Re: Let's talk defense
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;216953]I wonder if Griffin is healthy from his knee issue? I wonder if Daniels is healthy too.[/QUOTE]

i kind of hope they aren't healthy (and close to recovery) to at least explain why they've been as anonymous as Carter.

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I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

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At least maybe the redskins can cause the most dropped passes by an opposing team this year. Isn't that funny that most people didn't notice both the Minnesota and Dallas receivers dropped an unusual number of passes.

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Here's my assessment of the defense:

1. We had some tremendous hitting early on. Sean Taylor especially beat the stew out of Cowboys receivers and Mike Rumph really laid out Terry Glenn on a hit.

2. What happened to our run defense? We used to control the line of scrimmage, but we're now forcing the linebackers and safeties to come up and make plays. We seem especially weak on the left side, and also somewhat up the middle.

3. Without Shawn Springs, our secondary is average at best. Carlos Rogers played better last night, but Wright, Rumph, and Archuleta were weak, and the injuries to Springs and Pierson Prioleau have only hurt us more.

4. Why in the world did we let Ryan Clark go for Adam Archuleta? I said it earlier in the year and got heavily criticized, but I'll say it again: is Archuleta really worth the big contract when Clark could get the job done for less money? In fact, I would go so far as to say that Archuleta ISN'T as good as Clark (for our style of defense).

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Here's are some possible solutions to our defensive problems:

1. Move Philip Daniels back to RDE and Renaldo Wynn back to LDE. It would probably fix some of our problems against the run on the left side. Warrick Holdman isn't playing too bad, but Andre Carter seems like a liability in run defense.

2. Use Carter and Demetric Evans as pass rushing specialists. Carter would be a valuable asset in those situations and Evans has probably provided more pass rush than any of our other lineman.

3. Send Archuleta on more blitzes and use any one of our LBs to cover the TE. Archuleta should be far more effective on the move instead of working out in space.

4. Continue to use Sean Taylor in support of Kenny Wright and/or Mike Rumph in coverage. Taylor was a beast last night when it came to making hits over the middle and in the flat. Have Carlos Rogers play man-to-man on the opponents' #2 receiver, leaving the #1 guy covered by Wright and Taylor. Occasionally drop a LB (probably Lemar Marshall) into a deep zone away from Taylor and use the other LBs and Archuleta on occasional blitzes to help the DL.

More than anything, I'm frustrated at the defense's inability to stop the run last night. Sure, they didn't give up a bunch of big plays, but they didn't do enough to force Bledsoe into 3rd and long situations--where he is especially weak. We need to fix our pash rush problems and get Shawn Springs back.

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The sad thing about Clark is that no one could remember his solid play. He wasn't bad, and fit in really well with the team and the D. In my opinion him and smoot represented the attitude of that D along with Washington...nasty, and overachieving. What everyone remembered instead is him getting blown away by LT. It was a shame we let him go, but on the other hand, we returned every other starter...so I really can't say what's up, except they suck

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Where is The Ade? Seriously, where's he been? I'd like to see Demetric get more playing time, maybe he could provide a spark

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I was wondering that as well. The Ade is really WORSE than Wright or Rumph in coverage?

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[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;217062]I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.[/quote]

You know the Skins are hurting when you have to pull out a Shawshank quote.

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The D has lost its mystique. If we can't sack the most immobile QBs (Johnson and Bledsoe), then its worrisome.

If David Carr shreds our D (Springs playing or not), then I'm hugely worried.

I understand losing a guy like Prioleau (while he's no game changer) was huge since he knows the scheme so well. Bringing in Archuletta (@ $10 million in guaranteed money) for Ryan Clark was a huge mistake. Hate to say it, but even Walt Harris would have been better than the no good Kenny Wright.

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Stupid hindsight. Always being 20/20. :(

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[QUOTE=hurrykaine;217114]The D has lost its mystique. If we can't sack the most immobile QBs (Johnson and Bledsoe), then its worrisome.

If David Carr shreds our D (Springs playing or not), then I'm hugely worried.

I understand losing a guy like Prioleau (while he's no game changer) was huge since he knows the scheme so well. Bringing in Archuletta (@ $10 million in guaranteed money) for Ryan Clark was a huge mistake. Hate to say it, but even Walt Harris would have been better than the no good Kenny Wright.[/QUOTE]


Exactly! Didn't we hear all week long how Dallas' offensive line wasn't as good as Minnesota's ? And that the pressure on the statue-like Bledsoe would be a different story?

And to think Wright was a sixteen game starter for Jacksonville last year.

At some point you'd think Snyderatto would get a clue: Teams don't let go of players they want to keep. There's a reason why the Jags didn't fight to keep him. And we're seeing the same thing with Andre Carter.

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Yes, Dallas's offensive line isn't that bad honestly. Jacksonville hardly got pressure.

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[quote=Beemnseven;217137]At some point you'd think Snyderatto would get a clue: [B]Teams don't let go of players they want to keep[/B]. There's a reason why the Jags didn't fight to keep him. And we're seeing the same thing with Andre Carter.[/quote]

Snyderatto can't comprehend this, because it doesn't think that way. I.E. Champ Bailey, Antonio Pierce, Stephen Davis, Fred Smoot, and eventually Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, Clinton Portis, Santanna Moss, and Sean Taylor.

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I agree with pretty much everything you guys said.

OUR DEFENSE SUCKS.

Our line is average at best and our secondary is brutal. Wow the Prioleau injury really hurt us (and Springs obviously). However injuries happen all the time. And it's not like Springs is a spring chicken (sorry) who has never been hurt before.

I just can't believe how thin this team is. I mean Rumph, Wright, Fox, Golston...who the hell are these guys? And like Tafkas said - where the hell is the Ade????? Seriously where is he?????? I thought the guy was actually becoming a pretty good player last year and now he doesn't even see the field with this bunch of stiffs out there? Archuleta definitely looks like a bust, wish we had Clark and some money back. And I hate to pick on Taylor since he's our only decent guy back there but I'm really not impressed with his "ball hawk" skills. The guy is a great hitter and puts fear in the opposing offense, but when it comes to coverage (especially deep) he always seems out of place and late on the play. That deep ball in the Dallas game was definitely his fault from what I could see.

We can talk about the offense, Saunders, Brunell as much as we want but right now I think the defense is definitely our biggest problem.

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[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;217139]Yes, Dallas's offensive line isn't that bad honestly. Jacksonville hardly got pressure.[/QUOTE]

Well, they're better. The Jags still got two sacks.

Doesn't say much for our line though, the way many people were talking about them.

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it's depressing. i'm gonna stay away from the news until sunday.

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Why is it I just got accused of being a Cowgirls fan when I started saying our Defense is Terrible -compared to last year but you guys are talking all bout the same point I was trying to make?

Our Offense has problems,but our Defense has /and is a bigger problem right now. Defense wins Championships. If ours keeps playing this way we won't be there. Overall I'd say we have lots of problems to address. Offense and Defense. We have loads of talent, but we don't seem to be playing as a team...

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Our defense will rebound. I'm not terribly worried about the defense. It's looked bad, very bad, but I simply do not believe that GW will be unable to turn things around. GW deserves the benefit of the doubt.

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If we get a lead then maybe GW could take some more chances. He cant be as aggressive because he knows if it backfires our O cant score to make up for it.

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[-- Drafting Rocky was a mistake. The same mentality the coaching staff has with regard to Mark Brunell, equally applied to Shawn Springs. They blindly thought they could endlessly rely on him, and now it's come back to bite them.
[/quote]
Beemer - let's give Rocky a chance to prove himself once the coaches are confident he's ready to start. He looks much more athletic than Holdman, and will probably have the starting job by midseason if the D doesn't improve.

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[quote=Southpaw;217144]Snyderatto can't comprehend this, because it doesn't think that way. I.E. Champ Bailey, Antonio Pierce, Stephen Davis, Fred Smoot, and eventually Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, Clinton Portis, Santanna Moss, and Sean Taylor.[/quote]
The biggest problem is that Snyder overpays for average talent and then doesn't have the cap space to keep his core group intact. Arrington never warrented Ray Lewis money, but Snyder all but ensured that we'd lose the #1 cover corner in the league (Champ) by overpaying for LaVar. I'm concerned that the money he gave Archuletta will make it much more difficult to retain Taylor when his contract us up. It also shocks me how little regard Gibbs has for the draft. People say that was his preference first time around, but I recall the Skins drafting a TON of their core players that were so crucial to the glory years, especially the original Hogs. I just can't see sustaining a winner without building inexpensive depth and eventual core studs thru the draft.

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[quote=SouperMeister;217348]The biggest problem is that Snyder overpays for average talent and then doesn't have the cap space to keep his core group intact. Arrington never warrented Ray Lewis money, but Snyder all but ensured that we'd lose the #1 cover corner in the league (Champ) by overpaying for LaVar. I'm concerned that the money he gave Archuletta will make it much more difficult to retain Taylor when his contract us up. It also shocks me how little regard Gibbs has for the draft. People say that was his preference first time around, but I recall the Skins drafting a TON of their core players that were so crucial to the glory years, especially the original Hogs. I just can't see sustaining a winner without building inexpensive depth and eventual core studs thru the draft.[/quote] I agree with a lot of this, I really just scratch my head at a lot of these moves. A lot of times the drafts picks were excessive, a 3rd and 4th for Lloyd? I would have taken either or less.

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[QUOTE=SouperMeister;217348]The biggest problem is that Snyder overpays for average talent and then doesn't have the cap space to keep his core group intact. Arrington never warrented Ray Lewis money, but Snyder all but ensured that we'd lose the #1 cover corner in the league (Champ) by overpaying for LaVar. I'm concerned that the money he gave Archuletta will make it much more difficult to retain Taylor when his contract us up. It also shocks me how little regard Gibbs has for the draft. People say that was his preference first time around, but I recall the Skins drafting a TON of their core players that were so crucial to the glory years, especially the original Hogs. I just can't see sustaining a winner without building inexpensive depth and eventual core studs thru the draft.[/QUOTE]

The consensus is that Champ wanted out no matter how much money Snyder threw at him. He was sick of losing in Washington. Who can blame him?

As far as Rocky goes, he may turn out to be a hell of a player, but I think we were more set at linebacker than secondary around draft time. I'd much prefer to see somebody like Jimmy Williams at corner rather than who we've got now -- instead, we'll see Rocky making a special teams play every two games or so. The front office HAD to know that Springs is nearing the twilight of his career.

Looks like Holdman and Posey are going to hold down the fort at linebacker for most of this season anyway.

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[QUOTE=Rexi;217350]I agree with a lot of this, I really just scratch my head at a lot of these moves. A lot of times the drafts picks were excessive, a 3rd and 4th for Lloyd? I would have taken either or less.[/QUOTE]

Hey Rexi, what was your opinion of Stubblefield when he left town for Washington?

On the local sportstalk show on the radio this morning, one of the D.C. newspaper guys remembered a conversation with a San Fran sportswriter around the time that the deal was signed. He said even though Stubblefield was the defensive player of the year and finished with 15 sacks, the Niners saw something that made them not jump at trying to re-sign Stubblefield. He finished by saying that the San Fransisco 49ers don't ever let anyone go that they can't stand to lose.

If only our front office had that kind of forsight.

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[quote=Beemnseven;217354]Hey Rexi, what was your opinion of Stubblefield when he left town for Washington?

On the local sportstalk show on the radio this morning, one of the D.C. newspaper guys remembered a conversation with a San Fran sportswriter around the time that the deal was signed. He said even though Stubblefield was the defensive player of the year and finished with 15 sacks, the Niners saw something that made them not jump at trying to re-sign Stubblefield. He finished by saying that the San Fransisco 49ers don't ever let anyone go that they can't stand to lose.

If only our front office had that kind of forsight.[/quote] Whoa that was along time ago and I was a lot younger then, but I remember liking the Stubby/ By duo. Our FO didn't have that kind of foresight for long, though...Terry Donahue *cough*

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[QUOTE=SouperMeister;217348]The biggest problem is that Snyder overpays for average talent and then doesn't have the cap space to keep his core group intact. Arrington never warrented Ray Lewis money, but Snyder all but ensured that we'd lose the #1 cover corner in the league (Champ) by overpaying for LaVar. I'm concerned that the money he gave Archuletta will make it much more difficult to retain Taylor when his contract us up. It also shocks me how little regard Gibbs has for the draft. People say that was his preference first time around, but I recall the Skins drafting a TON of their core players that were so crucial to the glory years, especially the original Hogs. I just can't see sustaining a winner without building inexpensive depth and eventual core studs thru the draft.[/QUOTE]

Well we drafted 3/5ths of our starting offensive line. In Gibbs' first run remember drafts lasted many more rounds and guys like Jacoby, Riggins, Rogers, Byner, Riggs, Williams, Clark, Sanders, Edwards, Geathers, etc. were all guys who weren't drafted by the Skins but were key contributors. Gibbs when he first returned that he wished he had the opportunity to go after free agents more the first time around had the rules allowed

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It isn't coaching talent that money was wasting on, but player talent. Letting Clark go was a huge mistake, and I'm starting to wonder if Snyder just wanted to sell some AA jerseys. I'm not sure if he influences these decisions anymore, but I believe he does...

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Funny how whenever we lose, talk always reverts back to talent acquisition.

I really don't see our talent level as a problem right now. It's piss poor execution and guys not playing up to their potential.

I really don't care how we get players or how much they're making. What it comes down to is them getting the job done on the field, which they're not doing right now.

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[quote=Mattyk72;217427]Funny how whenever we lose, talk always reverts back to talent acquisition.

I really don't see our talent level as a problem right now. It's piss poor execution and guys not playing up to their potential.

I really don't care how we get players or how much they're making. What it comes down to is them getting the job done on the field, which they're not doing right now.[/quote]




I totally agree with you. It may be that the coaches haven't figured out how to use some of the players talent to their benefit yet. That or they are just not playing as a team. Playing as a team goes along way when your on the line/ in the trenches. We may have been able to double team guys like D. Ware.

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Argh. D. Ware is still overrated, he was owned against Jacksonville.

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It takes a longer time for a drafted player to develop than it does for a proven FA. A drafted guy won't make an impact the first (probably) and maybe not event he second year. A FA needs up to a half season to get ready and contribute fully on a team. All of our acquisitions have at least average if not better than average NFL ability. No one come in and plays to their max potential right off the bat. AA and AC are not playing up to their contracts, that's for sure.

The next time you guys change jobs, see how long it takes for you to feel just as comfortable as it did for your previous job (3 months?). And I know that's why we have practise but actual games is where the majority of experience comes from.

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[QUOTE=Mattyk72;217427]Funny how whenever we lose, talk always reverts back to talent acquisition.

I really don't see our talent level as a problem right now. It's piss poor execution and guys not playing up to their potential.

I really don't care how we get players or how much they're making. What it comes down to is them getting the job done on the field, which they're not doing right now.[/QUOTE]

Why is it 'funny' to go back and reflect on the players collected by a front fice that has a knack for acquiring the wrong people for the system they're trying to create? That's sort of what happens when teams lose. You look at the players, question just how good they are, and criticize the guys that brought them here.

For a moment, let's be honest with ourselves and say some things that people probably don't want to hear: Maybe when you get right down to it, guys like Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Rabach and Dockery, are all either B-list players who were once real good but have seen their heyday and are on the decline. And when these guys line up against a defensive line who might be just slightly better, they don't stand a chance, and they fold. Maybe there was a reason why the San Fransisco 49ers didn't fight to keep guys like Andre Carter, Brandon Lloyd, and Mike Rumph. And maybe the same thing happened with St. Louis when another team started inquiring about Adam Archuleta.

Maybe, (and this one’s going to hurt) the 2005 season was a flash in the pan just like the 1999 team was. And maybe they happened to catch bad teams at just the right times like St. Louis without Marc Bulger, Philly without Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, or Tampa Bay that coincidently had the same offensive problems in January that they’re having right now.

Maybe all the naysayers were right, and Mark Brunell was playing on borrowed time, and now we have to pay up. Maybe this team just isn’t very good.

I disagree Matty. I think it's perfectly legitimate to question to moves of an organization that has yet to establish a track record of building winning teams.

I don't find it funny at all.

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[quote=724Skinsfan;217435]It takes a longer time for a drafted player to develop than it does for a proven FA. A drafted guy won't make an impact the first (probably) and maybe not event he second year.

I think while your statement is somewhat true, it's becoming more and more common in the NFL that if you get drafted at all, you're expected to become an immediate contributor. First round picks are almost expected to start immediately.

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[quote=Beemnseven;217436]I disagree Matty. I think it's perfectly legitimate to question to moves of an organization that has yet to establish a track record of building winning teams.

I don't find it funny at all.[/quote]

Actually it is funny.

When we were 10-6 a year ago, we didn't hear too much complaining about the talent or how we acquire it.

Now we're 0-2 and all of a sudden the front office is again the scapegoat. Sorry, I'm just not buying it. Talent isn't our problem right now.

The front office has done it's job. They put the talent on the field. Now it's up to the coaches and players to make it all come together.

Yes the team is struggling right now and of course people want answers. But let's keep some perspective. It's a very long season. This team proved last year that they can turn things around. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.

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[quote=12thMan;217441]
I think while your statement is somewhat true, it's becoming more and more common in the NFL that if you get drafted at all, you're expected to become an immediate contributor. First round picks are almost expected to start immediately.[/quote]

Right, but at what level of proficiency are the rookies playing at? How effective is their contribution? It still takes a rookie a longer time to fully contribute than it does a veteran. The rookie may start but he's going to get "picked on" by the offense or the defense. You don't see too many cases where a FA gets the brunt of attention because its generally assumed that they have a shorter learning curve. Do we want Mario Williams or Andre Carter [B]this year[/B]?
All of the players we acquire were someones draft picks at one time or another. Some are castoffs others couldn't be financially retained. Whether we draft them or someone else drafts them doen't make much of a difference to me.

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To the Carter haters...I'm not going to come out and say he's the best DE in the league, however his first 2 assignments: Bryant McKinnie and Flozell Adams, both who run about 6'7", 6'8" and a double cheeseburger away from 345, 350. He's a speed guy, but those 2 are a lot of man to go around. Carter also leads all DLinemen in tackles right now. Plus, he played in a 3-4 as a hybrid LB/DE, and is learning the GW system. He should produce and will, given time.

The injuries in the secondary are the main piece to this puzzle. GW doesn't want to hang them out to dry, so he blitzes less and sit back 6, 7, 8 guys. Our DLine is capable, but has probably seen 2 of the better OLines in the league these past 2 weeks.

The defense needs to be more disciplined in tackling and their assignments, and GW needs to get off the basics and let guys like Archuletta, Taylor and Washington loose on blitzes.

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I am with those who say give GW a chance to fix things, and remember that he's made good Ds out of unknowns and castoffs before. I am not for jumping ship 2 games into the season. Here's my guess--against a suspect o-line and a QB who holds the ball too long, GW will blitz like crazy on Sunday. The D will "magically" look better, and one of our nickle guys will have an INT.

Players have to make plays--so much of the game is mental at this level. We have "lost our swagger"--it's time to get it back against the Texans, and then use that momentum to propel us forward.

But the offense has to make plays too--just like in 2004, if the D has no faith in the offense, it gets them down, and that's death to a D. We have to pick up some firggin thrid downs on offense. My guess is that will help us stop thrid downs on defense.

It's about confidence, toughness, and execution. It's not about the front office, IMO.

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It ALL comes back to Springs. When he is in there it eases alot of the pressure of the LB's and Safeties in mid to longrange cover situations. Im sure ST and AA were thinking , "F*** Wright is going to blow this again." With Springs in he will allow everyone to focus more on their assignments rather than thinking they have to help as much as possible over the top!

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GW is the MAN......I am behind him 100%!!! Im sure the lack of blitzing is attributed the lack of coverguys. Just said this but with Springs in i think GW will be more confident in sending an extra corner or a safety on a blitz!!!