Defensive Ends

[CanesSkins26]

Didn't get to see much of the game yesterday, but I saw some of the postgame coverage and the announcers on Comcast were saying that Jason Taylor was lining up at right defensive end (contrary to where the Skins have said he would play) when he was in the game. Is this accurate? So was Carter playing LDE?

[tribeofjudah]

Correct...but they will switch up during the season, you can bet on that. Read more on the official site.

[Sgraham]

Didn't get to see much of the game yesterday, but I saw some of the postgame coverage and the announcers on Comcast were saying that Jason Taylor was lining up at right defensive end (contrary to where the Skins have said he would play) when he was in the game. Is this accurate? So was Carter playing LDE?

I do not think it really makes any diffrence. I just want to see if the D line can generate a pass rush. We will not be able to tell in the preseason.

I did notice a false start that seemed to be caused by Jason Taylor. That may be a good sign.

[Irn-Bru]

Didn't get to see much of the game yesterday, but I saw some of the postgame coverage and the announcers on Comcast were saying that Jason Taylor was lining up at right defensive end (contrary to where the Skins have said he would play) when he was in the game. Is this accurate? So was Carter playing LDE?

Yes on both accounts. They also had a sideline interview with Taylor about the differences on RDE and LDE, although his answer was the press-conference-generic "not really, I just want to go out and make plays, etc."

Neither player stood out, but then again they were only in for a couple of series.

[VetSkinsFan]

Taylor really is saying all of the right things. The guy's a class act to say the least. The only thing he has said that I've heard is I want ot get out there an dplay with my new team. No whining, no comparisons (unless in repsonse to a directed question, of course), just play football. I'm really impressed with him.

[Cappster]

Didn't get to see much of the game yesterday, but I saw some of the postgame coverage and the announcers on Comcast were saying that Jason Taylor was lining up at right defensive end (contrary to where the Skins have said he would play) when he was in the game. Is this accurate? So was Carter playing LDE?

I do not think it really makes any diffrence. I just want to see if the D line can generate a pass rush. We will not be able to tell in the preseason.

I did notice a false start that seemed to be caused by Jason Taylor. That may be a good sign.

Taylor forced two false starts. One when he lined up at LDE and one when he lined up at RDE.

[HEROHAMO]

These two are the best two Defensive Ends we have had in a long time. Carter and Taylor.

[riggofan]

Erasmus James was just OK'd for practice today too. If that guy is able to come back from injury, we might even have actual depth!

[HEROHAMO]

Erasmus James was just OK'd for practice today too. If that guy is able to come back from injury, we might even have actual depth!

LOL! Yeah feels weird to have something positive to talk about when referring to our defensive line.

[VetSkinsFan]

Erasmus James was just OK'd for practice today too. If that guy is able to come back from injury, we might even have actual depth!

LOL! Yeah feels weird to have something positive to talk about when referring to our defensive line.

I'm all for weird, then!!

[Countertrey]

Erasmus James was just OK'd for practice today too. If that guy is able to come back from injury, we might even have actual depth!

Quality depth at DE... wouldn't that be special???

[El Mexican]

Erasmus James was just OK'd for practice today too. If that guy is able to come back from injury, we might even have actual depth!

LOL! Yeah feels weird to have something positive to talk about when referring to our defensive line.

I'm all for weird, then!!

Hey, wait a sec!

This is the second game of the friggin preason!!!!

Did you guys just say we have "depth" at the D-line???? Didn´t we just sign Taylor EXACTLY because we lost depth in the first day of camp?????

The situation is hardly optimistic. One injury to these guys and, again, we´re in deep.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Well, neither Carter or Taylor have a history of chronic enjury. We have James who can fill a spot for a game or two if need be, he's being brought along just fine. We have Chris Wilson and some other guys that we're grooming.

I'd have to say that, that counts as some decent depth.

I mean, if you're expecting to have probowl guys at 3rd, 4th, 5th spots then yah, I'd be disappointed too.

[VetSkinsFan]

Well, neither Carter or Taylor have a history of chronic enjury. We have James who can fill a spot for a game or two if need be, he's being brought along just fine. We have Chris Wilson and some other guys that we're grooming.

I'd have to say that, that counts as some decent depth.

I mean, if you're expecting to have probowl guys at 3rd, 4th, 5th spots then yah, I'd be disappointed too.

[El Mexican]

I´m not dissapointed. Just not overtly optimistic.

I believe just two season ago we had one of the lowest ever sack total in franchise history (16?) with basically the same group of guys (and pretty much the same defensive coaching philosophy).

[Cappster]

We will have the best pass rush this year since we had guys on the quarterback sack meals at mcdonald ie Mann and Manley. We arw going to have a big year from our DE's this and I guarantee it. All non homers, please get up and get off the bus. We are going to the superbowl and the pass rush will be key in us getting there.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I´m not dissapointed. Just not overtly optimistic.

I believe just two season ago we had one of the lowest ever sack total in franchise history (16?) with basically the same group of guys (and pretty much the same defensive coaching philosophy).

One person can make a difference. Jason will change the blocking assignments of the offensive lines. It'll free up someone to be 1-1. It'll also unclog the lanes for our blitzers.

It'll make that "same defensive coaching philosophy" a lot more effective.

[VetSkinsFan]

I´m not dissapointed. Just not overtly optimistic.

I believe just two season ago we had one of the lowest ever sack total in franchise history (16?) with basically the same group of guys (and pretty much the same defensive coaching philosophy).

One person can make a difference. Jason will change the blocking assignments of the offensive lines. It'll free up someone to be 1-1. It'll also unclog the lanes for our blitzers.

It'll make that "same defensive coaching philosophy" a lot more effective.

It will also draw attention away from Carter.

[jmooney]

Erasmus james made a comment when speaking to the media today about moving inside too.

Man! just imagine if that guy ever pans out, what our Dline could be like.

Hes been injury prone , but he was a first round pick, lets hope!

[VetSkinsFan]

Erasmus james made a comment when speaking to the media today about moving inside too.

Man! just imagine if that guy ever pans out, what our Dline could be like.

Hes been injury prone , but he was a first round pick, lets hope!

he's way too light to play DT...

[Chris Luva Luva]

Erasmus james made a comment when speaking to the media today about moving inside too.

Man! just imagine if that guy ever pans out, what our Dline could be like.

Hes been injury prone , but he was a first round pick, lets hope!

he's way too light to play DT...

I'm sure that they were talking about obvious passing situations where you may want to rush 3 ends. Prevent situations...

[VetSkinsFan]

Erasmus james made a comment when speaking to the media today about moving inside too.

Man! just imagine if that guy ever pans out, what our Dline could be like.

Hes been injury prone , but he was a first round pick, lets hope!

he's way too light to play DT...

I'm sure that they were talking about obvious passing situations where you may want to rush 3 ends. Prevent situations...

Still not seeing it. The normal use of a speed end is to hit the outside or use agility as opposed to power. I don't see any positive situation having a speed DE in as a DT in a quarter/prevent situation.

[MDSKINSFAN]

does anyone think erasmus james will make the roster? i hope he does, i always like him in minnesota when he was healthy. and hes playing fo rhis old DL coach

[VetSkinsFan]

does anyone think erasmus james will make the roster? i hope he does, i always like him in minnesota when he was healthy. and hes playing fo rhis old DL coach

Healthy, I'd say he has a great chance. It's him bucking the injury bug that's plagued him that is the challenge.

[Paralis]

Erasmus james made a comment when speaking to the media today about moving inside too.

Man! just imagine if that guy ever pans out, what our Dline could be like.

Hes been injury prone , but he was a first round pick, lets hope!

he's way too light to play DT...

I'm sure that they were talking about obvious passing situations where you may want to rush 3 ends. Prevent situations...

Still not seeing it. The normal use of a speed end is to hit the outside or use agility as opposed to power. I don't see any positive situation having a speed DE in as a DT in a quarter/prevent situation.

I hate to have to be the guy to jump on the bandwagon, but this is exactly what the Giants did last year to great effect. Interior OL, generally speaking, just aren't great pass protectors, and aren't (again, generally) well-equipped to handle speed rushers. They're not quick enough in the feet or hands to deal with the stunts and twists that having extra DEs on the field makes possible, to say nothing of the zone blitz options you can open up by sending Doughty or Washington.

It's a bit premature to say whether James can do any of the things needed to be anything more than a very situational sub, but by the numbers, unless Monty or Golston show some improvement in the pass rush, or Griffin plays like it's 2004 again, it's certainly worth a shot.