Briscoe looks the part, but boy can he drop a pass.  Aldrick Robinson also looked electric in game 2, but quickly disappeared.  These guys need to find their place in this offense, settle down, and make plays...they are ALL capable.

Re-Define the TE!  Paulsen has been better than expected.  He has sneaky good hands and sits down well in traffic, not to mention he is a pretty good blocker...could be faster, but runs routes well.  With Fred Davis out, we need Paulsen and Cooley to step up.  I think Cooley may take a little bit more time to rebuild rapport with Griffin, but expect to see a few big targets for him after the bye, as we should be able to exploit some mismatches with him.

In summary, the easy part of our schedule, if there ever was an easy part of our schedule, is complete...but, because we have so many NFC East games in these last 8 games, we still have a chance.  Easier said, then done, but we need to play better defense and we can win games.  It is an up-hill battle for sure, but it is one I think we can win....

Keep faith...have hope....

Hail to the Redskins