Arguments about why Jim Haslett is a sub-par defensive coordinator have been made previously. This post specifically addresses Haslett's use of the 0-blitz.
Before going further, here's a quote from Brian Orakpo on the 0-blitz after the win against Seattle: "But whatever was called, we had to rise to the occasion and go with what was called." Does that sound like a player excited or confident in the 0-blitz?
For those who don't know, the 0-blitz is when 8 defenders line up at the line-of-scrimmage as blitzers, leaving only 3 defenders in the secondary each in single coverage. Nobody (as in, 0 defenders) are back as safeties to help in pass coverage. Haslett has called variations of the 0-blitz formation in three critical overtime or fourth quarter situations, and it has failed more often than not.
1) The 0-blitz was unveiled as a key weapon in the Skins first game against Dallas. The Skins were up late, and Dallas needed to score on their final drive. Haslett ran the 0-blitz not once, not twice, but three times in a row. It turns out Tony Romo and Dez Bryant were able to recognize the pattern, and they converted a key 3rd-and-18 on the way to scoring and winning the game.
Grade: FAIL
2) The 0-blitz formation made another appearance in game 2 against Dallas. This time Dallas had the ball 3rd-and-15 in OT. And this time the 0-blitz formation was a fake. At the snap of the ball, several apparent blitzers streaked back into pass-coverage. However, it is no easy thing to wait for the snap and then sprint from the line-of-scrimmage to help cover Dez Bryant, and the Skins defenders found themselves out of position. Romo completed an easy pass to Bryant and the 3rd-and-15 was easily converted. Dallas kicked the game-winning field goal just a few plays later.
GRADE: FAIL
3) The 0-blitz formation made a third key appearance in this past Sunday's game against Seattle. To be fair, it led to two QB sacks. But it also almost led to another late-game collapse. The Seahawks faced 3rd-and-11 trailing by 3 with 4 minutes left. The Skins showed the 0-blitz formation, but like the second Dallas game, defenders streaked back into coverage at the snap of the ball. This is difficult for defenders, and a Seahawks receiver got a step on Landry over the middle, the ball was thrown on-target, and Landry broke up the play by making contact to the receiver's body and then to the receiver's face just before the ball arrived. In other words, he interfered. The receiver complained, the replay showed interference, but no call. A penalty would have given the Seahawks 1st-down in Skins territory trailing by just 3. The Skins, and Haslett, dodged a bullet.
GRADE: LUCKY
In sum, the 0-blitz formation has failed twice against Dallas in key situations, and would have failed against the Seahawks except for a blown pass-interference call. Haslett's use of the scheme is simplistic, puts the Skins defenders in very difficult positions, and does more harm than good.
Brian Orakpo is a dynamite blitzer, perhaps the Redskin who would most benefit from and enjoy the 0-blitz. And we return to his comments: "But whatever was called, we had to rise to the occasion and go with what was called."
Reading in between the lines, Orakpo is suggesting that the Skins can *overcome* Haslett's 0-blitz calls through talent and effort. But the defensive coordinator's job is to remove, not create, obstacles to success.
The Redskins have an extremely talented defense, and Haslett is holding them back.
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