Where will the 'Skins rank defensively?

[SKINSnCANES]

I voted top ten, we were ranked 4th under Lewis, and the year before I think we were ranked fifth. Now with a good coaching staff and a solid defense I think we should finaly start to make things happen. The ability to get an interceptin this year should help out a ton.

[Hogskin]

I voted top 5. I believe, especially for defense, that coaching is 90% of what makes a top rated team, and we have a proven defensive coordinator again. It took Ray Rhodes no time at all to put us back at the top. The D-line is not elite, but I think the staff will use their LB talent to "hide" that deficiency. I don't see any other weakness.

Oh, yeah. And I am an eternal optomist. I was a fan through 25 straight losing seasons (which Lombardi put an end to), and every year, I expected them to have a winning season LOL.

On a tangent: I hope none of you guys ever boo our team when you get out to the stadium, no matter how bad a season they are having. I went to many games while I was up there, and never once booed our guys. I did plenty of it directed at officials, Cowboys and other opponents, but NEVER at the Redskins. I hate hearing them booed in our own stadium.

[Cush]

Voted Top 20, but I thinking anywhere from 13th - 17th

[]<ing]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

On a tangent: I hope none of you guys ever boo our team when you get out to the stadium, no matter how bad a season they are having. I went to many games while I was up there, and never once booed our guys. I did plenty of it directed at officials, Cowboys and other opponents, but NEVER at the Redskins. I hate hearing them booed in our own stadium.

agreed

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

On a tangent: I hope none of you guys ever boo our team when you get out to the stadium, no matter how bad a season they are having. I went to many games while I was up there, and never once booed our guys. I did plenty of it directed at officials, Cowboys and other opponents, but NEVER at the Redskins. I hate hearing them booed in our own stadium.

I agree with you up to a certain point. I will never BOO the Redskins along as they play hard. Ocassional mental mistakes/bad reads/losses are part of the game and I will never Boo them for that. However if the team plays with no effort/energy or attitude, I will voice my displeasure. These guys get paid a ton of money and I do not accept lack of effort.

[Hogskin]

Well, to each his own, I guess. To me, once some people decide it is OK to boo the guys because THEY think the team is dogging it, it gets a lot easier for them and others to boo them any other time. I saw it happen a lot on TV over the past few years when they were down, and it was very disappointing to me. When I used to go to games (through 1989), it seemed the Redskin fans were a cut above the rest, and virtually always supported our guys. Booing the home team was left to Eagles and Giants fans. But I guess some of that happens everywhere, now. But, hopefully, our fans will never sink to the level of Eagles fans LOL!!!! (We haven't even come close, yet).

Another point about perceived "dogging". If that, indeed, is what is happening on the field, booing is never going to help. In George Allen's tenure, he was very vocal during the week about what he expected from the fans. It started with a long standing ovation during introductions, and continued with undiminished support for the team. I was at the stadium many times when things were not going well, sometimes play looked a bit sluggish, the fans had gotten quiet, and THEN: The fans gradually began cheering or chanting until the stadium was erupting with noise. Several times it did seem to motivate the players. Allen always talked about how much the 12th player meant, and WE all bought into it. It did not ALWAYS work, but teams hated playing here. Nothing motivates a visiting team more than hearing the home team getting booed.

Most of that fan attitude carried into Joe Gibbs' years here. I sure hope it has returned with his return!! I would rather see someone quietly head toward the exits than give our opponents the satisfaction of hearing them boo the Redskins.

[Beemnseven]

OK, so who did vote "Bottom of the Barrell"???

If it's supposed to be anonymous that's fine, but I'd like to hear why whoever it was thinks they'll be that bad.

I voted Top 10.

My only areas of concern are D-line, and pass coverage in the secondary. I'll be watching Shawn Springs closely to see what kind of dropoff we'll see there. Haley, Griffin, and Noble are going to be the keys to the defense. If opposing teams can run on us, and the linebackers, who are supposedly responsible for all the QB pressure, are all in the backfield while the running back is carrying the ball 5 yards through the line, then we'll be in real trouble. But I'm sure Gregg Williams won't let that happen over and over -- unlike the last coordinator we had. So coaching by itself should present a significant upgrade.

I believe we will see much more of a swarming, attacking defense that plays cohesively. There will be an adjustment period where big plays will happen, but by mid season (hopefully before) everything will come together just fine.