Where has the Redskins' Pass Rush Gone?

[GTripp0012]

Housekeepin': Individual defensive and OL stats are up, updated through the Detroit game.

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I've talked extensively in the game reviews about the weaknesses in the Redskins coverage units. Carlos Rogers' numbers are taking a hit as the slot corner, obviously, while Philip Buchanon sure seems to be outplaying DHall (perhaps not so much in the last two games).

But those coverage units are getting better. I think the safeties have a long way to go to make this a good coverage unit, but we're starting to see the effects of our talent in the back seven come through. Fletcher has shut down opposing tight ends this year, and backs are having trouble ever getting into the passing game because of our multiple fronts and formations, OCs error on the side of caution and keep them in. This is good, since Rocky can't much cover them anyhow.

What absolutely has not improved from the first game to now is the lack of any team pass rush. This scheme has been good for Orakpo who has enjoyed plenty of opportunities to go after the quarterback, and is on pace to set career highs in every pass rushing stat I could keep.

But outside of Orakpo, the rush has been non-existent. We're not a big blitzing team, in that most of Haslett's pressures are of the four man variety, but rely on angles to break down protection. It works often enough, I think, but the problem is that the Redskins often rush guys who are showing no ability to get to the quarterback.

Haynesworth has been our second most effective rusher, and he didn't even appear in four games. Landry is our third most effective rusher and only rushes 4 or 5 times a game. Kedric Golston and Adam Carriker don't get to the quarterback with any consistency despite their chances. Both Lorenzo Alexander and Andre Carter need to be better in their situational usage patterns.

I think the group would benefit from a second full-time pass rushing option, but to complement Orakpo, it needs to be someone who can rush inside and outside effectively. That may be Chris Wilson. The way our defense has been, I think we can afford to send Rocky to the bench, and start Lorenzo Alexander at ILB. This would allow us to get Chris Wilson on the field for as many snaps as Carter gets without changing Carter's role at all. I thought we'd use McIntosh more in pressure schemes, but I've never seen anyone get cut block so consistently and go flying through the air so hilariously.

But I think that one more every-down pass rusher would really make a big difference in how often we get to the quarterback. Haynesworth is tied for second on our team in both QB hits and sacks. He's a good player, but he's played in what, 20% of our snaps this year as a team? It's the other 80% that are a problem when Haynesworth is out and Rocky is in. We just lose that pass rush without gaining any coverage ability.