The Washington Redskins’ bye week came at an opportune time for a 3-6 team. Just past the halfway point in the season, The Washington Times’ Zac Boyer and Tom Schad hand out their midterm grades:
QUARTERBACKS
Boyer: C. Robert Griffin III has played nine quarters in nine games because of injury, so it’s impossible to say what he’ll be. Kirk Cousins struggled mightily in Griffin’s place, but Colt McCoy was a bright spot.
Schad: C-. Griffin has been mediocre in nine quarters of play, and McCoy’s impressive flashes don’t quite offset Cousins’ back-breaking fourth-quarter turnovers.
RUNNING BACKS
Boyer: C–. The run game was the strength of the Redskins’ offense the last two seasons, but it’s been marginal at just 104.6 yards per game and ranks No. 14 in the league. Alfred Morris, who had 10 100-yard games his first two seasons, hasn’t had one in more than a year.
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Schad: C+. Though struggling by his standards, Morris still ranks sixth in the league in rushing. Roy Helu has had lapses in pass protection but also flashed in the screen game.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Boyer: C+. DeSean Jackson has been a bright spot, leading the league with nine receptions for more than 40 yards and an 87.1 yards-per-game average. Pierre Garçon has all but disappeared, however, and Andre Roberts has cooled after a quick start.
Schad: B-. One of the team’s few bright spots. Jackson has lived up to his lofty expectations, while Garcon and Roberts have been dangerous complements.
TIGHT ENDS
Boyer: C–. Losing Jordan Reed for four games hurt, but aside from the game against Arizona, his impact has been minimal. Niles Paul stepped up in Reed’s place but isn’t a threat with him back. Logan Paulsen has nine catches in nine games.
Schad: C. Paul filled in admirably while Reed was injured, and Reed has been fine since returning, but run-blocking at this position has been inconsistent.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Boyer: C–. The run game is pedestrian because of the inconsistent blocking, especially on the interior of the line. Right tackle Tyler Polumbus was benched because he was ineffective in the passing game, but the protection issues go deeper than that.
Schad: D. With the possible exception of Trent Williams, this group has been woefully ineffective in both run and pass-blocking, creating a negative ripple effect throughout the offense.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Boyer: C. Aside from defensive end Jason Hatcher, the unit hasn’t continually been a disruptive force in the passing game. That should change once nose tackle Barry Cofield returns from injury and as defensive end Stephen Bowen continues to get healthy.
Schad: C-. The pass rush has been lackluster but the front three have been relatively stout against the run. Cofield will make a significant difference when he returns.
LINEBACKERS
Boyer: B–. While outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan has 7.5 sacks, the seventh-most in the league entering the weekend, Brian Orakpo was invisible before his injury and rookie Trent Murphy is still learning. Inside linebackers Perry Riley and Keenan Robinson have racked up tackles but the 14th-ranked run defense isn’t anything spectacular.
Schad: C+. Robinson is coming into his own, and Kerrigan has nearly twice as many sacks as any other Redskins player. Riley has been a weak link in pass coverage.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Boyer: C+. Cornerback David Amerson has continued to develop and rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland has had his moments in place of the injured DeAngelo Hall. Strong safety Brandon Meriweather and free safety Ryan Clark aren’t forcing turnovers and are inconsistent.
Schad: D. Believe it or not, this grade is inflated because of Breeland. Otherwise, the struggles have been widespread, from poor communication to poor tackling in critical moments.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Boyer: B. Tress Way (49.4 yards per punt) has been a nice find and Kai Forbath (15-for-16 on field goals) have been strong, but the lackluster return game (13th in punts, 28th in kickoffs) has not helped the offense nearly enough.
Schad: B. Way has been a revelation, Forbath has been a model of consistency and coverage on kickoffs and punts has steadily improved each week.
COACHING
Boyer: C. Jay Gruden has put together solid offensive game plans and made very good in-game adjustments, especially after the half. The defense has been all over the place, allowing 25.4 points per game, but has lost impact players. Special teams is better than last year, but that’s not saying much.
Schad: C-. It’s not so much the schemes as it is the team’s overall lack of discipline. The Redskins have committed more penalties than all but four teams, and the staff must take responsibility for that.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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