The defense (MERGED)

I want to see Sean Tayolor blitz from different angles, and I really hope Lavar comes in for 3rd downs to blitz Plummer.

The D gave up two long drives yesterday, and that's worrisome. But I agree that Seattle is a very good offensive team, and that they are going to get some points. When they get that west coast rhythm going, and then start running Alexander, they are a tough group to contain.

I felt like our zone coverage was less good yesterday--I wonder if that can be attributed to Harris and Prileau (sp?) being out, Clark being back for the first time, and Carlos making his first start. Also, Taylor was out at the end (still unlcear why...) and Springs apparently had a shoulder problem late (or so I read in the Post). That hurts a D's ability to cover, no doubt.

As for pressure, it has to improve. But our goal is to stop the run first with that D-line, so I don't think we'll get much there. Williams will find a way to do it.

But what has Lavar done to piss off Dale Lindsay? I feel like there's some tension there. I am sure that if Lindsay says to Williams, "Lavar is 100%. Put him into more packages" that would happen. Lindsay's a drill-sargeant type. Wonder if Lavar isn't grooving with him? Hope it gets worked out becuase Lavar can rush the passer from the WLB.

But what has Lavar done to piss off Dale Lindsay? I feel like there's some tension there. I am sure that if Lindsay says to Williams, "Lavar is 100%. Put him into more packages" that would happen. Lindsay's a drill-sargeant type. Wonder if Lavar isn't grooving with him? Hope it gets worked out becuase Lavar can rush the passer from the WLB.

I'm wondering the same thing. They had a quote (Washington Times I think) from Dale Lindsey and said "I'm tired of answering the same question, Lavar's packages were not called today and thats why he didn't play".

I also heard Howie Long say that Lavar was asked to do punt coverage, and he said he would, but he wouldn't participate in any of the meetings. Something is going on behind the scenes, and its becoming more and more apparent that Lavars days as a Redskin are numbered. I hope I'm wrong.

I don't believe that Lavar has outstayed his welcome. More media naughtiness and s**t stirring.

Lavar will get let off the leash in Denver.

LAs days as a skin really are numbered and I believe if it wasnt for the huge cap hit the team would have to take he would be traded ASAP. This special teams thing will turn into a battle of will between LA and Gibbs and there is no way Gibbs will lose.

I think the skins will take the smaller (but still significant) cap hit in the offseason and move LA somewhere for draft picks.

I slightly misquoted Dale Lindsey. Here's what he said..

Arrington Used Sparingly


Linebacker LaVar Arrington, a three-time Pro Bowl pick who missed much of 2004 with knee injuries, was used on four plays yesterday, largely watching from the sidelines with his helmet off for the second straight game. He played twice on a drive early in the game, but Chris Clemons played more as a pass rushing linebacker on passing downs. "I've already said everything I'm going to say about that situation," linebackers coach Dale Lindsey said. "His packages were not called, so he didn't play." . . .


He'll be on the John Thompson show today, so I'm if I hear anything I'll let everyone know.

Overall, I'm happy with the defense, but the main problem is(and has been for several years now) the front four. Outside of Cornelius Griffin, they are all below average at best. Brandon Noble in particular, is horrible. He played all 16 games last year and registered a grand total of 14 tackles and 1 sack. Phillip Daniels has never had more than 9 sacks in a season from the DE spot, and his average is somewhere around 4.5 for his 10 years career. And can someone please explain to me how getting 2.5 sacks a year has made Renaldo Wynn the best option at the other DE spot for the last 5 years?

As I said, I'm happy overall with the performance of the defense, but a decent pass rush from the front four would fix a lot of the small issues with the defense. It would strengthen the middle zone and flat coverage by allowing linebackers to cover more, and not have to commit to the blitz just to generate a pass rush.

And it bothers me that the coaching staff doesn't see the lack of productivity from the D line as a problem. I was sure they were going to draft an end this year, but apparently a CB(that isn't even needed) was more important.

And it bothers me that the coaching staff doesn't see the lack of productivity from the D line as a problem. I was sure they were going to draft an end this year, but apparently a CB(that isn't even needed) was more important.

What makes you think they don't think the lack of pressure from the D-line isn't a concern??

A pass rushing beast at DE would be nice, but the truth is they don't grow on trees. There's only a handful of exceptional pass rushing DEs around the league, and they aren't easy to develop coming out of college like other positions like RB for example.

Who should we have picked up this offseason either in the draft or through free agency that is superior to what we have now?

As for a CB not being necessary, did you notice that Walt Harris was out yesterday and Rogers started? If there was no Rogers we would have been looking at Jimoh starting... and that is something to be truly concerned about. Neither Harris or Springs are getting any younger, and Rogers was a great fit for our style of defense. Yesterday proved how important Rogers is.

i disagree with you southpaw. first off, brandon noble is on injured reserve, so he's not the problem. second off, you would really give up a cornerback that we need for a pass rushing defensive end? cornerbacks are way more valuable in g.w.'s scheme than d-linemen are. we do need carlos rogers, with how banged up we are right now in the secondary. if we didn't take carlos rogers, you'd be seeing ade jimoh playing, and we all know what happens when he plays.

Overall, I'm happy with the defense, but the main problem is(and has been for several years now) the front four. Outside of Cornelius Griffin, they are all below average at best. Brandon Noble in particular, is horrible. He played all 16 games last year and registered a grand total of 14 tackles and 1 sack. Phillip Daniels has never had more than 9 sacks in a season from the DE spot, and his average is somewhere around 4.5 for his 10 years career. And can someone please explain to me how getting 2.5 sacks a year has made Renaldo Wynn the best option at the other DE spot for the last 5 years?

As I said, I'm happy overall with the performance of the defense, but a decent pass rush from the front four would fix a lot of the small issues with the defense. It would strengthen the middle zone and flat coverage by allowing linebackers to cover more, and not have to commit to the blitz just to generate a pass rush.

And it bothers me that the coaching staff doesn't see the lack of productivity from the D line as a problem. I was sure they were going to draft an end this year, but apparently a CB(that isn't even needed) was more important.

Well, I first of all agree that we need some help up front with the pass rushing. However, I think we can count Brandon Noble out of the equation since he's been on IR for a couple of weeks now and his return next year looks more and more unlikely.

I do disagree on the drafting of a CB. Look how thin our secondary was yesterday with all the injuries. We had two guys that didn't even suit up, two just getting back healthy again - Clark and Bowen. So C.Rogers is a good pick, IMO, at the corner spot and I expect him to continue to grow in the starting role as the season goes on, especially if Harris has health problems.

Maybe we'll address our need for a pass rush next year in the draft. We may have some cap room to work with and if Ramsey doesn't stick around he may position us to get a quality pick in the draft.