JLC: Defense Looks to Simplify

Marcus Washington, the Redskins' best linebacker since joining the team in 2006, will have an expanded role. He's preparing to play as a rush end, with his hand down, on many passing downs and is expected to be used much less in pass coverage.


It sounds like MW will be used a little differently this year. That must be why we picked up so many LBs. Remember when LaVar played DE on passing downs? I think it was 2001 or something. I remember he had 10+ sacks that year. Hopefully, we can get similar production from MW in that role this year.

The key is SIMPLIFY. A healthy D used to there strengths, and there you have it. Greg W is tweaking the system, it's that SIMPLE.

As long as our corners can cover and our safties can keep recievers scared of going over the middle and the defensive line can muster some kind of pass rush we should be fine.

It sounds like MW will be used a little differently this year. That must be why we picked up so many LBs. Remember when LaVar played DE on passing downs? I think it was 2001 or something. I remember he had 10+ sacks that year. Hopefully, we can get similar production from MW in that role this year.

I think this is a great idea. Why not? We can line up Marcus at end opposite Carter on passing downs and stick Marshall, who is solid in pass coverage, in there as the 3rd LB. Then we'd have a great speed rush off both ends. Marcus has a great motor and enough speed to get around offensive tackles.

I think this is a great idea. Why not? We can line up Marcus at end opposite Carter on passing downs and stick Marshall, who is solid in pass coverage, in there as the 3rd LB. Then we'd have a great speed rush off both ends. Marcus has a great motor and enough speed to get around offensive tackles.


I have been wondering why we haven't done that in the past. Then it hit me, we didn't have the depth at linebacker but now that we have Fletcher who is an everydown linebacker, maybe Washington can put his hand down and rush the passer.

I have been wondering why we haven't done that in the past. Then it hit me, we didn't have the depth at linebacker but now that we have Fletcher who is an everydown linebacker, maybe Washington can put his hand down and rush the passer.

I don't see why not. He's our defensive leader. He's always bouncing up and down in between plays... Imagine how much he'd be salivating knowing he gets to make a bee-line for the QB? Think of how the other guys would feed off of Marcus getting sacks. They'd be a pack of wild dogs Vick would be jealous of (sorry). He's got good speed and isn't too much lighter than Dwight Freeny, Andre Carter, etc. I think it's a great wrinkle we can throw in there a few times a game. We need sacks and we didn't improve the D-line personnel-wise in the offseason, so it can't hurt to try.

I don't see why not. He's our defensive leader. He's always bouncing up and down in between plays... Imagine how much he'd be salivating knowing he gets to make a bee-line for the QB? Think of how the other guys would feed off of Marcus getting sacks. They'd be a pack of wild dogs Vick would be jealous of (sorry). He's got good speed and isn't too much lighter than Dwight Freeny, Andre Carter, etc. I think it's a great wrinkle we can throw in there a few times a game. We need sacks and we didn't improve the D-line personnel-wise in the offseason, so it can't hurt to try.


It really cant and he got 7.5 sacks in 2004 from the linebacker spot. I can see him cracking 10 easily from the DE spot when he is rushing from that spot. Hey Lavar Arrington (man I miss what he USED to do) did it. Marcus can get 12 if he is allowed to put his hand down and rush the passer.

It really cant and he got 7.5 sacks in 2004 from the linebacker spot. I can see him cracking 10 easily from the DE spot when he is rushing from that spot. Hey Lavar Arrington (man I miss what he USED to do) did it. Marcus can get 12 if he is allowed to put his hand down and rush the passer.

Yeah, but he's not going to play end full time. It's gonna be a situational thing, he's too valuable as an OLB. Plus he's coming off injury, so hopefully he'll stay healthy. If the over/under for his sack total was 8, I'd take the under. For now. And hey, if he did get 8, that would be more than any player on the entire team last year.

Yeah, but he's not going to play end full time. It's gonna be a situational thing, he's too valuable as an OLB. Plus he's coming off injury, so hopefully he'll stay healthy. If the over/under for his sack total was 8, I'd take the under. For now. And hey, if he did get 8, that would be more than any player on the entire team last year.


I know that but I can still see him getting 12. About 7 from the linebacking spot, and 5 from situational pass rushing. Hopefully that Justin Hickman can be last years Mark Anderson. 12 sacks as a situational pass rusher for the Bears to lead the team.

Yeah, I am looking forward to "07, but I am never going to allow myself to get totally psyched up again like in the past. Either it is Brunell, Matthews, Ramsey, etc stinking or some guys getting injured, and we are always less than 100% for most of our games. We should have an injury pool and take bets on which player gets injured first and what week, etc.