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KI Skins Fan · 10-29-2010, 08:51 AM

One of the key reasons Mike Shanahan gave for switching to the 3-4 was to create more turnovers. So far, that part of the plan has worked very well. Also, the defense has had some outstanding individual plays at key times during games to stop opponents. The defensive players play hard and they never quit. That is admirable.

They have also been lucky. If there hadn't been a holding penalty called, a dropped pass in the end zone, and a poor coaching decision not to challenge a play that would have been a touchdown instead of a turnover, then we might have lost three more games. What would we be saying about the defense then?

That said, this defense gives up way too many easy yards. For example, opponents can complete short passes over the middle all day long. That is going to bite them in the butt in future games.

I recognize that Haslett is playing a soft pass defense in part to cover for deficiencies in 3-4 personnel. That problem can be covered up to some extent but it can only be fixed through a combination of the draft, trades, and free agency. It's ironic to me that Coach Shanahan, the Elder claims that the Redskins have the personnel to play a 3-4 while Haslett covers up for the lack of 3-4 personnel.

My point is that I think the decision to go to a 3-4 had little to do with the personnel at hand. It is a force fit. I don't think they're very good at it but the players have given a great effort, the DC has covered up some weaknesses as best he can, and they've been lucky at times. I think it's going to take two or three more years for the Redskins to build a solid 3-4 defense.

10-29-2010, 08:51 AM	#11
KI Skins Fan Pro Bowl Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jacksonville, Forida Posts: 6,412	Re: Redskins move to 34 has paid off. One of the key reasons Mike Shanahan gave for switching to the 3-4 was to create more turnovers. So far, that part of the plan has worked very well. Also, the defense has had some outstanding individual plays at key times during games to stop opponents. The defensive players play hard and they never quit. That is admirable. They have also been lucky. If there hadn't been a holding penalty called, a dropped pass in the end zone, and a poor coaching decision not to challenge a play that would have been a touchdown instead of a turnover, then we might have lost three more games. What would we be saying about the defense then? That said, this defense gives up way too many easy yards. For example, opponents can complete short passes over the middle all day long. That is going to bite them in the butt in future games. I recognize that Haslett is playing a soft pass defense in part to cover for deficiencies in 3-4 personnel. That problem can be covered up to some extent but it can only be fixed through a combination of the draft, trades, and free agency. It's ironic to me that Coach Shanahan, the Elder claims that the Redskins have the personnel to play a 3-4 while Haslett covers up for the lack of 3-4 personnel. My point is that I think the decision to go to a 3-4 had little to do with the personnel at hand. It is a force fit. I don't think they're very good at it but the players have given a great effort, the DC has covered up some weaknesses as best he can, and they've been lucky at times. I think it's going to take two or three more years for the Redskins to build a solid 3-4 defense.