New Look Defense

[Defensewins]

We have great defensive line depth now and we will be substituting a lot to keep the guys fresh. That is great. I still say we should not use Hatcher as a you would a starter. Especially in preseason and early in the season. He is very valuable but he is an older guy that has knee issues as most guys his age do. We need to use him like we used Jumpy Geathers back in the day. Pass rush and goalline specialist.

[JoeRedskin]

While Scot McC is my current man-crush, I just keep waiting for the other shoe to fall.

On paper, as it almost always does, things look good. I mean, on the DL, it looks like upgrades to talent and depth across the line. However, I have fallen for this one too many times. So Scotty got some reputably talented guys at market cheap deals (Knighton, Paea, Gallette) and some reasonable depth (Francois). They all have flaws and there were reasons they were not "highly prized" UFA's.

As much as In Scot I Trust, been there done that too many times, I will wait and see what they look like in Sept. before I let myself surrender to the call of the Kool-Aid.

[Hog1]

While Scot McC is my current man-crush, I just keep waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Keeps me awake at night...
I am trying desperately NOT to board the band wagon until it's more than on paper.

[30gut]

From Football Outsiders:
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2015 DEFENSIVE LINES
Front 7:

20th in stuffed runs (runs stop for no gain or a loss) down from 13th

30th in 2nd level yards (RBs yards between 5-10 yards past LOS) down from 8th

Sack rate was 8th at 7.3% up from 17th 6.6%

[30gut]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...lines-of-2015/

9. Washington Redskins (7)

Starters: OLB Trent Murphy, DE Chris I. Baker, NT Terrence Knighton, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Ryan Kerrigan

Rotation: DE Ricky Jean-Francois, DE Stephen Paea, DE Kedric Golston, OLB Preston Smith

Washington’s front is not the stoutest against the run, but they have a number of consistent pass rushers. Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy were not outstanding by any means, but they combined for a +16.7 cumulative pass rush grade. Interior defensive lineman Chris Baker (82.7) and Jason Hatcher (74.6) also pushed the pocket on a consistent basis. The former also played the run well in 2015 (81.7 run defense grade), unlike his teammate, Hatcher (48.4 run defense grade), who’s been a specialist pass rusher for awhile. Jean-Francois and Knighton combined for a +13.8 cumulative run defense grade, giving Washington a pair of stout run defenders. Stephen Paea (75.8) also proved to be a useful free agent addition, despite getting on the field for just 221 snaps. Preston Smith gives Washington some depth on the edge, even if he ultimately ended up with a poor overall grade this season (68.8). He’s flashed serious potential as a pass rusher, finishing the year with eight sacks and 35 combined pressures

[DYoungJelly]

What do you attribute to the decline in stopping the run this year?

Is a 1 gap that much different than a 2 gap against the run? Does that mean our LBs dropped the ball?

Do others 1 gap teams play a true NT? Denver doesn't have a 350+ NT but they are kind of the exception.

What gives?

[30gut]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

What do you attribute to the decline in stopping the run this year?

o scheme change from 1-gap to 2-gap

o ILBs not used to/not adapting well to having to take on and shed more blocks

Is a 1 gap that much different than a 2 gap against the run? Does that mean our LBs dropped the ball?

From what I know about the difference between 1-gap and 2-gap, yes the scheme is that much different.
Up front the 2-gap DL are occupying blocks and keeping the 2nd level ILBs free to make the plays. 1-gap the DL is freed to penetrate and get up field and that causes the ILB to have to stack and shed instead of running and chasing.

Do others 1 gap teams play a true NT? Denver doesn't have a 350+ NT but they are kind of the exception.

I don't know how you define true NT; but you don't "need" a space eater NT in 1-gap.

[CRedskinsRule]

Just from a fan perspective, Compton seemed to be able to control and set the defense up for stopping the run a lot better than anyone else.

[DYoungJelly]

I like FO:

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2015 DEFENSIVE LINES

Not sure how much one can really make of these stats, but. . .

We ranked number 1 in short yardage and goal line situations. I think Chris Baker should get a large part of the credit for that ranking. He blew up so many short yardage plays this year.

We ranked 30th in "2nd level" but that doesn't mean it's all on the LBs if someone in front of them didn't take on a blocker or missed contain. It just means we were bad, the ranking doesn't clarify which unit broke down. Although, Perry Riley hasn't shed a block since he has been here.

What I thought was the most disappointing stat, was from the 2nd chart on the page that lists run direction.

We had our worst ranking containing the run right up the middle with a ranking of 26th. Can't base everything off of a ranking like this but I think it is representative of what was happening during the games and part of the reason why I don't think Knighton will be back next year.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

Not sure how much one can really make of these stats, but

That's why in this thread, and in general, I like to look at multiple stats. Imho its the combination of stats in conjunction to watching the games closely that allows people to make the most accurate assessments.

We ranked number 1 in short yardage and goal line situations. I think Chris Baker should get a large part of the credit for that ranking. He blew up so many short yardage plays this year.

Being good in these situations imo clearly points to the DL playing stout. If they can stop the run when every knows its a run that's bodes well. Also, it seems arbitrary to give credit only to Baker.

We ranked 30th in "2nd level" but that doesn't mean it's all on the LBs if someone in front of them didn't take on a blocker or missed contain. It just means we were bad, the ranking doesn't clarify which unit broke down. Although, Perry Riley hasn't shed a block since he has been here.

No, it doesn't mean its all on the LBs.
We already looked at situations where its up to the DL to answer the call and in those instances they were very good.

This is where other stats come in. If you look at the individual DL grades for run defense Baker, Knighton and Ricky all grade well. But if you look at the ILBs grades only Mason rates well in run defense.

Sure we could speculate that the DL didn't take on a blocker which would absolve the ILBs of blame. But, I don't see any statistical support or even schematic support for that rationale because in this defense its not the DL role to take up blocks.

The stats and scheme suggest to me that the blame is distributed between the DL and ILBs and the scheme. However individually if its me, I'm looking at Hatcher, Riley, Compton and Keenan.

Delving deeper, I'm not all that mad at Hatcher because he makes up for it with pass rush. One could argue the play/production suggests that Hatcher and the defense would be better served with Hatch in a strictly situational pass rusher role and for Ricky to play more 'base' D.

What I thought was the most disappointing stat, was from the 2nd chart on the page that lists run direction.

We had our worst ranking containing the run right up the middle with a ranking of 26th. Can't base everything off of a ranking like this but I think it is representative of what was happening during the games and part of the reason why I don't think Knighton will be back next year.

I'm not sure why you would isolate Knighton for blame here?

FBO doesn't differentiate between any runs between the tackle and counts them all as 'middle'. Also, the ILBs play a key role in defending middle runs because each ILB is responsible for a gap on either side of Knighton and depending on the type of play they need to get downhill and bump faces with an OG. And again when you look at the individual grading and their histories, Knighton comes off looking far less culpable then Riley, Compton and Keenan.

[30gut]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...e-nose-tackle/

Not sure if this is how they really feel or pre-draft misinformation.

I think this defense takes a step in the wrong direction without finding replacements or upgrades.

[30gut]

wrong image

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by 30gut

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...e-nose-tackle/

Not sure if this is how they really feel or pre-draft misinformation.

I think this defense takes a step in the wrong direction without finding replacements or upgrades.

we're not done with the draft or post draft FA yet. knighton wasn't a star, and as of now, is still available. if your thinking about the ditching of hatcher, chances are keeping him = lots of injury time off this season. old and bad knees, not a great mix. we'll definitely be able to see how it plays out though.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by That Guy

...if your thinking about the ditching of hatcher, chances are keeping him = lots of injury time off this season. old and bad knees, not a great mix. we'll definitely be able to see how it plays out though.

Maybe so but Hatcher was a productive player, one of our best interior rushers losing him created a hole we haven't yet filled.

I would like it better if our FA moves left us in position to take the BPA. But it seems like our FA moves are suggesting a DL selection at 21 in this draft it will probably work out that BPA is a DL.

[Bangee7]

Originally Posted by 30gut

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...e-nose-tackle/

Not sure if this is how they really feel or pre-draft misinformation.

I think this defense takes a step in the wrong direction without finding replacements or upgrades.

I'm having a hard time believing they're going into next year relying on guys over 30 to man the middle of the line.