What if ... (the Rookie Class gets it)

[bigm29]

All i want is Jason Taylor to be the mvp that he is. If he steps up it makes our defense so much better.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by bigm29

All i want is Jason Taylor to be the mvp that he is. If he steps up it makes our defense so much better.

Jason Taylor is the ace in the hole for the defense down the stretch. Problem is, who are you going to bench for him? Evans has been playing brilliantly in relief of him, and Carter's is our only serious pass rushing threat.

At this point, his only way onto the field is as a linebacker. Which he did a little of in third down packages last game, but we need the additional pass rush, why not use him a little bit in a rotation with Blades on 1st and 2nd downs?

[Coff]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Jason Taylor is the ace in the hole for the defense down the stretch. Problem is, who are you going to bench for him? Evans has been playing brilliantly in relief of him, and Carter's is our only serious pass rushing threat.

At this point, his only way onto the field is as a linebacker. Which he did a little of in third down packages last game, but we need the additional pass rush, why not use him a little bit in a rotation with Blades on 1st and 2nd downs?

Even that's a stretch. And the concerns about Taylor (that he would have difficulty moving to the left side) appear to have been well founded. Opposing teams are more afraid of mice in the locker room than the Taylor/Carter duo. Our d-line is pathetic against the pass and by the end of last season that was our greatest concern.

And herein lies possible criticism of the Redskin draft this year. Forget whether or not the second rounders are busts; any reasonable person knows it's far too early to call that. The problem was why stack up on WRs and a TE when we desperately needed d-linemen? (and as we're starting to see, we need some o-lineman as well).

I think most of us were hoping to see the Skins draft a DE early in the draft this year and though I do expect some of the automatic naysayers to vehemently deny this, we all know they'll be lying when they do.

But the fact is, you can't plug all of your leaks in one draft, and if the Skins can build a decent line through free agency, then the '08 draft might not turn out so bad. As always, it's a wait and see.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Coff

Even that's a stretch. And the concerns about Taylor (that he would have difficulty moving to the left side) appear to have been well founded. Opposing teams are more afraid of mice in the locker room than the Taylor/Carter duo. Our d-line is pathetic against the pass and by the end of last season that was our greatest concern.

No question the combo has been a disappointment, at least to me. I also expected a bit of a breakout season from Wilson, until I saw him over the summer

And herein lies possible criticism of the Redskin draft this year. Forget whether or not the second rounders are busts; any reasonable person knows it's far too early to call that. The problem was why stack up on WRs and a TE when we desperately needed d-linemen? (and as we're starting to see, we need some o-lineman as well).

Fair point

I think most of us were hoping to see the Skins draft a DE early in the draft this year and though I do expect some of the automatic naysayers to vehemently deny this, we all know they'll be lying when they do.

I deny this! I wanted us to sign Justin Smith and draft Kentwan Balmer. I also wanted Thomas or Kelly (not both, and only if they fell to the 2nd round or later) and Rinehart.

But the fact is, you can't plug all of your leaks in one draft, and if the Skins can build a decent line through free agency, then the '08 draft might not turn out so bad. As always, it's a wait and see.

Good conclusion.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Jason Taylor is the ace in the hole for the defense down the stretch. Problem is, who are you going to bench for him? Evans has been playing brilliantly in relief of him, and Carter's is our only serious pass rushing threat.

At this point, his only way onto the field is as a linebacker. Which he did a little of in third down packages last game, but we need the additional pass rush, why not use him a little bit in a rotation with Blades on 1st and 2nd downs?

I like the idea. In the right matchups he is clearly a better option at LB for us than Blades. I like Blades as depth but he isn't a starter obviously. If Taylor can play OLD a bit and be a pass rusher with only minimal coverage responsibilities then that plays to his strengths. Line him up behind Carter and try to block those two coming from the same side...or run the ball the other way at Evans. Why haven't we done this before?

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I like the idea. In the right matchups he is clearly a better option at LB for us than Blades. I like Blades as depth but he isn't a starter obviously. If Taylor can play OLD a bit and be a pass rusher with only minimal coverage responsibilities then that plays to his strengths. Line him up behind Carter and try to block those two coming from the same side...or run the ball the other way at Evans. Why haven't we done this before?

Blades has been more than a capable back up. And I'm going bet that Blades will be the starter here in the near future. You'd rather put Taylor at LB?? You gotta be kidding me. JT is a pass rushing DE, not a LB.

[Lotus]

I do not blame the coaches because I do not see the practice field, but why isn't Devin Thomas at least giving a boost from punt returns?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Blades has been more than a capable back up. And I'm going bet that Blades will be the starter here in the near future. You'd rather put Taylor at LB?? You gotta be kidding me. JT is a pass rushing DE, not a LB.

I agree, in the sense that he wouldn't take on blocks any better at LB than he would at DE, but we're getting thinner at LB so it may be a chance to get him on the field. Same problems though, but at least we don't have to take Evans off the field.