Redskins Preview
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:26 pm
Washington Redskins
All the pieces finally seem to be in place for Gibbs to take the Redskins deep into the playoffs, and their best offseason acquisition may not even be a player. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders is a terrific play caller with a creative offensive mind, and he will install a new scheme with three wide receivers and one running back. The personnel he will put on the field will be explosive.
For the past couple of seasons, the offensive line seemed to struggle in pass protection. The Redskins were forced to use a lot of max-protection schemes, featuring only one receiver. Those problems are less evident now and the receiving trio of Santana Moss and newly acquired free agents Brandon Lloyd (San Francisco) and Antwaan Randle El (Pittsburgh) can spread the field and give this offense and Brunell big-play capabilities.
The biggest benefactor may be RB Clinton Portis. He has great quickness and good vision, and now he can use his own run instincts to create seams and lanes versus a lot of soft nickel defenses -- although the patented Redskins' stretch play will still be their bread and butter.
Defensively, coordinator Gregg Williams loves the element of surprise and will change up his fronts, coverages and blitzes on a weekly basis. Although the Redskins are primarily a 4-3 defense, they will show some 3-4 fronts. Although they love to play man-to-man coverage behind their blitzes, we will see some Cover 1, Cover 2 and Cover 3 schemes in the secondary.
Arrington is gone, but Washington has two new impact players on defense who will give them great versatility. DE Andre Carter (San Francisco) can line up on the edge in the 4-3 defense and can move to OLB in the 3-4 front. In both schemes he can be a terrific pass rusher.
Strong safety Adam Archuleta is a great hitter and will form one of the best safety duos in the NFL with FS Sean Taylor. Because of Archuleta's toughness, look for him to play close to the line of scrimmage, which leaves Taylor to cover the middle of the field in either a "man free" or Cover 3 scheme. Taylor has the range to get it done. This will be a one-gap, penetrating defense with a lot of interchangeable parts.
The Redskins have the most experienced coaching staff in the NFL. In addition to being good strategists, they are also excellent teachers. They retained 18 starters from a year ago and two of their new starters -- Archuleta and TE Christian Fauria -- are actually upgrades. The schedule is favorable, with most of the tough nonconference games at home, and remember that these Redskins posted a 5-1 record in the division in 2005. If Brunell stays healthy, Washington is a Super Bowl contender.
All the pieces finally seem to be in place for Gibbs to take the Redskins deep into the playoffs, and their best offseason acquisition may not even be a player. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders is a terrific play caller with a creative offensive mind, and he will install a new scheme with three wide receivers and one running back. The personnel he will put on the field will be explosive.
For the past couple of seasons, the offensive line seemed to struggle in pass protection. The Redskins were forced to use a lot of max-protection schemes, featuring only one receiver. Those problems are less evident now and the receiving trio of Santana Moss and newly acquired free agents Brandon Lloyd (San Francisco) and Antwaan Randle El (Pittsburgh) can spread the field and give this offense and Brunell big-play capabilities.
The biggest benefactor may be RB Clinton Portis. He has great quickness and good vision, and now he can use his own run instincts to create seams and lanes versus a lot of soft nickel defenses -- although the patented Redskins' stretch play will still be their bread and butter.
Defensively, coordinator Gregg Williams loves the element of surprise and will change up his fronts, coverages and blitzes on a weekly basis. Although the Redskins are primarily a 4-3 defense, they will show some 3-4 fronts. Although they love to play man-to-man coverage behind their blitzes, we will see some Cover 1, Cover 2 and Cover 3 schemes in the secondary.
Arrington is gone, but Washington has two new impact players on defense who will give them great versatility. DE Andre Carter (San Francisco) can line up on the edge in the 4-3 defense and can move to OLB in the 3-4 front. In both schemes he can be a terrific pass rusher.
Strong safety Adam Archuleta is a great hitter and will form one of the best safety duos in the NFL with FS Sean Taylor. Because of Archuleta's toughness, look for him to play close to the line of scrimmage, which leaves Taylor to cover the middle of the field in either a "man free" or Cover 3 scheme. Taylor has the range to get it done. This will be a one-gap, penetrating defense with a lot of interchangeable parts.
The Redskins have the most experienced coaching staff in the NFL. In addition to being good strategists, they are also excellent teachers. They retained 18 starters from a year ago and two of their new starters -- Archuleta and TE Christian Fauria -- are actually upgrades. The schedule is favorable, with most of the tough nonconference games at home, and remember that these Redskins posted a 5-1 record in the division in 2005. If Brunell stays healthy, Washington is a Super Bowl contender.
ey will in a 1 TE set.