Stuart Schweigert a Redskin

The question for the coaches isn't who is the best player at free safety. IMO, the question is this ... is FS X + SS Landy > FS Landry + SS X. I don't know if we know the answer to that question. I like Doughty, but I'm not 100% convinced that he is a better SS than a guy like Schweigert is at FS. Nor am I 100% certain that Laron is better at SS than FS.

I agree we want our best players on the field at the same time. However (this reply goes to RMSkins as well) the FS position is usually the QB of the secondary. Due to the FS's vantage point of being back in the center of the formation, they see the subtle changes in the formation like if a WR lines up wider or an OL that lines up wider that can tip off a play. A really good/smart FS can make everyone else in the secondary and in turn the defense better.
Just like a good MLB like London Fletcher is the QB of the front seven. Due to a MLB's vantage point (middle of the the line 3 to 5 yds back) he can make sure our DL are in the right gaps and can detect the subtle changes in the gaps/spacing between the O-Linemen that can tip off a play. A good MLB usually calls the audibles for the front seven. Well the FS does the same for the secondary due to his location in the field.
Plus add in the FS is the last line of defense on the field. A good will FS will stop 10-15 yard gainer from becoming a really big play and TD. If the SS misses a tackle while supporting the run the FS can be be behind him to finish the tackle. I know it does not always work out that way, but that is the idea. An elite FS makes the entire defense better. We do not want to put a not so bright guy in at FS because he is a great athlete. He needs to be smart too. The FS is a thinking mans position and tries to outsmart the QB.

Anyone who thinks Stuart Schweigert is going to be a Strong Safety for us needs to go to Redskins.com and watch Greg Blache's press conference. Blache calls Schweigert a, "pure Free Safety," and that he is here to compete at the FS position. Schweigert is not your prototypical SS, he is not suited to be an "in the box" type of player because his tackling is sub-par. In Oakland, and at Purdue Schweigert was exclusivley a FS, and there is no reason to believe that he could be a SS for us, he just simply does not have the skill set.

He (Blache) also said it was too soon to determine who was going to be starting where. Like I said when someone from Redskins Park makes an announcement I will go from there. Right now I have no reason to believe that anyone but Laron Landry is starting at FS.



Schweigert said he's been told that Landry is the projected starter at strong safety. Landry finished last season at free safety after the death of Sean Taylor, with Reed Doughty starting at strong safety.
Defensive coordinate Greg Blache said it was too early to say where Landry will line up.

"He could start as a free safety or a strong safety," Blache said. "Right now, there's no need to rush into that."
Redskins sign Schweigert - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-06-02-339778307_x.htm)

Anyone who thinks Stuart Schweigert is going to be a Strong Safety for us needs to go to Redskins.com and watch Greg Blache's press conference. Blache calls Schweigert a, "pure Free Safety," and that he is here to compete at the FS position. Schweigert is not your prototypical SS, he is not suited to be an "in the box" type of player because his tackling is sub-par. In Oakland, and at Purdue Schweigert was exclusivley a FS, and there is no reason to believe that he could be a SS for us, he just simply does not have the skill set.

I was wrong to think that Schweigert can be a Strong Safety though.

He (Blache) also said it was too soon to determine who was going to be starting where. Like I said when someone from Redskins Park makes an announcement I will go from there. Right now I have no reason to believe that anyone but Laron Landry is starting at FS.



Schweigert said he's been told that Landry is the projected starter at strong safety. Landry finished last season at free safety after the death of Sean Taylor, with Reed Doughty starting at strong safety.
Defensive coordinate Greg Blache said it was too early to say where Landry will line up.

"He could start as a free safety or a strong safety," Blache said. "Right now, there's no need to rush into that."
Redskins sign Schweigert - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-06-02-339778307_x.htm)



I absolutely agree. It is to early to say where any of the safeties line up. To me it just comes down to: Is Schweigert a better FS than Doughty is a SS? vice versa. Whoever comes out on top is going to be the starter opposite Landry, and it will determine which position Landry plays.

I like stu but i don't think hes worth the player to change Landry to SS when at FS he did better.

But its whatever i just want the skins to still have a good D and win games no matter what.

I really think that moving Laron Landry from the FS position would be a huge detriment to this team. Stuart Schweigert, while decent, just can't fly around the field the way I would like and the way I am accustomed to seeing Redskins' free safeties for the past few years. Landry was a monster at the end of the season, no reason for Blache to move him. Schweigert is not nearly good enough to push Landry into the SS role.

IF Landry stayed at FS (a move I wouldn't argue w/), do you Schweigert would be the starting SS or do you think that would go to Doughty? It's a great competition, but if they are competing for SS I think it makes the competition a lot more even for Doughty.

Well, apparently no one thinks that Schweigert can play SS so I think he'll have to be relegated to backing up both positions as I don't see what more attractive options there are at SS than Doughty. I really don't believe that Schweigert couldn't play SS in this system, but he'd really have to improve his tackling.

I'm sure Stu is a fin gentleman and a fine FS. But putting him back to patrol the field over Landry ? Have you seen the race against Portis ?


Nuff said !

Added Blache: "He's a pure free safety...I'm not going to make any predictions at this time, but he is a guy with starting experience in this league. He has a chance to compete and add to our depth."

Shakeup In Secondary? (http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=36168)