Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=SmootSmack;308306]But weren't we top 10 in 2005? So if we can drop so much in one year why can't the opposite happen?[/quote]

Becuase its much easier to be bad than to be good. It takes no effort to fall, you simply have to do nothing, it takes a lot of effort to climb.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

does anyone know how to change you name? mine needed to go a long time ago...

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=SmootSmack;308306]But weren't we top 10 in 2005? So if we can drop so much in one year why can't the opposite happen?[/quote]

Never said it couldn't happen, I just said it would be a rare jump. You very seldom see teams go from nearly dead last in overall D all the way to top tier-caliber in one season. Don't get me wrong, I hope it happens, I just don't think it's probable.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=BrunellMVP?;308325]Becuase its much easier to be bad than to be good. It takes no effort to fall, you simply have to do nothing, it takes a lot of effort to climb.[/quote]

Exactly.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;308296]Really, we have nowhere to go but up. We were just about the worst defense in the league last year. It shouldn't be too difficult to improve. Just the fact that we're healthy should put us into the top 20. A few more turnovers, and we could be top 15.[/quote]Yeah, this is pretty much the only reason I can see us improving defensively this year is that it just couldn't have been any worse.

More turnovers will come. You can't really do anything roster-wise to create more turnovers. Just teach the fundamentals, tackle and strip, and hope for the best. There is no chance we don't force [I]at least[/I] two more turnovers than last year. Just catch the ball, Carlos.

Our secondary is still going to get toasted all year though. While our pass rush will be [I]better[/I] than last year, it still isn't going to be very good. Taylor and Landry are going to spend all day backpedaling.

But the big difference will be that the linebackers will be much better in coverage this year. It's going to make a big difference in third down situations where we were awful on both sides of the ball.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308333]Yeah, this is pretty much the only reason I can see us improving defensively this year is that it just couldn't have been any worse.

[B][I] More turnovers will come. You can't really do anything roster-wise to create more turnovers. Just teach the fundamentals, tackle and strip, and hope for the best. There is no chance we don't force at least two more turnovers than last year. Just catch the ball, Carlos.[/I][/B]

Our secondary is still going to get toasted all year though. While our pass rush will be [I]better[/I] than last year, it still isn't going to be very good. Taylor and Landry are going to spend all day backpedaling.

But the big difference will be that the linebackers will be much better in coverage this year. It's going to make a big difference in third down situations where we were awful on both sides of the ball.[/quote]

What made me mad last year was that even freaking STATISTICIANS were saying: "They're going to come. The odds are HIGHLY STACKED in their favor." and it never happened. :(

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

They are discussing the NFC East on NFL Live right now if anyone in case anyone is interested....

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=Schneed10;308318]This is a really good post, good thought process regarding the Xs and Os here.

Best way to think about our defense is to pretend you're an offensive coordinator and try to gameplan for the 'Skins. As I look at our D, the number one weakness in my opinion is run defense up the middle. Until the Redskins prove they can stop it, I'm going to run up the middle on first down every damn time. I'm going to force Joe Salave'a, Kedric Golston, and Cornelius Griffin to show that they've got what it takes to stop me. If I can get 5 yards on first down, I'm in a 2nd and five.

2nd and five seriously limits what Gregg Williams can do schematically. If he wants to blitz me on 2nd and 5, I'll take that any day of the week as my hot routes can pick up 5 yards. I'm also quite comfortable continuing to pound away on the ground.

Maybe GW wants to bring LaRon Landry up in the box against me to help stop the run on 1st down. As soon as I see that, I'm going to max protect and run play actions. I'll have two WRs on the outside with LaRon Landry attacking the line, leaving Sean Taylor as the only safety. I'll need a savvy QB to be able to look Taylor off, because if the QB can't hold Taylor with his eyes, then my QB is going to toss interceptions.

Where my gameplan runs into trouble, first and foremost, is if suddenly the Redskins defensive line becomes stout against the run. As an offensive coordinator I'm concerned about the savvy London Fletcher in the middle. If he is reading my offense well and getting his linemen in the right places, I might have trouble getting into 2nd and 5. I might find myself in 2nd and 10 or 2nd and 8 a lot. And in that case, I'm going to get blitzed from God knows where.

Secondly, as holmester said, if the 'Skins CBs are monsters in coverage, my plan is shot to hell as Landry is going to shut down my running game, and I'll have nowhere to go with the ball. But I'm not as worried about that as Springs has shown a penchant for injury, and Rogers and Smoot both underachieved last year.

For the Redskins defense, it hinges on two things: Can we stop the run well enough to allow GW to get back to his exotic blitzes? And can our secondary cover well enough to dedicate an 8th man in the box to wreaking havoc on the run game and on blitz attempts?

I'm hopeful. But who knows.[/quote]If I'm gameplanning against Washington, I run right at Carter using a double team scrape technique with my TE and T. A double team scrape is simply line lingo for the T and TE hitting the DE at the same time, and one guy slides over or "scrapes" to the outside linebacker. I run this play early and often because I know the Redskins won't be able to stop it.

After establishing that I'd use a play action game to throw over the top of Sean Taylor. I'd use deep posts, slot corners, post corners, anything I could use that would take advantage of him being out of position.

I also would run a lot of bootlegs with my QB to tire out the dinosaurs on the defensive line, setting up plays where I run right at them.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Schematically, Gregg Williams could adjust for the latter two things by wisely using a defensive line rotation, and mixing coverages to make it hard for teams to predict who is going to be the deep safety. But he could do nothing for the Carter issue except to pull him from the game and play Wynn or Evans.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

The fact of the matter is we're all speculating right now. I tend to disagree that our secondary will get toasted as it did last year. No one knows that for sure.

I think GW and Gray will work more closely this year. I would also count on guys like Rogers, Taylor, and yes, Landry playing quite well which will help us out. Throw in role players like PP and Smooty, and we should be fine. I think [I]stellar[/I] would be the exception, but [I]solid[/I] would be the expectation here.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

I think that with Marshall back in his natural position, teams will TRY that and find it to be unsuccessful really quick. It's not that I didn't give him a chance, I just cannot fathom how Warrick Holdman was an NFL player.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;308335]What made me mad last year was that even freaking STATISTICIANS were saying: "They're going to come. The odds are HIGHLY STACKED in their favor." and it never happened. :([/quote]At midseason, Football Outsiders predicted a huge defensive jump for the Redskins.

Contrary to popular belief, forcing turnovers isn't a repeatable skill. Admittedly a team who teaches their players to strip the ball is going to force more turnovers than a team who doesn't. But outside of that, I mean, what can you do outside of going to church on Sunday and praying for a pair of turnovers? Not a whole lot.

Let me be the first to assure you that they [I]will[/I] come this year.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;308339]I think that with Marshall back in his natural position, teams will TRY that and find it to be unsuccessful really quick. It's not that I didn't give him a chance, I just cannot fathom how Warrick Holdman was an NFL player.[/quote]


Holdman was definitely the weakest link last year. It seemed to me that wherever he lined up, run support was very suspect. Now he's gone, and so are the excuses.

I think we're going to see a defense that's re-energized this year!!

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

I agree. The linebacking corps is going to be a strength provided Washington is fully healed.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[QUOTE=BrunellMVP?;308325]Becuase its much easier to be bad than to be good. It takes no effort to fall, you simply have to do nothing, it takes a lot of effort to climb.[/QUOTE]

Well New England was 26th in 2005 and 6th in 2006; Oakland was 27th in 2005 and 3rd in 2006.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;308346]I agree. The linebacking corps is going to be a strength provided Washington is fully healed.[/quote]

You have to figure either Marshall or Rocky is an upgrade over Holdman, and Fletch should be an upgrade over Marshall in the middle.

We'll be fine, you watchit!

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

Well I am glad that we did what we did. Every year we come out and take players that fill perceived holes. This year they did the right thing taking the best player available. I remember that every time some one asked Bobby Bethard what position he would pick his standard answer was "We are not good enough to take a specific position, we have to pick the best player available". If we are one dline man away from a championship, then we will do pretty well anyway. I think that people are under estimating Andre Carter and I think that there will be a player that will come out of nowhere to help out. Maybe Evans or Skykes. Both are pass rushers.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308342]
Let me be the first to assure you that they [I]will[/I] come this year.[/quote]

Phewwwwwwwwwwww. I feel so much better.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=SmootSmack;308348]Well New England was 26th in 2005 and 6th in 2006; Oakland was 27th in 2005 and 3rd in 2006.[/quote]

Touche.

But if only one team does it a year, that still makes it a pretty rare occurance. I sure hope it's us this year, but that D-line has gotta be better.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

Well it looks like Westbrook didn't make it as far as looking on the roster in OTAs

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

wait I'm wrong rookies can't show until college classes are ended

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308337]If I'm gameplanning against Washington, I run right at Carter using a double team scrape technique with my TE and T. A double team scrape is simply line lingo for the T and TE hitting the DE at the same time, and one guy slides over or "scrapes" to the outside linebacker. I run this play early and often because I know the Redskins won't be able to stop it.

[/quote]

The difference is that Lemar Marshall will be behind Carter this year instead of Holdman. The Redskins were stout against the run when they lined up with Marshall, Pierce, and Washington, or Arrington, Marshall, and Washington for that matter. (that might be the first nice thing I've said about Lavar on this site). Marshall's better instincts should put him in position at the point of attack before the TE can release the DE. At the worse he pops the TE a good one and forces the play back to persuit (Fletcher).

Also, I think they need to just put a bigger body in at DE on 1st Down. Wynn, as old as he is, can't be worse against the run than Carter. (I know, I know, he really came on those last five games). Or, they need to make sure that Carter isn't freelancing. He has to provide some resistance. You can't let blockers get to the second level so easily.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

The first line of defense still poses a concern for me. Some say the additions to the secondary will offset the lack of a consistent pass rush, since that concept goes against conventional wisdom we'll have to wait and see.

However, barring injury, the defense should perform at a higher level this year. I shy away from making predictions because too many things can go wrong, but if our offense can do a better job of sustaining drives, and finish them off with points allowing the defense an opportunity to collect itself we should be better overall. Changes, injuries and mindset had a profound affect on last years performers, they will play better this year...........Good post, good to see some optimism flowing.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;308283]Seriously though, something tells me that Landry is going to be the player we all THOUGHT ST was supposed to be. That's unfortunate, but we COULD do worse than to have an awesome safety and a great one.[/quote]

Could someone please explain to me when Sean Taylor all of a sudden became this average player. Im so sick of hearing people bash this guy, he was stuck by himself in the Defensive backfield last year, our depth was horrible and for christ sakes we had Vernon Fox, Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright in our backfield at one point. Nor Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed could make up for that poor of talent surrounding him, stop bashing the best player on our defense, and he is probably the most talented player we have had in years. "The player we all thought ST was supposed to be" some times I wonder about Redskins fans, because im sure by the start of the season you will be arguing with some cowboys fan about how awesome Sean Taylor is.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GiantsSuck703;308372]Could someone please explain to me when Sean Taylor all of a sudden became this average player. Im so sick of hearing people bash this guy, he was stuck by himself in the Defensive backfield last year, our depth was horrible and for christ sakes we had Vernon Fox, Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright in our backfield at one point. Nor Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed could make up for that poor of talent surrounding him, stop bashing the best player on our defense, and he is probably the most talented player we have had in years. "The player we all thought ST was supposed to be" some times I wonder about Redskins fans, because im sure by the start of the season you will be arguing with some cowboys fan about how awesome Sean Taylor is.[/quote]

I think 90 days sounds right. See you in 3 months... ;)

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[QUOTE=GiantsSuck703;308372]Could someone please explain to me when Sean Taylor all of a sudden became this average player. Im so sick of hearing people bash this guy, he was stuck by himself in the Defensive backfield last year, our depth was horrible and for christ sakes we had Vernon Fox, Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright in our backfield at one point. Nor Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed could make up for that poor of talent surrounding him, stop bashing the best player on our defense, and he is probably the most talented player we have had in years. "The player we all thought ST was supposed to be" some times I wonder about Redskins fans, because im sure by the start of the season you will be arguing with some cowboys fan about how awesome Sean Taylor is.[/QUOTE]


On a team that finished the season with a 5-11 record, and the defense bearing the brunt of the critisizm for it's failures, the bashing is bound to begin and it seems no one is exempt. With so few talented players in the secondary last year, Taylor found himself trying to do too much, and in so doing, there were aspects of his game that suffered.

Comparing last years defense to the previous two years when we were ranked in the top ten can be misleading. We did not get the individual effort from players counted on to make plays, and the overall team tackling was not very good, the games against the Giants, and the one against the Rams stand out the most when I think of "team tackling". Improvement in that one area alone will go a long way towards the overall success of the defense.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

I think it needs to be pointed out that playing defense in the NFL oftentimes comes down to a battle of wills. Because we had slipped out of contention very early, last year could be a case of our guys losing a bit of the sheer determination it takes to stop opponents. Obviously, it had a lot to do with strategy, tackling and personnel, and we were in that hole to begin with because of the fact that we were playing poorly on defense. However, if you look at Gibbs' success over his career in December, I think a lot of that has to do with his teams, who were almost always in contention, taking advantage of teams with the running attack who simply could not match the desire his teams had to win the war of attrition. Honestly, that was always one of the most amazing things about Gibbs' teams during his first go around. They weren't necessarily the most talented teams, they oftentimes just wanted it more than their opponents. I am not making excuses, because last year was an embarrassment, but at the same time, I doubt that we would have finished as low as we did if we were in position to play for more than pride. Playing defense is also a matter of attitude and players must pay a steep price physically to get the job done. I imagine it is harder to do that when you know your offseason is going to start after week 17. I really do wonder if that had a drastic effect on our season stats. Hopefully, we can start off well coming out of the gate. Any moral boost should really motivate these players to give up their bodies, because that is what it takes to win in the NFL. Regardless of personnel issues, and we obviously have our fair share of those, if this team has the right attitude, if they are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the other guy, I think we could see marked improvement.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GiantsSuck703;308372]Could someone please explain to me when Sean Taylor all of a sudden became this average player. Im so sick of hearing people bash this guy, he was stuck by himself in the Defensive backfield last year, our depth was horrible and for christ sakes we had Vernon Fox, Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright in our backfield at one point. Nor Brian Dawkins or Ed Reed could make up for that poor of talent surrounding him, stop bashing the best player on our defense, and he is probably the most talented player we have had in years. "The player we all thought ST was supposed to be" some times I wonder about Redskins fans, because im sure by the start of the season you will be arguing with some cowboys fan about how awesome Sean Taylor is.[/quote]Brian Dawkins and Ed Reed would both do their jobs even if the rest of the team sucked around them and you know it.

Failure of those around you does not explain failure for yourself. If the team was losing and Sean Taylor had been playing well, we'd cut him slack. But one of the big reasons for the losing was that he wasn't playing well. Like, at all.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=TenandSix:Unacceptable;308383]I think it needs to be pointed out that playing defense in the NFL oftentimes comes down to a battle of wills. Because we had slipped out of contention very early, last year could be a case of our guys losing a bit of the sheer determination it takes to stop opponents. Obviously, it had a lot to do with strategy, tackling and personnel, and we were in that hole to begin with because of the fact that we were playing poorly on defense. However, if you look at Gibbs' success over his career in December, I think a lot of that has to do with his teams, who were almost always in contention, taking advantage of teams with the running attack who simply could not match the desire his teams had to win the war of attrition. Honestly, that was always one of the most amazing things about Gibbs' teams during his first go around. They weren't necessarily the most talented teams, they oftentimes just wanted it more than their opponents. I am not making excuses, because last year was an embarrassment, but at the same time, I doubt that we would have finished as low as we did if we were in position to play for more than pride. Playing defense is also a matter of attitude and players must pay a steep price physically to get the job done. I imagine it is harder to do that when you know your offseason is going to start after week 17. I really do wonder if that had a drastic effect on our season stats. Hopefully, we can start off well coming out of the gate. Any moral boost should really motivate these players to give up their bodies, because that is what it takes to win in the NFL. Regardless of personnel issues, and we obviously have our fair share of those, if this team has the right attitude, if they are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the other guy, I think we could see marked improvement.[/quote]

I understand what you're saying here. But I doubt they quit or even let up. Playing for pride means a lot in a sport that is so full of huge egos. I mean look at the Raiders! They were 3rd in the NFL in overall D despite the worst record in the league. Those guys played with heart and determination despite being paired with one of the worst offenses ever. Our defense just simply wasn't talented enough. Wright, Rumph, Fox, Holdman, Marshall, the entire D-line, they just weren't good. You know that saying the simplest explanation tends to be the best one? I think we stunk because we stunk.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308387]Brian Dawkins and Ed Reed would both do their jobs even if the rest of the team sucked around them and you know it.

Failure of those around you does not explain failure for yourself. If the team was losing and Sean Taylor had been playing well, we'd cut him slack. But one of the big reasons for the losing was that he wasn't playing well. Like, at all.[/quote]


so wat ur saying is if we traded every defensive player form the redskins to the ravens and eagles with the exception of taylor reed and dawkins they would outperform him i doubt in his rookie season he had 4 picks great year and we were 3rd in the league dont say it is all him

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;308390]so wat ur saying is if we traded every defensive player form the redskins to the ravens and eagles with the exception of taylor reed and dawkins they would outperform him i doubt in his rookie season he had 4 picks great year and we were 3rd in the league dont say it is all him[/quote]

You don't like to use punctuation, do you?

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;308390]so wat ur saying is if we traded every defensive player form the redskins to the ravens and eagles with the exception of taylor reed and dawkins they would outperform him i doubt in his rookie season he had 4 picks great year and we were 3rd in the league dont say it is all him[/quote]Well, of course they'd outperform him. From the safeties standpoint, nothing would be different.

Now, the Redskins defense would be a whole lot better off than it is now of course, but ST would still be ST, Dawkings would be Dawkins, and Reed would be Reed. That much wouldnt change.

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

IF the D line stayed healthy and got in better shape they have the potential to be somewhat dominant, maybe not getting a ton of sacks, but at least getting a lot of pressure

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

Good to see it took all of 3 seasons for Sean Taylor to become LaVar Arrington to everyone on the board...

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[QUOTE=jdlea;308416]Good to see it took all of 3 seasons for Sean Taylor to become LaVar Arrington to everyone on the board...[/QUOTE]

Hey don't lump me in there

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=SmootSmack;308418]Hey don't lump me in there[/quote]

Me neither!!

<---- U see that logo? I love the guy!

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GMScud;308392]You don't like to use punctuation, do you?[/quote]


not in this kind of typing takes up time

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308393]Well, of course they'd outperform him. From the safeties standpoint, nothing would be different.

Now, the Redskins defense would be a whole lot better off than it is now of course, but ST would still be ST, Dawkings would be Dawkins, and Reed would be Reed. That much wouldnt change.[/quote]


u spelled dawkins twice in the same sentence

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

[quote=GTripp0012;308393]Well, of course they'd outperform him. From the safeties standpoint, nothing would be different.

Now, the Redskins defense would be a whole lot better off than it is now of course, but ST would still be ST, Dawkings would be Dawkins, and Reed would be Reed. That much wouldnt change.[/quote]


i really doubt that

Re: Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10
 

10. The rest of the D-Line
9. Andre Carter
8. Lemar Marshall and Rocky Mcintosh
7. Carlos Rogers
6. Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs
5. Laron Landry
4. London Fletcher
3. Marcus Washington
2. Sean Taylor
1. Greg Williams

My top ten reasons why they will be a top 10 defense!