How much have we improved player personnel?

Running Back situation very easily could be the TE situation of last year.

Hopefully Matt Jones can explode like Reed....and stay healthy.

One thing Alfmo brought was durability, that can be big in the RB game

Football Outsiders rated last years D:

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2015 DEFENSE EFFICIENCY RATINGS (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef)

20th overall
22nd run defense
19th pass defense

2015 NFL Team Passing Stats - National Football League - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/passing/sort/quarterbackRating/position/defense)
Passer rating against: 96.1 --22nd

Yards per rush attempt: 4.8 --31st

Run-
I think the improvement of the run defense in large depends on who wins the open SS and ILB spots. I don't think we lost or gained much run D through the DL and I think the SS spot will be improved through subtraction of Dash and the addition of Bruton/Duke/Su'a. But at ILB who knows? Riley was part of the problem maybe some due to injury and Foster once he entered the line-up was the most stout against the run. A healthy Riley w/ Foster would be an improvement over last year. But, if Daniels gets into either ILB spot that's a huge bump for the run D imo.

Pass-
I would be disappointed if we don't at least hold opposing QBs 90 or below (which is about 15th); I think we honestly have the potential to be top 10 in passer rating against, which for me is barometer of good quick pass defense.


I see zero chance that Will Compton is not the starting Mike ILB, the other one will be either Riley (who I could see as a cap casualty, due to Steven daniels) and Foster.

RB Keith Marshall: The running back situation is a questionable one for Washington. They have two players coming off injuries (Matt Jones and Chris Thompson) and drafted a guy whose college career was derailed by a torn ACL. Marshall is healthy now, however, and the Redskins hope his electric speed will result in big plays. Analysts say he was not the same runner last season, his first full one since the ACL, as he was as a freshman. Perhaps another year removed from the injury will help. But it’s hard to know where he fits as of now; most likely it’s as a complementary back to Jones. He wasn’t much of a threat in the pass game and he only returned one kickoff in college (though it certainly is a possibility in Washington). The Redskins also have Mack Brown on the roster, and there is always a chance they will re-sign Pierre Thomas. They could use a strong veteran presence. For a seventh-round pick, Marshall is intriguing simply because of his 4.31 time in the 40-yard dash, but he will have to show more than speed -- patience and vision will be key. Because there is not a lot of depth here, he will have a chance to contribute.
Article from John Keim speaking on how these players fit.

One thing is healthy and running a 4.31 40 yard dash in a straight line.
Completely different having the confidence in his knee to where he can cut and take hits and play like he never had an injury before. In looking at his game highlights after the injury, you clearly see he is favoring his knee and looked/played scared. Of course another year to strengthen and rehab more is a big plus. But even last year, second year after his injury, he did not look right. I hope he is ready to go. We need him 100%.

One thing is healthy and running a 4.31 40 yard dash in a straight line.
Completely different having the confidence in his knee to where he can cut and take hits and play like he never had an injury before. In looking at his game highlights after the injury, you clearly see he is favoring his knee and looked/played scared. Of course another year to strengthen and rehab more is a big plus. But even last year, second year after his injury, he did not look right. I hope he is ready to go. We need him 100%.

yup, just an example of how these injuries aren't just physical but can be psychological. He needs to really work his body into shape and maybe see a sports psychologist about confidence and not playing scared.

...Both were rough, though. Mainly because of poor blocking....

We need improved blocking up front to really make the run game go. Reality is, if the blocking was better then either Jones or Morris would be adequate. Jones's speed though gives you the possibility of a big gainer.

And he's only a rookie, so figures to have a shot to improve...You got me there, outside of receiving Morris was better at everything then Jones. And of course I agree that Jones has a chance to improve.

I don't think blocking is the issue with the run game though. I think the issue is scheme and commitment. Jay's focus is on the passing game and there is a trickle down effect that impacts the run game. I am not saying there is anything inherently wrong with being pass focused. I don't care about style run/pass doesn't matter to me. Be efficient and score points. I think barring landing an elite RB the run game here will always just be meh.

You got me there, outside of receiving Morris was better at everything then Jones. And of course I agree that Jones has a chance to improve.

I don't think blocking is the issue with the run game though. I think the issue is scheme and commitment. Jay's focus is on the passing game and there is a trickle down effect that impacts the run game. I am not saying there is anything inherently wrong with being pass focused. I don't care about style run/pass doesn't matter to me. Be efficient and score points. I think barring landing an elite RB the run game here will always just be meh.

If I remember correctly, our running game was outstanding early last season until injuries decimated the offensive line. So I'm not sure that it is impossible to have a good/great running game under Jay, but the line has to be there...

And we have the right offensive line coach to make all that happen. I'm also thinking (hoping) that the cap room we just created might help us acquire a quality veteran running back. We'll see...

marshall is a track star in pads. his instincts aren't good. his speed is crazy, but there's a reason he was around in the 7th, he's got a lot of work to do on his vision/mental game to be a really effective RB. he will help on teams though.

You got me there, outside of receiving Morris was better at everything then Jones. And of course I agree that Jones has a chance to improve.

I don't think blocking is the issue with the run game though. I think the issue is scheme and commitment. Jay's focus is on the passing game and there is a trickle down effect that impacts the run game. I am not saying there is anything inherently wrong with being pass focused. I don't care about style run/pass doesn't matter to me. Be efficient and score points. I think barring landing an elite RB the run game here will always just be meh.

Early in the season, if you look at the play calling when the game was within 10 points with reasonable time left, I don't believe the stats will support your theory.

Of course the team was pass happy when trailing watching the clock wind to zero.

I think toward the end of the year when the passing game was the only thing clicking, it seemed like the team was too committed to calling run plays on 1st down.

debth wise I'd say its the best redskins team we've had in years, maybe 20 years

I try to not get too carried away by my fan side but I think we have a special draft class this time. Every single one of these draftees has traits that the coaches can build on to produce a solid contributor. I'm very excited about this class.

The only big risk was drafting Kendall Fuller but, if he can recover fully from his injury, he'll put this draft class through the roof, IMHO.