Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Well everyone and I mean EVERYONE is on Vick's nuts.. He's playing great but lets see if he can keep it up.. For some reason I really think Vick will struggle against us.. The guy has had a 100+ qb rating the last 3 games, Eventually it will come back down for him

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;740952]Talking about Gibbs, Williams, and even Zorn at this point is just a waste of time and I really don't understand why we need to keep rehashing the past, especially with a new front office and coaching staff in place. We made some positive changes, let's give it some time to work.

It's just totally absurd to me that we're 3 games in to this new regime and people are so up in arms over things. Did anyone really expect a smooth transition to a new offense, new QB, new defense, and 1/3 of the roster turned over? Where did the last few years get us anyway? 4-12 last year? A top 10 defense that created little sacks or turnovers and had people pulling their hair out all season?[/quote]

We did make positive change...that is true...especially with the head coach and GM...no one is arguing that. The issue on this thread is about the defensive issues and what got us to this point...and if neccessary changes will be made. We will be able to tell very quickly how good our coaching staff is over the next few games.

BTW...I did not have major issues with Blache as others did...sure...he didn't pressure a lot...but our issues had more to do with inability to score than anything else under Zorn. The offseason coaching change was to change all that, without royally screwing up the rest of the team. There was a lot of "blind faith" going on when they hired Haslett...I for one was disappointed as his record was far worse than Blache. Hopefully I am wrong...
I am not sure about your comments at the time...but I believe you shared that concern as well.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;740952]Talking about Gibbs, Williams, and even Zorn at this point is just a waste of time and I really don't understand why we need to keep rehashing the past, especially with a new front office and coaching staff in place. We made some positive changes, let's give it some time to work.

It's just totally absurd to me that we're 3 games in to this new regime and people are so up in arms over things. Did anyone really expect a smooth transition to a new offense, new QB, new defense, and 1/3 of the roster turned over? Where did the last few years get us anyway? 4-12 last year? A top 10 defense that created little sacks or turnovers and had people pulling their hair out all season?[/quote]


the reason people are up in arms is this is the same stuff that happens every two years. New coaches, new schemes, new roster and it always has us getting no where and watching the playoffs from the coach. I think it is little to do with previous coaches than it is to do with the current play of these Redskins. Losing two games at the end, against one of the worst teams in recent memory and we could be 0-3 if not for a holding call (that luckily occurred at the end of the game with no time left) This defense is still not creating sacks or turnovers. Only 5 teams in the NFL have less than we do. All i see is us sending blitzes and no one getting to the QB and our DB's getting burned, our LB's getting burned giving up 3rd down conversions and being two tired to stop someone when we really need a stop. I hope things get better, and with Shanny i expect they will. But as fans we have been told year after year that this is a playoff team, a playoff roster, a coach that will get us there and that has happened what 3 times in 12 years. two of which came in the last six. It would stand to reason our stong suit was the defense, and we should have / or should be leaning on that while the offense works out the issues. But the overhall to a defense that doesn't have the personel just doesn't seem to be a great move.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I thought it was a good thing to move on from Blache. His defense was boring, predictable, and claimed to be "bend but don't break" even though they broke far too often.

As far as Haslett goes, I'm going to need to see a full season to judge him.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote]and with Shanny i expect they will[/quote]Shanahan is not a miracle maker. His defenses in Denver near the end of his tenure there were Swiss cheese.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Its only been 3 weeks guys lets give it time. Winning heals all, if we go out and beat Philly everything will be fine.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

out of all the negativity and absolute pessimist opinions formed after 3 games, skinsnut said something that is interesting.

that over the next few weeks we can see for the first time (certainly wont be the last thoo) at how our coaching staff responds, gameplans and adjusts to issues and problems.

it should be interesting to see what changes, if any, that we make.

if haslett makes some adjustments and the D plays well for 3 games or so against top tier teams, that is an early indication that our coaching staff knows how to coach, prepare adjust and gameplan.

problems = learning opportunities.

take d hall for a second. 1st 2 games he specifically threw another D player under the bus in his post game comments. game 3 it was d hall who was screwing up and deserving of being thrown under the bus but guess what, after that game d hall then spoke in terms of "we", we need to get better, we are still learning this defense, we will get better instead of his "I" "me" and "he" talk.

alright that last part is just a shot at d hall.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I agree the next few weeks will be telling. Clearly adjustments need to be made, and the players need to get their butts in gear as well.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;740961]I thought it was a good thing to move on from Blache. His defense was boring, predictable, and claimed to be "bend but don't break" even though they broke far too often.

As far as Haslett goes, I'm going to need to see a full season to judge him.[/quote]

How will you judge him? How is he doing so far?

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

The results speak for themselves right now, but it's been 3 games. Not exactly a quality body of work.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I'm just checking to see if your [URL="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/craveonline.com/articles/76667/image_assets/image_1.jpg"]GTrippVision[/URL] is on. Yes, his body of work with the Redskins is quite thin...so far it doesn't exude confidence.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Lots of 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, with Base 3-4.

We all know right now we're better suited for a base 4-3. But let's make the assumption that the coaching staff is building long term and committed to a 3-4 base. I don't think there will be any pressure from ownership to change the coaching staff until the end of the 2011 season if our performance hasn't improved. That being said, if our D shows no improvement by the end of this year MS may can Haslett, doubtful, but possible.

Anywho IMO, here's where our defensive problems currently are:

1) Our NT situation is a disaster. Kemo is getting pushed around every play and has little lateral mobility. AH doesn't want to play there, so won't give any effort in the Base 3-4 at NT. Bryant may get better but he's a young player and nothing special.

2) Carriker is showing some improvement game to game, but isn't going to light the world on fire and the best we can hope is he turns out to be an average 3-4 LDE. Golston's getting shoved around, he's in over his head. Daniels has great effort and intelligence, but he lacks mobility, the explosiveness is not there, and he's not getting off blocks. Holliday same.

3) Our entire front three is being blocked 1-1 on most plays allowing the opposing OL to get second level on our ILBs. No way Fletch or Rocky are going to win a battle with a 300lb + OL.

4) On most running plays the LoS is being reestablished at least 1 yd downfield, many times more.

5) Orakpo is still making mistakes in the run game but appears to be improving. In passing situations we're often in the 2-4-5 or 1-5-5 and Rak is getting after the QB anyway. In 3-4 base we play a lot of zone so he's rarely matched up 1-1 in coverage or Haslett is sending 4 and Rak's the fourth rusher.

6) Carter needs to be benched for Alexander. Carter is making mistakes in space, still getting sucked inside, not getting off blocks and generally is a liability. I'm not saying Alexander is doing great, but he has the potential for improvement. AC doesn't. The PA TD the Rams got was a lot on AC because off the PA he was frozen and allowed Bradford to get the angle to the End Zone where Hall was forced into a no-win decision (which Hall made too early). As I review the game I am constantly seeing AC making mistakes.

7) Our CBs need to play much more press coverage when we blitz. If we're constantly letting the WRs off the line untouched the QB/WR timing stays intact and makes for easier completions. If we're going to blitz, we should be pressing more often, not always, switch it up, but much more often.

8) Our blitzes aren't getting to the QB near enough because we don't have personnel winning 1-1 matchups. We don't have any DL or LB who has any size/speed combination other than Rak. AH is only playing in the 2-4-5 package so far. The OL is providing simple gap protection and not worrying about who's bouncing around pre-snap. The OL knows they don't have to worry about any type of power or bull rush. When the OL can dial into a finesse game, pass-pro is easier than having to worry about guys who can finesse and power rush.

9) Because of our liabilities up front, we're being forced to bring 8 into the box and allowing the smokes/slants to the WRs to be more effective and our pass coverage in general is suffering. This is another argument for not giving up 4+ Yds per Carry. I know we didn't this game, but the final results were much worse than against the Texans.

10) I hate to pile on the guy and know I'm late here, but D. Hall.....STFU and play, you aren't a superstar and you give up a bunch of plays (Smoke that saw you sitting on your @ss, among others). You call out Doughty for getting Mossed by A. Johnson, but earlier in the same half he Mossed you too, it just got called back because of a penalty. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. :rant:

Our scheme hasn't been great, but it hasn't been terrible either. I think Haslett is trying to mix things up a little, but due to our liabilities up front, he can only do so much. So what can we do; right now not much, unless we go back to a 4-3, and I'll bet a dollar to a dime that ain't happening.

1) Go with youth. Get Barnes, Bryant, Alexander, Riley into the rotation much more. Alexander should start.

2) Play AH in the 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, we paid him a butt-load of money, at least try to get something out of him in the 3-4, maybe in short yardage situations.

3) Go with more of an "attack a gap" instead of a "read-react" front 3. I know this isn't ideal and will become a guessing game, but it will allow our front 3 to play more downhill and should help keep the LoS from being pushed back down our throats every play.

4) Keep the QB guesing, Haslett's working with serious personnel limitations and he's going to need to be very creative with coverages and blitz schemes. I don't know if this is a strength of his. We'll find out over the next 3 weeks or so.

One thing that isn't D related that really concerns me; McNabb hasn't been resigned, and probably won't be until the off-season. If we keep struggling and he decides to sign elsewhere (Vikings), we have another major hole to fill.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Excellent post, Slingin' Sammy. I'll also add that this isn't the first time D Hall bungled a tackle. Remember when Manningham got a big gain? Yep, D Hall missed a tackle.

Also, I think that the corners are playing off because they play is designed to get pressure on the QB. Only problem is, the blitzes are getting picked up and hence no pressure. That means easily completions for someone like Bradford

[QUOTE]3) Go with more of an "attack a gap" instead of a "read-react" front 3. I know this isn't ideal and will become a guessing game, but it will allow our front 3 to play more downhill and should help keep the LoS from being pushed back down our throats every play.[/QUOTE]Too bad Haslett's more Lebeau/Fairbanks-Bullough inspired than Bum Phillips-inspired.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741011]Lots of 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, with Base 3-4.

We all know right now we're better suited for a base 4-3. But let's make the assumption that the coaching staff is building long term and committed to a 3-4 base. I don't think there will be any pressure from ownership to change the coaching staff until the end of the 2011 season if our performance hasn't improved. That being said, if our D shows no improvement by the end of this year MS may can Haslett, doubtful, but possible.

Anywho IMO, here's where our defensive problems currently are:

1) Our NT situation is a disaster. Kemo is getting pushed around every play and has little lateral mobility. AH doesn't want to play there, so won't give any effort in the Base 3-4 at NT. Bryant may get better but he's a young player and nothing special.

2) Carriker is showing some improvement game to game, but isn't going to light the world on fire and the best we can hope is he turns out to be an average 3-4 LDE. Golston's getting shoved around, he's in over his head. Daniels has great effort and intelligence, but he lacks mobility, the explosiveness is not there, and he's not getting off blocks. Holliday same.

3) Our entire front three is being blocked 1-1 on most plays allowing the opposing OL to get second level on our ILBs. No way Fletch or Rocky are going to win a battle with a 300lb + OL.

4) On most running plays the LoS is being reestablished at least 1 yd downfield, many times more.

5) Orakpo is still making mistakes in the run game but appears to be improving. In passing situations we're often in the 2-4-5 or 1-5-5 and Rak is getting after the QB anyway. In 3-4 base we play a lot of zone so he's rarely matched up 1-1 in coverage or Haslett is sending 4 and Rak's the fourth rusher.

6) Carter needs to be benched for Alexander. Carter is making mistakes in space, still getting sucked inside, not getting off blocks and generally is a liability. I'm not saying Alexander is doing great, but he has the potential for improvement. AC doesn't. The PA TD the Rams got was a lot on AC because off the PA he was frozen and allowed Bradford to get the angle to the End Zone where Hall was forced into a no-win decision (which Hall made too early). As I review the game I am constantly seeing AC making mistakes.

7) Our CBs need to play much more press coverage when we blitz. If we're constantly letting the WRs off the line untouched the QB/WR timing stays intact and makes for easier completions. If we're going to blitz, we should be pressing more often, not always, switch it up, but much more often.

8) Our blitzes aren't getting to the QB near enough because we don't have personnel winning 1-1 matchups. We don't have any DL or LB who has any size/speed combination other than Rak. AH is only playing in the 2-4-5 package so far. The OL is providing simple gap protection and not worrying about who's bouncing around pre-snap. The OL knows they don't have to worry about any type of power or bull rush. When the OL can dial into a finesse game, pass-pro is easier than having to worry about guys who can finesse and power rush.

9) Because of our liabilities up front, we're being forced to bring 8 into the box and allowing the smokes/slants to the WRs to be more effective and our pass coverage in general is suffering. This is another argument for not giving up 4+ Yds per Carry. I know we didn't this game, but the final results were much worse than against the Texans.

10) I hate to pile on the guy and know I'm late here, but D. Hall.....STFU and play, you aren't a superstar and you give up a bunch of plays (Smoke that saw you sitting on your @ss, among others). You call out Doughty for getting Mossed by A. Johnson, but earlier in the same half he Mossed you too, it just got called back because of a penalty. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. :rant:

Our scheme hasn't been great, but it hasn't been terrible either. I think Haslett is trying to mix things up a little, but due to our liabilities up front, he can only do so much. So what can we do; right now not much, unless we go back to a 4-3, and I'll bet a dollar to a dime that ain't happening.

1) Go with youth. Get Barnes, Bryant, Alexander, Riley into the rotation much more. Alexander should start.

2) Play AH in the 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, we paid him a butt-load of money, at least try to get something out of him in the 3-4, maybe in short yardage situations.

3) Go with more of an "attack a gap" instead of a "read-react" front 3. I know this isn't ideal and will become a guessing game, but it will allow our front 3 to play more downhill and should help keep the LoS from being pushed back down our throats every play.

4) Keep the QB guesing, Haslett's working with serious personnel limitations and he's going to need to be very creative with coverages and blitz schemes. I don't know if this is a strength of his. We'll find out over the next 3 weeks or so.

One thing that isn't D related that really concerns me; McNabb hasn't been resigned, and probably won't be until the off-season. If we keep struggling and he decides to sign elsewhere (Vikings), we have another major hole to fill.[/quote]
And the Heavens opened up, and the angels sing his praise!
Someone who gets it. Cheers to you on such a fine post!

:pi_lightb:pi_lightb:pi_lightb

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

CB's are left 1-1 alot in the 3-4, Hall is fast enough to keep up with guys like Smith/Austin/Maclin ETC.. Carlos isn't a 1-1 CB at this time in his career, He's so slow its hard to watch.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Hall may be "fast" enough but his attitude is that of a zone corner.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;741016]Too bad Haslett's more Lebeau/Fairbanks-Bullough inspired than Bum Phillips-inspired.[/quote]Thanks and agree. Was doing a little browsing around and found this. This should probably wind up in Haslett's inbox. More insight into why we're having the problems we are on D.

[URL="http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-4-the-3-4-front/#more-51139"]Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 4: The 3-4 Front - NYTimes.com[/URL]

P.S. Great sig, Phillips has been a good DC he'd be welcome in my book.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I'm willing to be patient on the growing pains of a new defense (although nothing has convinced me yet as to why we needed to make a change, but I digress), however is hard to swallow this loss to the Rams. It's hard to feel confident about your team's ability to overcome growing pains when we lose to an inferior team (because with our luck, the Rams will probably go back to stinking up the joint next week).

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

the clock may change, but this place remains the same.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=skinsnut;740732]Don't get too upset. Gtripp likes to sometimes play counterpoint to generate a rise out of people to stir the pot a bit[/quote]I do greatly enjoy pot-stirring, but that's not what I'm intending here.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741011]Lots of 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, with Base 3-4.

We all know right now we're better suited for a base 4-3. But let's make the assumption that the coaching staff is building long term and committed to a 3-4 base. I don't think there will be any pressure from ownership to change the coaching staff until the end of the 2011 season if our performance hasn't improved. That being said, if our D shows no improvement by the end of this year MS may can Haslett, doubtful, but possible.

Anywho IMO, here's where our defensive problems currently are:

1) Our NT situation is a disaster. Kemo is getting pushed around every play and has little lateral mobility. AH doesn't want to play there, so won't give any effort in the Base 3-4 at NT. Bryant may get better but he's a young player and nothing special.

2) Carriker is showing some improvement game to game, but isn't going to light the world on fire and the best we can hope is he turns out to be an average 3-4 LDE. Golston's getting shoved around, he's in over his head. Daniels has great effort and intelligence, but he lacks mobility, the explosiveness is not there, and he's not getting off blocks. Holliday same.

3) Our entire front three is being blocked 1-1 on most plays allowing the opposing OL to get second level on our ILBs. No way Fletch or Rocky are going to win a battle with a 300lb + OL.

4) On most running plays the LoS is being reestablished at least 1 yd downfield, many times more.

5) Orakpo is still making mistakes in the run game but appears to be improving. In passing situations we're often in the 2-4-5 or 1-5-5 and Rak is getting after the QB anyway. In 3-4 base we play a lot of zone so he's rarely matched up 1-1 in coverage or Haslett is sending 4 and Rak's the fourth rusher.

6) Carter needs to be benched for Alexander. Carter is making mistakes in space, still getting sucked inside, not getting off blocks and generally is a liability. I'm not saying Alexander is doing great, but he has the potential for improvement. AC doesn't. The PA TD the Rams got was a lot on AC because off the PA he was frozen and allowed Bradford to get the angle to the End Zone where Hall was forced into a no-win decision (which Hall made too early). As I review the game I am constantly seeing AC making mistakes.

7) Our CBs need to play much more press coverage when we blitz. If we're constantly letting the WRs off the line untouched the QB/WR timing stays intact and makes for easier completions. If we're going to blitz, we should be pressing more often, not always, switch it up, but much more often.

8) Our blitzes aren't getting to the QB near enough because we don't have personnel winning 1-1 matchups. We don't have any DL or LB who has any size/speed combination other than Rak. AH is only playing in the 2-4-5 package so far. The OL is providing simple gap protection and not worrying about who's bouncing around pre-snap. The OL knows they don't have to worry about any type of power or bull rush. When the OL can dial into a finesse game, pass-pro is easier than having to worry about guys who can finesse and power rush.

9) Because of our liabilities up front, we're being forced to bring 8 into the box and allowing the smokes/slants to the WRs to be more effective and our pass coverage in general is suffering. This is another argument for not giving up 4+ Yds per Carry. I know we didn't this game, but the final results were much worse than against the Texans.

10) I hate to pile on the guy and know I'm late here, but D. Hall.....STFU and play, you aren't a superstar and you give up a bunch of plays (Smoke that saw you sitting on your @ss, among others). You call out Doughty for getting Mossed by A. Johnson, but earlier in the same half he Mossed you too, it just got called back because of a penalty. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. :rant:

Our scheme hasn't been great, but it hasn't been terrible either. I think Haslett is trying to mix things up a little, but due to our liabilities up front, he can only do so much. So what can we do; right now not much, unless we go back to a 4-3, and I'll bet a dollar to a dime that ain't happening.

1) Go with youth. Get Barnes, Bryant, Alexander, Riley into the rotation much more. Alexander should start.

2) Play AH in the 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, we paid him a butt-load of money, at least try to get something out of him in the 3-4, maybe in short yardage situations.

3) Go with more of an "attack a gap" instead of a "read-react" front 3. I know this isn't ideal and will become a guessing game, but it will allow our front 3 to play more downhill and should help keep the LoS from being pushed back down our throats every play.

4) Keep the QB guesing, Haslett's working with serious personnel limitations and he's going to need to be very creative with coverages and blitz schemes. I don't know if this is a strength of his. We'll find out over the next 3 weeks or so.

One thing that isn't D related that really concerns me; McNabb hasn't been resigned, and probably won't be until the off-season. If we keep struggling and he decides to sign elsewhere (Vikings), we have another major hole to fill.[/quote]I largely agree with everything Slingin Sammy has written here.

The one thing I'll say about Carter is that we shouldn't ignore the good plays he's making in the pass rush and at the line of scrimmage simply because he makes a lot of read-related mistakes regarding cutback/reverse and because he sucks in space. Carter pretty much had the same weaknesses last year when he had 11 sacks and a career year, and teams (Eagles, specifically) schemed against those weaknesses then. He's still a valuable part of our pressure schemes this year.

Coverage isn't so much Carter's issue as much as when you really stretch the offensive edge to his side (via stretch run or bootleg) and he gets strung out to the sideline, he's really, really a useless player in space. On the contrary, you put Lorenzo Alexander in space and he lights people up.

I think Carter of the weakness of the linebacking corps, if only because McIntosh has really taken to the system. But I don't think Carter is an overall liability, I think he's just an easy target for offenses to scheme against if we play passive read-and-react style. When we go on the attack, he's an asset.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I also didn't really like our coverage schemes in this game, as they were just a little bland for my liking. With Moore back in there, I hope we would disguise more stuff to confuse Bradford, but we played a lot of cover three and defined reads for him. Not a cardinal sin, but certainly a missed opportunity.

Still way too many "hole in zone" throws against Hall/Moore/Landry.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I guess we'll find out in the next 1-3 weeks we can get better at executing in the 3-4. I don't think the season is over but it will be if all these good teams we are about to play light us up on defense. We're heading into the hardest part of our schedule and how we play these next few games will determine what kind of team we will be this year. Hopefully the problems get solved and we can still have an effective defense this season.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741044]Thanks and agree. Was doing a little browsing around and found this. This should probably wind up in Haslett's inbox. More insight into why we're having the problems we are on D.

[U]Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 4: The 3-4 Front - NYTimes.com[/U]

P.S. Great sig, Phillips has been a good DC he'd be welcome in my book.[/quote]

If you go to "Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 1", it explains the different d-linemen techniques and might give us insight into why Haynesworth didn't want to play in the 3-4. In the article, Warren Sapp said the year he switched from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 end was the hardest year in his life.

://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-1/

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Justinchuck189;741063]If you go to "Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 1", it explains the different d-linemen techniques and might give us insight into why Haynesworth didn't want to play in the 3-4. In the article, Warren Sapp said the year he switched from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 end was the hardest year in his life.

://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-1/[/quote]Absolutely, Haynesworth is a one gap, downhill player. He can't play 2-gap. As SCP and I touched on, a Phillips style 3-4 would be more appropriate with our personnel, especially AH. That would help with our front 3 problems.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=GTripp0012;741059]The one thing I'll say about Carter is that we shouldn't ignore the good plays he's making in the pass rush and at the line of scrimmage simply because he makes a lot of read-related mistakes regarding cutback/reverse and because he sucks in space. Carter pretty much had the same weaknesses last year when he had 11 sacks and a career year, and teams (Eagles, specifically) schemed against those weaknesses then. [B]He's still a valuable part of our pressure schemes this year.[/B]

Coverage isn't so much Carter's issue as much as [B]when you really stretch the offensive edge to his side (via stretch run or bootleg) and he gets strung out to the sideline, he's really, really a useless player in space[/B]. On the contrary, you put Lorenzo Alexander in space and he lights people up.

I think Carter of the weakness of the linebacking corps, if only because McIntosh has really taken to the system. But I don't think Carter is an overall liability, I think he's just an easy target for offenses to scheme against if we play passive read-and-react style. When we go on the attack, he's an asset.[/quote]Agree. Keep him in the 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, but he shouldn't be in on the 3-4 base.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[QUOTE]If you go to "Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 1", it explains the different d-linemen techniques and might give us insight into why Haynesworth didn't want to play in the 3-4. In the article, Warren Sapp said the year he switched from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 end was the hardest year in his life.

://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-1/[/QUOTE]


Yep, when David-freaking-no-pocket-presence-easily-rattled-shitty-qb-Carr says "we aren't afraid of you" to one of the greatest D-linemen ever and is RIGHT about what he's saying, I don't see how the **** Shanahan gets away with such a blatant misuse of AH's talent. And Sapp wasn't playing NT, he was playing a 3-4 DE.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741093]Absolutely, Haynesworth is a one gap, downhill player. [B]He can't play 2-gap[/B]. As SCP and I touched on, a Phillips style 3-4 would be more appropriate with our personnel, especially AH. That would help with our front 3 problems.[/quote]

I would say he doesn't want to play 2 gap.

The guy is clearly talented enough to do pretty much anything he's asked to do.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;741150]I would say he doesn't want to play 2 gap.

The guy is clearly talented enough to do pretty much anything he's asked to do.[/quote]

Even so, it doesn't play to his instincts. He's one of those instinctive players who can't do it when out of his zone. He's not the only one on our defense who has this limitation.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;741150]I would say he doesn't want to play 2 gap.

The guy is clearly talented enough to do pretty much anything he's asked to do.[/quote]True, but it is a major change in technique.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

When I see a guy like Alexander changing positions year to year, doing so willingly and succeeding instead of bitching and playing the poor me routine, I really have a hard time feeling any pity for an overpaid brat like AH.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;741157]When I see a guy like Alexander changing positions year to year, doing so willingly and succeeding instead of bitching and playing the poor me routine, I really have a hard time feeling any pity for an overpaid brat like AH.[/quote]

Then I guess we should force Landry to play FS like he's always been or put DHall into a shutdown corner like he was in Oakland? He was willing, but he sure wasn't good.

You put your best players in the positions they're most effective, not where they "on paper" are good. Sapp was also willing, but he sure got neutralized, and he was a proven dominating force.

And Alexander's play isn't suffering much, if at all.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741011]Lots of 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, with Base 3-4.

We all know right now we're better suited for a base 4-3. But let's make the assumption that the coaching staff is building long term and committed to a 3-4 base. I don't think there will be any pressure from ownership to change the coaching staff until the end of the 2011 season if our performance hasn't improved. That being said, if our D shows no improvement by the end of this year MS may can Haslett, doubtful, but possible.

Anywho IMO, here's where our defensive problems currently are:

1) Our NT situation is a disaster. Kemo is getting pushed around every play and has little lateral mobility. AH doesn't want to play there, so won't give any effort in the Base 3-4 at NT. Bryant may get better but he's a young player and nothing special.

Kemo isn't exactly 100% yet, another reason we shouldn't be doing the 3-4 unless AH is playing NT. He is obviously the most talented Lineman of the group.

2) Carriker is showing some improvement game to game, but isn't going to light the world on fire and the best we can hope is he turns out to be an average 3-4 LDE. Golston's getting shoved around, he's in over his head. Daniels has great effort and intelligence, but he lacks mobility, the explosiveness is not there, and he's not getting off blocks. Holliday same.

Gholston is playing way too much. AH is a ton better. Another position AH should / could be playing full time.

3) Our entire front three is being blocked 1-1 on most plays allowing the opposing OL to get second level on our ILBs. No way Fletch or Rocky are going to win a battle with a 300lb + OL.

agree 100%

4) On most running plays the LoS is being reestablished at least 1 yd downfield, many times more.

ridiculous isn't it!!

5) Orakpo is still making mistakes in the run game but appears to be improving. In passing situations we're often in the 2-4-5 or 1-5-5 and Rak is getting after the QB anyway. In 3-4 base we play a lot of zone so he's rarely matched up 1-1 in coverage or Haslett is sending 4 and Rak's the fourth rusher.

Orakpo is a very talented, athletic DE. Notice i said DE. I think his pass coverage skills are obviously a big liability. He needs a little more snaps, and maybe some added quickness.

6) Carter needs to be benched for Alexander. Carter is making mistakes in space, still getting sucked inside, not getting off blocks and generally is a liability. I'm not saying Alexander is doing great, but he has the potential for improvement. AC doesn't. The PA TD the Rams got was a lot on AC because off the PA he was frozen and allowed Bradford to get the angle to the End Zone where Hall was forced into a no-win decision (which Hall made too early). As I review the game I am constantly seeing AC making mistakes.

Carter sucks in a 3-4. He should be at End, and let Chris Wilson play the other OLB. Alexander is not the answer either.

7) Our CBs need to play much more press coverage when we blitz. If we're constantly letting the WRs off the line untouched the QB/WR timing stays intact and makes for easier completions. If we're going to blitz, we should be pressing more often, not always, switch it up, but much more often.

When we blitz the corners are left alone with no help over top, so if they play more press coverage then those slants, smoke routes are going to be long TD's for our opponents. Deshawn Jackson, Maklin would have an absolute field day if that was the case. So, they back off a little and hope we get pressure, or the QB doesn't recognize the blitz and holds the ball too long. Now, this is an scheme issue in my opinion. When we blitz you want the corners to be up on the receiver and jam then as they come off, but i believe they are so worried about giving up huge plays they back the corners off. kind of defeating the purpose i think, but i am not the DC.

8) Our blitzes aren't getting to the QB near enough because we don't have personnel winning 1-1 matchups. We don't have any DL or LB who has any size/speed combination other than Rak. AH is only playing in the 2-4-5 package so far. The OL is providing simple gap protection and not worrying about who's bouncing around pre-snap. The OL knows they don't have to worry about any type of power or bull rush. When the OL can dial into a finesse game, pass-pro is easier than having to worry about guys who can finesse and power rush.

Again, AH should be full time on the end. Shanny needs to swallow that pill and get over it. AH demands a double team the majority of the snaps he is in and that frees up others with one on one matchups. (Rak, Carter)

9) Because of our liabilities up front, we're being forced to bring 8 into the box and allowing the smokes/slants to the WRs to be more effective and our pass coverage in general is suffering. This is another argument for not giving up 4+ Yds per Carry. I know we didn't this game, but the final results were much worse than against the Texans.

see #7.

10) I hate to pile on the guy and know I'm late here, but D. Hall.....STFU and play, you aren't a superstar and you give up a bunch of plays (Smoke that saw you sitting on your @ss, among others). You call out Doughty for getting Mossed by A. Johnson, but earlier in the same half he Mossed you too, it just got called back because of a penalty. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. :rant:

Yeah, hall should just play and shut up. He looks like an ass talking too much and not backing it up.

Our scheme hasn't been great, but it hasn't been terrible either. I think Haslett is trying to mix things up a little, but due to our liabilities up front, he can only do so much. So what can we do; right now not much, unless we go back to a 4-3, and I'll bet a dollar to a dime that ain't happening.

1) Go with youth. Get Barnes, Bryant, Alexander, Riley into the rotation much more. Alexander should start.

Bryant, Riley yes. Alexander, barnes not so sure. As mentioned earlier Chris Wilson should be oposite Rak. Alexander could be used more as a pass rushing DE on nickle situations.

2) Play AH in the 2-4-5 and 1-5-5, we paid him a butt-load of money, at least try to get something out of him in the 3-4, maybe in short yardage situations.

AH should be on the field all the time. as mentioned earlier Shanny needs to get off the high horse and play the best, most talented lineman they have.

3) Go with more of an "attack a gap" instead of a "read-react" front 3. I know this isn't ideal and will become a guessing game, but it will allow our front 3 to play more downhill and should help keep the LoS from being pushed back down our throats every play.

AH tried doing that against the cowboys and everyone blasted him for jumping into the gaps. when that happened cowboys either guessed right, or the RB keyed off what gap he was jumping into and went the opposite way. 3-4 gap play is a little tougher to make plays in the run game, in my opinion.

4) Keep the QB guesing, Haslett's working with serious personnel limitations and he's going to need to be very creative with coverages and blitz schemes. I don't know if this is a strength of his. We'll find out over the next 3 weeks or so.

I think he is out coaching himself honestly. Play the best players consistantly, mix up the coverages, and blitzes but to keep switching players in and out all the damn time really isn't hurting anyone but the team. Players can't get warmed up and in a rhythm when they are standing on the sideline 50-60% of the time. Go to basics and just play the right people and how bout a stop once in a while!

One thing that isn't D related that really concerns me; McNabb hasn't been resigned, and probably won't be until the off-season. If we keep struggling and he decides to sign elsewhere (Vikings), we have another major hole to fill.[/quote]

It wouldn't surprise me if he went to the Vikings in the offseason. they are pretty damn close to having a championship team, if not all ready.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;741163]Then I guess we should force Landry to play FS like he's always been or put DHall into a shutdown corner like he was in Oakland? He was willing, but he sure wasn't good.

[B]You put your best players in the positions they're most effective, not where they "on paper" are good.[/B] Sapp was also willing, but he sure got neutralized, and he was a proven dominating force.

And Alexander's play isn't suffering much, if at all.[/quote]

You don't always have that luxury. Need often dictates where guys play.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

I'm not really concerned that McNabb won't be here in 2011 (think we can franchise him if push comes to shove), but that said we do need a young QB to groom here. Not sold on Beck. And if McNabb does leave it's not the Vikings that concern me really, it's the Cardinals

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;741011]


6) Carter needs to be benched for Alexander. Carter is making mistakes in space, still getting sucked inside, not getting off blocks and generally is a liability. I'm not saying Alexander is doing great, but he has the potential for improvement. AC doesn't. The PA TD the Rams got was a lot on AC because off the PA he was frozen and allowed Bradford to get the angle to the End Zone where Hall was forced into a no-win decision (which Hall made too early). As I review the game I am constantly seeing AC making mistakes.

[/quote]

Yes please. Great post.
I wanted Alexander promoted and Carter benched back in preseason. It is painful to watch Carter. Carter is useless other than pass rushing. Against the run or in coverage he is terrible. The sad thing is he is not showing any improvement. This has been his problem throughout his career. This is not something new. We were originally drawn to him because of his sack his high numbers. His general football instinct is not very high.
How long does Hasslett keep going with something that is not working. Hell, Dockery got benched and he was not playing as bad as Carter. I don't get it. I guess Carter's sack number from last year is going a long way this year to keeping him on the playing field. PLus I know he is big and tall and fast in a straight line to QB. But the guy gets faked out way too much by runners and his brain is not made for thinking on the fly like a 3-4 LB needs to do. Time to go another direction.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;741168]You don't always have that luxury. Need often dictates where guys play.[/quote]He's still being used suboptimally. Tennessee was able to get quality play from Albert even with Albert being so "into the game" that "coaching" him was ineffective. Jim Schwartz was able to get high quality play out of AH's instincts. We had a effective 4-3 defense set up. We just needed a coordinator with a brain.

And there are countless examples of how their effectiveness was laughably reduced. Rak at 4-3 OLB, Landry at FS, Dhall as the "other shutdown corner". These are suboptimal of using a player and the incentive to go to a more optimal one is there.

Not to mention that there was no need to [B]fully commit[/B] to a 3-4 this year. This "need" for a NT was completely avoidable. Haslett's going to have to make a decision of whether they should implement some 4-3 schemes so we can get more out of guys like AH. And not just AH, but Cater, Golston, etc.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk;741157]When I see a guy like Alexander changing positions year to year, doing so willingly and succeeding instead of bitching and playing the poor me routine, I really have a hard time feeling any pity for an overpaid brat like AH.[/quote]Check the line under my user name, believe me I have absolutely no pity for AH.

I'm only looking at what's best for the Skins from an Xs & Os perspective. We're stuck with AH this year, we may as well get what we can out of him.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;741171]I'm not really concerned that McNabb won't be here in 2011 (think we can franchise him if push comes to shove), but that said we do need a young QB to groom here. Not sold on Beck. And if McNabb does leave it's not the Vikings that concern me really, it's the Cardinals[/quote]I hope you're right. Grooming a young QB is important, but not a high priority issue this offseason. Losing our starting QB this off-season will make rebuilding elsewhere (DL, interior OL, CB, RB) more difficult and put us back another year or two at least.

Re: The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread
 

Unless there's a solid plan B option in place, which there doesn't seem to be, I can't see why we would let McNabb go. Unless of course they determine he's just not going to work out here, but the likelihood of that doesn't seem very great.