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

Cornerbacks (6): Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Greg Toler, Quinton Dunbar, Dashaun Phillips, Kendall Fuller

Analysis: The Redskins’ cornerbacks group looks drastically different than it did during final cuts last year, as Norman, Toler and Fuller all joined the team in the offseason while Phillips was a late pickup last season. Breeland also served a one-game suspension during the opening week and Dunbar started out on the practice squad. But with a headline duo of Norman and Breeland, this group has quickly become a strength for the Redskins. “He’s already considered the No. 1 corner in the league. Me, I’m competing to push for that spot,” Breeland said of Norman. “It’s only bettering us. You got a No. 1 guy and a guy that pushing forward, so it’s only going to make us better. Fuller and Phillips, meanwhile, engaged in a heated battle for first-team nickel cornerback reps throughout training camp and the preseason. “Every game, every practice, I’m kind of getting my old habits back, learning something new,” Fuller said. “Like I said, just getting those old habits back and starting to get more consistent.” Dunbar enters the year with a full offseason of work at cornerback under his belt, a luxury he didn’t have after making the switch from wide receiver as a rookie.

Safeties (5): DeAngelo Hall, David Bruton Jr., Duke Ihenacho, Will Blackmon, Deshazor Everett

Analysis: The Redskins will carry five safeties into the regular season after Everett showed that he deserved a spot on the 53-man roster due to his high energy play in the preseason. While he may not see the field much on defense, Everett could make some noise on special teams. “I have a standard. I at least want to make two tackles in a game and if you can make two tackles on special teams you’re doing something that day,” Everett said. “If I can get more that day than obviously I’m doing better than I was last year. Last year I was ‘Let me make a tackle this game.’ I always want to challenge myself to do better.” As for the other four veterans, Bruton Jr. was acquired in the offseason to be an “every-down player” in Washington while Hall and Blackmon have made the switch from cornerback to safety in the off season. Ihenacho is coming off back-to-back seasons on Injured Reserve, but is hoping to provide quality depth this year.

Burgundy&GoldForever wrote:Without a pass rush it won't matter who is in the secondary.

DarthMonk wrote:

Burgundy&GoldForever wrote:Without a pass rush it won't matter who is in the secondary.

Not exactly but I think most of us are in agreement that good pass rush can make an average secondary look good and a good secondary can make an average pass rush look better but not as much as the other way around.

Given the same pass rush I'd certainly want the best cover guys I could get.

I've seen good coverage make a QB pull it down resulting in a sack/saftey/touchdown more than once.

I wish I could find video but I was at a game 12-14-1992 at RFK. We trailed Dallas 17-14 and had 4th and 1 at their 2, tried a pass, and failed. They ran for 3 yards on first down. I was right behind Aikman in the endzone in a little section with a corrugated steel wall. I was kicking it with my steel-toed boots and the stadium was as loud as I've ever heard it. On 2nd and 7 from their 5 Aikman tried a quick in to Irvin. Aikman was about to throw but saw Darrell Green jump the pattern. He stopped his motion. Then the rush got there. Jason Buck sacked Aikman who fumbled. We sored a TD and won.

Just felt like telling the story.

Burgundy&GoldForever wrote:Without a pass rush it won't matter who is in the secondary.