Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2672668"]"Reeling Redskins awash in troubles"[/URL]

This one is long, but a definite must-read for any Skins fan. Probably the most well-rounded analysis of the team I've read in a long time, and some pretty good inside information too.

If this guy is right it confirms a lot of my suspicions about GW and the defense. I think it's absolutely right on that our opponents have this defense figured out. Our blitzes get picked up every time like the offense knew it was coming, and our secondary is left all alone.

What's really scary is the detrimental effect on guys like Taylor. I've noticed his play seems to be going downhill this season and just chalked it up the defense being bad overall. It's a damn shame if a screwball scheme and bad coaching is what's ruining this guy.

Safeties and cornerbacks meeting separately and not being on the same page with calls is just asinine. This team has deep, deep problems if this article is for real.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

You just beat me to posting this, but WOW!


Again I'm the one who wants consistancy this offseason...but man when coaches start to lose players, things get REAL ugly.

I'm going to reserve judgement unitl after the game this weekend....but this is not what I want to hear.

However I will comment on one thing....

Our Fucking Secondary dosent meet as a unit????

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I dont even know what to say about that, that is freaking unbelivable.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

I don't think that Williams is as much to blame as the article makes out. He's playing Cover 2 to try to protect that horrendous secondary which won't meet together. Indeed, Cover 2 is not ideal for stopping the run, but good defenses do it all the time. Dallas comes to mind. Us, last year. I do think the blitzes are predictable, but the players can't expect a free run at the QB every time. Sometimes you have to work to get the QB.

So, who's the talker? The article could have been written by Archeletta's agent. Or Archeletta himself. Ditto Carter, Holdman, Rogers, Wright, etc., who are all given a free pass in the story. Gibbs needs to stomp on this shit right away. Any player that runs to ESPN (which is an organization that loves to hammer the Skins) to vent their grievances should be fired. I don't care who they are or how right they are. It is inexcusable.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[QUOTE=70Chip;250315][B]I don't think that Williams is as much to blame as the article makes out.[/B] He's playing Cover 2 to try to protect that horrendous [B]secondary which won't meet together.[/B] Indeed, Cover 2 is not ideal for stopping the run, but good defenses do it all the time. Dallas comes to mind. Us, last year. I do think the blitzes are predictable, but the players can't expect a free run at the QB every time. Sometimes you have to work to get the QB.

So, who's the talker? The article could have been written by Archeletta's agent. Or Archeletta himself. Ditto Carter, Holdman, Rogers, Wright, etc., who are all given a free pass in the story. Gibbs needs to stomp on this shit right away. Any player that runs to ESPN (which is an organization that loves to hammer the Skins) to vent their grievances should be fired. I don't care who they are or how right they are. It is inexcusable.[/QUOTE]

That is almost entirely Williams' problem. Williams is the defensive coach. He put separate coaches over the corners and safeties. If his corners and safeties aren't meeting, that's a problem between those two coaches, which is ultimately a problem for GW. Gibbs or GW should have put a stop to that immediately - that is purely a coaching problem, not a player problem.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[QUOTE=Gmanc711;250314]You just beat me to posting this, but WOW!


Again I'm the one who wants consistancy this offseason...but man when coaches start to lose players, things get REAL ugly.

I'm going to reserve judgement unitl after the game this weekend....but this is not what I want to hear.

However I will comment on one thing....

Our Fucking Secondary dosent meet as a unit????

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I dont even know what to say about that, that is freaking unbelivable.[/QUOTE]

My reaction exactly. I must have said "You've got to be f-ing joking" a half-dozen times.

The real lousy part about all this is that it points to a deep rooted problem with the coaching, overall organization of the team and morale. Those problems aren't fixed overnight by bringing in a good free agent DE or drafting a better corner. These are problems that start at the top and trickle down to everybody.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

if this is true i think GW has got to walk or be fired. i hate hearing that sean taylor is getting worse by a coach. i just want to punch that coach in th face and say leave sean taylor alone.

GW has to go

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

it's worth noting that all those quotes are from only one player. maybe the idea that GW has lost his players is a bit much. but yeah, that thing about the secondary not meeting as a unit-- i hope gibbs starts laying into everyone on this kind of sh*t.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

Thank you for posting this very interesting article. It furthers my hypothesis that the coaches and players are not on the same page. Little did I know that even the coaches are disconnected from each other...

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

when GW talks about his defenses preformances, i always think wow what a dick, he seems very arrogant to me too. i can see where the player is coming from.

we need a new def.coor. GW has GOT TO GO NOW.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=mheisig;250316]That is almost entirely Williams' problem. Williams is the defensive coach. He put separate coaches over the corners and safeties. If his corners and safeties aren't meeting, that's a problem between those two coaches, which is ultimately a problem for GW. Gibbs or GW should have put a stop to that immediately - that is purely a coaching problem, not a player problem.[/quote]

A valid point. The problem is that meeting together might help the communication and avoid blown coverages, but it's not going to make Rogers or Wright better athletes or give them better instincts. As for Taylor, I don't think he's played as badly as all that. He doesn't look 100% healthy to me which has nothing to do with scheme.

Ultimately Williams is responsible for the defense. It's his. He owns it. But, I don't buy the argument that his [B]personality [/B]is causing the problem. That's just whining from someone who's lack of ability is most likely the real culprit.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

So who is the Skins' "Deep Throat"? I say Shawn Springs...

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[QUOTE=NYCSkin;250327]So who is the Skins' "Deep Throat"? I say Shawn Springs...[/QUOTE]

I thought that too.....

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=Redskins_P;250330]I thought that too.....[/quote]

Any particular reason?

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

i was thinking AA because he might be bitter about being benched.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=70Chip;250333]Any particular reason?[/quote]

It sounded like a media savvy veteran. I also thought it was a secondary player. Therefore, I picked Springs...

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=dall-assblows;250335]i was thinking AA because he might be bitter about being benched.[/quote]
No, he hasn't been here long enough. Plus this source in this article is a player who knows some history about this team the past few years...

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

I hope the butt-chewing Gibbs gave on Wednesday extended to his entire coaching staff as well. It's time for Gibbs to stop being so hands off and make every coach accountable as well as players. Lastly, I hope he comes down hard on the mole feeding ESPN Magazine info.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=NYCSkin;250336]It sounded like a media savvy veteran. I also thought it was a secondary player. Therefore, I picked Springs...[/quote]

Yeah. Could be. Springs as the source would give the whole thing a little more credibility. He shouldn't have any axes to grind so he would be more objective.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

This article has the ring of truth. It is sterling journalism if you ask me. The morale is most likely beyond repair. This is not to say that Williams isn't capable of being a good coach. It is to say that his arrogance has been his downfall, and if we want to move forward as a team, Williams has to go.

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[QUOTE=NYCSkin;250336]It sounded like a media savvy veteran. I also thought it was a secondary player. Therefore, I picked Springs...[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Either Springs or Troy Vincent.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

It sounds obvious that Jackson needs to go. They really need to streamline the coaching staff and light a fire under people.

I would also say that committing the entire offseason (FA picks and draft picks) to the D may be in order.

Well, if anyone can humble these egomaniacs, Gibbs can.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

i dont even know what to say. it's all extremely depressing.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

From this article, it sounds like Steve Jackson needs to be fired. He just stood there on the sideline and a player told him to coach his players and he didn't do anything. I don't know who needs to be fired or what needs to change, but I hope Gibbs does.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

If any good comes from this disaster of a season, any inflated egos around Redskins Park had better be eliminated or guys will be gone, players and coaches alike.

I think Gibbs has grabbed the reins back this week, hopefully this will be a significant turning point in Gibbs 2.0.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

To me, it sounds like a new player.
[QUOTE]
"Last year, the D-line started playing well when [B]they [/B]straight started rushing the passer," the player said. "[B]They [/B]could beat guys one on one and get in a rhythm and tee off. Now, [B]we're[/B] trying to get too exotic, so [B]we've[/B] got Cornelius Griffin doing exotic stuff, who doesn't rush on third down anymore basically. … All these stunts and games? The D-linemen are just saying, man, just let us go, just let us go."
[/QUOTE]
Notice the use of "they" while speaking of last year and "we" when referring to this year.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=cpayne5;250360]To me, it sounds like a new player.

Notice the use of "they" while speaking of last year and "we" when referring to this year.[/quote]

Nice catch.

It's Archuleta all the way if you ask me. Can't say I really blame him if it is.

And I can't say he's wrong either, the D is clearly lacking that passion and fire they played with the last 2 years. Guys just don't fly to the ball and gang tackle like they used to.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=Mattyk72;250361]Nice catch.

It's Archuleta all the way if you ask me. Can't say I really blame him if it is.

And I can't say he's wrong either, the D is clearly lacking that passion and fire they played with the last 2 years. Guys just don't fly to the ball and gang tackle like they used to.[/quote]

Vincent is too smart to go to a columnist, plus he is a hero not a zero like Archuletta.

Archuletta has been a scapegoat but he sure did a good job of positioning himself for the role.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

-sigh-

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

But I think it's only fair to point out the flipside of the article:

[quote]At the same time, Williams still has supporters in the organization, too. They say the players ripping him have axes to grind, that Williams isn't the one whiffing on tackles and botching coverages. They say it's horrendous that one angry, anonymous player won't go on the record with his complaints, and they point out Williams hasn't played with a full roster all season. For instance, Williams has had to operate much of the year without a healthy Shawn Springs, his best corner, and without safety Pierson Prioleau, who was going to start for Archuleta on opening night until he tore his ACL on the opening kickoff. It doesn't help, either, that linebackers Marshall and Holdman aren't tackling well (Marshall's coming off of shoulder surgery), and there are some defensive players who aren't afraid to point the finger at themselves.

"You can't argue with Gregg Williams because we were No. 3 and No. 9 [in total defense] in previous years, so you can't argue that he's not a good coach," defensive end Phillip Daniels told the Washington Post last week. "The thing for us to do as players is we've got to look at ourselves in the morning to say, 'What can I do to help this team?' Whether it means studying more or anything little, technique and stuff like that, we've got to do it all right for it to work. And right now I don't think all the guys are doing all their technique and studying as hard as they need to study." [/quote]

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=mheisig;250309][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2672668"]"Reeling Redskins awash in troubles"[/URL]

This one is long, but a definite must-read for any Skins fan. Probably the most well-rounded analysis of the team I've read in a long time, and some pretty good inside information too.

If this guy is right it confirms a lot of my suspicions about GW and the defense. I think it's absolutely right on that our opponents have this defense figured out. Our blitzes get picked up every time like the offense knew it was coming, and our secondary is left all alone.

What's really scary is the detrimental effect on guys like Taylor. I've noticed his play seems to be going downhill this season and just chalked it up the defense being bad overall. It's a damn shame if a screwball scheme and bad coaching is what's ruining this guy.

Safeties and cornerbacks meeting separately and not being on the same page with calls is just asinine. This team has deep, deep problems if this article is for real.[/quote]

Interesting article, I do agree that Gregg does think that his scheme is more successful than the players.

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maybe AA struggles are b/c of the safties coaches too. i wish they would just let ST free lance. he has the best football instincts on the team, if not the nfl, ala the blocked fildgoal return to field goal position.

let the kid play his game!

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

I'm so pissed that the only thing I can say is that the rat should be ridden out of town in a coffin.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;250368]But I think it's only fair to point out the flipside of the article:[/QUOTE]

Very true. Moral of the story being that all of the problems for the defense can't be pinned on just one person.

It's really a matter of comparative fault. GW, being the defensive coordinator, bears the brunt. Sure, he can't be responsible for Rogers doing something stupid, AA not being able to cover his shadow, or one whiffed tackle after another.

However, a lot of those problems can be related to the system, the scheme, the coaching, the administration, and especially the morale.

The players are certainly not absolved of responsibility for the worst defense in the league, but it all starts at the top with GW, and maybe even higher up to Gibbs.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;250375]I'm so pissed that the only thing I can say is that the rat should be ridden out of town in a coffin.[/QUOTE]

Williams or the anonymous player?

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

Here's the other problem. They talk about what happened in Buffalo. Buffalo had the third ranked defense in the league that year! Their problem was that they couldnt score points. While that is by extension Williams' problem as head coach, that failed season was not in anyway an indictment of his abilities as a defensive coach; ergo the 2.5 million dollar assistantship he was given by Gibbs immediately after his firing.

I think Friend is a great writer, but I think the flaw with this piece is that it doesn't seek out any opposing viewpoints, or people who could clarify Williams position. If he was reporting about politics his reporting methodology would be laughable. I agree with a lot of the issues raised here. Clearly their has been a stubborness, or at least an inability to adapt the team's personnel to its strengths. The offseason acquisitions have been disastrous. Pierce turned out to be great. Etc., etc., etc. But I'm not convinced that this team is nearing the mutiny that this article would let you believe, and I would be absolutely shocked if Williams wasn't back with the team next year.

Still, if this article is true, this team's troubles run a lot deeper than any of us realized, and we might be on the threshold of the fourth major blowup of the Snyder era.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

As I was reading I was thinking it was Daniels or Springs.. When Daniels was quoted from the Post article it had to be Springs.. AA hasn't been around long enough... The only other person it could have been is Marcus Washington but there's no way I see him talking like that to a reporter.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

remember when we got GW and they talked about how he was scared for anyone to see him in public in buf. b/c he was hated there too.

i am starting to get the idea of why they didn't want him anymore.

just yesterday i thought that williams would turn it around, but after reading this, i hate the guy now

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[quote=Paintrain;250383]As I was reading I was thinking it was Daniels or Springs.. When Daniels was quoted from the Post article it had to be Springs.. AA hasn't been around long enough... The only other person it could have been is Marcus Washington but there's no way I see him talking like that to a reporter.[/quote]

To go w/ my "we" & "they" post above, the anonymous rat seems to have insider knowledge about this year only. Nothing about last year. His statements shed light on internal realtionships from this year that no one previously knew about. The information he shares about last year is all common knowledge. Seems to me that someone who has been around for longer than 7 months would have more dirt about the past 2 years than what they (and everyone else) have read in the newspaper.

Re: Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense
 

[quote=cpayne5;250387]To go w/ my "we" & "they" post above, the anonymous rat seems to have insider knowledge about this year only. Nothing about last year. His statements shed light on internal realtionships from this year that no one previously knew about. The information he shares about last year is all common knowledge. Seems to me that someone who has been around for longer than 7 months would have more dirt about the past 2 years than what they (and everyone else) have read in the newspaper.[/quote]

I don't know, C, I think it was Springs. The player did say, 'how did we drop to 30th?' Basically, that seems like someone who was a carry over from last year.

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maybe it was lavar arrington himself and they just said it was a redskin.......

sure sounds like something he would say