Defensive line..Stop the man crushes..

[GTripp0012]

The other big, big issue in the defensive front seven was that London Fletcher had to make a lot of plays last year, as he usually does on his teams. But the problem is this: when the plays are getting to Fletcher (who often lines up 7-8 yards behind the LOS), more likely than not the offense has accomplished it's goal on the play.

I'm certain that the addition of Jason Taylor will fix whatever was ailing the pass rush. But it won't fix the inability of the LB's to create big plays, which is generally a main key to a Blache-led defense. The linebackers have to do better than they did last year, and hopefully, for the first time in his career, London Fletcher can get some help in play making from the guys on either side of him, and won't have such an obscene percentage of the Redskins' tackles this year.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The other big, big issue in the defensive front seven was that London Fletcher had to make a lot of plays last year, as he usually does on his teams. But the problem is this: when the plays are getting to Fletcher (who often lines up 7-8 yards behind the LOS), more likely than not the offense has accomplished it's goal on the play.

I'm certain that the addition of Jason Taylor will fix whatever was ailing the pass rush. But it won't fix the inability of the LB's to create big plays, which is generally a main key to a Blache-led defense. The linebackers have to do better than they did last year, and hopefully, for the first time in his career, London Fletcher can get some help in play making from the guys on either side of him, and won't have such an obscene percentage of the Redskins' tackles this year.

I think the LB corp, while thinner than any of us probably wish, looks to be more dominant this year on it's own accord. You're points are well taken about the lack of big plays last season and that's what I'm really getting at. Marcus is totally healthy this year and way up on himself (in a good way), which is so important for a guy who plays w/ tons of emotion. Fletcher is just steady all around. Rocky will be very "smart" this season and surprise us. This defense is going to fly. My only concern is Landry's health in the short-run. His absence in the season opener will severely limit what Blache can do.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I think the LB corp, while thinner than any of us probably wish, looks to be more dominant this year on it's own accord. You're points are well taken about the lack of big plays last season and that's what I'm really getting at. Marcus is totally healthy this year and way up on himself (in a good way), which is so important for a guy who plays w/ tons of emotion. Fletcher is just steady all around. Rocky will be very "smart" this season and surprise us. This defense is going to fly. My only concern is Landry's health in the short-run. His absence in the season opener will severely limit what Blache can do.

That bolded part is the big one, and Rocky is also a year further along in his development. So we have that going for us.

Fletcher has been steady, but his ability to dominate a football game is in decline. Blache should help him out by not having him run the field in the cover two like Grilliams had him doing last year, but I do expect him to struggle in pass coverage this year.