The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Most of us remember the dreadful 2006 season, a season full of poor tackling, blown coverage, half-hearted play, and a glaring weakness on defense. That weakness, among others, was our weakside linebacker position. Warrick Holdman was horrible, and a huge part of that defense that flat out stunk up the joint. Now, what Gregg Williams saw in him I have no clue. Rocky McIntosh was a enormous upgrade and was held out because he was a rookie. I fear this will be the situation with the Strong Safety position this year.

Reed Doughty is not a starting caliber safety in this league. Last year he teased us a little with above average play in the last four weeks, but that play was largely due to the emotions after losing his teammate and friend Sean Taylor. He is not a very physically gifted or talented player, but Doughty has heart. Unfortunately heart alone will never cut it in this league. I fear that Greg Blache isn't going to let the younger kids play until Doughty has been burned 20 times and the Redskins are stuck with a 2-7 record. I just hope one of these young safeties take over for Doughty before it's too late in the season. We already know what Reed can do so why keep him in the lineup? He doesn't deserve a starting spot. You have to let the best guys play and Reed just aint cuttin it.

These youngsters have shown enough flashes to get a chance and I really pray that either one of these guys (Horton, Moore) replace Doughty ASAP.

Zorn mentioned in a brief presser today that a couple of positions haven't been decided on yet. I wonder if SS is one of them.

For as bad as Doughty is in coverage, he has been pretty good around the line of scrimmage, and I think that's where he made his plays last year. Although his tackling was awful against the Panthers. He whiffed on an easy tackle and Williams ran for a long TD.

I'll say this, it will be a tough decision. I too hope Moore and Horton get coached up quickly.

SkinsFreak wrote:Zorn mentioned in a brief presser today that a couple of positions haven't been decided on yet. I wonder if SS is one of them.

For as bad as Doughty is in coverage, he has been pretty good around the line of scrimmage, and I think that's where he made his plays last year. Although his tackling was awful against the Panthers. He whiffed on an easy tackle and Williams ran for a long TD.

I'll say this, it will be a tough decision. I too hope Moore and Horton get coached up quickly.

I was going to say also Moore seemed to have the instincts...but we will see... I rather see every burgundy helmet swarming to the ball like magnets!!!

skinsrule84 wrote:Most of us remember the dreadful 2006 season, a season full of poor tackling, blown coverage, half-hearted play, and a glaring weakness on defense. That weakness, among others, was our weakside linebacker position. Warrick Holdman was horrible, and a huge part of that defense that flat out stunk up the joint. Now, what Gregg Williams saw in him I have no clue. Rocky McIntosh was a enormous upgrade and was held out because he was a rookie. I fear this will be the situation with the Strong Safety position this year.

Reed Doughty is not a starting caliber safety in this league. Last year he teased us a little with above average play in the last four weeks, but that play was largely due to the emotions after losing his teammate and friend Sean Taylor. He is not a very physically gifted or talented player, but Doughty has heart. Unfortunately heart alone will never cut it in this league. I fear that Greg Blache isn't going to let the younger kids play until Doughty has been burned 20 times and the Redskins are stuck with a 2-7 record. I just hope one of these young safeties take over for Doughty before it's too late in the season. We already know what Reed can do so why keep him in the lineup? He doesn't deserve a starting spot. You have to let the best guys play and Reed just aint cuttin it.

These youngsters have shown enough flashes to get a chance and I really pray that either one of these guys (Horton, Moore) replace Doughty ASAP.

Couldn't agree more. Moore IMO is a natural FS, while Horton is a SS to the bone. My personal preference would be Horton in Reed's spot with Moore backing up LL, and have #37 come off the bench in nickel packages. Either one of the rooks would be a step up from our current starter however.

I too am hoping Reed's tenure as a starter proves to be a stopgap until one of the rookies can adapt. That or that he wildly exceeds my low expectations for him.

I think Reed will be a package player.

I been of the belief that after the inspired play of the defense after Sean's death, they'd sharply fall back down to earth this season.

The acquisition of Jason Taylor IMHO will potentially keep this defense aloft. Much to the dismay of Jake , I've stated that Reed simply is not a starter.


I predict that IF Moore is able to progress greatly by midseason, that the coaches MAY play around with putting him at FS and moving Laron back to SS.

VetSkinsFan wrote:I think Reed will be a package player.

I hope you mean special teams, because to my knowledge there isn't any "We're up by 100. Get in there, Doughty." Package.

I really like Reed Doughty's character, his heart, his work ethic.
I also really wish his talent matched everything else he brings.
Unfortunately, it doesn't, and getting burned several times per game under the belief that Reed Doughty is still a work in progress isn't in anyone's best interests.

GSPODS wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:I think Reed will be a package player.

I hope you mean special teams, because to my knowledge there isn't any "We're up by 100. Get in there, Doughty." Package.

I really like Reed Doughty's character, his heart, his work ethic.
I also really wish his talent matched everything else he brings.
Unfortunately, it doesn't, and getting burned several times per game under the belief that Reed Doughty is still a work in progress isn't in anyone's best interests.

Reed is good on the line, he just can't cover. Blitz/obvious run plays, he can play SS. I'd say he's probably good depth to keep around as well. just keep him outa coverage.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I been of the belief that after the inspired play of the defense after Sean's death, they'd sharply fall back down to earth this season.

The acquisition of Jason Taylor IMHO will potentially keep this defense aloft. Much to the dismay of Jake , I've stated that Reed simply is not a starter.


I predict that IF Moore is able to progress greatly by midseason, that the coaches MAY play around with putting him at FS and moving Laron back to SS.

In the long-term, that may be what's best. Landry will be a good FS, but he could be a great SS and I think it's ideal to have someone else playing the outfielder role, so to speak.

Irn-Bru wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I been of the belief that after the inspired play of the defense after Sean's death, they'd sharply fall back down to earth this season.

The acquisition of Jason Taylor IMHO will potentially keep this defense aloft. Much to the dismay of Jake , I've stated that Reed simply is not a starter.


I predict that IF Moore is able to progress greatly by midseason, that the coaches MAY play around with putting him at FS and moving Laron back to SS.

In the long-term, that may be what's best. Landry will be a good FS, but he could be a great SS and I think it's ideal to have someone else playing the outfielder role, so to speak.

I still like Landry at FS. He'll strike more fear in the 2ndary than Moore will. Footsteps!!

Irn-Bru wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I been of the belief that after the inspired play of the defense after Sean's death, they'd sharply fall back down to earth this season.

The acquisition of Jason Taylor IMHO will potentially keep this defense aloft. Much to the dismay of Jake , I've stated that Reed simply is not a starter.


I predict that IF Moore is able to progress greatly by midseason, that the coaches MAY play around with putting him at FS and moving Laron back to SS.

In the long-term, that may be what's best. Landry will be a good FS, but he could be a great SS and I think it's ideal to have someone else playing the outfielder role, so to speak.

I see it the other way around. Good SS, great FS. His speed is wasted at SS. At FS, he can cover a lot of ground. His int's against Seattle gave us a glimpse of what he can do.

yupchagee wrote:I see it the other way around. Good SS, great FS. His speed is wasted at SS. At FS, he can cover a lot of ground. His int's against Seattle gave us a glimpse of what he can do.

I agree with you here. Plus, and I may be wrong, but it seems to me that there's a lot more value in a FS than a SS, since the FS serves a far more important role as the safety valve/centerfielder, whereas the SS plays more of a run-thumper role.

Irn-Bru wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I been of the belief that after the inspired play of the defense after Sean's death, they'd sharply fall back down to earth this season.

The acquisition of Jason Taylor IMHO will potentially keep this defense aloft. Much to the dismay of Jake , I've stated that Reed simply is not a starter.


I predict that IF Moore is able to progress greatly by midseason, that the coaches MAY play around with putting him at FS and moving Laron back to SS.

In the long-term, that may be what's best. Landry will be a good FS, but he could be a great SS and I think it's ideal to have someone else playing the outfielder role, so to speak.

I thought Landry played better at FS than SS last year.

This has been one of my concerns all summer - I`ve been waiting for some strong move to offer a real alternative to Doughty. All we got was a couple of late draft picks and Schweigert who has already been adiosèd. I can`t imagine what the coaches talked about on this one - no doubt they have been aware of the potential weakness - tbe lack of positive action could definitely hurt us and will be exploited!

I very well could be wrong but for now...

FS - Moore
SS - Landry

sounds a bit better to me than...

FS- Landry
SS- Reed

Now, if we have a young guy step up at the SS position then yeah, keep Landry out in centerfield.

However, Moore has shown glimpses of being a ball hawk and often tries to lay the wood.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I very well could be wrong but for now...

FS - Moore
SS - Landry

sounds a bit better to me than...

FS- Landry
SS- Reed

Now, if we have a young guy step up at the SS position then yeah, keep Landry out in centerfield.

However, Moore has shown glimpses of being a ball hawk and often tries to lay the wood.

Could also run
FS Landry
SS Horton

I wouldn't be surprised if they picked someone up after cuts have been made. Not sure if there will be any quality there, but you never know.

VetSkinsFan wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I very well could be wrong but for now...

FS - Moore
SS - Landry

sounds a bit better to me than...

FS- Landry
SS- Reed

Now, if we have a young guy step up at the SS position then yeah, keep Landry out in centerfield.

However, Moore has shown glimpses of being a ball hawk and often tries to lay the wood.

Could also run
FS Landry
SS Horton

How has Horton been playing?

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I very well could be wrong but for now...

FS - Moore
SS - Landry

sounds a bit better to me than...

FS- Landry
SS- Reed

Now, if we have a young guy step up at the SS position then yeah, keep Landry out in centerfield.

However, Moore has shown glimpses of being a ball hawk and often tries to lay the wood.

Could also run
FS Landry
SS Horton

How has Horton been playing?

Missed a few tackles last night, but was pretty good in stopping the run for the most part.

i would really like to see horton or moore turn into quality starting SS's. they are much faster and talented than doughty. o and they can tackle, apparently something doughty didnt learn how to do

Chris Luva Luva wrote:How has Horton been playing?

He's been one of the leading tacklers this preseason, even though he's rarely played more than a half in any game. Very nice in run support, but he does need to work on his coverages. I like him at SS at some point this year because he's bigger and has more speed than Doughty; he also seems to have a better nose for the ball.