Marshall vs. Pierce
 

In the spirit of healthy discussion and being bored while I'm off today, I wanted to re-visit (as it's been talked about many times already) Lemar Marshall's play so far this year. And if what some perceive to be a slight drop-off with our defense year has anything to do with Pierce's absence?

I could only point out one play from yesterday that Marshall had a clear shot at Alexander and he missed and Alaxander went on to get a nice gain. Other than that, I think he's been solid, very solid in pass coverage, including the int against Chicago in week 1. Of course this kind of debate is, IMO, only conjecture because Pierce isn't here to really measure how well they both compare in the same defense at the same time.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

I think Pierce is a better player, and was more adept at communicating defensive plays. Marshall hasn't done a bad job though, and will get better as the season progresses. His miss on Alexander yesterday was a bad miss, though.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Marshall has done a great job so far, and when you compare what we're saving against the cap with Marshall vs. Pierce, I'd say it was a pretty good tradeoff.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

I honestly don't think its that much of a dropoff. Marshall has impressed me thus far, and is it just me or is he faster than Pierce? Pierce is probably more of a complete player, but Marshall is doing a good enough job, IMO.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

[QUOTE=Redskins_P]I honestly don't think its that much of a dropoff. Marshall has impressed me thus far, and is it just me or is he faster than Pierce? Pierce is probably more of a complete player, but Marshall is doing a good enough job, IMO.[/QUOTE]

Marshall is faster, IMO, and I think he can stay with backs and TE downfield a little better too. But Pierce was tough as hell. Funny thing though, against the Chargers he missed a couple of sure tackles. Shocked me a bit.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

the Giants are giving up 25 points a game, I know pierce is only one player, but they didn't bring in there for the defense to give up 25 points a game ...

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

[QUOTE=gortiz]the Giants are giving up 25 points a game, I know pierce is only one player, but they didn't bring in there for the defense to give up 25 points a game ...[/QUOTE]

especially with that huge price tag. all things considered - money, talent, and experience with the system- the skins probably made a good move by letting him go.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

I personally have been VERY pleasantly surprised at the "lack" of signifigant loss having Pierce depart. I read in another post that Pierce was more a product of GW's system, than a self made star. I would agree

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

I think Pierce is the superior player but as Matty said the tradeoff in cap money was not worth it for Pierce. Marshall is getting the job done it seems. I want to give him some time before I make a finald ecison on whether he can handle the job long term for the skinnies.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

[QUOTE=12thMan]Marshall is faster, IMO, and I think he can stay with backs and TE downfield a little better too. But Pierce was tough as hell. Funny thing though, against the Chargers he missed a couple of sure tackles. Shocked me a bit.[/QUOTE]

Yeah but consider who he missed those tackles against... Tomlinson is great at making the first guy miss. He has some real ankle breaking moves.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Through the first 3 weeks for each:

Antonio Pierce had 19 Tackles, 0.5 Sacks for 5 yards and 3 defended passes

Lemar Marshall had 16 Tackles, 1 Sack for 7 yards and 1 defended pass

Admittedly, stat-wise, Pierce had a big game yesterday against SD (7 Tackles a Pick and 4 defended passes), but Lemar is holding his own.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

The bottom line: the Redskins were ranked in the top 5 in total defense all of last year. They still are this year.

Moving from Pierce to Marshall hasn't been a problem at all. And we're not missing Arrington or Smoot either. Gregg Williams is bar none the best defensive coordinator in the NFL.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

[QUOTE=Sociofan]Through the first 3 weeks for each:

Antonio Pierce had 19 Tackles, 0.5 Sacks for 5 yards and 3 defended passes

Lemar Marshall had 16 Tackles, 1 Sack for 7 yards and 1 defended pass

Admittedly, stat-wise, Pierce had a big game yesterday against SD (7 Tackles a Pick and 4 defended passes), but Lemar is holding his own.[/QUOTE]
and marshall has an interception

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

For the price it was worth letting him go. While Pierce is better, just like Matty said weigh what other options we can put around him with the saved cash. I was never as worried about Pierce as I was with Smoot.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Marshall would be playing better if Ramsey was starting at QB ;)

Seriously though, he seems to be doing pretty well on the field and gradually getting more comfortable and making plays. What I haven't seen yet, and maybe it's just because I haven't paying close enough to attention, is how he does directing the defense in between plays. Last year, Pierce was great at that

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

i saw marshall calling defensive audibles fairly well during the game

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

i think pierce sheds blocks (and therefor) plays the run better, and had a small edge in presnap positioning of players... marshall is a bit faster and slightly better in coverage (since he used to be a safety).

I personally would have rather had pierce with marshall as depth.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

[QUOTE=gortiz]the Giants are giving up 25 points a game, I know pierce is only one player, but they didn't bring in there for the defense to give up 25 points a game ...[/QUOTE]
The Giants defensive scheme is to stop the run and prevent the big pass. That is why QB's are completing so many passes and moving down the field at will. Only Tomlinson was able to run the ball. I dont like the game plan, because what will happen when they play philly and someone has to prevent owens from scoring a 75 yard TD? We shall see

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Isnt that what every defense wants to do?

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

williams is a genius of an defensive coach
he can find his type of players

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

One interesting thing worth noting here; In today's WP there's an article about the two long drives we gave up. We were quoted as saying that people we're lined up out of position, late in/out of the huddle, in other words mental breakdowns.

This is the thing that Antonio Pierce was a master at - He could recognize formations and audible at the line of scrimage. Herein is the biggest difference between he and Marshall. Pierce was more of technician whereas Marshall is more of an athlete.

I think Seattle doesn't get those two long drives with Pierce in the middle, IMO.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Marshall has been playing very well thus far and he's even better on Madden 06.

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

Marshal has been playing decently, but to me he's nothing spectacular

Re: Marshall vs. Pierce
 

I don't think we can lay it all at Marshall's feet for those 2 long drives.

Guys should know their responsibilities, I think it was a team effort on the breakdowns.