Feeling Optimistic about the DL

[JDC]

After reading some recent articles about the DL I'm starting to feel a little more optimistic. Our projected starters (Griffin, Noble, Daniels and Wynn) all have one thing in common. They are all above average run stoppers. They are probably below average pass rushers. But if you can stop the run and then sub in Lavar and Upshaw at DE's in third and long situations, the line really isn't that bad. Depth is obviously a problem with Haley and Salave'a as decent interior backups and Upshaw as the only backup end I know anything about. Do we have any obscure prospects at DE that have some potential? I saw four young DE's on our roster (Warner, White, Wright, and Clemons) that are all 2nd or 3rd year players (so this is the first time they have ever really been coached). Maybe one of them will step up and get a sack Monday night and give us something to talk about on Tuesday.

[redskinz4ever]

i'm glad someone is !!!!! i'm still in that "OUR D-LINE SUCKS" mode, until proven other wise !! REDSKINZ4EVER !!!

[doctordrew]

Our D-line does not suck. The parity in the league is amazing nowadays, and we don't need big name D-lineman to have a solid run stopping line. We were trampled last year by Hambrick (a very sketchy runningback) and many other subpar runningbacks because of coaching. Every line has the potential to be big time. It all lies in the coaching. And we have a D-line coach who was a candidate for head coaching positions this year. I think we'll be better than expexted, but not spectacular. That's all we need with the linebacking corps we have. LaVar will finish the job.

[LALUVAH]

While I'd like to chalk up a lot of last year's overall suckiness to poor coaching, I know that at least some of the problems were due to a lack of talent, and frankly, I don't think the talent part has been significantly upgraded. We'll see what coaching does to these guys.

[redskinz4ever]

While I'd like to chalk up a lot of last year's overall suckiness to poor coaching, I know that at least some of the problems were due to a lack of talent, and frankly, I don't think the talent part has been significantly upgraded. We'll see what coaching does to these guys.

thank you thats is all i'm saying the last few years or D-LINE has not stopped anyone not only the running game they could not stop but NO Q.B. pressure and not many sacks to show for it !!! hopefully the coaching staff will light a fire in these guys and they will get after the Q.B. alot more !!!! REDSKINZ4EVER !!!!

[Deadskins]

It is my understanding that the difference in Gregg Williams approach to that of the previous D-coordinators, is that the linemen in the current scheme attack the holes, rather than tieing up O-linemen so that D-backs can make the play. In my mind this will have a much improved affect on our run stopping ability since we will be meeting the running back as he hits the hole, rather than when he is already three yards down the field.

[LALUVAH]

we will be meeting the running back as he hits the hole, rather than when he is already three yards down the field.

What makes you think that the defensive linemen, who we will now rely upon to make plays by attacking the gaps, will get the job done better than our linebackers, who by ALL accounts have been infinitely more talented, and who under previous devensive schemes were relied upon to make the plays? The thing is, when DLinemen attack gaps, they let the OLinemen get into space and hit the linebackers. If your line has talent, and makes tackles, the scheme works great. But if your line has inferior talent, and miss tackles, then you let a lot more big plays go because after that, your linebackers are being tied up by the OLinemen your DLinemen let go right before they missed the tackle. This is the conundrum our defense will face this year under an attacking style, and this is why so many people are worried. Marvin Lewis' scheme worked so well because he had our superior linebackers making plays for us, and he was disciplined enough to get them to perform their assignments well. While Gregg Williams defense is exciting, without good linemen, it may not fair too well.

[Redskins4Life]

Our D-Line still sucks guys. The only respectable starter is Griffin; Nobles coming off a big injury, Wynn's never been good in my eyes, and Daniels is very average. Our depth isnt very great either. I still cant believe we didnt draft a D-Linemen in round 5 or 6 in the draft. Dumb move that we will regret.

[Smithian]

Never know. Line might be good.

[Deadskins]

when DLinemen attack gaps, they let the OLinemen get into space and hit the linebackers.

I have to disagree. If the OLine doesn't try to pick up the Dline, then the DLine will be in the backfield unopposed. Anyway if there are no gaps open because there is a lineman in each one, that forces the RB to run latterally.

[Justice Hog]

Let's face it, when compared to the other DLs of the league, ours will be among the worst. I'm just hoping that our LBs step up to the plate...like I am expecting them to.

[LALUVAH]

when DLinemen attack gaps, they let the OLinemen get into space and hit the linebackers.

If the OLine doesn't try to pick up the Dline, then the DLine will be in the backfield unopposed. Anyway if there are no gaps open because there is a lineman in each one, that forces the RB to run latterally.

I see your point, but good OLinemen push lesser dfenders off the ball very quickly, and move out into the second line of defense IN FRONT of the RB. If what you're saying were true, then why doesn't everybody in the league use this type of defense? Why did Marvin Lewis employ a system where his lesser linemen held up the OLine and allow his superior LBs to make plays? Why did Lewis' successor try to do the same thing last year when the LBs were faulted for overrunning their plays, and missing their gaps? I'm all for playing to the strength of your defensive personnel, and the scheme Gregg Williams is implementing does not currently do that.

[Deadskins]

when DLinemen attack gaps, they let the OLinemen get into space and hit the linebackers.

If the OLine doesn't try to pick up the Dline, then the DLine will be in the backfield unopposed. Anyway if there are no gaps open because there is a lineman in each one, that forces the RB to run latterally.

I see your point, but good OLinemen push lesser dfenders off the ball very quickly, and move out into the second line of defense IN FRONT of the RB. If what you're saying were true, then why doesn't everybody in the league use this type of defense? Why did Marvin Lewis employ a system where his lesser linemen held up the OLine and allow his superior LBs to make plays? Why did Lewis' successor try to do the same thing last year when the LBs were faulted for overrunning their plays, and missing their gaps? I'm all for playing to the strength of your defensive personnel, and the scheme Gregg Williams is implementing does not currently do that.

It's really all about penetration. If the linemen can get penetration, it will disrupt the offense every time (pass or run). I'm not saying that we have the best D-line, or even a very good one, but scheme has very much to do with how effective it is. Marvin did use his scheme very effectively, but we also had Daryl Gardener (sp?) on the line, and he would also move LaVar to the D-end position on third down. Those two often got penetration, and as a result the defense was a top five unit. Gregg Williams has a history of having top five units, so I think it is safe to assume that he knows what he is doing, and will use the talent we do have to the best of their abilities.

[JansenFan]

when DLinemen attack gaps, they let the OLinemen get into space and hit the linebackers.

If the OLine doesn't try to pick up the Dline, then the DLine will be in the backfield unopposed. Anyway if there are no gaps open because there is a lineman in each one, that forces the RB to run latterally.

I see your point, but good OLinemen push lesser dfenders off the ball very quickly, and move out into the second line of defense IN FRONT of the RB. If what you're saying were true, then why doesn't everybody in the league use this type of defense? Why did Marvin Lewis employ a system where his lesser linemen held up the OLine and allow his superior LBs to make plays? Why did Lewis' successor try to do the same thing last year when the LBs were faulted for overrunning their plays, and missing their gaps? I'm all for playing to the strength of your defensive personnel, and the scheme Gregg Williams is implementing does not currently do that.

It's really all about penetration. If the linemen can get penetration, it will disrupt the offense every time (pass or run). I'm not saying that we have the best D-line, or even a very good one, but scheme has very much to do with how effective it is. Marvin did use his scheme very effectively, but we also had Daryl Gardener (sp?) on the line, and he would also move LaVar to the D-end position on third down. Those two often got penetration, and as a result the defense was a top five unit. Gregg Williams has a history of having top five units, so I think it is safe to assume that he knows what he is doing, and will use the talent we do have to the best of their abilities.

hmm hhmm....he said penetration.....hmm hmmm and units.....hmm hmmmm

Gregg Williams is no dummy. If he was, Joe Gibbs would not hae hired him. Much like Coach Gibbs, I think Coach Williams can adjust what he is doing to his players. He said in an interview on local tv, that he planned to be as aggressive as his personnel allowed.

[Deadskins]

It's always good if your unit can get penetration.