Redskins and Titans talking trade again on Albert Haynesworth

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Nice post. I'm kind of past the point in the debate of MS v AH. I say who cares now? AH isn't showing enough to make it a serious question any longer.

If we're very, very lucky we get a player from trade who can actually help us. If we're just lucky AH will stay, play and be significantly better than he's been so far.

The problem is, our defense, especially the d-line, is suspect w/o a dominant AH. My take is this: if Mike and Jim couldn't see ahead to AH struggling so badly - or if they did consider it but do nothing, as we've seen to shore up the situation - my faith in the new regime is greatly diminished. Mike can't win w/o a dominant defense, a part of the game he doesn't seem to understand well. Much was put on Haslett's shoulders because 1) of Mike being the HC and 2) the unit in place was very, very good and just a piece or 2 short of being dominant.

If our defense is noticeably worse than last year we should be very, very concerned.

One of the biggest questions lost in this whole mess (why the 3-4). I really hope it doesn't come to this, but if our defense falters I hope someone makes MS accountable for making this switch. I'm still surprised that with his win-now attitude (instead of rebuilding), he would want to make such a drastic change.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

One of the biggest questions lost in this whole mess (why the 3-4). I really hope it doesn't come to this, but if our defense falters I hope someone makes MS accountable for making this switch. I'm still surprised that with his win-now attitude (instead of rebuilding), he would want to make such a drastic change.

This is exactly right. I was one of the folks that was not happy about the change to 3-4. I like 4-3 better.

We made the move to increase saks, so we better get more sacks soon or else this move will be a waste. So far this preseason we have not seen an increase in sacks. I am hoping Hasslett is just hiding his bread and butter plays for Dallas.
I am still concerned about Andre Carter, he still looks like he is constantly behind the play. His mental part of the game is not there yet. I am hoping he will catch up and get comfortable.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

This is exactly right. I was one of the folks that was not happy about the change to 3-4. I like 4-3 better.

We made the move to increase saks, so we better get more sacks soon or else this move will be a waste. So far this preseason we have not seen an increase in sacks. I am hoping Hasslett is just hiding his bread and butter plays for Dallas.
I am still concerned about Andre Carter, he still looks like he is constantly behind the play. His mental part of the game is not there yet. I am hoping he will catch up and get comfortable.

I understand the move to 3-4, Haslett feels like Orakpo will be the elite pass rusher that Ware, Dumerville and Suggs are. All 3 of those guys play in a 3-4 defense or atleast did. I didn't really care for the move either but lets be patient and give them a chance.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

I understand the move to 3-4, Haslett feels like Orakpo will be the elite pass rusher that Ware, Dumerville and Suggs are. All 3 of those guys play in a 3-4 defense or atleast did. I didn't really care for the move either but lets be patient and give them a chance.

Unfortunately, there are 3 other starting LB's on our team....none of which can both pass rush AND cover....even Orakpo is still learning that.

Our line is questionable with or without Haynesworth in a 3-4.
In a 4-3 we'd probably have Orakpo and Carter on the end and Haynesworth happy at DT with some other fat guy at the other....that is 3 of 4 very high quality guys playing natural positions on the line vs....1 of 3....Carriker....and we don't even know if he is any better than average.

This 3-4 shift is by far the riskiest move of the offseason, and it has shown 1 thing...complete inablility to stop the run.

For all you that think we are going to the playoffs...keep a close eye on the decline of our abilty to stop the run due to the scheme shift...watch it closely.

[JWsleep]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Unfortunately, there are 3 other starting LB's on our team....none of which can both pass rush AND cover....even Orakpo is still learning that.

Our line is questionable with or without Haynesworth in a 3-4.
In a 4-3 we'd probably have Orakpo and Carter on the end and Haynesworth happy at DT with some other fat guy at the other....that is 3 of 4 very high quality guys playing natural positions on the line vs....1 of 3....Carriker....and we don't even know if he is any better than average.

This 3-4 shift is by far the riskiest move of the offseason, and it has shown 1 thing...complete inablility to stop the run.

For all you that think we are going to the playoffs...keep a close eye on the decline of our abilty to stop the run due to the scheme shift...watch it closely.

I think you make some good points here--I too am worried that this year's D does not have the personnel to run the 3-4. And, yes, the run D will suffer because of it. I think we'll be addressing this in the next off season in a big way--these things take time.

But I do hope there will be some upside, even this year. For one, we should be better against the pass, both in pass D and, much more importantly, pressure. Also, and here is the big hope, we'll get more TOs. If that happens, it covers up a multitude of weaknesses. So far in the pre-season, we've seen a bit of that. Let's hope it translates into the regular season.

In any event, it's going to take some time on both sides of the ball to get Shanny's system up and running. We need that thing that no skins fan (myself included) seems to have: patience.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

This is exactly right. I was one of the folks that was not happy about the change to 3-4. I like 4-3 better.

We made the move to increase saks, so we better get more sacks soon or else this move will be a waste. So far this preseason we have not seen an increase in sacks. I am hoping Hasslett is just hiding his bread and butter plays for Dallas.
I am still concerned about Andre Carter, he still looks like he is constantly behind the play. His mental part of the game is not there yet. I am hoping he will catch up and get comfortable.

Washington Redskins' defense: New scheme installed to increase turnovers

Much to Shanahan's delight, the Redskins produced eight turnovers in the first three preseason games, generally considered the most important games for evaluating players and choosing the opening 53-man roster.

"We had eight in [the first] three games," Shanahan said. "If you did that for the season it'd be 42, 421/2. I think Green Bay led the NFL last year with 40, so you feel pretty good."

Hall became the first Redskins player with two interceptions in the preseason since safety Sean Taylor had three before the 2004 season.

"And the thing is we haven't run any of Has's defenses," Hall said. "We've just been out there playing vanilla, not trying to show nothing. Just wait 'til we start the season and start running all this stuff we've been working on from the start. It'll be on then. It's scary."

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

Washington Redskins' defense: New scheme installed to increase turnovers

Much to Shanahan's delight, the Redskins produced eight turnovers in the first three preseason games, generally considered the most important games for evaluating players and choosing the opening 53-man roster.

"We had eight in [the first] three games," Shanahan said. "If you did that for the season it'd be 42, 421/2. I think Green Bay led the NFL last year with 40, so you feel pretty good."

Hall became the first Redskins player with two interceptions in the preseason since safety Sean Taylor had three before the 2004 season.

"And the thing is we haven't run any of Has's defenses," Hall said. "We've just been out there playing vanilla, not trying to show nothing. Just wait 'til we start the season and start running all this stuff we've been working on from the start. It'll be on then. It's scary."

The turnovers numbers are a good point, but it has to be tempered with the fact that it is typical there are more turnovers in preseason because you have a ton of backups and wannabe's playing trying like hell to make the roster and they take more chances and are more reckless/careless with the ball.

I see you highlighted the part about our defense playing vanilla schemes in preseason. Yeah, that is what I was referring too.