Offense tries to match defense's progress The offense will try to catch up with the defense when the Redskins return to the field Monday morning to begin their fourth and final session of organized team activities.
Through two voluntary mini-camps and the OTAs, Washington's defense has impressed under coordinator Jim Haslett. There has been limited access to practice during the OTAs, so my observation is based more on conversations and texting with people in the organization than what I've witnessed recently at Redskins Park. And, really, isn't that the way it should be?
Anyway, from what we're hearing, Haslett is a big-time hit with the players. Veterans have quickly embraced his aggressive, Pittsburgh-patterned-3-4 scheme, and are very excited about Haslett's big-play mentality. His eagerness to put linebackers, safeties and even corners in position to make plays on blitzes, and his ability to disguise coverages out of the 3-4 has re-energized the defensive players, from what we've been told.
Guys actually enjoy studying the new stuff in position group meetings and running though it on the field, which often wasn't the case last season. Although many players respected former defensive coordinator Greg Blache, they privately expressed frustration about Blache's conservative approach in the 4-3 and his unwillingness to try new things. Of course, Blache played a big role in Washington finishing among the league leaders in defense during five of his six years with the organization.
But sometimes a fresh perspective is needed, and that's what Haslett has brought. Haslett is doing such a good job to this point, people with the team have said, that the Redskins expect their defense to remain among the NFL's best statistically while also producing more turnovers.
Obviously, it's early. The Redskins are installing a new defense, so It would not be surprising if Haslett and the players experienced some rocky moments throughout the summer and during the pre-season. But from all the buzz, the Redskins are off to a good start on that side of the ball.
Things have not been running as smoothly for the offense. The Shanahans (head coach Mike and offensive coordinator Kyle) are in the process of rebuilding the offensive line, purging former coach Jim Zorn's unproductive West Coast offense from the minds of players and trying to determine whether they have the right wide receivers on the roster.
Devin Thomas has a great opportunity to seize top billing among the wideouts, but he has been slowed by a hamstring injury at times. And when the chiseled third-year player has participated, he hasn't displayed the type of play-after-play consistency the Shanahans like to see from that position.
Malcolm Kelly, hasn't distinguished himself yet, but he's really only beginning his second season. He missed most of his rookie season because of knee problems, had micro-fracture surgery before last season and wasn't a good fit in Zorn's offense. There's plenty of time for the young fellas to make a move, and the Shanahans are waiting.
thanks for the link Canes - the betting line against our team has gone from 75-1 to 10-1 - these guys must be hearing and thinking this group is a lot better than we expect
I agree that the offense is an issue because as we all are acutely aware, having even a reasonable offensive line is a key to the running game, the passing game and TOP
I do think the defense will not only be better but more effective - by that I mean, I'm hoping the defense will not just be a statistical leader (which is what Blache and Williams seemed more focused on) but will get the ball back in the offense's hands and give the offense better opportunities to score points
IMO - the biggest issue for this team remains the O line - I just think that will take a little more time - especially given what we saw last season
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Great article, thanks. Very excited about possible turnovers for our Defense. WR......ugh, I am worried.
SI, ESPN, and cbssports published articles whereas TO says he and McNabb are cool. The Wash Post reports MCNabb does not endorse TO......what do we do? One year deal incentive based and with M Shanny TO would be under control somewhat. Sorry to panic but WR is a huge void.
SkinsJock wrote:IMO - the biggest issue for this team remains the O line - I just think that will take a little more time - especially given what we saw last season
No doubt. But am I wrong in thinking that the O-line is already better than last year?
Great article, thanks. Very excited about possible turnovers for our Defense. WR......ugh, I am worried.
It's a concern but it's being overblown also. Moss is a better receiver than some of the scrubs that McNabb made look good during his time in Philly. We need the young guys to step up, but with Moss, ey, and Davis, plus the running backs catching the ball, we should be ok for this year.
brad7686 wrote:I don't know why everybody is so worried about WR, we have the same group we had last year, and last year was all Campbell's fault, right?
Great sarcasm. Good observation, Brad. Those who said that will probably not get it right away.
SkinsJock wrote:IMO - the biggest issue for this team remains the O line - I just think that will take a little more time - especially given what we saw last season
No doubt. But am I wrong in thinking that the O-line is already better than last year?
The OL being better is not the issue. Is it competitive? I doubt it. Who on our Ol would play first string with Philly, New York, or Dallas? Trent Williams?
Maybe. The others would be on the pine.
Are WR's Thomas and Kelly good enough to play first string on the big three? I doubt that too. Is McNabb good enough to make up for our OL and WR's? Let's hope so, or it will be long season.
SkinsJock wrote:IMO - the biggest issue for this team remains the O line - I just think that will take a little more time - especially given what we saw last season
No doubt. But am I wrong in thinking that the O-line is already better than last year?
The OL being better is not the issue. Is it competitive? I doubt it. Who on our Ol would play first string with Philly, New York, or Dallas? Trent Williams? Maybe. The others would be on the pine.
Are WR's Thomas and Kelly good enough to play first string on the big three? I doubt that too. Is McNabb good enough to make up for our OL and WR's? Let's hope so, or it will be long season.
Glad to see you're being positive already...
...any given Sunday....
RIP #21 Sean Taylor. You will be loved and adored by Redskins fans forever!!!!!
GSPODS:
The National Anthem sucks.
What a useless piece of propagandist rhetoric that is.
SkinsJock wrote:IMO - the biggest issue for this team remains the O line - I just think that will take a little more time - especially given what we saw last season
No doubt. But am I wrong in thinking that the O-line is already better than last year?
The OL being better is not the issue. Is it competitive? I doubt it. Who on our Ol would play first string with Philly, NY, or Dallas? Trent Williams? Maybe. The others would be on the pine. Are WR's Thomas and Kelly good enough to play first string on the big three? I doubt that too. Is McNabb good enough to make up for our OL and WR's? Let's hope so, or it will be long season.
Glad to see you're being positive already...
riggofan - you're right IMO - the line is already better - unfortunately, there's a long way to go to have a line that will help this franchise get back to being a top contender in the NFC East again
I think we have made some incredible improvements - maybe I'm a little biased but I really think we have a good shot at 9-7 or 8-8 this season - I think that the FO is trying to get as good a group together as possible while at the same time looking to building this group back into having a consistently competitive product on the field each and every week
We'll find a QB and McNabb and the others will provide the time to have him ready - the players from the 2009 O line will all be gone soon and we will see the depth and type of play we need to ensure a balanced offensive scoring machine - the defense, IMO just needs to be in the hands of better coaches with a better idea of both putting the players in the right position and also having a better idea of what to game-plan for than the 'bend but don't break' type of defenses that Williams and Blache seemed to like to run
I think we are heading in the right direction and I really believe we are a lot further along that path because of the decisions made by Shanahan and Allen
it's less than 2 months (August 8th) to the 1st NFL game
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
langleyparkjoe wrote:I heard we grabbed Furry from Detroit? Don't worry folks, have faith!
You might be on to something.....
Boards members have been posting about the OL being a problem while others say WR may be a bigger position of need right now. Shanny and Bruce might agree by signing another WR and releasing a blocking TE.
FTR: some have said the biggest worry should be the defensive backs.... Furry has 48 tackles and four interceptions in one year as a FS when he played for the Rams.
His best years as a WR were in 2006 (98 catches, over 1,000 yds) and 07' (starting 10 games with 61 catches for over 600 yds)... with Kitna throwing him the ball
He has also returned kicks.... he should have his locker somewhere near Lorenzo Alexander
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
ey, and Davis, plus the running backs catching the ball, we should be ok for this year.
Good observation, Brad. Those who said that will probably not get it right away.
