Redskins' Secondary Woes

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Well I think a big issue here is our scheme. It does seem there's always a gap somewhere between the backers and secondary for offensive targets to sneak in and get open for a completion. Translation: teams move the chains on us in chunks here and there, which leaves the d on the field too long and sets up FG opportunities etc, etc. I think Blache/Gray/Landry must find a way to break up those attempts. Maybe Laron plays a bit closer. Maybe Horton roams somewhere in that gap. What I doubt though is our improved pass rush fixes this completely. We need our DB duo to get more INTs and Laron to put fear in the heart of WRs, but we also need to see some kind of adjustment.

I think your analysis is quite good.

Here's my optimistic take on the problem: greater pressure up front should cause qb's to throw more quickly, taking away some downfield routes. Knowing this, our db's can play tighter, thereby closing that gap that you mentioned between the linebackers and defensive backs. The 85 Bears defense thrived on this way of doing things. I'm not saying that we are the 85 Bears. I'm just saying that, strategy-wise, things may work out similarly, at least on occasion.