Quote:
Originally Posted by calia
I will say this: our D is last in the league, even though we have enough talent to avoid that distinction. We have a number of guys that would start on virtually any D in the league in Haynesworth (indeed, the Redskins may be the only team that wouldn't start him), Orakpo, Landry, and Fletcher. We also have a number of guys that could start for a number of teams, even if they're not stars, such as Rogers, Carter, McIntosh, Alexander, and Hall. While that leaves a number of folks (and most of our D line) in the "not very good" category, having 8 of 11 guys of reasonable quality -- even by NFL standards -- should not translate to a last-ranked D.
Bottom line: our coaching is clearly, clearly not helping -- whether it's the scheme, coaching up fundamentals, "cardiovascular endurance" (think AH's 3 minute nap in the 4th quarter v. the Eagles) or anything else is up to reasonable debate. That this unit is woefully underperforming is not.
I will only add that the fact our offense has been underperforming (last in NFL on 3rd down conversions, no consistent rushing game (or RB), no consistency in the receiving game (Cooley's hands are only marginally better than Carlos' at this point) does not help, of course. And the D's ability to create turnovers has kept us in and outright won some games. But giving up 415 yards/game will not get it done in this league. Ever.
|
My point on this is it usually all starts up front. When you dont have the guys up front, everyone else suffers. Now, some schemes, or plays he runs may be questionable. But honestly, the guy is doing what he can with what he has to work with. He literally has zero 3-4 lineman upfront. ZERO! And in my opinion, two LB's that fit. Fletcher and Orakpo. Other two are playing out of position.
with that said, i believe that is why he preached creating turnovers so much during camp. He knew we may struggle with giving up yards and preached stripping, allows people to maybe take a little more of risk in jumping routes.
Regarding Haynesworth, We are the only team in the NFL that knows how to screw that damn thing up. It is pathetic that we signed a guy that was the most dominant Dlineman in the game, and he can't get on the damn field. We absolutely are playing this hand the wrong way. The guy needs to be on the field as much as humanly possible. Put him on the ends, the middle, stand him up..what ever. His ass would be on the field, somewhere, creating problems. But Shanny is so damn egotistical and can't swallow some pride and let the dude play. Our Defense is dead freaking last in the NFL, what do you have to lose by letting the guy play all over the dline and create havoc!??!?! seems pretty damn stupid to me.