My Way to Fix the Defense

[JPM36]

If Branch is on the board and we didn't take I'd be absolutely stunned.

The Redskins have needed a big run stuffing DT for years and years. They have to take this guy. They'd be crazy not to.

[SkinzCanes]

I really hope that we use our first round pick on a defensive lineman. I'd be happy with either Gaines Adams, Branch, or Glenn Dorsey (if he leaves LSU early). All 3 of these guys are impact players with lots of potential.

[die cowboys die]

my idea on how to fix the defense is to take them all out back behind redskins park and shoot them in the head. then shoot them 20 or 30 more times each.

that ought to do it.

I'm pretty sure that you can be arrested for writing that.

No, take him out back and shoot him.

gee, sorry, i didn't realize everyone was going to be so protective of our beloved "defense" after the putrid performance they turned in this week.

[Chris Luva Luva]

my idea on how to fix the defense is to take them all out back behind redskins park and shoot them in the head. then shoot them 20 or 30 more times each.

that ought to do it.

I'm pretty sure that you can be arrested for writing that.

No, take him out back and shoot him.

gee, sorry, i didn't realize everyone was going to be so protective of our beloved "defense" after the putrid performance they turned in this week.

I think its the putrid posts thats getting them...

[crazyhorse1]

I really hope that we use our first round pick on a defensive lineman. I'd be happy with either Gaines Adams, Branch, or Glenn Dorsey (if he leaves LSU early). All 3 of these guys are impact players with lots of potential.

Branch would be great, but Adams is a must. Another year without a pass rush will drive me nuts. Sign an FA DT and let him compete with Golston and Montgomery; and spent some of Danny's money on an FA MLB and CB.

I'm asking for three top FA's for the defense and a first rounder at DE. In other words, I'm not asking for anything out of reach. We acquired four
top (supposedly) FA's last year.

What can we get for Duckett and Arch? Somebody out there might need a hitter at DB...and Arch did make a lot of tackles this year when not on the pine or busy allowing TD completions. Duckett-- I don't know. He seems awful slow hitting the holes.

[JPM36]

Getting Branch (or Dorsey but I'd prefer Branch) would improve the pass rush immensely even though those guys are not 10 sack players.

If we have Alan Branch he will command a double team which will free up Andre Carter or Daniels or whoever to get to the QB more often.

[RayNAustin]

I think you are hitting on something there, roybus14, but Smithian.....I want some of what you're smoking!

Good at CB?? Springs turns 32 in march, and has been banged up all year. That makes Rodgers our #1 CB (who can't catch a cold).

Taylor at FS is a total waste of talent. His cover skills are marginal at best which makes him a huge liability at the FS spot...at least on passing plays LOL. Moving Taylor to SS would get him more involved at the point of attack instead of continuing to allow him to be toasted in coverage. As good as he is, he is out of position at FS with poor cover skills.
Get him up on the LOS where his agressiveness and hard hitting can force more turnovers. There, he can make a huge impact.

As for Archuletta..... Release him, and hope he signs with someone we play regularly.

Moving Springs to FS is a logical move. He's getting up there in age, but still has good cover skills, and would be an upgrade from Taylor.

But that leaves us in a bigger quandry at CB. I still don't see Rodgers as a solid reliable starter. He can't catch a ball thrown directly at him, and the rest of our CB's are at best, average nickel backs. We're in trouble at CB. In 2005, Harris and Springs were able to get by in replacing Bailey and Smoot, but now with Harris gone, Springs banged up all year, opposing offenses have raped and piliaged this lame secondary to the point of embarassment. Look what Bulger did last week. It was just plain ugly. I don't think the Rams could have gained more yards if they'd been left on the field alone..just the 11 of them.

Compounding the matter in the secondary is Marshall at MLB. That's a big question mark in my mind. Today, the MLB has to be fast enough to cover the middle of the field on passing downs. When you play cover 2, and the outside recievers run deep out patterns , the middle of the field is wide open. Our D has been killed by the slot recievers and TE's up the middle for big plays. Marshall hasn't been able to stop that rampage. On the outside, he's much more effective.

So this is all we need.....two strong CB's, and a solid MLB. Problem there is there are no other teams out there who are stupid enough to give up a solid MLB (Pierce) or strong CB's (Bailey and Smoot). And if you do find them, we won't be able to afford them because of the stupid money we've shelled out for guys like Archuletta.

My conclusion is that our boys are in trouble, and it is the culmination of three years of poor personnel decisions.

In case no one is paying attention, a loss on Saturday would mean that we are worse off than we were at the beginning of 2004

But what else is new? This has been the Redskin trademark for over a decade now. One step forward and two steps back.

To make a long story short, there are no easy fixes. Fire Wiliams and his arrogant staff for dismantling the solid roster they were given in 2004.

Has anyone seen Bobby Beathard?

[SkinsJock]

Wow! that's what we need - blow it all up because that's the only way to make it work!

I will be very surprised if Gibbs and his coaches do not find a way to make it work - they just do not seem like the type of character who says "you know, we have been doing this all wrong - these fans of ours know better than we do - let's just get rid of everyone and start again - we have more chance with a whole new group here than we do if we keep going with this bunch of losers".

I'm mad about what we saw last week but I'm still convinced that we are better off learning from the mistakes we have made and adjusting the game planning to suit who we have than blowing everything up and starting again.

What level of NFL knowlege is that thinking attributable to?

[UK Skins Fan]

First, it was just Williams who was arrogant. Now it's his whole staff.

This arrogance thing gets around, doesn't it?

[JansenFan]

I think we have to build consistency by blowing up the roster and the coaching staff. That's the only way to the Super Bowl.

[RayNAustin]

In case none of you saw the little piece with Dale Lindsey in his Arrington bashing before the Giants game.....I think he easily fits the "arrogant" label.

Who said blow anything up?? Sorry....too late.....the defense has already blown up.

The good news is, after a steady three year decline, Williams can do little more damage to this defense......it's a much shorter fall from 30th to 32nd.

Personally, I'm not sure Gibbs would be around next year except for his past record and god-like status. If he were to be judged based solely on the last three years.....what grade would he have actually earned?

Let's keep in mind a few things here.

1) this is the highest paid coaching staff in the NFL....with Williams and Saunders being paid more than half of the head coaches in the NFL.

2) This is the highest paid team (players) in the NFL

3) By every measure, both the offense and defense have declined in performance from 2005. Stat wise, we aren't much better than the 2003 Redksins. And a loss on Saturday will equal 2003 5-11 team. And already worse than the 2001 8-8 and 2002 7-9 record.

That light at the end of the tunnel just might be a freight train coming at ya.

Don't know about anyone else, but if this were my money, I think I'd be feeling a little ripped off right now.

[SkinzCanes]

Let's keep in mind a few things here.

1) this is the highest paid coaching staff in the NFL....with Williams and Saunders being paid more than half of the head coaches in the NFL.

2) This is the highest paid team (players) in the NFL

3) By every measure, both the offense and defense have declined in performance from 2005. Stat wise, we aren't much better than the 2003 Redksins. And a loss on Saturday will equal 2003 5-11 team. And already worse than the 2001 8-8 and 2002 7-9 record.

That light at the end of the tunnel just might be a freight train coming at ya.

Don't know about anyone else, but if this were my money, I think I'd be feeling a little ripped off right now.

I agree with your assesment of the defense, but I'm actually encouraged by the offense and the prospects for next season. The offense under JC is starting to look better, the oline is playing well and all the starters on that unit should be back for next season. Portis will be healthy and Betts has shown that he can be a capable backup when he holds onto the ball. The receivers should be better next season with a full offseason of being able to work with JC. The entire unit should also be much more comfortable in Saunders' offense. Despite the overall age of our team we actually have a good amount of youth on offense and it looks like some continuity for once. While not there yet, at least the offense is on the right track.

The defense, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. I'm all for continuity but at this point I wouldn't mind seeing GW, Lindsey, and Jackson fired. Despite the offense struggling the last few season we never had these types of problems with that unit. It's becoming more and more evident to me that the Tom Friend article was on point. What happened to GW in Buffalo appears to be happening to him here now. Jackson is a moron and Lindsey needs to keep his mouth shut. While the offense is getting better the defense just seems to be getting worse and has a lot of wholes to fill.

[RayNAustin]

SkinzCanes, you may be right on the offense, but in my mind, it's too early to be overly optimistic.

There have been too many questionable play calls from Saunders in my opinion. And on the side line, it seems that they still can't manage the clock properly, after three years.

As much as I have always admired Joe Gibbs, I have to say this is one of the poorest coached teams in the NFL at the moment, and I don't recall seeing any worse job done here by anyone else except maybe Spurrier.

The idea that a team would hold separate meetings for safties and corners is almost too outlandish to believe.

And the Redskins have 20 assistent coaches, while the Cowboys, by comparison have 14. Too many cooks spoil the stew

[Ownzone46]

First off draft a Defensive lineman:
Keep Andre Carter he's no bust anymore. Replace Daniels we need alot of help with pass the pass rush.

Give the Defense corners:
Sign Clements Coach the hell out of Rogers and his damn hands i know tis kid has talent

Move Spring to SS Troy Vincet should be able to teach him

Release LM and keep MW and RM as starting OLB's Look into FO or trade

Keep all the same coaches and COACH COACH COACH

[Pudgeman37]

Hello everyone,

This is what I said in the other thread, but I'm posting this because its appropriate.

Since the the season is over, the real season begins. Let me say its has been a dissappointing season. This year, offense improved, but the defense sank like the Titanic. Here's what to do in offense: dump Brunell, Lloyd and get a tall receiver either by draft or FA.

Defense might be tricky. I would sign Terdell Sands for run defense. I would like to say Justin Smith as an all-purpose DE but no such luck with our cap situation. Also, they need the Clemons Bros. back since they were useful in 2005, but with injuries this year, not so much. LB, it is hard to find a MLB but the two I get is Adelius Thomas from Baltimore and London Fletcher-Baker from the Bills. Thomas could be impossible, but if Fletcher signs a 2-yr deal, that would be good. Secondary, good luck solving that puzzle. Here's what the Skins should be thinking: In your mind, ignore Springs because he's injured and he's getting up on age. Your starters are Rogers and Wright. You need one good DB, but who? Nate Clemons would be the perfect choice, but cap situation hits us. Asante Samuel maybe but I'm not sold yet. Your best bet is a speedy CB who can play a role or get someone again in the draft. This leads to this: The Redskins will have a top 10 pick, trade it, get two or three picks if your lucky. Also use assets like Lloyd and someone for draft value. I would use it for safeties because there is good talent from Reggie Nelson, Leron Landry, Eric Weddle and Lenoard Peters from Hawai'i (suppose to be a freakier version of Troy Polamalu) That's it for me. Let's hope to reduce the coaching staff and have a smart offseason.

[die cowboys die]

you all assailed me for my suggestion on how to fix the defense last week. did they leave you any doubt tonight? they deserve no less than to be incarcerated for their performance the last two weeks. it was so horriffic i can see it as nothing less than a criminal act.