No Noise About Andre?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I think you may give yourself a little too much credit for "starting" the Andre Carter bandwagon...

Seriously though, I've been a fan since the Niners drafted him.

Well we co-started it

[mooby]

I was impressed with Carter when he started coming on late into his first season with the Redskins, and I wasn't that suprised to see him consistently play good throughout the '07 season. But I am on the "get another DE to replace Daniels somewhere along the line" bandwagon because Daniels is old and he doesn't rush the passer that good, but he is a pretty good run stuffer so he's not completely useless. Having two bookends who can collapse the pocket can do wonders for your defense, because it frees one (in this case Carter) from being doubleteamed. Having a defensive tackle who can not only stop the run but rush the passer as well (think Griffin '04) is like having a complete d-line. I know we need a dt who can do that but I think the bigger need is at DE right now.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

What I meant was that Daniels is pretty much at the end of his career being that he is turning 35 on the 4th of March. Therefore, you are left with Carter, Wilson, and Evans. So, like I said it wouldn't hurt to have a young stud fresh from college in that mix.

I got ya now. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[SKINSnCANES]

like running backs, many teams are going to having multiple defensive lines. Its gotta be touch pushing 350 pounds around all afternoon, and I saw the more defensive linemen we have the better. Carter has a great year, I still would love to have Kearse or a rookie come in and if anything give carter or wilson or daniells rest and be more of a force since they are all rested.

[That Guy]

carter is 28, daniels is 34, and neither of the backups can play every down. that would indicate a pretty strong need.

[Skinny Tee]

The Skins have a hard time rushing the passer with the line solely. To get an effective rush we have to compromise our LB and secondary leave weaknesses in the defense.

Carter is doing great but we need continued improvement to the core of our D-line. We another one or two pass rusher on the edge or like you said a DT that can pass rush, but those are hard to come by.

[QBall]

Carter is really interesting b/c I don't think we have seen his best football played yet. Hope that he can stay healthy and build on his 10.5 sack total. So in two seasons he's had what 16 or 17 sacks? Not bad! With a big year in 08' 12-15 sacks he'll be right up there with the leaders over the past 3 season. He has been getting more tackles in the back field also, he's a MONSTER!!!!!

Griffin scares me, injury bug. Golston and Monty are ok but a big-time DT would be sick for us. With Daniels / Wilson on the other side I think that's ok for one more year. But if Daniels goes down we're in trouble so DE is also very high priority in draft. If we keep Marcus Washington healthy he's a great pass rusher in limited spots. Hope that we can average 3 sacks per game next year and I think the picks will follow.

[SmootSmack]

I'd keep an eye on Marcus Harrison in the draft

[Coff]

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

The Skins have a hard time rushing the passer with the line solely. To get an effective rush we have to compromise our LB and secondary leave weaknesses in the defense.

Carter is doing great but we need continued improvement to the core of our D-line. We another one or two pass rusher on the edge or like you said a DT that can pass rush, but those are hard to come by.

Well said Skinny. Williams' blitz packages (which he used more of in '07 than in '06) were a big reason for Carter's 10.5 sacks. By disguising his blitzes, he was able to take pressure off of Carter so Carter had a straighter line to the QB, which he took full advantage of.

But this doesn't change the fact that the Skins still relied heavily on their secondary and LB for sacks, which is why we have been at the bottom of the league in turnovers for the past 4 seasons. It's one thing to point out Carter's sack totals as evidence of the Redskins' ability to get pressure on the line, but one also has to look at the number of turnovers caused to get a true picture.

The biggest problem, as we saw many times this pst year (especially in week 3 against the Giants), is that when opposing teams pick up our blitz, we are done, because the line just won't put forth enough pressure. If we were to get another DE who put consistent pressure on the QB, then the secondary help wouldn't be needed, and Carter's sack totals might actually increase. Of course, one thing we've been taking for granted for the past few years is Daniels' run-stopping. It comes down to a choice: what do you value you more, time of possesion (by stopping the opposing team's run) or turnovers (by pressuring the opposing QB).

[QBall]

I think our defense is pretty much set as is. We add a pass rushing threat at # 21 and a solid CB at #42 we're set.

Even the games we lost last year our defense kept us in every game except NE.

06' was a fluke with no sacks or turnovers. Last year was much better.

I think GW blitzes were the only way our defense got burned in 06' mainly and some of 07'. Although in 07' he stopped sending the house. Carter got his sacks straight up b/c he's a pass rushing threat every snap and plays the run pretty damn well also.

Top 5 Defense in 08'.

[birdz4gibbs]

Originally Posted by Skins4Eva

Of all the good and bad from last year. I believe that Andre Carter and his 10.5 sacks were grossly overlooked by many people who labeled him as a "bust" signing. Justin Smith had what, 2 sacks last year and everybody was riding him for what reason? Is Andre Carter your typical, all around NFL prototypical DE, no. Why then is everyone so hell bent on drafting or signing a DE. If there is someone we just cannot refuse then so be it, but I think where our defensive live would benefit greatly from a multi-faceted DT who rush and run stuff. However, when you have a DE who has double-digit sack totals, I would hardly call DE a "pressing need". What does everyone think?

you and i see the samething on defense....give me someone who can draw double teams and triple teams and i,ll be very happy about everything else but it,s a wait and see deal......

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Before I started the Justin Smith bandwagon here, I started the Andre Carter bandwagon. And for a while it looked like a total bust. (I think it was Beemnseven who wouldn't stop harping on it). I'm feeling vindicated now.

Yes, I was critical of Carter in the first half of '06 when he was practically nonexistant. Then I was puzzled by those who defended him by "turning it on" for half a season. I don't think I was alone, though.

Keep in mind however that there were people here who dismissed the fact that he wasn't getting a lot of sacks and still called him a 'monster DE' because sack totals don't tell the whole story. Interesting now after a 10.5 sack year, suddenly those sacks matter.

So yes, I was pleased that he was able to get to the QB more this season. If he can duplicate that same performance, then getting another capable DE on the other side might actually make the Redskin pass rush somewhat threatening. Which is something we haven't been able to say in quite awhile.

[Ruhskins]

Are there any FA DTs available? Or could we get a DT in the later rounds, any prospects? I think they should go after Calais Campbell in the 1st round. He'd be a nice compliment to Carter, and Daniels could be a good mentor for him.

[EternalEnigma21]

well happy birthday phillip daniels...

Also, remember that this is a copy cat league and NY just shut down "the greatest offense in the history of football" with a relentless pass rush. Demand will be even greater now for a pass rush than has been in years past.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Yes, I was critical of Carter in the first half of '06 when he was practically nonexistant. Then I was puzzled by those who defended him by "turning it on" for half a season. I don't think I was alone, though.

Keep in mind however that there were people here who dismissed the fact that he wasn't getting a lot of sacks and still called him a 'monster DE' because sack totals don't tell the whole story. Interesting now after a 10.5 sack year, suddenly those sacks matter.

So yes, I was pleased that he was able to get to the QB more this season. If he can duplicate that same performance, then getting another capable DE on the other side might actually make the Redskin pass rush somewhat threatening. Which is something we haven't been able to say in quite awhile.

I think the reason he "turned it on" for the second half of 06 was because he became more comfortable as a DE again. Remember when he was in SF his last couple of years that they tried him as an hybrid DE/LB in their 3-4. I think it took him a while to become adjusted to playing as a fulltime defensive end again and that's why he came on stronger at the end of '06 and had a pretty great season throughout '07.