Something to consider about the defenses performance

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

In 2008, Jim Zorn and the Redskins were riding sky high as they went into Pittsburgh. The offense was performing well and we were winning close games. Then, we faced a real quality opponent who figured out the offense and stonewalled us. In short, they got film on the coach and his tendencies.

I believe that the same thing may happen to Haslett. He's going to get figured out and our performances will be like Denver's circa 2008. We're going to be coughing up 21 points at the very least from here on out.

Our D is pretty much rated last what is there to figure out?

Boy if teams figure out our O then we are really in trouble.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Our D is pretty much rated last what is there to figure out?


Boy if teams figure out our O then we are really in trouble.

They.............Haven't figured out our O???
OMG........

[MTK]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Our D is pretty much rated last what is there to figure out?

Boy if teams figure out our O then we are really in trouble.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Our D is pretty much rated last what is there to figure out?


Boy if teams figure out our O then we are really in trouble.

They.............Haven't figured out our O???
OMG........

[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.

[#56fanatic]

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.

[Coff]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

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.

But that's just the problem; the 3-4 isn't working, yet he has the personnel for a dominant 4-3. If all you've got is potatoes and carrots, quit trying to force hamburgers down people's throats and start making some stew!

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Coff

But that's just the problem; the 3-4 isn't working, yet he has the personnel for a dominant 4-3. If all you've got is potatoes and carrots, quick trying to force hamburgers down people's throats and start making some stew!

I honestly dont think that is Hasletts call. Shanny wants this and he gets what he wants. Hell Haslett had to beg Shanny to let him play AH certain ways. His ego will not let the team switch back to the 4-3 fronts because one he will have to play AH more frequently and he is bound and determined to play with out him. Plus it would admit he made a bad decision on switching this year, which he isn't going to admit making any mistakes. EGO is just that big.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

I honestly dont think that is Hasletts call. Shanny wants this and he gets what he wants. Hell Haslett had to beg Shanny to let him play AH certain ways. His ego will not let the team switch back to the 4-3 fronts because one he will have to play AH more frequently and he is bound and determined to play with out him. Plus it would admit he made a bad decision on switching this year, which he isn't going to admit making any mistakes. EGO is just that big.

From one of J. Reid's insider posts, he said something to the same effect, that Haslett had to convince Shanny that AH should play in the nickel. Given the poor state of this D, particularly the d-line, I would love to see AH start at RE & move around per the down situation.

I agree that it's Shanahan sticking to his guns, he got in the standoff w/AH & won't give in. I understand why, he's in the process of changing the team culture. I think the same rationale explains why Galloway is playing & D. thomas got cut.

[Dread-Skin]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Our D is pretty much rated last what is there to figure out?

Boy if teams figure out our O then we are really in trouble.

Whats to figure out? our OL cant hold a rush of 4-5 . You can double Moss and shutdown our WR's, our RB's are too bruised/battered and if we fall behind early/often we will abandon the run.

Probably the smartest thing any team can do is contain Banks, keep pressure on McNabb and take away his only 2 targets (moss/cooley). Eventually, the skins will have to take 2-3 yard routes or dumpoffs and 3 and out it b/c we cant do squat on 3rd downs.