Defensive line..Stop the man crushes..

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The other big, big issue in the defensive front seven was that London Fletcher had to make a lot of plays last year, as he usually does on his teams. But the problem is this: when the plays are getting to Fletcher (who often lines up 7-8 yards behind the LOS), more likely than not the offense has accomplished it's goal on the play.

I'm certain that the addition of Jason Taylor will fix whatever was ailing the pass rush. But it won't fix the inability of the LB's to create big plays, which is generally a main key to a Blache-led defense. The linebackers have to do better than they did last year, and hopefully, for the first time in his career, London Fletcher can get some help in play making from the guys on either side of him, and won't have such an obscene percentage of the Redskins' tackles this year.

I think the LB corp, while thinner than any of us probably wish, looks to be more dominant this year on it's own accord. You're points are well taken about the lack of big plays last season and that's what I'm really getting at. Marcus is totally healthy this year and way up on himself (in a good way), which is so important for a guy who plays w/ tons of emotion. Fletcher is just steady all around. Rocky will be very "smart" this season and surprise us. This defense is going to fly. My only concern is Landry's health in the short-run. His absence in the season opener will severely limit what Blache can do.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I think the LB corp, while thinner than any of us probably wish, looks to be more dominant this year on it's own accord. You're points are well taken about the lack of big plays last season and that's what I'm really getting at. Marcus is totally healthy this year and way up on himself (in a good way), which is so important for a guy who plays w/ tons of emotion. Fletcher is just steady all around. Rocky will be very "smart" this season and surprise us. This defense is going to fly. My only concern is Landry's health in the short-run. His absence in the season opener will severely limit what Blache can do.

That bolded part is the big one, and Rocky is also a year further along in his development. So we have that going for us.

Fletcher has been steady, but his ability to dominate a football game is in decline. Blache should help him out by not having him run the field in the cover two like Grilliams had him doing last year, but I do expect him to struggle in pass coverage this year.

[hesscl34]

dmvskinsfan08 - you have a thick skin. I'm proud of you!

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

dmvskinsfan08 - you have a thick skin. I'm proud of you!

It's only the pre-season. Let's wait until the regular season starts before we make any bold statements.

Also, he hasn't had any run-ins with Schneed yet. hehe

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

It's only the pre-season. Let's wait until the regular season starts before we make any bold statements.

Also, he hasn't had any run-ins with Schneed yet. hehe

It might take a few beatings but hopefully he'll learn to turn a blind eye and just walk away... LOL

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

dmvskinsfan08 - you have a thick skin. I'm proud of you!

Thanks man. I love my team. I just want to see them beat the crap out of some QBs. I would love to see Tony Romo banged up and slammed on his head. Would love to see Eli getting driven into the ground and caouging up the ball. Would love to see McNabb trying to run for a first down and get wiped out and limping to the sidelines..That's all I ask..lol. Sorry for being so critical of the D-Line. But I grew up watching Dexter Manely & Charles Mann. I miss that..sorry

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Thanks man. I love my team. I just want to see them beat the crap out of some QBs. I would love to see Tony Romo banged up and slammed on his head. Would love to see Eli getting driven into the ground and caouging up the ball. Would love to see McNabb trying to run for a first down and get wiped out and limping to the sidelines..That's all I ask..lol. Sorry for being so critical of the D-Line. But I grew up watching Dexter Manely & Charles Mann. I miss that..sorry

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well our Dline does. Remember, our safties are not intact at the moment and we don't have the full pressure upfront right now that we will in regular season.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

It's tough to make a case for Rob Jackson, because he won't start unless there's an injury. However, there might be other guys who are more versatile (like Alexander), so they have a better chance of making the team even though they also won't start unless there's an injury.

Remember, Daniels can play inside as well as outside. So, even though he's old, he's more valuable than a younger guy that is better at DE, but can't play inside. However, Daniels is on IR, so he's out of the equation. I just wanted to give an example.

I'm not sure of the versatility of the other guys on the line, except for Alexander. However, it's possible some of them are more versatile than others. Chances are the versatile guys are going to be the vets -- not the young guys.

So, here's are our d-line depth chart as it stands now:

Taylor / Evans / Jackson
Griffin / Alexander / Boschetti
Montgomery / Golston / Askew
Carter / Wilson / James

I don't see us carrying more than 9 d-linemen, so 3 have to go. None of the starters are going anywhere. I'd be surprised if James was cut before they saw him in action. That leaves 7 guys, all of whom are young (except Evans).

I'd be happy cutting Askew and Boschetti, and moving Evans to LB or PS.

P.S.: All of our current d-linemen are around the mid-twenties, except for Taylor, Carter, Griffin, and Evans.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

P.S.: All of our current d-linemen are around the mid-twenties, except for Taylor, Carter, Griffin, and Evans.

Which of course, is the big issue, long term.

The guys that we are counting on to produce are the only ones at the back end of, or past their primes.

The goal should not be to throw a fit about what isn't happening now, it's to make sure that when one or more of these guys start to seriously decline, that we have a contingency plan ready.

If, for some reason, there's a decline this year, our current plan is "um, let's see what Golston can do, and uh, maybe Erasmus James will be healthy...and dominant". Basically, we're just hoping to squeeze another good year or two out of these three guys while we wait for Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to get on the field and score enough points to make having a crappy DL irrelevant.

Or at least I think that's the plan. Anyway, thats another discussion.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

So, here's are our d-line depth chart as it stands now:

Taylor / Evans / Jackson
Griffin / Alexander / Boschetti
Montgomery / Golston / Askew
Carter / Wilson / James

I really think Chris Wilson's performance has dropped him under James and maybe even the rookie Jackson...Coach Blache said on Redskins.com that Wilson has not done as well as last preseason...that doesn't bode well.
I'm pulling for Wilson...but he needs to go nuts against the Panthers or he may just get cut.

[twinskinsfan]

It's only preseason man, relax

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by twinskinsfan

It's only preseason man, relax

Man..Im cool..cooler than a polar bears toe nails. Chillin like a villian on a snow cap...lol

I am going to leave it at this..I will give the youngins the benefit of the doubt. But these vets..need to step their game up..

[Ruhskins]

I think it is too late to start saying that players in the d-line need to go. As many have said here, the only person in danger of not making the team is Wilson (b/c of injuries I think). That being said, I think we have a solid line with Carter, Griffin, Montgomery/Golston, and Jason Taylor. Griff may have a year or two left in him, and that may be enough to develop both Montgomery and Golston into starters (I mean both of them, now they are both competiting for one starting spot). Erasmus James is pretty young compared to AC and JT, so if he stays healthy, he's going to learn a lot from two veteran DEs and could be a starter in the future. If healthy, the D-Line and the backups that we have could be a formidable force this season. I think in the next offseason is when the team should inject some youth into the d-line by drafting a DE and/or DT in the early rounds.

[JoeRedskin]

I am the original Chris Wilson fan - but it seems to me that he just isn't generating the buzz necessary to stay employed.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I am the original Chris Wilson fan - but it seems to me that he just isn't generating the buzz necessary to stay employed.

That remains legendary

I think there is still a small sliver of hope for Wilson. Unfortunately-or fortunately, depending on how you look at it-Wilson hasn't really improved from last season and we got better in his position the last few months.