Redskins' Secondary Woes

[GTripp0012]

Do they actually run deeper than Tryon? You bet!

My thoughts on the matter here.

Well, at the end of last year (last 5 games or so), the Redskins' pass coverage units collapsed. Certainly, lack of sacks were a factor in the collapse--and two TD passes against the normally reliable Carlos Rogers didn't help--but the Redskins at one point in the season were doing well at pass defense, and the sacks weren't concentrated in one part of the year, particularly. No, the Redskins pass defense failed due to it's coverage units, and the Redskins didn't really fix the problem in the offseason.

Your thoughts after the jump.

[skinsfan69]

No pass rush = no pass defense. But it's not like we don't have question marks. Rogers hasn't put it all together yet. He's played well in stretches but not a whole season. Hall played like shit in Oakland but seemed to play decent when he got here. I think Hall will bounce back and get to his playing level in Atl. Horton should be better but I'm really expecting Landry to start to play at a Pro Bowl level. Smoot is OK. Barring injury and an improved pass rush we should be good in the secondary.

[ChickenMonkey]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

No pass rush = no pass defense. But it's not like we don't have question marks. Rogers hasn't put it all together yet. He's played well in stretches but not a whole season. Hall played like shit in Oakland but seemed to play decent when he got here. I think Hall will bounce back and get to his playing level in Atl. Horton should be better but I'm really expecting Landry to start to play at a Pro Bowl level. Smoot is OK. Barring injury and an improved pass rush we should be good in the secondary.

The secondary is actually going to be a problem, at the nickle spot. Everone underestimated Shawn Springs value to this team, having him here allowed Rogers to play the nickle...Smoot playing the nickle is a liability, it will show up several times this yr and it needs to be addressed.
The Patriots game should give us a good idea of how bad its going to be!

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by ChickenMonkey

The secondary is actually going to be a problem, at the nickle spot. Everone underestimated Shawn Springs value to this team, having him here allowed Rogers to play the nickle...Smoot playing the nickle is a liability, it will show up several times this yr and it needs to be addressed.
The Patriots game should give us a good idea of how bad its going to be!

I agree. New England's offense doesn't play around like our mickey mouse offense does. It will be a very good test.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by ChickenMonkey

The secondary is actually going to be a problem, at the nickle spot. Everone underestimated Shawn Springs value to this team, having him here allowed Rogers to play the nickle...Smoot playing the nickle is a liability, it will show up several times this yr and it needs to be addressed.
The Patriots game should give us a good idea of how bad its going to be!

I agree that Smoot has problems playing the nickel corner. But he's not a terrible nickel back, either. There are much worse problems that a secondary can have than a middle-of-the-road nickel back. Many teams would kill to have their biggest secondary problem be at nickel corner.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

No pass rush = no pass defense. But it's not like we don't have question marks. Rogers hasn't put it all together yet. He's played well in stretches but not a whole season. Hall played like shit in Oakland but seemed to play decent when he got here. I think Hall will bounce back and get to his playing level in Atl. Horton should be better but I'm really expecting Landry to start to play at a Pro Bowl level. Smoot is OK. Barring injury and an improved pass rush we should be good in the secondary.

Speaking of no pass rush, did you enjoy the privledge of listening to what Greg Blache had to say to Trevor Matich in the post-game interview on Comcast last night? I found it to be quite interesting.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Speaking of no pass rush, did you enjoy the privledge of listening to what Greg Blache had to say to Trevor Matich in the post-game interview on Comcast last night? I found it to be quite interesting.

Thaler's Thoughts: Preseason Game No. 3

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Thaler's Thoughts: Preseason Game No. 3

Thanks!! Smack for the link.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Thaler's Thoughts: Preseason Game No. 3

Uhhh, in the words of Walter Sobchak: "He's crackin"

Not sure why Blache is so worked up except to suspect maybe the Danny and Vinnie are asking similar questions of him and he feels the heat where it counts the most? Not sure. Maybe those who think Blache is hiding his regular season scheme are correct (I sure hope so). But again onlookers see a defense boasting phat Al, B. Orakpo and a handful of pretty talented supporting players, but very little pressure on the QB. Questions are basically inevitable and Blache better get used to fielding them unless we see real improvement.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Uhhh, in the words of Walter Sobchak: "He's crackin"

Not sure why Blache is so worked up except to suspect maybe the Danny and Vinnie are asking similar questions of him and he feels the heat where it counts the most? Not sure. Maybe those who think Blache is hiding his regular season scheme are correct (I sure hope so). But again onlookers see a defense boasting phat Al, B. Orakpo and a handful of pretty talented supporting players, but very little pressure on the QB. Questions are basically inevitable and Blache better get used to fielding them unless we see real improvement.

What do people want to hear? In case everyone out there doesn't notice Andre Carter isn't a top NFL pass rusher. He may not even be average. Orakpo is a rookie and although he is playing well in pre seaosn games, let's hold off in calling him the next Derreck Thomas or Dwight Freeney. Everyone is ready to crown the guy and he hasn't played ONE regular season game. Haynesworth isn't known for rushing the passer. He may be the best DT in the NFL but he IS NOT not Reggie White. Daniels and Griff can't rush the passer. Blache isn't going to come out and tell people this. He's not going to tell the media that we still might not have the personel to put the QB on his ass. But that still doesn't mean we can't be a good defense.

[roth74va]

To me....it seems like your over-analyzing a bit, since the Redskins were a Top 5 defense last year, and should be even better this year. I did enjoy the article though, a very good read.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by roth74va

To me....it seems like your over-analyzing a bit, since the Redskins were a Top 5 defense last year, and should be even better this year. I did enjoy the article though, a very good read.

I think one of the main points I tried to make is that I didn't think we were a top 5 D, but all the same, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by roth74va

To me....it seems like your over-analyzing a bit, since the Redskins were a Top 5 defense last year, and should be even better this year. I did enjoy the article though, a very good read.

Yeah...we could potentially have one of the better safety combos in the NFL if Landry and Horton continue on their path, plus Doughty and Moore are exceptional backups. Hall will be huge for us this season, Carlos improved a lot last season also except for catching the ball. Smoot is a sufficient nickel back and the fact we don't have to start him means we have quality depth finally. Barnes could contribute in the future if he makes the team.

I'm not worried about our secondary, or honestly ANY position on our defense at all. We were ranked #4 last season, we made huge improvements that should force plenty of TOs and get sacks, the only two weak points of the D last season...so I expect us to be one of the TOP 2 defenses in 2009. YES, I said TOP 2. Pittsburgh/Houston/Baltimore/Minnesota and the Skins should end up the top 5 at the end of the year (in no order).

[joethiesmanfan]

Barnes looked pretty good to me what do yall think?

[roth74va]

Originally Posted by joethiesmanfan

Barnes looked pretty good to me what do yall think?

Which game? First game not so good, second game I thought he was much better. Id say the same thing for Tryon as well, but its still preseason.

If we can stay healthy, I feel like our secondary is fairly solid. But if we have an injury or two, and Tryon/Barnes are forced into duty, things could get ugly quick. I dont like Smoot as a starter, but I feel like he does just fine as the 3rd CB. Hopefully Rogers calf isnt a lingering problem, it sounds way too similar to Springs issues last year. Horton is improving steadily, and Landry is a beast. Like Gtripp said though, Landry is the key and if we were to lose him its gonna be a long season.