Importance of Defensive Tackles and Depth on Defense

This is my opinion of what the Redskins need to do to be a contender again next season. I’m not sure if I’ll gain any support for this approach, but here is what I think they need to do………
Starting with last year, it’s obvious that the most important thing the team needs to fix is the defense. In my opinion, the most important part of the defense that we need to fix is the defensive line, and to be even more specific, the middle of the defensive line. I believe that getting a big ugly in the middle will make players at every other defensive position better for the following reasons.

1. Last year teams pounded it up the middle on us and when they got bored of that, they’d run it to Carter’s side. A good defensive tackle will help clog holes up the middle and will be able to prevent guards from blocking our linebackers. Once the linebackers are free they will be able to make more plays, and will have a better chance of stopping running backs who run to Carter’s side, who we already know is weak in the run.
2. We will not always have to put extra men in the box to stop the run, thus letting us leave more players in the secondary to help stop big pass plays.
3. Having a good defensive tackle in the middle will make opposing team’s have to worry about him and Carter, they can’t double team both of them, and Carter will wreak havoc on quarterbacks this coming season.

With that being said, I think that we should not use our draft pick on anything other than a defensive tackle; most of the defensive tackles we have now are over 30, in the second half of their career (so I’m assuming production will start to drop off), and are injury prone. If we cannot get Branch, I say we trade that pick and try to pick up a different defensive tackle later in the first round, and then use whatever other pick we get in the trade to build more depth on defense. We had too many people get hurt last year and then not have a backup who could step up.

I know Gaines Adams is a stud, but IMO, it is more important they we address the middle of the line, as opposed to drafting a pass rushing DE, when we already have one in Carter. I believe extra picks in the draft is more important than another pass rushing DE. I don’t see how drafting another DE is going to stop opposing guards from constantly blocking our linebackers and making big holes up the middle. I suppose he could draw a double, but they could just run it to the other side, plus he’s known for his pass rushing. Does anyone share this idea?

if you lock into a single player or position, you're going to get really bad value. DTs etc in the draft aren't just interchangeable. okoye would be okay, but he wouldn't be as good a fit i don't think. at least not right out of the gate.

is it just me or would alan branch look nice in a redskins jersey falling flat on brian westbrook, julius jones, and brandon jacobs

I enjoyed reading your post, and I agree with a lot of it. It is important that the Skins draft a DT and begin to develop some depth at the line. As you stated, injuries hurt the Skins d-line this year, but no more than you can reasonably expect. Depth at d-line is extremely important, and not just because of injuries. More so than any other position, d-lineman are rotated in and out of games in order to stay fresh. The skins d-line is old and failing, and has trouble staying healthy and fresh.

I do not, however, share your optimism that fixing the d-line can restore the Redskin defense. They need upgrades at almost every position on the field. Taylor has developed LeVar disease and is only interested in making hits; Springs is too old and fragile for a corner; Rogers is simply not very good. In other words, the secondary is terrible and has no depth. The linebackers are not much better. Marshall can’t run the D and is terrible in coverage, and Washington is past his prime. In McIntosh, there is promise, so we’ll have to see about that, but otherwise the entire defense needs restructuring. And restructuring takes time and draft picks.

The one thing you said that concerns me the most was the part regarding the Redskins becoming contenders again next year. Trying to becomes contenders overnight is a big reason the Skins lack depth in so many areas. As you said, they need to develop depth, but to do so they need to utilize the draft. Unfortunately, they are at a disadvantage because they have so few first round picks this year. The pick they do have though is a very important one. They need to start building a defense for 5 years from now, so from that standpoint they might as well draft the best defensive player they can find regardless of position because aside from McIntosh or possibly Taylor, it is hard to imagine any of the current defensive players being around in 5 years.

That Guy is right, you can't just lock on to one position/player.

I enjoyed reading your post, and I agree with a lot of it. It is important that the Skins draft a DT and begin to develop some depth at the line. As you stated, injuries hurt the Skins d-line this year, but no more than you can reasonably expect. Depth at d-line is extremely important, and not just because of injuries. More so than any other position, d-lineman are rotated in and out of games in order to stay fresh. The skins d-line is old and failing, and has trouble staying healthy and fresh.

I do not, however, share your optimism that fixing the d-line can restore the Redskin defense. They need upgrades at almost every position on the field. Taylor has developed LeVar disease and is only interested in making hits; Springs is too old and fragile for a corner; Rogers is simply not very good. In other words, the secondary is terrible and has no depth. The linebackers are not much better. Marshall can’t run the D and is terrible in coverage, and Washington is past his prime. In McIntosh, there is promise, so we’ll have to see about that, but otherwise the entire defense needs restructuring. And restructuring takes time and draft picks.

The one thing you said that concerns me the most was the part regarding the Redskins becoming contenders again next year. Trying to becomes contenders overnight is a big reason the Skins lack depth in so many areas. As you said, they need to develop depth, but to do so they need to utilize the draft. Unfortunately, they are at a disadvantage because they have so few first round picks this year. The pick they do have though is a very important one. They need to start building a defense for 5 years from now, so from that standpoint they might as well draft the best defensive player they can find regardless of position because aside from McIntosh or possibly Taylor, it is hard to imagine any of the current defensive players being around in 5 years.

I'm glad you took interest in my post. You're right in saying that we should not shoot for being contenders next year, but instead doing what is best for the team down the road. I also agree when you say the fixing the D-line will not restore the Redskins defense, I guess my point is that we have to start with the D-line because I think that will make improvements at all the other positions, but it will not just fix it over night. We definitely need help at LB and CB, but I just feel it is more important to start with the DL, and then work from there, that's all.

I also liked your point about getting the best possible player, because if we're looking down the road, it would make sense to take the best player and build on him. However, at the same time, it would be nice to build depth. I guess it's a function of how good Branch or Adams really is. Do they have guys in the draft every year with these numbers, or are these guys really special? If they're that special, take them. If they seem to be the same ability as any other average defensive lineman in the NFL, take a chance, and trade for more picks.

if you lock into a single player or position, you're going to get really bad value. DTs etc in the draft aren't just interchangeable. okoye would be okay, but he wouldn't be as good a fit i don't think. at least not right out of the gate.

I generally agree that you can't lock in on a single position, but I think we can here. I'd be happy with either Okoye or Branch at #6 and definately agree that DT is a huge area of need.

That Guy is right, you can't just lock on to one position/player.

OK, well in the Redskins case, it's not just locking on to one position or player, it's also locking onto the fact that our defense is getting old, and we're not deep in any defensive position. To me it's locking onto the position I think we need the most improvement at, and building depth, it's a combination of two things, not just locking onto a DT.

OK, well in the Redskins case, it's not just locking on to one position or player, it's also locking onto the fact that our defense is getting old, and we're not deep in any defensive position. To me it's locking onto the position I think we need the most improvement at, and building depth, it's a combination of two things, not just locking onto a DT.

Yeah I get that but the point is if your 1st or 2nd options are gone, you just can't stick with the notion that we need to draft a certain position otherwise you'll end up getting screwed on the value of the pick. You have to remain flexible depending on how the rest of the draft goes.

Reality check: it would be pretty wierd to see Alan Branch go before #6 when there is:

- Two potential franchise QBs available in Russell and Quinn
- One potential superstud of an LT available in Joe Thomas
- One can't-miss, big, strong, blazing fast prototype WR in Calvin Johnson
- One stud RB in Adrian Peterson
- Two huge pass rushing talents in Jamaal Andersen and Gaines Adams

It's certainly possible someone will take Branch before #6, but I think it's more than likely that he'll be there for us. The first post in this thread was tremendous, mainly because it repeats the exact same points I've been driving home since the season ended :D. Branch at 6th would be the perfect marriage of value and need.

DT is our #1 need. Branch is perfect value for the #6 spot.

The only thing I'd like better is if we traded down, grabbed more picks, and still managed to nab Alan Branch.