JLC: Defense Looks to Simplify

[GMScud]

Great article from JLC in today's Post. I didn't see it under the "Redskins News" section, so I'm posting the link. I really like the points he makes about how the improvement of the secondary/LBs will help the D-line. He talks about modeling parts of our D off of the Bears last year, and using less schemes and choreography, choosing instead to focus on speed, aggressiveness, and individual athleticism. Check out the part about using a healthy Griffin like Tommie Harris in the "three-technique." This piece definitely got me psyched out the '07 unit!

washingtonpost.com

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Great article from JLC in today's Post. I didn't see it under the "Redskins News" section, so I'm posting the link. I really like the points he makes about how the improvement of the secondary/LBs will help the D-line. He talks about modeling parts of our D off of the Bears last year, and using less schemes and choreography, choosing instead to focus on speed, aggressiveness, and individual athleticism. Check out the part about using a healthy Griffin like Tommie Harris in the "three-technique." This piece definitely got me psyched out the '07 unit!

washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines

Most definetly. Even if our defense plays half as well as the Bears D did last season and can maintain it for a 16 game stretch then I see no reason why we can't be in the NFC championship game at least.

[skins009]

I think our defense will be average at best this year. We can try to run the bears defense all we want, but we don't have the talent up front that they do. You build Defense from the inside out, not vice-versa.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by skins009

I think our defense will be average at best this year. We can try to run the bears defense all we want, but we don't have the talent up front that they do. You build Defense from the inside out, not vice-versa.

Let's not forget how injured our D was last year. Poor LB play from Marshall and Holdman to go along with a knicked up D-line and a secondary ravaged by injuries didn't help at all. We were ranked 31st overall last year. Even if we are just middle of the road this year as you say (15th or so overall), that's still a huge jump. And you've got to think with Portis back and stability at the QB position our offense can only improve, especially in year 2 of Saunders. Then take into consideration that we lost 4 games last year by 3 points or less (not including that OT loss to St. Louis), and we could be in decent shape for a playoff run.

[skins009]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Let's not forget how injured our D was last year. Poor LB play from Marshall and Holdman to go along with a knicked up D-line and a secondary ravaged by injuries didn't help at all. We were ranked 31st overall last year. Even if we are just middle of the road this year as you say (15th or so overall), that's still a huge jump. And you've got to think with Portis back and stability at the QB position our offense can only improve, especially in year 2 of Saunders. Then take into consideration that we lost 4 games last year by 3 points or less (not including that OT loss to St. Louis), and we could be in decent shape for a playoff run.

Don't forget the stat that we won 4 of 5 games last year by
less than 6 points. We will be better on offense, but we still have a quaterback who is entering is 1st year as a starter. He's gonna have his growing paines. We are no more than a 8 to 9 win team.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by skins009

Don't forget the stat that we won 4 of 5 games last year by
less than 6 points. We will be better on offense, but we still have a quaterback who is entering is 1st year as a starter. He's gonna have his growing paines. We are no more than a 8 to 9 win team.

I would guarantee 10 wins if I didn't have such bad luck. As Randy Moss would say, straight cash homey.

[MonkFan4Life]

Originally Posted by skins009

I think our defense will be average at best this year. We can try to run the bears defense all we want, but we don't have the talent up front that they do. You build Defense from the inside out, not vice-versa.

The coaches have said many times that they believe in the guys that are already here. Why is it such a lock that the Skins' D Line is doomed until they get rid of the guys that are here and bring in some other guys that look really good somewhere else ? I ask this not to jump on you because a lot of other guys have said the same thing but why do we ask for the team to show patience with their own guys until we think that they shouldn't ? I have no problem with waiting to see how they work out because the coaches said they see something that we cannot see right now so I'll give them a chance. Let it not work first and then rip them up. A couple of years ago the D Line was full of rejects, no one anybody really was afraid of. Griffin was just sent packing by the Giants, Salave'a was nothing to be thinking about the week before the game, Wynn and Daniels we the ends and I don't remember their names instilling fear in anyones voices when they spoke about them. However, they looked damn good for two years. Last year the D looked completely inept and now we blame the D line that had players drop into zones at times. Towards the end of the year when GW used more 4 man rushes they started to look better. All I'm saying is show some patience because we ask that of the FO.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by MonkFan4Life

The coaches have said many times that they believe in the guys that are already here. Why is it such a lock that the Skins' D Line is doomed until they get rid of the guys that are here and bring in some other guys that look really good somewhere else ? I ask this not to jump on you because a lot of other guys have said the same thing but why do we ask for the team to show patience with their own guys until we think that they shouldn't ? I have no problem with waiting to see how they work out because the coaches said they see something that we cannot see right now so I'll give them a chance. Let it not work first and then rip them up. A couple of years ago the D Line was full of rejects, no one anybody really was afraid of. Griffin was just sent packing by the Giants, Salave'a was nothing to be thinking about the week before the game, Wynn and Daniels we the ends and I don't remember their names instilling fear in anyones voices when they spoke about them. However, they looked damn good for two years. Last year the D looked completely inept and now we blame the D line that had players drop into zones at times. Towards the end of the year when GW used more 4 man rushes they started to look better. All I'm saying is show some patience because we ask that of the FO.

I agree with you 100%. It seems that a lot of our defense rests on the success/failure of Golston and Montgomery, both who have shown-in their brief time in the NFL so far-strong potential. They potential may lead to results, it may not. But I don't understand why so many are quick to reject them right away. Give them a chance.

[SmootSmack]

Well, this isn't a positive sign (from Redskins Insider)

"Carlos Rogers, who is reminding me more of Roberto Duran by the day, had a case of the drops during catching drills for the DB. Gregg Williams happened to be standing right there for one slip, chiding, "Catch it, catch it, catch it!" By the team's estimates, there were 9 potential INTs Carlos got his hands on last season that he dropped."

Catch the ball, can't be more simple than that

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well, this isn't a positive sign (from Redskins Insider)

"Carlos Rogers, who is reminding me more of Roberto Duran by the day, had a case of the drops during catching drills for the DB. Gregg Williams happened to be standing right there for one slip, chiding, "Catch it, catch it, catch it!" By the team's estimates, there were 9 potential INTs Carlos got his hands on last season that he dropped."

Catch the ball, can't be more simple than that

It can't get any simpler than that. He could have had 10 interceptions. But he had only 1. This is make or break for him. I want at least 5 interceptions at least from this guy this year, or he will be a bust in my book.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by skins009

I think our defense will be average at best this year. We can try to run the bears defense all we want, but we don't have the talent up front that they do. You build Defense from the inside out, not vice-versa.

Average? HA HA HA HA

They have ballers all over the place. They will be top 5 unless Taylor, Griffin or Fletcher go out for the year. They have depth all over the field.

Don't believe this "simplicity act" either. There are so many interchangeable parts that G-dub is going to be a kid in a candy store!

[mlmpetert]

I like what Williams is doing. It sounds like hes giving the players a little more credit of their ability vs. his almighty scheme. Im not too sure how i feel about Washington coming down to play end on passing downs - makes me think that Williams doesnt have confidence in the d line pass rushing abilities. Also I dont want to say it but i really think that Lavar might of been really suited for the "freedom" this revamped d fence sounds like it has

[offiss]

Pretty much my feeling of why the defense went backwards last year, and why Landry was the right pick, he will allow Williams to open up the defense, it put's Taylor in position to make play's again, while allowing Williams to bring more players to the line of scrimmage to stop the run, the single biggest key to this defense right now IMO was highlighted by Rogers comment, both CB's have to be able to cover man to man, if they can't all is for not.

[RMSkins]

Awesome article. Gregg Williams sounds like he finally put his ego aside, and is starting to come up with schemes to match his players strengths. I'm very excited to see how our defense performs this season.

[SmootSmack]

This is the biggest line I took from that article:

"There will be less of a burden on Williams and his staff to out-scheme the opposing offense every week."

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I think that's actually saying a lot about our offense. I think our defense's simplification is a strong testament to the growth of our offense and now there's (hopefully) not such a strong need for our defense to carry the day.