Importance of Defensive Tackles and Depth on Defense

[Coff]

I enjoyed reading your post, and I agree with a lot of it. It is important that the Skins draft a DT and begin to develop some depth at the line. As you stated, injuries hurt the Skins d-line this year, but no more than you can reasonably expect. Depth at d-line is extremely important, and not just because of injuries. More so than any other position, d-lineman are rotated in and out of games in order to stay fresh. The skins d-line is old and failing, and has trouble staying healthy and fresh.

I do not, however, share your optimism that fixing the d-line can restore the Redskin defense. They need upgrades at almost every position on the field. Taylor has developed LeVar disease and is only interested in making hits; Springs is too old and fragile for a corner; Rogers is simply not very good. In other words, the secondary is terrible and has no depth. The linebackers are not much better. Marshall can’t run the D and is terrible in coverage, and Washington is past his prime. In McIntosh, there is promise, so we’ll have to see about that, but otherwise the entire defense needs restructuring. And restructuring takes time and draft picks.

The one thing you said that concerns me the most was the part regarding the Redskins becoming contenders again next year. Trying to becomes contenders overnight is a big reason the Skins lack depth in so many areas. As you said, they need to develop depth, but to do so they need to utilize the draft. Unfortunately, they are at a disadvantage because they have so few first round picks this year. The pick they do have though is a very important one. They need to start building a defense for 5 years from now, so from that standpoint they might as well draft the best defensive player they can find regardless of position because aside from McIntosh or possibly Taylor, it is hard to imagine any of the current defensive players being around in 5 years.

[gabe1984]

Originally Posted by Coff

I enjoyed reading your post, and I agree with a lot of it. It is important that the Skins draft a DT and begin to develop some depth at the line. As you stated, injuries hurt the Skins d-line this year, but no more than you can reasonably expect. Depth at d-line is extremely important, and not just because of injuries. More so than any other position, d-lineman are rotated in and out of games in order to stay fresh. The skins d-line is old and failing, and has trouble staying healthy and fresh.

I do not, however, share your optimism that fixing the d-line can restore the Redskin defense. They need upgrades at almost every position on the field. Taylor has developed LeVar disease and is only interested in making hits; Springs is too old and fragile for a corner; Rogers is simply not very good. In other words, the secondary is terrible and has no depth. The linebackers are not much better. Marshall can’t run the D and is terrible in coverage, and Washington is past his prime. In McIntosh, there is promise, so we’ll have to see about that, but otherwise the entire defense needs restructuring. And restructuring takes time and draft picks.

The one thing you said that concerns me the most was the part regarding the Redskins becoming contenders again next year. Trying to becomes contenders overnight is a big reason the Skins lack depth in so many areas. As you said, they need to develop depth, but to do so they need to utilize the draft. Unfortunately, they are at a disadvantage because they have so few first round picks this year. The pick they do have though is a very important one. They need to start building a defense for 5 years from now, so from that standpoint they might as well draft the best defensive player they can find regardless of position because aside from McIntosh or possibly Taylor, it is hard to imagine any of the current defensive players being around in 5 years.

I'm glad you took interest in my post. You're right in saying that we should not shoot for being contenders next year, but instead doing what is best for the team down the road. I also agree when you say the fixing the D-line will not restore the Redskins defense, I guess my point is that we have to start with the D-line because I think that will make improvements at all the other positions, but it will not just fix it over night. We definitely need help at LB and CB, but I just feel it is more important to start with the DL, and then work from there, that's all.

I also liked your point about getting the best possible player, because if we're looking down the road, it would make sense to take the best player and build on him. However, at the same time, it would be nice to build depth. I guess it's a function of how good Branch or Adams really is. Do they have guys in the draft every year with these numbers, or are these guys really special? If they're that special, take them. If they seem to be the same ability as any other average defensive lineman in the NFL, take a chance, and trade for more picks.