Why the 2007 defense will be in the top 10

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Yeah, this is pretty much the only reason I can see us improving defensively this year is that it just couldn't have been any worse.

More turnovers will come. You can't really do anything roster-wise to create more turnovers. Just teach the fundamentals, tackle and strip, and hope for the best. There is no chance we don't force at least two more turnovers than last year. Just catch the ball, Carlos.

Our secondary is still going to get toasted all year though. While our pass rush will be better than last year, it still isn't going to be very good. Taylor and Landry are going to spend all day backpedaling.

But the big difference will be that the linebackers will be much better in coverage this year. It's going to make a big difference in third down situations where we were awful on both sides of the ball.

What made me mad last year was that even freaking STATISTICIANS were saying: "They're going to come. The odds are HIGHLY STACKED in their favor." and it never happened.

[GMScud]

They are discussing the NFC East on NFL Live right now if anyone in case anyone is interested....

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

This is a really good post, good thought process regarding the Xs and Os here.

Best way to think about our defense is to pretend you're an offensive coordinator and try to gameplan for the 'Skins. As I look at our D, the number one weakness in my opinion is run defense up the middle. Until the Redskins prove they can stop it, I'm going to run up the middle on first down every damn time. I'm going to force Joe Salave'a, Kedric Golston, and Cornelius Griffin to show that they've got what it takes to stop me. If I can get 5 yards on first down, I'm in a 2nd and five.

2nd and five seriously limits what Gregg Williams can do schematically. If he wants to blitz me on 2nd and 5, I'll take that any day of the week as my hot routes can pick up 5 yards. I'm also quite comfortable continuing to pound away on the ground.

Maybe GW wants to bring LaRon Landry up in the box against me to help stop the run on 1st down. As soon as I see that, I'm going to max protect and run play actions. I'll have two WRs on the outside with LaRon Landry attacking the line, leaving Sean Taylor as the only safety. I'll need a savvy QB to be able to look Taylor off, because if the QB can't hold Taylor with his eyes, then my QB is going to toss interceptions.

Where my gameplan runs into trouble, first and foremost, is if suddenly the Redskins defensive line becomes stout against the run. As an offensive coordinator I'm concerned about the savvy London Fletcher in the middle. If he is reading my offense well and getting his linemen in the right places, I might have trouble getting into 2nd and 5. I might find myself in 2nd and 10 or 2nd and 8 a lot. And in that case, I'm going to get blitzed from God knows where.

Secondly, as holmester said, if the 'Skins CBs are monsters in coverage, my plan is shot to hell as Landry is going to shut down my running game, and I'll have nowhere to go with the ball. But I'm not as worried about that as Springs has shown a penchant for injury, and Rogers and Smoot both underachieved last year.

For the Redskins defense, it hinges on two things: Can we stop the run well enough to allow GW to get back to his exotic blitzes? And can our secondary cover well enough to dedicate an 8th man in the box to wreaking havoc on the run game and on blitz attempts?

I'm hopeful. But who knows.

If I'm gameplanning against Washington, I run right at Carter using a double team scrape technique with my TE and T. A double team scrape is simply line lingo for the T and TE hitting the DE at the same time, and one guy slides over or "scrapes" to the outside linebacker. I run this play early and often because I know the Redskins won't be able to stop it.

After establishing that I'd use a play action game to throw over the top of Sean Taylor. I'd use deep posts, slot corners, post corners, anything I could use that would take advantage of him being out of position.

I also would run a lot of bootlegs with my QB to tire out the dinosaurs on the defensive line, setting up plays where I run right at them.

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Schematically, Gregg Williams could adjust for the latter two things by wisely using a defensive line rotation, and mixing coverages to make it hard for teams to predict who is going to be the deep safety. But he could do nothing for the Carter issue except to pull him from the game and play Wynn or Evans.

[12thMan]

The fact of the matter is we're all speculating right now. I tend to disagree that our secondary will get toasted as it did last year. No one knows that for sure.

I think GW and Gray will work more closely this year. I would also count on guys like Rogers, Taylor, and yes, Landry playing quite well which will help us out. Throw in role players like PP and Smooty, and we should be fine. I think stellar would be the exception, but solid would be the expectation here.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I think that with Marshall back in his natural position, teams will TRY that and find it to be unsuccessful really quick. It's not that I didn't give him a chance, I just cannot fathom how Warrick Holdman was an NFL player.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

What made me mad last year was that even freaking STATISTICIANS were saying: "They're going to come. The odds are HIGHLY STACKED in their favor." and it never happened.

At midseason, Football Outsiders predicted a huge defensive jump for the Redskins.

Contrary to popular belief, forcing turnovers isn't a repeatable skill. Admittedly a team who teaches their players to strip the ball is going to force more turnovers than a team who doesn't. But outside of that, I mean, what can you do outside of going to church on Sunday and praying for a pair of turnovers? Not a whole lot.

Let me be the first to assure you that they will come this year.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I think that with Marshall back in his natural position, teams will TRY that and find it to be unsuccessful really quick. It's not that I didn't give him a chance, I just cannot fathom how Warrick Holdman was an NFL player.

Holdman was definitely the weakest link last year. It seemed to me that wherever he lined up, run support was very suspect. Now he's gone, and so are the excuses.

I think we're going to see a defense that's re-energized this year!!

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I agree. The linebacking corps is going to be a strength provided Washington is fully healed.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by BrunellMVP?

Becuase its much easier to be bad than to be good. It takes no effort to fall, you simply have to do nothing, it takes a lot of effort to climb.

Well New England was 26th in 2005 and 6th in 2006; Oakland was 27th in 2005 and 3rd in 2006.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I agree. The linebacking corps is going to be a strength provided Washington is fully healed.

You have to figure either Marshall or Rocky is an upgrade over Holdman, and Fletch should be an upgrade over Marshall in the middle.

We'll be fine, you watchit!

[T.O.Killa]

Well I am glad that we did what we did. Every year we come out and take players that fill perceived holes. This year they did the right thing taking the best player available. I remember that every time some one asked Bobby Bethard what position he would pick his standard answer was "We are not good enough to take a specific position, we have to pick the best player available". If we are one dline man away from a championship, then we will do pretty well anyway. I think that people are under estimating Andre Carter and I think that there will be a player that will come out of nowhere to help out. Maybe Evans or Skykes. Both are pass rushers.

[holmester]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Let me be the first to assure you that they will come this year.

Phewwwwwwwwwwww. I feel so much better.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well New England was 26th in 2005 and 6th in 2006; Oakland was 27th in 2005 and 3rd in 2006.

Touche.

But if only one team does it a year, that still makes it a pretty rare occurance. I sure hope it's us this year, but that D-line has gotta be better.

[diehardskin2982]

Well it looks like Westbrook didn't make it as far as looking on the roster in OTAs

[diehardskin2982]

wait I'm wrong rookies can't show until college classes are ended