Redskins promote Greg Manusky to defensive coordinator

[metalskins]

Originally Posted by mooby

This reads me to like we're going to run the Joe Barry system. Or maybe Manusky's system is similar to Barry's? Either way, none of those things sound like positives. The only positive is we are obviously going to get some talent in here for him to work with. And if our d still sucks, then Manusky and by extension Gruden won't have an excuse. Gruden would be 0 for 2 on defensive coordinators at that point, and he's clearly uncomfortable hiring from outside his personal relationship pool. Hell we might even be talking about McC getting fired too if DS is mad enough. God forbid it gets to that point.

It's more than likely going to be a 3/4 defensive with a one-gap front, unless SM can bring in some talent during the offseason that can also play two-gap. The difference is that Manusky is a bit more aggressive with his approach than what Barry was. Barry's blitz packages were recognizable and predictable- Manusky's promises to be a bit more challenging to figure out. Time will tell. I'm not thrilled with the hire, but I do think Manusky is somewhat of an upgrade over Barry. Certainly his stats from previous coaching stints don't support that idea, but we'll see.

I think if Snyder ever fires Scot McCloughan, we might as well kiss our chances at ever seeing this team win another Super Bowl goodbye. Not saying Scot McCloughan is the best GM ever, but there's no way any other reputable GM would ever want to come to Washington if you fire SM after three or four seasons.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by metalskins

It's more than likely going to be a 3/4 defensive with a one-gap front, unless SM can bring in some talent during the offseason that can also play two-gap. The difference is that Manusky is a bit more aggressive with his approach than what Barry was. Barry's blitz packages were recognizable and predictable- Manusky's promises to be a bit more challenging to figure out. Time will tell. I'm not thrilled with the hire, but I do think Manusky is somewhat of an upgrade over Barry. Certainly his stats from previous coaching stints don't support that idea, but we'll see.

I think if Snyder ever fires Scot McCloughan, we might as well kiss our chances at ever seeing this team win another Super Bowl goodbye. Not saying Scot McCloughan is the best GM ever, but there's no way any other reputable GM would ever want to come to Washington if you fire SM after three or four seasons.

We'll see. It won't matter who the coordinator is if we don't get the talent. I agree on McC, obv last offseason wasn't his best effort but I trust him as a talent evaluator, which is basically his main focus.

[Bangee7]

I still think Pettine was the best proven option that was on the table.

But, Manusky is an ex-Skin, so I'll be rooting hard for him to succeed.

Scott McL saw what we all saw talent-wise...I think he's smart enough to make sure he does his best to address the big weaknesses (DL, ILB, S).

And there is no doubt that our Def secondary is capable of playing better than they did last year.

Maybe it was all Joe Barry, maybe some was Perry Fewell...both are gone now.

Any talent upgrade at DL, S & ILB (however slight), along with a more aggressive & determined play call HAS to improve the defense.

[CrustyRedskin]

We hired George fn Costanza to coach D-line

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHkRq7TvAGQ

[Chief X_Phackter]

I can say with a fair amount of confidence that the Manusky hire probably won't make the defense any worse.

In my opinion there is no where to go but up. He wasn't my first choice, and it would have been nice if this position was appealing enough to have a shot at one of the top D coordinators out there. BUT, it is what it is. Surely he can't make the unit worse, and with a key free agent or two, a solid draft, maybe Junior "back" here healthy, better coaching from front to back...they will probably crack the top 20...with a little luck maybe top 15.

Gotta bring Cousins back though. Otherwise, it's a major step backward. All this talk about trading him is crazy to me.

[SFREDSKIN]

Greg Manusky says Redskins will stick with 3-4; must 'stop the run' - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN

[HTTR]

The taint of being a crap franchise for over two decades is wearing off, but it is not completely gone. I don't mind SM and JG staying within some comfortable circle of associates, so long as we're building a Redskins identity (particularly now on D) and improving the talent and the culture. Magic Bullet Thinking should have been eradicated from Ashburn after the RG3 debacle.

[Schneed10]

Manusky was on with Larry Michael in one of those fluff video interviews on Redskins.com. He was asked what his defensive philosophy is. He said "Chew bubblegum and kick ass. And we're all out of bubblegum."

I just thought that was funny. I like the thought of aggression in the defense so I'm hopeful this works out.

Pettine has always been aggressive too, though. Whatever, onward and upward. Either this works out and we're happy or it doesn't and Gruden and the whole staff gets bounced and we start a new mindset.

[CRedskinsRule]

I will say, I think we have more talent on D than last year showed, especially at DB's. If we have a more cohesive defense, and add some line talent, I think we could make a dramatic rise. Of course rising from 32 to 18 still means your defense is below average, but it can get the job done in a few more games than this year.

We HAVE to resolve the safety positions. I mean we haven't had an answer there in the last 10 years...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I will say, I think we have more talent on D than last year showed, especially at DB's. If we have a more cohesive defense, and add some line talent, I think we could make a dramatic rise. Of course rising from 32 to 18 still means your defense is below average, but it can get the job done in a few more games than this year.

We HAVE to resolve the safety positions. I mean we haven't had an answer there in the last 10 years...

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Breeland is a lot better than he played this year. I think it was mainly communication problems - guys were just constantly in the wrong spot.

But yeah, safety's got to get better. McCloughan sees it I'm sure. He may not be willing to pile a bunch of money into that position but I'd be willing to bet he comes away with a safety in rounds 1, 2, or 3.

I think he wants the money to go to the line.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I think it was mainly communication problems - guys were just constantly in the wrong spot.

I've heard 2 interviews by Manusky since the hire and he has harped on improving communication in both.

When asked pointedly on 980 what will be the difference this year, he said communication.

[calia]

Is the criticism of communication also somewhat a criticism of Compton? He's the QB of the defense. I like the guy's attitude and motor, but he's not a star, and I do not have a read on whether communications/reads is a strength or weakness. But this makes it seem a weakness.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by calia

Is the criticism of communication also somewhat a criticism of Compton? He's the QB of the defense. I like the guy's attitude and motor, but he's not a star, and I do not have a read on whether communications/reads is a strength or weakness. But this makes it seem a weakness.

I thought Compton was well regarded in this vein. I thought the communication issues were more between safety and corner than anybody else.

You had guys playing outside leverage, which clearly indicates they expect help to the inside but it wasn't there. Or playing underneath expecting help over the top and it wasn't there.

I'm reminded of the deep ball over Whitner's head where Norman was trailing in an underneath look. But Whitner was a dolt and let the guy get way behind him.

Also, Whitner. He was a problem. Manusky should have just said communication, and no Whitner.

[metalskins]

Yeah, I mean, Compton can tell them where to line up and such, I'm not sure if he communicates the coverage of the secondary per se. I'm sure he does to an extent, but like Schneed says, there was definitely a HUGE issue with communication in the secondary. I have never seen a secondary so lost and out of position in my entire life.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I thought the communication issues were more between safety and corner than anybody else.

I agree 100% but I believe there are deeper communications issues than just between the players.

I believe we can read the tea leaves a bit here, but it is (OMG) speculation without a source.

In the days after Joe Barry was fired, Cooley and Sheehan discussed multiple times about the calls coming in late from Barry to the players on the field. Cooley specifically said he heard criticism of Barry coming out of Redskins park that Barry was waiting till the last possible moment to make the defensive call to try to get a better look at what the offense was doing, rather than just basing it on the offensive personnel.

Cooley said he believed most of the pointing and yelling among players right before the snap was in part due to the calls coming in late because Barry was trying to make the perfect call rather than just a good call.

All that being said he placed the bulk of the blame on the players.

I sort of buried this in my mind till I heard one of Manusky's interviews yesterday, I can't remember if it was on Inside the Locker Room or Redskins Nation, but he said something to the effect of he is not going to be able to predict the offensive play to be in the perfect defense all the time, but everybody is going to be on the same page. (Not an exact quote, just a summation of the meaning)

I believe Cooley's discussion combined with Manusky's statement is an indicator of communication issues between the players and coaches during the games.