Redskins Depth at Secondary Improves

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

For pretty much the entire season, our defensive secondary has been missing key contributors. Cornerbacks Shawn Springs, Walt Harris, Carlos Rogers, and Ade Jimoh have all battled through injuries this season. Safeties Sean Taylor, Matt Bowen, and Ryan Clark have also all been bitten by the injury bug.

Fortunately, the Washington Post is reporting (see below links) that Shawn Springs is more healthy than he has been in over a month. Moreover, it appears that Rogers, Harris, and Jimoh should be at "full go" next Saturday when the team travels to Seattle to play the Seahawks. Finally, NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw has told reporters (see below links) that it is highly unlikely that Sean Taylor will be suspended from next week's game.

So, it appears that our secondary should be ready and at full strength to play against Matt Hasselbeck and Seahawks.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010801114.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010800371.html

[hooskins]

If we had Matt Bowen we would be 100 percent.

[dgack]

Good thing, because this is how we're going to beat them.

Three times this year Hasselbeck has thrown two picks, and those games were against defenses nowhere near as ball-hawkish and aggressive as ours: JAX, Dallas, and St.Louis.

We've been winning games by running and getting turnovers. It's unlikely Alexander is going to fumble, and even less likely we shut him down entirely. But we can beat Matt Hasselbeck.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by dgack

We've been winning games by running and getting turnovers. It's unlikely Alexander is going to fumble, and even less likely we shut him down entirely. But we can beat Matt Hasselbeck.

Incidentally, Alexander has fumbled in his last two games against the Redskins. And he's never rushed for a 100-yard game against the Redskins (or Gregg Williams while he was the coach of the Bills for that matter)...though I'll admit the 98-yards he had last time was pretty close.

[VishsSkins]

We shut down Alexander for 12 yds in the first half if I remember correctly. He had one long run of 34 yds in the second half, but other than that he did not do much the whole game. I really think we can limit him this time around too. The key will be pressuring Hasselbeck, which will be tough with their great O-line.

[jamf]

We have to score to take alexander out of the game. If he is still getting the ball in the 4th quater, we are probably going to lose.

[JWsleep]

I agree, jamf--keeping the ball out of Alexander's hands is important. I figure offense may be the best defense here. Ball control will be crucial.

Still, it's great to have a healthy secondary against a skilled west coast offense. That way we can committ to stopping the run with a bit more force.

[Sonny J]

The D will do their part. I'm not worried about them. The O will have to move the ball to win this game.

[Luxorreb]

Brunell will have to connect for atleast 10 passes.
Let's bring all we got to SEATTLE!!! Cause they deserve it playing the Niners, Rams and Cards twice! Let's see we beat their whole division this season 4-0 and went 5-1 in the NFC East. What else ya gotta say? 6-10 last season? Gibbs has lost a step in the modern era? CRUSH these west coast eagles types. Overrated. GO REDSKINS!!!

[dmek25]

our defense was all over hassleback the first game.we actually stopped alexander for the most part,other than one long run.the key is brunell,who played well against them the first time.that and the running game.