Redskins Game Analysis

[Oldcat]

[quote name='alleycat' timestamp='1348672873' post='1163363']
Love it. Our D line definitely feed off the competition with each other (and are open about desires to get into the pro-bowl, etc.) so these kinds of accolades should only help elevate the unit.

What's the current over/under on how many games before 58 gets benched?

I'm quite shocked that the press hasn't focused on him more - unless I've missed some articles this week...
[/quote]

I'd have to see who gets in in his place first. If Vontaze were behind him, could have been early. With the Howard injury, they may just have to ride him a while unless Moch can play where Burfict is and he shifts to MLB. But then who calls signals?

[Bengals1181]

[b] [url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/26/analysis-notebook-week-3-2012/"]Analysis Notebook: Week 3[/url][/b]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=1]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/author/sam/"]Sam Monson[/url] | 2012/09/26[/size][/font][/color][list]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[/list][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/26/analysis-notebook-week-3/"][img]https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/analysis-notebook-copy-150x150.png[/img][/url]Three weeks into the NFL season and we’re starting to be able to draw some conclusions from the action we’re seeing on Sundays.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
One thing we have seen from the outset is how creative the Washington Redskins are prepared to get with their playbook, now that they have a quarterback like [b]Robert Griffin III[/b]. They have broken out traditional Shanahan staples like roll outs, moving pockets and the like, but now we’re seeing far more creative stuff.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Against Cincinnati, the Redskins broke out an extended period of play running the triple option offense, a mainstay of some colleges but not something that has been regularly used in the NFL for years. On a single drive in the third quarter they used all three variants of the triple option, so we are going to use this week’s Analysis Notebook to break them down.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[color=#008000][size=1][b]Option No.1, the FB dive. Washington @ Atlanta | 3rd Q, 8.14[/b][/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Outcome:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
On 1st-and-10 RG3 hands the ball to the FB who breaks a tackle and makes 13 yards up the middle.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Analysis:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
We’re not going to look at these plays chronologically as they happened in the game, but rather from the perspective of the progression in reads of the triple option offense to give you an idea of how it works. The basic principle is that on every play there are three potential players that can get the ball and run with it, attacking three different areas on defense that have to be accounted for.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The first option is the hand off to the full back, who dives up the middle. The play begins by reading (usually) a single defender, in this case the DLE [b]Robert Geathers[/b]. He is the player being ‘optioned’, because he is faced with the decision of whether to crash down the line to stop the full back dive in its tracks, or whether to respect the ability of RG3 to keep the ball and break outside of him into open field. If the quarterback reads him correctly, it is virtually impossible for Geathers to win on the play, he is damned whatever way he reacts.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply2wascin.jpg"][img]https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply2wascin.jpg[/img][/url][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
As you can see from the image, we have drawn up the three potential ways this ball can travel, but the two Geathers is concerned with are the dive and the keeper by RG3. He hesitated when he read the play and stayed wide enough that Griffin was comfortable handing the ball off to Morris, playing FB in this formation. Right tackle [b]Tyler Polumbus[/b] was already working through to the second level, because Geathers can be left unblocked, and got enough on MLB [b]Rey Maualuga[/b] to force a missed tackle 5 yards down field.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The reason that Geathers can be left unblocked at the point of attack is because he has to try and cover two possible run directions, and the play changes depending on which way he decides to go. This is how college offenses, often with less talented players, can have success with this offense. The threat of the other two options opens the hole for the run right up the middle, which would normally be taken away by stout interior defense or superior talent on the line.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Option No.2, the QB keeper. Washington @ Cincinnati | 3rd Q, 5:54[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Outcome:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
On 1st-and-10 RG3 keeps the ball and runs to left field for a 9-yard gain.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Analysis:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
This play represents the second option in the sequence. This is identical to the first play, except it was run to the other side of the formation. The optioned defender was again the same, the defensive end on that side of the line that is left unblocked. [b]Michael Johnson[/b] is that defender this time and he played it in a completely different way to Geathers. Indecision was the least of his problems as he immediately crashed down on the FB dive, and grabbed hold of the running back as he passed the line of scrimmage.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply3wascin.jpg"][img]https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply3wascin.jpg[/img][/url][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Unfortunately for Johnson, who otherwise had a fantastic game, this blew contain on the option to the outside, and allowed RG3 to take off into open space. Griffin correctly read the angle of attack from the defensive end and knew that he had plenty of space to his outside. He widened his run far enough to create space as the SS [b]Nate Clements[/b] tried to hedge his bets between Griffin and the outside pitch, which allowed the Redskins’ quarterback to cut back up field and pick up 9 yards before being challenged.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
This play nicely shows how the two alternate options actually help Griffin’s run, the first by taking the defensive end out of the play better than any down block ever could, and the second by widening the angle of pursuit of the only defender with a chance of stopping Griffin before he made significant yardage.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[color=#008000][size=1][b]Option No.3, the pitch to the HB. Washington @ Cincinnati | 3rd Q, 7:37[/b][/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Outcome: [/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
On 1st-and-10 Griffin breaks out the third of his options, pitching the ball to[b] Brandon Banks[/b]lining up at HB who gains 21 yards on the play[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Analysis:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Again the play from the offensive standpoint was identical, though there was a slight wrinkle in how the blocking worked because of the defense they are presented with. Before the play, Brandon Banks lined up in the slot to the left of the Redskins formation and then motioned into the backfield. To cover Banks the Bengals had moved OLB [b]Dan Skuta[/b] to line up over him and rotated safety Nate Clements down over that side. This rotation of the linebackers to that side of the field made Skuta the end man on the line of scrimmage. In the option the end man on the line of scrimmage is the player that is left unblocked to be optioned, because if anybody else is optioned they are trapped in a channel with one of the runs taken away by other bodies around them, which renders the option pointless and takes the decision out of their hands. In this case the blocking up front adjusted to block defensive end Michael Johnson, but leave Skuta unblocked on the perimeter to pick his poison with the option.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply1wascin.jpg"][img]https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012wk03ply1wascin.jpg[/img][/url][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Griffin again correctly read the congestion up the middle and elected to keep the ball himself. Skuta closed quickly from his outside linebacker spot up at the line so Griffin used his third option, the pitch to the HB. This gave Banks the ball well outside of Skuta and left only SS Clements with any chance of stopping a big gain. The Bengal couldn’t live with the speed of Banks once he was running and he was beaten to the edge. The Redskin then picked up another 15 yards in the open field down the sideline.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The option offense is so successful at every level of football because in all the complexities and moving parts of the game, plays can still be distilled to a two-on-one matchup that the defender can’t win. NFL offenses have shied away from the option because of the threat to their prized quarterbacks, but the option has made more of an appearance with the emergence of quarterbacks like RG3.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Follow Sam on Twitter: [i][url="http://twitter.com/#%21/SamMonson"]@PFF_Sam[/url], [/i]and follow our graphics wizard[i] [url="http://www.twitter.com/PFF_Rick"]@PFF_Rick[/url][/i][/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/26/analysis-notebook-week-3-2012/"]https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/26/analysis-notebook-week-3-2012/[/url][/size][/font][/color]

[Bengals1181]

[b] Cincinnati Bengals Solid Pass Protection Against The Washington Redskins[/b]

[right][url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/25/3406954/cincinnati-bengals-washington-redskins-pass-protection#comments"]13[/url][/right]
[i]
By [url="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Josh%20Kirkendall"]Josh Kirkendall[/url] ON SEP 25, 3:08P[/i]

[img]http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45861/152651047_standard_1348600071_500.jpg[/img]
Patrick McDermott - Getty Images

[color=#666666]
The Cincinnati Bengals established solid pass protection against the Washington Redskins, helping Andy Dalton establish a new career-high passer rating last Sunday[/color]

[url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/25/3406954/cincinnati-bengals-washington-redskins-pass-protection#"]SHARE ON FACEBOOK[/url]
[url="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cincinnati+Bengals+Solid+Pass+Protection+Against+The+Washington+Redskins&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsbn.to%2FP1US6o&via=CincyJungle"]SHARE ON TWITTER[/url][color=#292929]
For the second time in as many weeks, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton established a career-high passer rating, posting a 132.9 against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. That was following a previous mark of 128.8 against the Cleveland Browns last week. A collection of weapons and play calls has enabled Dalton to thrive early in the season. But none of that matters if the Bengals pass protection isn't keeping him upright. And for the most part, they did their job against the Redskins last week.[/color][color=#292929]
But we start not with Andy Dalton, rather Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu taking the first snap from scrimmage on Sunday. From a wildcat/shotgun formation, Sanu unleashed an arching 73-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green, giving the Bengals an early 7-0 lead. It was... beautiful. And impressive. But one can't be impressive without the success from their offensive line -- and if you watched the first half of Monday's game between the Seahawks and Packers, you'd agree. After Sanu took the shotgun snap, Washington defensive end Ryan Kerrigan sprinted upfield. Offensive tackle Andre Smith tracked him like a Lion hunting a dangerous adult male buffalo. Washington's best pass rusher tried overpowering Andre Smith, but the former first-round pick out of Alabama held his ground.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1424587/passblock.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Perhaps it was the visual impression of having a wide receiver at quarterback, preventing Kerrigan's pass rushing instincts to fully collapse the pocket using an armory of moves. It's possible. For all that he (and the rest of us) knew, they were going to run the football off the edge, often the result of a wildcat formation. Instead Sanu threw the football deep down the middle of the field without any pressure.[/color][color=#292929]
It was a similar theme for Smith all afternoon. A pick-six ([url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/24/3382678/game-review-the-pick-six-featured-pass-protection-design-flaw"]which we detailed here[/url]) later, Jermaine Gresham subsequently committed a false start penalizing the Bengals into first and 15. Following an uneventful two-yard run, the Bengals established second and 12 from their own 16-yard line. Washington rushes five and Andre Smith does a Gandolf impression ("You shall not pass" reference) on Ryan Kerrigan.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1424585/passblock2.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Actually everyone held their own, except for Jeff Faine who lost his balance when leaning forward against defensive lineman Stephen Bowen. No harm. Kevin Zeitler picked up the block. Dalton completed the 22-yard pass to Jermaine Gresham, generating a first down.[/color][color=#292929]
Others got into the pass protection act. Clint Boling, Jeff Faine and Kevin Zeitler didn't allow a hit on the quarterback or pressure. And following Josh Wilson's pass interference that pushed Cincinnati to their own 48-yard line with over nine minutes remaining, Andy Dalton takes the first down drop and BenJarvus Green-Ellis stays to protect. DeJon Gomes blitzed and was PUNISHED by Green-Ellis.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1424581/passblock3.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
For good measure, and nothing better to do, Green-Ellis swan-dove (or is it swan-dived) on top of Gomes for the three count. While refusing to remark Jermaine Gresham's creative pass protection move on Ryan Kerrigan...[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1424577/passblock4.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
...Dalton was able to escape pressure on a rollout to the right, completing the 14-yard pass to A.J. Green. First down.[/color][color=#292929]
The Washington Redskins tied the game at 24 with over three minutes remaining in the second when Cincinnati's offense finally takes the field from their own 20-yard line. The play was a simple back-shoulder throw to A.J. Green down the right sidelines, but required some protection due to the five-step drop. The Bengals kept seven for protection with three receivers heading out. BenJarvus Green-Ellis stoned a blitzing DeJon Gomes and Jermaine Gresham did an excellent job slowing Ryan Kerrigan just enough for Dalton to release the football[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433323/passblock7.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433321/passblock6.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Yet sometimes the quality of a pass rush only succeeded based on Andy Dalton's fearlessness to withstand a hit on the pocket. Seeing A.J. Green's vertical route develop down the right sidelines with DeAngelo Hall covering, linebacker Markus White's pass rush against Andrew Whitworth would have severely crippled an offensive possession that would eventually result in a touchdown.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433273/passblock5.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Dalton released the football prior to White's attempted strip (he was going for the ball, not the hit), connecting with A.J. Green on the 31-yard reception. It was one of Whitworth's poorer efforts, when speed and agility trumps his somewhat statuesque frame.[/color][color=#292929]
However it wasn't all peaches and cream either. There were struggles. We detailed [url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/24/3382678/game-review-the-pick-six-featured-pass-protection-design-flaw"]one of those here[/url].[/color][color=#292929]
During the second possession that followed-up Sanu's touchdown pass, Jermaine Gresham and Andrew Whitworth shared blame for a quarterback sack with 7:34 remaining in the first. Ryan Kerrigan bull-rushed Andrew Whitworth and Chris Wilson used speed and a spin move to ditch Jermaine Gresham's block.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433491/passblock8.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433489/passblock9.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Now the play actually offered pocket stability roughly four seconds after the snap, until Kerrigan's swinging arm penetrated Dalton's space and peripheral vision. By that time the quarterback was looking to ditch the play with a scramble but was subsequently sacked by Kerrigan and Wilson. Whitworth was also called for offensive holding, which the Redskins declined.[/color][color=#292929]
The Bengals entered the redzone early in the second quarter but couldn't penetrate the dreaded five-yard line. With 10:33 remaining in the first half on second and goal from Washington's five-yard line, Andy Dalton takes the snap as outside linebacker Perry Riley hovers around in coverage momentarily. As the blocking assignments settle, with Jermaine Gresham blocking Markus White, Clint Boling locked into Stephen Bowen and Andrew Whitworth patrolling his zone, Riley blitzes without contest.[/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433555/passblock10.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433553/passblock11.jpg[/img][/color][color=#292929]
Andy Dalton is sacked and the Bengals failed to recover for a first down. Now we should point out for those that check the grades, Pro Football Focus credited the sack to Jermaine Gresham. But we have a problem with that, considering he was already established on a blitzing linebacker. If he releases White for Perry, White has the free shot on Dalton. If anything Andrew Whitworth [i]could[/i] have monitored the scheme to his left, picked up leftovers and given Dalton more time during his progressions. Regardless of how it [i]should[/i] have worked out, perhaps it's somewhat aggressive to assign a quarterback sack on Gresham.[/color]
[color=#292929]
[url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/25/3406954/cincinnati-bengals-washington-redskins-pass-protection"]http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/25/3406954/cincinnati-bengals-washington-redskins-pass-protection[/url][/color]

[HairOnFire]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1348699462' post='1163507']
[b] [/b][color=#292929] While refusing to remark Jermaine Gresham's creative pass protection move on Ryan Kerrigan...[/color]
[color=#292929][img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1424577/passblock4.jpg[/img][/color]
[color=#292929]During the second possession that followed-up Sanu's touchdown pass, Jermaine Gresham and Andrew Whitworth shared blame for a quarterback sack with 7:34 remaining in the first. Ryan Kerrigan bull-rushed Andrew Whitworth and Chris Wilson used speed and a spin move to ditch Jermaine Gresham's block.[/color]
[color=#292929][img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433491/passblock8.jpg[/img][/color]
[color=#292929][img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433489/passblock9.jpg[/img][/color]
[color=#292929]The Bengals entered the redzone early in the second quarter but couldn't penetrate the dreaded five-yard line. With 10:33 remaining in the first half on second and goal from Washington's five-yard line, Andy Dalton takes the snap as outside linebacker Perry Riley hovers around in coverage momentarily. As the blocking assignments settle, with Jermaine Gresham blocking Markus White, Clint Boling locked into Stephen Bowen and Andrew Whitworth patrolling his zone, Riley blitzes without contest.[/color]
[color=#292929][img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433555/passblock10.jpg[/img][/color]
[color=#292929][img]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1433553/passblock11.jpg[/img][/color]
[color=#292929]Andy Dalton is sacked and the Bengals failed to recover for a first down. Now we should point out for those that check the grades, Pro Football Focus credited the sack to Jermaine Gresham. But we have a problem with that, considering he was already established on a blitzing linebacker. If he releases White for Perry, White has the free shot on Dalton. If anything Andrew Whitworth [i]could[/i] have monitored the scheme to his left, picked up leftovers and given Dalton more time during his progressions. Regardless of how it [i]should[/i] have worked out, perhaps it's somewhat aggressive to assign a quarterback sack on Gresham.[/color]

[color=#292929][url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/25/3406954/cincinnati-bengals-washington-redskins-pass-protection"]http://www.cincyjung...pass-protection[/url][/color]
[/quote]

Sadly, I fear our ProBowl TE is going to get out ProBowl QB killed one of these days.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='HairOnFire' timestamp='1348701192' post='1163509']
Sadly, I fear our ProBowl TE is going to get out ProBowl QB killed one of these days.
[/quote]

Isn't that a big part of why the Bengals 'intended' to run more 2 TE sets, so a guy can stay in to block and the other go out. Then they cut Cochart the best blocker, and it hasn't happened.

[T-Dub]

[img]http://cdn.ksk.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/lol-no-left-tackle-in-site.jpg[/img]

[CTBengalsFan]

[quote name='HairOnFire' timestamp='1348701192' post='1163509']
Sadly, I fear our ProBowl TE is going to get out ProBowl QB killed one of these days.
[/quote]

If they keep lining him up to block 1v1 against their best pass rusher, yeah probably.

In the Texans regular season game last year, it turned in the beginning of the second half because they left Cochart one-on-one with Connor Barwin who proceeded to strip sack Dalton.

Not sure why we're leaving TEs who clearly can't handle OLB rushers one-on-one.

[Bengals1181]

[b] [url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/24/refo-bengals-redskins-week-3/"]ReFo: Bengals @ Redskins, Week 3[/url][/b]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=1]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/author/sam/"]Sam Monson[/url] | 2012/09/24[/size][/font][/color][list]
[*][url="http://twitter.com/share"]Tweet[/url]
[*]
[/list][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b][url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/24/refo-bengals-redskins-week-3/"][img]https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/REFO-WK03-CIN@WAS-150x150.jpg[/img][/url]Andy Dalton[/b] and the Cincinnati Bengals took on [b]Robert Griffin III[/b]and the Washington Redskins in this interesting Week 3 encounter. The last time these two quarterbacks met, Dalton completed 21 of 23 passes for over 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns as his TCU side smashed Baylor by 30 points.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
This time, RG3 had a different idea of the way things would unfold, even if the game was close to getting out of reach on a couple of occasions. Ultimately his comeback attempt came up short, and once again Dalton was on the winning side of the exchange.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
As it happens, Dalton was also on the better side of the PFF grades, besting RGIII by a [color=#008000][b]+4.6[/b][/color]to [color=#008000][b]+3.1[/b][/color] mark by the end.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[color=#008000][size=1][b]Cincinnati – Three Performances of Note[/b][/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]Combine Stud Michael Johnson Turned Up[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Few players have the athletic gifts of [b]Michael Johnson[/b], who blew up the combine when he worked out there before being drafted. Unfortunately for him and the Bengals his play has never really reflected the ability he has, and he has usually been relegated merely to situational duty in the NFL. In this game we got a look at the kind of player he can be, and his[color=#008000][b]+7.2[/b][/color] grade came as a result of knocking the quarterback to the ground eight times over the course of the game.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
What makes the grade even more impressive is that two of his sacks were not given massive grades, because they came unblocked and required little effort. Johnson was a force in this game all day long. He batted a pass and played the run well, despite at one point failing to drag down both parts of a read-option play with one arm in an ambitious effort. The Redskins lost starting LT [b]Trent Williams[/b] early in the game, so it’s worth noting who Johnson was playing against for much of the game ([b]Jordan Black[/b] – recently out of retirement and no great shakes before he quit the game), but that shouldn’t cause people to overlook how excellent he was in this game, and the potential he still has if he wants to play like this every week.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]Dalton to Green, Airmail[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
You won’t find a much better looking pair of draft picks than the two Cincinnati got last season, [b]A.J. Green [/b]([color=#008000][b]+4.8[/b][/color]) and Dalton ([color=#008000][b]+4.6[/b][/color]). The duo not only looked great individually, but have a pretty good connection going together as well. Dalton threw for three touchdowns, 328 yards and had a passer rating of 132.9 on just 19 completions in this game. He did throw a pretty ugly pick-six in his own end zone, but it was under pressure and his delivery was hampered by defenders.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Green was thrown at 10 times, and caught nine of them for 183 yards and a touchdown. When passes were thrown at him, the QB rating was 152.1 and he beat four different defenders to those catches. In his second season, Green is already one of the game’s best receivers and has shown that he can snatch passes from anywhere around him, beat people over the top, and make plays in close coverage.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]LB Woes[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
This was not a good day for the Cincinnati linebackers. Washington worked the middle of the field a lot (19 of RGIII’s 29 aimed passes went between the numbers), and the Bengals couldn’t keep track of crossing receivers, shut down routes up the seam, or prevent themselves missing tackles after catches had been made. Rookie [b]Vontaze Burfict [/b]([b]0.2[/b]) and[b]Vincent Rey [/b]([color=#FF0000][b]-1.2[/b][/color]) didn’t exactly distinguish themselves, but it was [b]Rey Maualuga [/b]([color=#FF0000][b]-6.2[/b][/color]) that had the true nightmare in the middle. He allowed a catch on all seven passes into his coverage for 89 yards, and missed three tackles.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The Bengals had high hopes for the USC product, but he can’t continue to have games like this if he expects to hold on to the middle linebacker job. He struggled to recognize crossing routes quickly enough, and wasn’t able to live with players like [b]Fred Davis[/b] on deeper routes down the field.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[color=#008000][size=1][b]Washington – Three Performances of Note[/b][/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]Kerrigan Picking Up The Slack[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The more I see of [b]Ryan Kerrigan,[/b] the more impressed with his play I become. He is a complete player at outside linebacker just a season after having to make the switch in positions. In this game he graded [color=#008000][b]+4.3 [/b][/color]and scored positively in every category we measure. He got himself a sack, but also took Dalton down on another two occasions and hurried him twice more. He also batted a pass when he was all that stood between Dalton and a completion for healthy yardage.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
As if that wasn’t enough he also played well in the run game. He got dirty when the time called for it and cut inside blockers to make plays. Every tackle he made (including the sack), was for a defensive stop. The Redskins will certainly miss Brian Orakpo this season, but the sting will be taken out of the loss if Kerrigan continues to have performances like this.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]OTs Mar the OL Performance[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Three members of the offensive line graded well in this game (four if you count [b]Trent Williams [/b]at [color=#008000][b]+1.1[/b][/color] who left injured and played just 14 snaps). [b]Kory Lichtensteiger [/b]([b][color=#008000]+1.2[/color][/b])[b], Will Montgomery [/b]([b][color=#008000]+1.4[/color][/b]) and [b]Chris Chester [/b]([color=#008000][b]+2.7[/b][/color]) all had impressive games, paved the way for the run game, and didn’t allow RGIII to hit the deck. The quartet combined to allow just four pressures in total.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Unfortunately the offensive tackles, [b]Tyler Polumbus [/b]([color=#FF0000][b]-5.2[/b][/color]) and [b]Jordan Black [/b]([color=#FF0000][b]-4.8[/b][/color]) more than made up for that. Black, in fairness, is only recently off the couch and back in the weight room, so asking him to hold up at left tackle was always optimistic, and so it proved. He surrendered a pair of sacks and three more knockdowns in his 39 pass blocking snaps. And on the other end, Polumbus couldn’t deal with [b]Carlos Dunlap[/b] at all. He surrendered a pair of knockdowns and four more pressures, and was put on skates by Dunlap on more than one occasion. Washington isn’t far from having a good offensive line in front of their franchise quarterback, but OT could be an issue if Williams goes down for long.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[size=1][b]The Safety Blanket[/b][/size][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Every top quarterback needs a fine safety blanket in the shape of a good tight end, and RGIII has [b]Fred Davis [/b]([color=#008000][b]+1.7[/b][/color])¸who looks like he can fill that role nicely. Davis caught all sevenpasses thrown at him in this game (for 90 yards), worked the loose coverage in the Cincinnati secondary, and made plays behind linebackers.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Davis has the receiving talent to be one of the league’s better tight ends, and if he can keep his nose clean. and can stay on the field, he could form quite a potent tandem with Griffin.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[color=#008000][size=1][b]Game Notes[/b][/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
– [b]Andrew Hawkins [/b]([b][color=#008000]+1.9[/color][/b]) continued his fine start to the year by catching two passes for 66 yards and a TD, and rushing for another 16 yards.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
– For a 10-year veteran, [b]Terence Newman [/b]([b]-0.1[/b]) made two of the dumber mistakes you will ever see. First, he tried to pick up a ball after the Redskins attempted to save a touchback on a punt. Then he blasted RG3 out of bounds on the final drive to gift the Redskins 15 yards of field position.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
– Working against Green for most of the night, [b]DeAngelo Hall [/b]([color=#FF0000][b]-1.4[/b][/color]) surrendered eight catches for 117 yards from his 11 targets.[/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[b][color=#008000][size=1]Game Ball [/size][/color][/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
The Bengals actually have several players who deserve this award, so I’m going to hedge my bets and give it to the passing combination of [b]Andy Dalton [/b]to [b]A.J. Green[/b], even if the longest of Green’s receptions came from a receiver in a wildcat package on the first play of the game.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/24/refo-bengals-redskins-week-3/"]https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/24/refo-bengals-redskins-week-3/[/url][/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif][size=3]
Follow Sam on Twitter: [i][i][url="http://twitter.com/#%21/SamMonson"]@PFF_Sam[/url][/i][/i][/size][/font][/color]

[bearcat7777]

Newman picking up the punt once it was touched was a smart play not a bad play. Even if he fumbled the ball the Bengals would have the option to take the ball where is was first touched. So any yard, half yard could only help the Bengals, there was downsize risk.

[Bengals1181]

tape breakdown from the Redskins side of things:


[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/BengalsDaily"][b]Bengals Daily[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]BengalsDaily[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
All-22 Film Breakdown: Rob Jackson vs Cincinnati Bengals[url="http://t.co/9V8qSLO5"][size=1]http://[/size]sns.mx/yBjAy7[/url][/background][/font][/color]

[Bengals1181]

[b] How Mohamed Sanu's Touchdown Pass Against The Washington Redskins Worked[/b]

[right][url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/28/3422354/how-mohamed-sanus-touchdown-pass-against-the-washington-redskins#comments"]+[/url][/right]

[i]By [url="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Josh%20Kirkendall"]Josh Kirkendall[/url] ON SEP 28, 8:24A[/i]

[img]http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/195755/152640650_standard_1348834980_500.jpg[/img]
Larry French - Getty Images


[color=#666666]The Cincinnati Bengals opened the scoring last Sunday with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Mohamed Sanu to A.J. Green. Now we know why it worked.[/color]


[color=#292929]The shocking decision by Cincinnati's offense to throw the football out of a wildcat formation with Mohamed Sanu as the quarterback, not only surprised most of us. It shocked the Washington Redskins, [url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/09/27/redskins-defensive-coordinator-jim-haslett-takes-the-blame-for-bengals-wildcat-td-pass/?tid=pm_sports_pop"]especially defensive coordinator Jim Haslett[/url].[/color]
[indent=1]
[size=3][color=#888888][i]“The rule was, at the time — and I take the blame for that one: we didn’t practice it all week – but [inside linebacker] London [Fletcher] was trying to check to it when they came out in it, and the rule is, the safety has the quarterback. He keeps an eye on him, he doesn’t cover him, just keeps an eye on him. And the corner’s got the wideout, so we just got misaligned.”[/i][/color][/size][/indent]

[color=#292929]The misalignment had cornerback DeAngelo Hall on quarterback Andy Dalton and safety DeJon Gomes on A.J. Green, who had lined up in the slot. According to Mike Jones with the Washington Post, Hall tried to "signal to Gomes for the two to switch coverage assignments. But Gomes apparently didn't hear or understand Hall."[/color]
[color=#292929]It's not just the alignment either. Bengals offensive coordinator [url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2012/09/27/the-bengals-installed-that-wildcat-play-just-for-the-redskins/"]Jay Gruden concluded that their coverage scheme[/url] against the wildcat formation would be Cover 0, which is a man coverage without any help over the top.[/color]
[indent=1]
[size=3][color=#888888][i]“We had a pretty good indication that they were gonna be in Cover-0 when we went wildcat with whoever we had back there other than a quarterback, whether it’s a running back or wide receiver,” Gruden told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week. “It took a little bit of time, but the free safety came out of the middle of the field, and came in the box, and we knew we had A.J. one-on-one against a safety."[/i][/color][/size][/indent]

[color=#292929]And what happened, happened.[/color]

[color=#292929]gif: [url="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1420247/wildtd.gif"]http://assets.sbnati...0247/wildtd.gif[/url][/color]

[color=#292929]What could be an interesting byproduct of this play is the amount of time opposing defenses will be forced to review and practice Cincinnati's wildcat formation, taking time away that could be used against Cincinnati's more conventional offense.[/color]

[color=#292929][url="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/9/28/3422354/how-mohamed-sanus-touchdown-pass-against-the-washington-redskins"]http://www.cincyjung...ington-redskins[/url][/color]

[|Lucid|]

[quote name='Abu-Zayd' timestamp='1348548232' post='1162828']
I don't mind the trickery... I don't like Huber running the ball there. Ugly play call, whoever it was.
[/quote]

Actually not.. If Peko makes his block Huber might have scored a TD. The call was fine, it was the execution that was lacking.

[Go Skins]

This is going back to yesterday's game, not the game against y'all, but very interesting:
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000068269/article/robert-griffin-iiis-headset-malfunctions-on-final-drive"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000068269/article/robert-griffin-iiis-headset-malfunctions-on-final-drive[/url]

The Associated Press reported Griffin's headset did not work during the final, game-winning drive.

"The whole drive was a little complicated," Griffin said. "In practice every week, we always practice me calling the plays in two-minute, acting as if the headset goes out. The funny thing was the headset did go out on that drive. That's why I was having to run back and forth to the sideline.

"I had to call a couple of my own plays, and we moved the chains and got in field-goal range. It was very neat how that practice situation, that practice scenario, actually played out in the game."

Griffin threw for 323 yards, ran for 43 and a touchdown and did not turn over the ball.