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

So we already knew the Redskins had DeAngelo Hall [28] and Josh Wilson [27] coming back as the starting cornerbacks, but we've added a couple more guys into the fray and I wonder what their roles will be.

The team signed former Patriots and Bears safety Brandon Meriweather [28] who at his peak was a two time pro-bowler and former Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin [29]. I am not sure how the team plans to use them... but they do seem to have one thing in common:

TURNOVERS!

Cedric Griffin always had a reputation as a big, physical corner who was a great combination of size and speed. He also has forced at least 3 fumbles a year since 2008 (not counting 2010 when he was injured.) He's never been a big interception guy (not the true mark of a good defensive back) but he's got a few of those as well. The Vikings were toying with the idea of putting him in at safety and I think that's what the team may have in store for him.

Meriweather has a penchant for getting turnovers too. Both in intercepting the ball and in driving out forced fumbles.

Now, I've read reports saying that Meriweather is a guy who is best used as a centerfielder. Someone who can sit back and be a playmaker. That's what made him so successful in New England before he was cut. What if they plan to use both guys at safety? Griffin at strong, Meriweather at free? That's got to be a little more speed than usual in the defensive backfield. With Gomes and Doughty backing up... Barns as a possible nickelback (or maybe using Griffin in certain packages there) we'd also have a lot of depth.

I think these moves were made for a couple of reasons. To add speed to the defense, and to increase turnovers. Here's what the experts at Scouts Inc say:

Brandon Meriweather- 71 (Good Starter)

Meriweather has adequate size, strength and athleticism for the safety position. He is an instinctive player that reacts well to both the run and pass. He fills the alley as a run-support defender and can be a physical tackler in the open field. He has enough experience and intelligence to be used in different alignments in sub packages.

Cedric Griffin- 72 (Good Starter)

Griffin became a cap casualty in Minnesota but still possesses the overall athleticism, size and strength for a secondary defender. Griffin fills the alley well in run support and understands angles and how to maintain leverage defending both the run and pass. He can be physical in block protection and stays active to the pile. Griffin is a good player and very productive when healthy, but there are durability concerns moving forward with a neck and knee injury in his medical history.

Two physical defensive backs that are good tacklers and who play both the run and the pass well. I really wouldn't be surprised if these two guys ended up as our safety tandem... and were very productive. That's a lot of speed and coverage ability to have on the field.

Josh Wilson is an ok number 2 corner.
deangelo hall is one of the nfl's most overrated players. a bad #1 corner.
Cedric griffin was a part of a notorious weak Viking secondary.
merriweather was cut/not resigned the last places he's been. he's on his third team in seven months. a pass defending casualty..if u ever wanted to know what it would be like to start Chris Horton, you're going to find out.

the poster wrote:Josh Wilson is an ok number 2 corner.
deangelo hall is one of the nfl's most overrated players. a bad #1 corner.
Cedric griffin was a part of a notorious weak Viking secondary.
merriweather was cut/not resigned the last places he's been. he's on his third team in seven months. a pass defending casualty..if u ever wanted to know what it would be like to start Chris Horton, you're going to find out.

Just because you say things, it doesn't make them true. I think I'll listen to the experts. At least they're making well reasoned arguments.

deangelo hall is one of the nfl's most overrated players. a bad #1 corner.

I couldn't agree any more. He tries to jump every route way too hard.
Other than Josh Wilson I'm very nervous about our secondary.
Meriweather won't make the team.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Griffin play nickel and Barnes move to Safety.

not only will merriweather make the team but he will start....

since when do we have all these trolls on here?

gay4pacman wrote:not only will merriweather make the team but he will start....

since when do we have all these trolls on here?

Since we beat out the Browns for the 2nd pick in the draft.

Merriweather has excellent speed, and a generous portion of physicality. I suspect that he will be set up to play centerfield, with a lot of latitude to use his "gut". This was how ST was being used when he was comfortable with Williams' D. It gave him huge opportunities to make plays... and he took advantage.

OTOH, it is also how they initially tried to use LL after the loss of Taylor... It did not work out so well... he was often baited by skilled quarterbacks, took bad angles, and frequently ended up behind the play. It was clear that, despite his huge athleticism, LL is best used closer to the LOS.

Ultimately, if you are going to use someone in this way, they must have excellent football instincts... It is, essentially, high risk, high reward. It plays into Haslett's mindset. Does this fit Merriweather? It will be nothing, if not exciting...

Skinsfan55 wrote:

the poster wrote:Josh Wilson is an ok number 2 corner.
deangelo hall is one of the nfl's most overrated players. a bad #1 corner.
Cedric griffin was a part of a notorious weak Viking secondary.
merriweather was cut/not resigned the last places he's been. he's on his third team in seven months. a pass defending casualty..if u ever wanted to know what it would be like to start Chris Horton, you're going to find out.

Just because you say things, it doesn't make them true. I think I'll listen to the experts. At least they're making well reasoned arguments.

the redskins pretty much suck every year under Snyder. If I were u I would learn to just shut up, win something first then talk.

the poster wrote:the redskins pretty much suck every year under Snyder

Master of the obvious...

the poster wrote:If I were u I would learn to just shut up, win something first then talk.

Sure, posting the obvious is so much more value added. Imagine fans of a team talking about our plans to get better on a fan message board. What's up with that???

Best way to disappear trolls is to not give them what they want.

Countertrey wrote:Best way to disappear trolls is to not give them what they want.

That's good, cos this guy sounds like he wants something to suck on and I don't fancy that much...

the poser wrote:If I were u I would learn to just shut up, win something first then talk.

This coming from a fan of a team that has never won anything.

the poster wrote:

Skinsfan55 wrote:

the poster wrote:Josh Wilson is an ok number 2 corner.
deangelo hall is one of the nfl's most overrated players. a bad #1 corner.
Cedric griffin was a part of a notorious weak Viking secondary.
merriweather was cut/not resigned the last places he's been. he's on his third team in seven months. a pass defending casualty..if u ever wanted to know what it would be like to start Chris Horton, you're going to find out.

Just because you say things, it doesn't make them true. I think I'll listen to the experts. At least they're making well reasoned arguments.

the redskins pretty much suck every year under Snyder. If I were u I would learn to just shut up, win something first then talk.

if you were him, you"d know we've already got 3 SBs and 2 additional championships pre-sb era. you'd also know that snyder personally has 2 playoff wins under his belt. And if you were him, you'd have already informed us of your fandom, cause you wouldn't be ashamed of it.

In other words, if you were him, you wouldn't be you.

TROLLS SUCK
Every year it seems we again must deal with some idiot who has nothing better to do than sully other people's enjoyment of this FAN SITE ( A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE REDSKINS TO SHARE THEIR HOPES , THOUGHTS, AND CONCERNS)

Fortunately, this dispicable turd does this anonymously, or else someone might go to jail for assaulting its filthy mouth with a bar of soap.

HarleyHog wrote:TROLLS SUCK
Every year it seems we again must deal with some idiot who has nothing better to do than sully other people's enjoyment of this FAN SITE ( A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE REDSKINS TO SHARE THEIR HOPES , THOUGHTS, AND

oh, come on. that's too lame to have 100 people who look, think, act exactly the same. that's not a fan site. that's called a cult.

I've determined this place could be freshened up with realistic and different viewpoints. you're welcome.

the poser wrote:

HarleyHog wrote:TROLLS SUCK
Every year it seems we again must deal with some idiot who has nothing better to do than sully other people's enjoyment of this FAN SITE ( A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE REDSKINS TO SHARE THEIR HOPES , THOUGHTS, AND

oh, come on. that's too lame to have 100 people who look, think, act exactly the same. that's not a fan site. that's called a cult.

I've determined this place could be freshened up with realistic and different viewpoints. you're welcome.

Well, I guess that rules you out.

Irn-Bru wrote:

gay4pacman wrote:not only will merriweather make the team but he will start....

since when do we have all these trolls on here?

Since we beat out the Browns for the 2nd pick in the draft.

+1

my thought son "troll" is.....if it's a short snippet, maybe I'll read; if it's a long winded, whining and hate spewing commentary 5 paragraphs long: don't waste your time and mine.

OUR 2ndary will be just fine......wait and see.

Just because players played at a certain level, good or bad, for another team, is not necessarily 'proof' that they will play as well or as badly here

One thing for sure is that players here now understand that if they don't practice and play well here, they will not be here long

the secondary is a concern but it's just another group that is going to see a lot of competition for a few roster spots

I'm looking forward to seeing who makes the effort to be here and who gets let go

we are a franchise on the rise and we are seeing huge roster turnover each year as the dead weight is let go

gotta love the progress




but then again - I'm a VERY biased Redskins' fan

I am probably not accepting that this franchise is just so dysfunctional and has ZERO chance at success

Aaron Ross is off the board to Jacksonville... but everyone is saying they overpaid by quite a bit. We'll see.

tribeofjudah wrote:OUR 2ndary will be just fine......wait and see.

+1

Although I do have some doubts about DeAngelo being a bonefide #1, I still think we'll be better than last year.

Nothing is set in stone here yet - Hall could be a FS ...... just sayin

SkinsJock wrote:Nothing is set in stone here yet - Hall could be a FS ...... just sayin

I'm not sure how I would feel if they put Hall at FS. It could end up being a good thing but it could end up being a really, really bad one too