Haslett to accept Defensive Coordinator

[Redskin301]

2 thumbs up I like the hastlett move

[KLHJ2]

Glad you liked it.

[The Goat]

Why are we discussing defensive draft picks so much? Without a huge infusion of new talent on offense the 2010 campaign promises to be as disappointing as last year. I'm just saying I can get excited about guys like the big 3 OTs: Okung, Campbell and Williams (?). Hell I can get excited about G/Centers this year!

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Why are we discussing defensive draft picks so much? Without a huge infusion of new talent on offense the 2010 campaign promises to be as disappointing as last year. I'm just saying I can get excited about guys like the big 3 OTs: Okung, Campbell and Williams (?). Hell I can get excited about G/Centers this year!

I'm always excited about defense, but I'm with you Goat. I've never been as excited about getting o-linemen as I am this year. I would love to have a superior o-line. It's been a long time and we need it.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

I'm always excited about defense, but I'm with you Goat. I've never been as excited about getting o-linemen as I am this year. I would love to have a superior o-line. It's been a long time and we need it.

I mean one thing it seems Shanny hasn't gotten credit for is the line he put together in Denver before getting the axe. I don't think McDaniels replaced any of the line, and even w/ mediocre play from his QB the offense had some success.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Why are we discussing defensive draft picks so much? Without a huge infusion of new talent on offense the 2010 campaign promises to be as disappointing as last year. I'm just saying I can get excited about guys like the big 3 OTs: Okung, Campbell and Williams (?). Hell I can get excited about G/Centers this year!

Dude, I am with you all the way. We can draft all offensive linemen and I will be happy to be honest, although 4-5 linemen would be what we need. Any position filled on the o line would indeed fill a need. Only Raibach and maybe Dockery are keepers. Chris needs to retire, same thing for Randy.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Dude, I am with you all the way. We can draft all offensive linemen and I will be happy to be honest, although 4-5 linemen would be what we need. Any position filled on the o line would indeed fill a need. Only Raibach and maybe Dockery are keepers. Chris needs to retire, same thing for Randy.

I wonder if Rabach could have a little rebound in him as a lighter quicker blocking lineman. Not sure he has the brains but Shanny and Co should be able to find that out

[rbanerjee23]

Not bad to the post above...we should be conscious that it could take longer than a year for the defense to get up to speed though

[30gut]

Originally Posted by rbanerjee23

Not bad to the post above...we should be conscious that it could take longer than a year for the defense to get up to speed though

I think it could come together pretty quickly if Haynseworth stepped up and embraced the NT position.
But most likely he'll gripe and Montgomery will play the NT.
But, i think we have the good enough OLB/ILBs.

I don't think we're as far away as some would think, i don't think were that much further away then the Packers were when the decided to make the switch.

[davy]

How I see the switch to 3-4 happening...

[NYCskinfan82]

Originally Posted by davy

How I see the switch to 3-4 happening...

I agree, if they try to make the switch over night we will have problems but if they go hybrid maybe.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by davy

How I see the switch to 3-4 happening...

This is why we need to switch to the 5-2. That is what our best players are built for.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by davy

How I see the switch to 3-4 happening...

During a conference call Monday to discuss his first Pro Bowl appearance, Skins linebacker London Fletcher said he didn't think the transition would be a problem.

"Our main defense was basically an under front that was similar, really, to what Dallas did ... the way we aligned our front," said Fletcher. "The only difference was instead having a stand-up outside linebacker, Andre Carter just had his hand on the ground. You can imagine him standing up, we're pretty much Dallas."

FanFeedr | NFL | 25 Jan 10 | Fletcher’s OK with a 3-4 defense

Its not going to be a seamless transistion but i don't think its quite the round peg square hole you make it out to be.

[davy]

Originally Posted by 30gut

During a conference call Monday to discuss his first Pro Bowl appearance, Skins linebacker London Fletcher said he didn't think the transition would be a problem.

"Our main defense was basically an under front that was similar, really, to what Dallas did ... the way we aligned our front," said Fletcher. "The only difference was instead having a stand-up outside linebacker, Andre Carter just had his hand on the ground. You can imagine him standing up, we're pretty much Dallas."

FanFeedr | NFL | 25 Jan 10 | Fletcher’s OK with a 3-4 defense

Its not going to be a seamless transistion but i don't think its quite the round peg square hole you make it out to be.

The rest of that story is more along the lines I'm thinking...

"But I don't think it will be quite that simple for Fletcher and the Redskins. Brian Orakpo should be an excellent outside linebacker in a 3-4 but there's no guarantee that Carter makes an easy transition. And I think Fletcher may have the most difficult transition of any player for the Skins. In a 4-3, he could simply race to the football and make a ton of tackles. In a 3-4 scheme, he'll have to take on centers and guards that outweigh him by nearly 100 pounds on a regular basis.

Former Cowboys linebackers Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley were both smallish linebackers who tried to make the transition to Bill Parcells' favored 3-4. Coakley was soon playing for another team and Nguyen's career ended because of a neck injury. They had been highly effective players in Mike Zimmer's 4-3, but they were too small to excel in a 3-4 scheme.

Fletcher's an excellent linebacker, but I don't think he'll be as productive in a 3-4 scheme. The Redskins will start to look for larger inside linebackers in free agency and the draft."

[30gut]

Originally Posted by davy

The rest of that story is more along the lines I'm thinking...

"But I don't think it will be quite that simple for Fletcher and the Redskins. Brian Orakpo should be an excellent outside linebacker in a 3-4 but there's no guarantee that Carter makes an easy transition. And I think Fletcher may have the most difficult transition of any player for the Skins. In a 4-3, he could simply race to the football and make a ton of tackles. In a 3-4 scheme, he'll have to take on centers and guards that outweigh him by nearly 100 pounds on a regular basis.

Former Cowboys linebackers Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley were both smallish linebackers who tried to make the transition to Bill Parcells' favored 3-4. Coakley was soon playing for another team and Nguyen's career ended because of a neck injury. They had been highly effective players in Mike Zimmer's 4-3, but they were too small to excel in a 3-4 scheme.

Fletcher's an excellent linebacker, but I don't think he'll be as productive in a 3-4 scheme. The Redskins will start to look for larger inside linebackers in free agency and the draft."

I kinda addressed this earlier, but....

There are 2 ILB in a 3-4 scheme.
There is the 'buck' and the 'mack'.
The buck is usually a very stout player because they have to take on and shed blocks from fullbacks and OL.
The 'buck' is very similiar to a 4-3 SAM backer.

The uncovered or free hitter is the 'mack' he's the playmaker ILB his role is similiar to a 4-3 MIKE or WILL.

Here's a link that explains the roles a little:
Bishop captures attention - JSOnline

Both Rocky and Fletcher fit the 'mack' role much better then the buck role.
I think Blades is a better fit at the 'buck' position because he's actually played SAM backer and at 5'10 242 he's a sturdy dude.

The author of the article really didn't go into detail about which position he didn't think London was a fit for but right off the bat London (5'10 245) is bigger then either Coakley(5'10 230) or Nyugen (5'11 238) and he's been a more productive player then either Coakley or Nyugen. London's average tackles per season are higher then Coakley highest total and i think its higher then Nyugen's also.

Ray Lewis and A.J. Hawk are more similiar to London then Coakley or Nyugen and both have made successful transitions.
There is no question imo that a LB of Fletcher's ability can make the transition especially as the 'mack' ILB because his role won't change that much.
His 'numbers' might go down but i don't see any reason other then age or injury that he would be a less effective player.