Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

Where is he? we dont have one, and in great defenses, or in even good ones there is one (Ray Lewis, Urlacher, Pierce, etc.). we had one and let him get away in pierce and now we are paying the price for it. someone like a d'qwell jackson would have fit well as the vocal leader, but i think this needs to be a priority. someone needs to get the defense going. we have a bunch of quiet guys out there on the field. washington, taylor, springs, rogers, everyone is quiet. we gotta find one i think

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

Where is he? -- In NY :doh:

Really though, I think Gibbs has learned a lot this year. I think he's learned that he needs to be a more conservative from a GM perspective. This offseason should be much better, but only time will tell.

BTW, I think Thomas from BAL might be a good defensive leader at LB. He should've learned something from R. Lewis, and they always have a good defense that seems to stick together well.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I think Washington is probably it. I wish Taylor would step up a bit more in that role but you can't force guys into it.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256584]I think Washington is probably it. I wish Taylor would step up a bit more in that role but you can't force guys into it.[/QUOTE]

i dont see any of these guys firing the defense up through being vocal. taylor is very quiet, i never see him talk...like ever. and washington doesnt seem to either

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

Washington is always dancing around, high fiving guys, etc. He's a pretty emotional player.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

We need another Dexter

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256590]Washington is always dancing around, high fiving guys, etc. He's a pretty emotional player.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Marcus is undoubtedly the leader of our defense.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

Washington is the defense. He deserves to play in the pro-bowl more than anyone on the team.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;256583]Where is he? -- In NY :doh:
[/quote]

He WAS the most [U]vocal[/U] player while sitting on the bench...but he was no leader.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256590]Washington is always dancing around, high fiving guys, etc. He's a pretty emotional player.[/QUOTE]

thats not being a vocal leader. u see a ray lewis yelling before plays leading his team, dont see that from washington. i see him dancing slowly with rogers during timeouts.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I would say washington, maybe springs since he is a vet, daniels since he is a vet and been here a few years.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Big C;256637]thats not being a vocal leader. u see a ray lewis yelling before plays leading his team, dont see that from washington. i see him dancing slowly with rogers during timeouts.[/QUOTE]I agree, and it's really starting to frustrate me, especially when I'm sitting in the stands.
This past Sunday, for example, the D had just given up two long drives in a row, but when they got on the field they weren't huddled up. Instead they were all dancing around like idiots to that stupid "Walk it Off" song that they constantly play at FedEx. Washington and Rogers seem to be the worst about it too.
I guess I'd be more forgiving if they had been playing well and they were pumped up or something, but they were playing like crap. I would think that they might want to figure out how to stop Vick from running all over them instead of bouncing around like the Roxbury guys from SNL.

I'm in 100% agreement that we need a better field general out there on defense. Whether that means finding someone new this offseason or having one of the current guys step up doesn't make a difference to me, but the D neds to tighten up.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;256642]I agree, and it's really starting to frustrate me, especially when I'm sitting in the stands.
This past Sunday, for example, the D had just given up two long drives in a row, but when they got on the field they weren't huddled up. Instead they were all dancing around like idiots to that stupid "Walk it Off" song that they constantly play at FedEx. Washington and Rogers seem to be the worst about it too.
I guess I'd be more forgiving if they had been playing well and they were pumped up or something, but they were playing like crap. I would think that they might want to figure out how to stop Vick from running all over them instead of bouncing around like the Roxbury guys from SNL.

I'm in 100% agreement that we need a better field general out there on defense. Whether that means finding someone new this offseason or having one of the current guys step up doesn't make a difference to me, but the D neds to tighten up.[/quote]

finding someone new isn't the answer. The leader of this D should be someone who has fought with this team, not some overpaid FA from another losing team. Griffin needs to start standing up too. Springs, daniels, these guys are the ones that need to speak up.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic;256646]finding someone new isn't the answer. The leader of this D should be someone who has fought with this team, not some overpaid FA from another losing team. Griffin needs to start standing up too. Springs, daniels, these guys are the ones that need to speak up.[/QUOTE]

I think the problem with relying on any of those guys is that they're getting older and therefore they sit out a lot of plays on D for one reason or another. This is especially true for almost all defensive linemen regardless of age because they rotate in and out so much. I think it really has to be either a linebacker (most likely) or a safety because they're more likely to be on the field for every, or at least most of the defensive plays.

Washington could be the guy, but he just needs to focus or something.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Buster;256619]He WAS the most [U]vocal[/U] player while sitting on the bench...but he was no leader.[/QUOTE]

I was talking about Pierce -- not that "other" guy. :)

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I don't think someone yelling at teammates is the answer to our woes right now. I wish it was that simple.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

IMO - it certainly seems that Washington is a very emotional player and probably helps gets guys hyped up. But - being the emotional engine of the team does not necessarily equate with being the leader. Don't get me wrong, I love MW. I think he is a very very good linebacker. However - does he make others play better? I am not so sure. I never hear the other players saying things like "didn't want to let Marcus down", "Marcus would get on my ass if I didn't make that play", "Marcus made some sweet calls that really helped us get it done", etc. All of which, BTW, I heard from players when Pearce was here.

I haven't seen anyone stepping up to take Pearce's place and haven't heard the players talking about anyone in that way. If they did, I think Washington would be the leader's "right hand man" as Washington strikes me as the "first follower" as opposed to the team leader.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

Looks like Daniels is attempting to step up, he made some comments this week about effort, and I hear that guy trains harder than anyone else on the team, hopefully he can light a fire up these guys' asses.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=Hog1;256591]We need another Dexter[/quote]
yeah, and not as a leader. we need old dexter to get after the quarterback

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

my point in this thread wasnt who was our vocal leader...its that we do not have one and need one

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256654]I don't think someone yelling at teammates is the answer to our woes right now. I wish it was that simple.[/QUOTE]

way to take it out of context. we need someone to fire up the defense in the game, yell out plays EFFECTIVELY a-la pierce when he was here. we need a vocal leader, and it would be nice if it could be our MLB

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

It's kind of a wierd situation. By appearances, and results, the team looks and acts like they don't really want to win. I listen to Triple XXX daily and Larry, Bram who mostly broadcast from Redskin park. They both agree that the team practices are inspired and motivated. They both claim that "they don't" see anybody with a bad attitude. However, they mostly don't play motivated ball. it's past me-

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=Big C;256733]way to take it out of context. we need someone to fire up the defense in the game, yell out plays EFFECTIVELY a-la pierce when he was here. we need a vocal leader, and it would be nice if it could be our MLB[/quote]

I'm simply generalizing.

I'm not sure of your point, do you want Marshall to yell the calls louder? I'm not sure how that's being a leader.

Additionally, since we're not on the field it's tough to tell what's really going on as far as chatter.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256754]I'm simply generalizing.

I'm not sure of your point, do you want Marshall to yell the calls louder? I'm not sure how that's being a leader.

Additionally, since we're not on the field it's tough to tell what's really going on as far as chatter.[/QUOTE]

have you ever been on a team before? you need a player to psyche players up on the field, get teammates going, someone to motivate you to play better, and so far i havent seen that

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

lavar WAS the guy last year, i guess no one has replaced him as the leader yet.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=Big C;256757]have you ever been on a team before? you need a player to psyche players up on the field, get teammates going, someone to motivate you to play better, and so far i havent seen that[/quote]

Well actually, some people respond to that stuff and some don't.

Me personally, I don't need that rah-rah stuff.

Back to the Skins, if this perceived lack of vocal leadership is a problem this year, who was the vocal leader last year when the D was playing so well without the likes of Pierce and LaVar??

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=dmek25;256697]yeah, and not as a leader. we need old dexter to get after the quarterback[/QUOTE]

Yeah, Dexter Manley as a leader is probably not a good example. He was a heck of a player and if he had not messed with drugs, the guy probably would have had a long great HOF career with the Redskins. I seem to remember defensive leaders of that old team in guys like Charles Mann, Kurt Goveia, or Darrell Green.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;256761]Well actually, some people respond to that stuff and some don't.

Me personally, I don't need that rah-rah stuff.

Back to the Skins, if this perceived lack of vocal leadership is a problem this year, who was the vocal leader last year when the D was playing so well without the likes of Pierce and LaVar??[/QUOTE]

our defense did drop once pierce left 5 spots i think, and when lavar came in he definitely gave our defense energy. the vocal leadership is especially important when a team is down, like we are now. before we had more talent and a healthier defense, now without that it amplifies the need for guys to play above their levels through being inspired

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I think our most vocal leaders on defense had been Pierce & Smoot...but we had a good defense last year without them so I don't know that this vocal stuff is all that important. We need more guys who can stuff the run and cover a WR not talk...

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

No vocal leader? Marcus Washington is a constant chatter box on the field.

I've heard other players comment on his level of intensity and energy in the past.

I think if you ask any of them, they would agree that is still the case today.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I'd rather the entire defense band together and each and everyone become a leader in his own right, rather than to be looking for guidance with one player! They can only improve with that type of mentality.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;256652]I was talking about Pierce -- not that "other" guy. :)[/quote]

Oh ok. You're not insane then.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[quote=celts32;256781]I think our most vocal leaders on defense had been Pierce & Smoot...but we had a good defense last year without them so I don't know that this vocal stuff is all that important. We need more guys who can stuff the run and cover a WR not talk...[/quote]

Smoot went from our [U]Vocal[/U] Leader to the Vikings' [U]VD[/U] Leader.

I agree with GhettoDog in that Adalius Thomas would be a good pick up, but the Ravens are probably smart enough not to let him go. Maybe if we get him I won't lose the bet i make with my friends again and have to wear this all day.
[IMG]http://www.geocities.com/boogymn459/classic_blue.html?1046133180706[/IMG]

I'm the one wearing the grotesque purple jersey. Needless to say, it wasn't a very happy day for me.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

I'm inclined to think vocal leaders emerge from consistent play on the field. Players have a tendency to respond to a player (or players) who play hard, and with a sense of purpose, in practice, as well as in games. In essence they lead by example, thereby, leaders being born. No one in particular on the defense has played exceptionally well this year, thus we don't have the Ray Lewis type vocal member, however, one could emerge in the future. I do think that person will be one who plays with great desire and determination, and others are willing to listen to, and follow when he say's something.

Re: Where's our vocal defensive leader?
 

[url=http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ilb/patrickwillis.html]Patrick Willis Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect[/url]

anyone know anything about this guy? sounds like a guy who could help us a lot