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  6. article_body => "<p>New Redskins offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh knows how good his offense can be - and won't defend how poorly the unit has played so far this preseason.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"We, as an organization and certainly as an offense,&nbsp;expect to be productive every time we go on the field and we weren\u2019t,\" Cavanaugh said Friday.&nbsp;\"The first game we had two three-and-outs and that was pretty much it. Last week, it took us a little while to get started and then we had a nice two-minute drive and looked better, but we have high expectations.\"<\/p>\n<p>The high expectations come because of high production the last two seasons. In 2016, the Redskins posted the third most yards from scrimmage in the league, and the 12th best scoring offense. In 2015, the Redskins scored more (10th in the NFL) though moved the ball among the middle of the pack (17th). It's hard to look at the entire 2015 season, however, as Kirk Cousins posted his breakout performance in the second half of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Ever since the famed \"You like that\" game against Tampa in 2015, Cousins has been a different quarterback. Last year he threw for nearly 5,000 yards to power the Redskins passing game, and their offense.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the high-octane offense, the run game has not been a strength for the 'Skins. So far in the preseason, at least with the first unit out there, that has remained the case.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cavanaugh voiced what Gruden has said many times: \"We want to be more efficient running the ball.\"<\/p>\n<p>Well, duh.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last week against the Packers, the Redskins first-team offense averaged 1 yard-per-carry. Yep, 1. That's embarrasing. The offensive line has not been physical in the run game yet this preseason, though the unit has been solid in pass protection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Certainly, obviously, the run game absolutely has to perform better. Beyond that, Cousins needs to pay better as well. The QB hasn't been as accurate as normal, and seems a bit off target with his wideouts.<\/p>\n<p>\"We want to be accurate throwing balls and guys getting open. So that\u2019s a focus of ours every day we go out. You can always say, \u2018Well, good thing it\u2019s the preseason,\u2019 because we haven\u2019t been sharp for a couple of quarters,\" Cavanaugh said. \"We need to go out and start fast. That builds confidence that we\u2019re going to do things the right way and we\u2019re going to have it expected all the time. There\u2019s still some time to fix things, and we\u2019re excited about playing this weekend and we\u2019ll see where it goes.\"<\/p>\n<p>Most of the Redskins starters, especially at the skill positions on offense, won't play against Tampa in the fourth preseason game. That means this Sunday against Cincinnati is the group's last chance to get things cooking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cavanaugh, too, might begin to feel a little pressure. He's been with the Redskins for two seasons, but after Sean McVay got the head coaching job with the Rams this offseason, Cavanaugh is now in his&nbsp;first year as offensive coordinator. Gruden will call the plays on game day, but Cavanaugh now has a much bigger role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Never make too much of a preseason game. The games don't count, and the players know that. There's enough pressure in the regular season for guys to deal with, but at this point, with two disappointing games in the books, the Redskins offense really does need to start fast and produce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/must-see-photos-redskins-training-camp\">&lt;&lt;CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM REDSKINS TRAINING CAMP&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Want more Redskins? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JPFinlayCSN\/\">Click here to follow JP on Facebook<\/a> and check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/jpfinlaycsn\">@JPFinlayCSN<\/a>&nbsp;for live updates via Twitter!&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/redskins-talk\/id1151988852?mt=2\">Click here for the #RedskinsTalk on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/m\/Iygppa4jqsc74swaa7q7vfdc3ym?t=Redskins_Talk\">here for Google Play<\/a> or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!<\/p>\n<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" style=\"background-color:transparent; display:block; padding: 0; max-width: 700px;\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"allowtransparency\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"\/\/embeds.audioboom.com\/posts\/6237863-episode-94-previewing-the-redskins-bengals-preseason-matchup\/embed\/v4?eid=AQAAAPgKoFmnLl8A\" title=\"audioBoom player\"><\/iframe> \n"
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Redskins

Redskins

New Redskins offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh knows how good his offense can be - and won't defend how poorly the unit has played so far this preseason. 

"We, as an organization and certainly as an offense, expect to be productive every time we go on the field and we weren’t," Cavanaugh said Friday. "The first game we had two three-and-outs and that was pretty much it. Last week, it took us a little while to get started and then we had a nice two-minute drive and looked better, but we have high expectations."

The high expectations come because of high production the last two seasons. In 2016, the Redskins posted the third most yards from scrimmage in the league, and the 12th best scoring offense. In 2015, the Redskins scored more (10th in the NFL) though moved the ball among the middle of the pack (17th). It's hard to look at the entire 2015 season, however, as Kirk Cousins posted his breakout performance in the second half of the year.

Ever since the famed "You like that" game against Tampa in 2015, Cousins has been a different quarterback. Last year he threw for nearly 5,000 yards to power the Redskins passing game, and their offense.

Despite the high-octane offense, the run game has not been a strength for the 'Skins. So far in the preseason, at least with the first unit out there, that has remained the case. 

Cavanaugh voiced what Gruden has said many times: "We want to be more efficient running the ball."

 

Well, duh. 

Last week against the Packers, the Redskins first-team offense averaged 1 yard-per-carry. Yep, 1. That's embarrasing. The offensive line has not been physical in the run game yet this preseason, though the unit has been solid in pass protection. 

Certainly, obviously, the run game absolutely has to perform better. Beyond that, Cousins needs to pay better as well. The QB hasn't been as accurate as normal, and seems a bit off target with his wideouts.

"We want to be accurate throwing balls and guys getting open. So that’s a focus of ours every day we go out. You can always say, ‘Well, good thing it’s the preseason,’ because we haven’t been sharp for a couple of quarters," Cavanaugh said. "We need to go out and start fast. That builds confidence that we’re going to do things the right way and we’re going to have it expected all the time. There’s still some time to fix things, and we’re excited about playing this weekend and we’ll see where it goes."

Most of the Redskins starters, especially at the skill positions on offense, won't play against Tampa in the fourth preseason game. That means this Sunday against Cincinnati is the group's last chance to get things cooking. 

Cavanaugh, too, might begin to feel a little pressure. He's been with the Redskins for two seasons, but after Sean McVay got the head coaching job with the Rams this offseason, Cavanaugh is now in his first year as offensive coordinator. Gruden will call the plays on game day, but Cavanaugh now has a much bigger role. 

Never make too much of a preseason game. The games don't count, and the players know that. There's enough pressure in the regular season for guys to deal with, but at this point, with two disappointing games in the books, the Redskins offense really does need to start fast and produce. 

<<CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM REDSKINS TRAINING CAMP>>

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