SI's Ross Tucker: Skins Had One of the Worst Off-Seasons

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:32 pm

Although I guess he is sort of being forced into taking this route since we don't really have a viable every-down solution for the position.

So, just what is your point, then?

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:03 am

Countertrey wrote:
Although I guess he is sort of being forced into taking this route since we don't really have a viable every-down solution for the position.

So, just what is your point, then?

SAM is going to be a problem for us on defense this year, particularly in passing situations.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:45 am

Countertrey wrote:
CanesSkins26 wrote:
Your defensive coaching knowledge and player evaluation skills far exceed those of Greg Blache and the other defensive coaches... right?

The same Greg Blache that had 240 pound Jason Taylor playing as an every-down LDE.

Or the Greg Blache who took a team with no capacity to rush a passer, yet still put together one of the top defenses in the league... The man isn't perfect... but he still knows his stuff.

The same Greg Blache that had very little time to adapt his scheme when his starting and back up DE went down damn near simultaneously? The same Greg Blache that dealt with a Jason Taylor that was out half of hte season? In hindsight, I don't see much problem where things panned out. JT was a 3-4 LB in a 4-3 DE position. You really believe that a 240#-245# guy can play DE for the skins? :roll:

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:49 am

SAM is going to be a problem for us on defense this year, particularly in passing situations.

Since you and I seem to be aware of this, I would suspect, then, that a superior Defensive Coordinator (I believe Blache has demonstrated that he qualifies) is aware of this as well... which would explain his attempt to use a superior athlete (Orakpo) to address this.

As I have pointed out, this is very unlikely to harm his (Orakpo's) development as a DE, making the experience valuable for him as a developmental tool, even if it doesn't work. The worst that happens, is we end up still a little short on SAM's. The best is, we put a potential impact player in a position to make even more plays. I don't know... doesn't seem like a bad risk, to me.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:54 am

...and until he gets in the groove, you lean a safety his direction. Too easy IMO.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:28 am

Maybe its just me friends but I thought the FO/coaches handled our offseason pretty dag gone good. You guys ever catch Redskins Nation on CSN? I really enjoy seeing our guys busting their butts out there and in the weight room, especially some FAs and Rookies. Oh well, I guess he knows more about our Redskins than we do? :shock:

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:29 am

side note.. daaag, SI really hates the Skins huh????????

wonker · Post by **wonker** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:33 pm

[quote="PulpExposure"]

In addition, you have 2 veteran DEs who are really strong against the run...and not so good in the passrush. If you're trying to get your best players on the field, on obvious run downs, it makes sense to have Daniels in there, doesn't it?[/quote]

How does this justify having Orakpo learn two positions?

He could just as well be a DE only, and just not play him (read: play Daniels instead) during "run only" downs.

And what is an obvious run down? 4th and inches?

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:20 am

wonker wrote:
PulpExposure wrote:
In addition, you have 2 veteran DEs who are really strong against the run...and not so good in the passrush. If you're trying to get your best players on the field, on obvious run downs, it makes sense to have Daniels in there, doesn't it?

How does this justify having Orakpo learn two positions?

He could just as well be a DE only, and just not play him (read: play Daniels instead) during "run only" downs.

And what is an obvious run down? 4th and inches?

He is actually only learning one position... as has been pointed out. DE is among the simplest of positions in terms of assignments. He already has the bulk of the skill set required. Learning SLB will only make him better.

Beyond that, this is a very intelligent and highly disciplined young man... This won't cause him a bit of distress, and will, in fact, add to his repertoire of tools to pull from.

Fret if you must, but I can think of much better things for you to worry about... such as our O-line.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:00 am

I am not surprised to see justified or unjustified criticism againt the Skins. Let me explain before you jump in anger. :lol:

Some could argue that the Public Relations between the FO and the Media have not been great. We could argue that the Public Relations of our owner with other owners have not been the best. We could even argue that the Public Relations between the Organization and the fans have been arguably difficult at times. So this is fertile ground already.

The litany of criticisms and complains against us for wanting to purchase a championship over the years is as long as the lines to leave the parking lot of FedEx at the end of games during the regular season.

The switching of coaches and defensive and offensive schemes and the logical lack of adaptation to any one system by some of our players have been targeted for criticism too.

So, it DOES NOT MATTER what the Skins do or say. ANY speculation whether founded or unfounded seems to be plausible to assign blame and "explain" the failures of this team while not recognising ANY of its accomplishments.

THE TRUTH is that talk is cheap. Obviously anybody can write a destructive criticism of any organization or even a person. The only avenue available to get rid of those criticisms is GOOD PERFORMANCE on the field. The standings do not lie.

If the Redskins and we fans wish to put a stop to many of these stupid criticisms and speculations, all we have to do is win and support our team when the time comes. But I am not a blind homer. There is room for pointing at the reasons in depth why our progress is not what it should be. And fans are probably the best analysts of the team. and precisely in this context, the main concern I have has been already referred to:

Countertrey wrote:Fret if you must, but I can think of much better things for you to worry about... such as our O-line.

This is SO true!!!

If we do not have a good OL, there is no pass protection and no holes for our running game. If we do not have good pass protection, we know JC will not succeed. If JC has to rush his short passes, the WRs will not develop either and our offense becomes once again predictable and one-dimensional with CP.

THIS is the main concern. Let us hope that some of those tired legs can carry us at least one more season and get rid of the negative press that has become fashionable to write when there is nothing else to say or write about.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:34 am

I really don't care if there's bad press on the Redskins. They are my team and I will be sitting here whether they are 15-1 or 1-15. I will still have my same demeanor and my same optimism for the next year.

I will admit you have some good points, but all the negatives can be interpreted and reacted to in a multitude of ways. THAT is the difference.