Defense = Disappointment

The defense did an okay job against a very good offense. However, with the additions of Haynesworth and Orakpo, I expected more. The defense failed to consistently pressure Manning, had trouble containing off-tackle runs, and made sloppy mistakes (e.g., missing tackles). I hope it rebounds.


BTW, it's just week 1 and I expect this stat to improve dramatically, but the defense is currently the 19th ranked defense.

My biggest disappointments from the D:

1. Orakpo was almost never mentioned - he needs to be rushing the QB far more than he did yesterday. Dropping him in coverage on obvious passing downs is a waste of his ability to pressure the QB.

2. Hall looked lost at times in coverage. Our DB's give far too much cushion to opposing WRs. I miss Springs playing press coverage and getting physical with opposing WRs

3. Pass rush on 3rd down, or lack thereof. It didn't seem that our front four could get to Eli, even on 3rd and long. That said, the defensive stands on 3rd/4th and 1 plays was very impressive. Haynesworth beat a double team to make the stop on the 4th and 1 inside the 5. Hopefully the pass rush follows suit in the coming weeks.

The absolute bottom line is the offense needs to produce. Point-blank, thats it, no excuses. Everybody, JC, Zorn, recievers, line. That performance yesterday was garbage. Plain and simple. Everyone who plays O deserves to shoulder the blame. The excuses of JC under another new offense, Zorn is a first year head coach he will improve, the oline will be better, all that is gone. The offense should be better than last year. In order to win in this division is you got to score. Anybody see the points Cowboys and Eagles scored yesterday? The mistakes have to end or Zorn and Campbell are gone-bottom line and thats not my opinion, that is reality. Snyder isnt going to wait on Zorn. Now everyone wants to point fingers at the Defense. I have a sh*t-ton more faith in Blache and the Defensive than Zorn and the Offensive. That secondary is basically the same from last year when the Defense was 4th in the league and our D-line players have greatly improved. Now the D didnt play great yesterday BUT they provided opportunities for the crap offense and they did NOTHING. I dont need to provide stats to back up what I saw yesterday on offense, anybody who watched saw we were shut down. Toss that game ending touchdown out the window, that is not a factor. We are only as good as a last game. Not too good.

Taken from the Skins blog. Positives
solid work from some of the less-heralded defenders, including Lorenzo Alexander, Rocky McIntosh, and Reed Doughty
That's right, Reed Doughty. Recognize!

I really don't like blache.. everybody think he's a good dc.. but he never brings pressure and corners be 10 yards away from the wideouts he has to play bump and bring heat up the middel or we are going to ate up all day.. that's the only reason d hall look so bad.. because he was so far off the wideout.. I just don't like are scheme at all on defense.. if we don't do any changes then we are really in for a long season

I agree with you, the defense is a product of the Blache scheme, and hes always one step behind the offense...When Zorn and Campbell get shipped, include Blache on the flight!!!!

Taken from the Skins blog. Positives
solid work from some of the less-heralded defenders, including Lorenzo Alexander, Rocky McIntosh, and Reed Doughty
That's right, Reed Doughty. Recognize!

People aren't bashing Doughty nearly as much as they use to are they? He's solid in there. A bright spot.

Doughty is remembered for getting beaten deep by 1) Terrell Owens, and 2) Larry Fitzgerald. But that's not his game. What he does do, he's actually been very good at.

I wasn't that disappointed in the defense. They gave up 16 points and forced two TO's. They gave us the ball on the 8 yard line and our offense clammed up just like last year.

Please take into account that Eli Manning has become a very good qb able to elude the pass rush enough to find an open man and sqeeze it in there. I was impressed on a few occasions. He's not elite but he's good enough to make plays, and god am i tired of wondering that about our QB. He also did a good job of getting rid of the ball on our blitz.

I thought AH had a good game even though people on the radio were bashing him...? LF=awesome.

Keep in mind NY's offensive line is maybe the best in football.

Doughty is remembered for getting beaten deep by 1) Terrell Owens, and 2) Larry Fitzgerald. But that's not his game. What he does do, he's actually been very good at.

He had a great pre-season and looked solid yesterday. He's not blessed with the athletic ability of Landry but one thing he has that Landry hasn't, is maturity. I refrained myself from saying smarts.

The defense did an okay job against a very good offense. However, with the additions of Haynesworth and Orakpo, I expected more. The defense failed to consistently pressure Manning, had trouble containing off-tackle runs, and made sloppy mistakes (e.g., missing tackles). I hope it rebounds.


BTW, it's just week 1 and I expect this stat to improve dramatically, but the defense is currently the 19th ranked defense.

I think one of the major reasons why the redskins are not doing well against the off-tackle runs - Orakpo seems to be hesitant at the linebacker spot.