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

The Washington Redskins have claimed linebacker Thaddeus Gibson off waivers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Gibson, a second-year player out of Ohio State, had been cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Three teams - Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh - put in claims for him, but Washington ranked highest on the waiver priority list by virtue of having the worst record of the three last season.

It was not immediately clear which player Washington cut to make room for Gibson, who spent time with San Francisco and Pittsburgh last year, appearing in two games and recorded three tackles.

PFT has confirmed that the Steelers, Bears, and Redskins made claims for Gibson. (The transaction, as best we can tell, was first reported by Scout.com.) Since the Redskins had the worst 2010 record of the three teams, the Redskins secured his contract.

Quick-twitch athlete with above-average top-end speed and ability to play in space. Possesses a lean but favorable frame to add bulk and get stronger with a few years of development in the weight room.

Converted defensive end that projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Possesses experience and versatility to put hand in the dirt in pass rushing situations. Also experienced and effective special teams player that should thrive in this facet of the game at the next level.

Shows good overall instincts. Finds and reacts to the ball quickly. Shows ability to recognize play action and get to drop zone in a timely manner. Flashes ability to sniff out screens and draws and fall back into play. Can be overaggressive closing down the line of scrimmage from the backside which leads to him giving up the edge against misdirection on occasion.

Not yet developed as a pass rusher but has upper echelon potential. Hovering near the elite level in terms of first step quickness and closing. However, he has too much wasted movement from initial launch point in route to quarterback and needs to eliminate wasted steps in order to maximize these skills. Also struggles to counter once reached. Needs to develop more effective pass rush moves and in order to do so is going to have get stronger in his upper body. For a hybrid DE/OLB very quick feet, fluid hips and more experienced than most of his variety dropping into coverage.

The Steelers actually were pretty happy with Gibson's play, but felt that they could run the risk of letting Gibson go because of the development of Worilds.

"Linebacker is our deepest position and (Gibson) is the low man on the totem pole, so we had to make that necessary move," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said on Saturday. "We were thin at defensive line. It's just one of the casualties of this profession."

The Washington Redskins have claimed linebacker Thaddeus Gibson off waivers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Gibson, a second-year player out of Ohio State, had been cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Three teams - Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh - put in claims for him, but Washington ranked highest on the waiver priority list by virtue of having the worst record of the three last season.

It was not immediately clear which player Washington cut to make room for Gibson, who spent time with San Francisco and Pittsburgh last year, appearing in two games and recorded three tackles

andyjens89 wrote:Scooped ya by 1 minute

Read & React: Very quick to react and close on plays directly in front of him. Inconsistent facing play-action and misdirection and lacks explosiveness as a playmaker. Does not recognize routes in zone coverage and needs better backfield awareness.

Run defense: Extremely fluid in the open field. Breaks down and changes direction well. Gets skinny to penetrate gaps to attack runs. Stays home to contain, maintains leverage to make a quick get-off on plays run to his side. Finds it difficult to shed tight ends at the nine-technique despite his strength and length, will get walked off the line of scrimmage by tackles. Has the speed to be all over the field, but does not chase plays across the field or downfield to be the second or third guy to the ball.

Pass defense: Usually gets deep in his drop, has excellent knee-bend and fluidity moving back into his zone. Good enough speed and agility to stay with receivers and running backs in the flat when he needs to play man at the next level. Even when he's too shallow in his drop, he can wrap up ballcarriers after the catch using his length. Has not gotten his hands on many passes by either affecting passing lanes during his pass rush or when dropped into coverage.

Tackling: Stacks and sheds linemen, can rip off blocks on the edge when the play is run outside the tackles but struggles to win the battle is the run is in his gap. Very effective as a chase tackler when he puts in the effort because of his strength, arm length and closing speed. Does not always attack the ball when in the area, though, seeming to hesitate instead of instinctually exploding to the play.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Good closing speed to the quarterback. Uses his lateral quickness to set up inside rush against lesser tackles after going around the pocket a few times, although he doesn't turn the corner as quickly as you would think when lined up with his hand on the ground. Sometimes lets up instead of taking the quarterback to the ground after the throw. Defeats cut block with his hands, recovers quickly to chase down ballcarriers or attack the quarterback. Should be much more productive than he is, but he gets lost inside too often instead of using his speed on the edge if quarterback can not find his primary target.

Intangibles: Left school early to help pay for family medical expenses, and is scheduled to graduate in June. Will have to answer coaches' questions about his desire and ability to pick up NFL defenses (and diagnose complex pro offenses).

Since the Redskins had the worst 2010 record of the three teams, the Redskins secured his contract.

langleyparkjoe wrote:I don't like anyone named "Thaddeus".. just sounds... like... too proper.

langleyparkjoe wrote:I don't like anyone named "Thaddeus".. just sounds... like... too proper.

Red_One43 wrote:

langleyparkjoe wrote:I don't like anyone named "Thaddeus".. just sounds... like... too proper.

C'mon, LPJ, we needed someone to compliment Horatio.

Red_One43 wrote:

langleyparkjoe wrote:I don't like anyone named "Thaddeus".. just sounds... like... too proper.

C'mon, LPJ, we needed someone to compliment Horatio.