Mid-Season Grades: Defense

[hail2skins]

That's right, it's that time of year where you grade the Skins. We'll provide threads for Offense, Defense, Special Teams and Coaching. You provide the grades. The polls will be public.

[Sweepea436]

Went with a B. They've kept us in every game.

[akhhorus]

The pass rush is still a concern, but Blache almost deserves a B+ with the decisions to play Horton full time and Rogers as a man press on the opponents' top WR. This defense is always well prepared to face their opponents also.

[BurgundyNGold]

I gave the defense a B. They've kept the score down to a point where every game has been winnable. There has really only been a couple of bad lapses (the first half against the Gints and the last drive against the Rams). Aside from that, the defense has played very well. Good tackling, excellent angles, tight secondary coverage and swarming to the ball. The best part? They actually game plan each week for the specific opponent. That's *huge*.

The only reason I cannot give this defense an A is because they still are not generating turnovers and pressure on the QB is still lacking. These need to get fixed for this defense to get to the next level.

[Patrick]

B++++
The only thing that is stopping this team from being outstanding is the lack of a pass rush.

[Biggie]

B, because of the pass rush, as has been said. Otherwise, they've been superb.

[BurgundyNGold]

B++++
The only thing that is stopping this team from being outstanding is the lack of a pass rush.
And the lack of turnovers. If we generated 2 turnovers a game, we could probably create a 10 point swing in points to our advantage. Against the Browns and the Lions, we might be able to get away with 0 combined turnovers, but probably not against the Steelers and Dallass, who are next on the schedule.

[Keino]

I give the Defense a "B+" which is still a "B".

I am concerned by the lack of pass rush and the slow starts in the 3rd quarter. I am also concerned about the apparent let-up after we score on offense. Still, our younger players are playing well (HB Blades, Horton, Rogers) and our vets are providing either stellar play (Fletcher, Corny) or leadership (Fletcher, Taylor).

Our DBs, while improving on their play making ability need to finish those plays off. Jumping routes is awesome, but coming up with the ball is awesomer. Still, credit this defense with shutting down some potent offenses.

[BSMKF]

A+ IMO...The D has had to play 5 of the top 6 offenses this year and our D is still Ranked in the top 10.

That's phenomenal IMO.

[RoanokeSkin]

I went with a very solid B. The defense it was has kept us in most games and has shut down most of the leagues best scoring offenses. London Fletcher gets a perfect 100 if grading individually.

In my mind, an "A" defense would generate more of a pass rush and catch interceptions that hit you in the hands (and yes, I'm looking at you Carlos).

[Meatsnack]

This defense is a soid "A" in my mind. The pass rush issue is a nonstarter for me because of Blache's idiosyncratic line play demands. Blache demands his guys rush in their lanes and get pressure without surrenduring gap control. That is why Jason Taylor hasn't been as explosive as he was in Miami where he was largely free to freelance and let Zach Thomas cover his mistakes. Dexter Manley couldn't have played for Greg Blache but Phillip Daniels, who overpowers people and rushes straight through his gap, is a favorite of the old line coach. It is why no one has a good day rushing against us (the vagiants game notwithstanding). If Blache wanted to accumulate sacks at the expense of the coherence of his scheme, I am sure he could manufacture sacks by allowing his guys to pin them back and go. If we ever get enough of a lead to allow this, we'll find out how far from reality I am.

Also, Blache's defense doesn't seem to miss much when players go down. He plugs guys in with consistently pretty good results. The defensive backfield is playing as well as any group in football and when fully healthy is the very devil to get anything on. We are a stud SAM from having a back 7 to hang your hat on. If we can get a difference maker at DT next year either by paying Albert Haynesworth or drafting a stud at the position, this defense should be a top 10 fixture with threats for the top 5 pretty regularly.

All in all, when factoring in the level of competition and the points surrendured, a solid "A".

[BurgundyNGold]

A+ IMO...The D has had to play 5 of the top 6 offenses this year and our D is still Ranked in the top 10.

That's phenomenal IMO.
In both yards allowed per game (6) and points allowed per game (8). :awesomewo

The only real weaknesses that need to be corrected is that we're ranked near the bottom in turnovers forced (26T) and sacks (28T).

[InsomniaKiller]

My first instinct was "B" because we're not getting the pass rush. But screw it. We're stopping other teams and that's the point. It doesn't matter how we do it. Forcing a punt is forcing a punt. A three-and-out is a three-and-out. They're doing their job as good as we've seen here since 2004. We were an "A" then and we're an "A" now.

[Skinz4lyfe]

When you play the Cowboys, Cardinals, Saints, and Eagles (w/Westbrook) and still rank in the top 10 you deserve some recognition. I say "A-" only because I'd like to see more forced turnovers. Fletcher and Rogers are playing at a pro-bowl level. We've been missing Jason Taylor and Shawn Springs as well. Taylor clearly isn't himself. But when you have guys like Rocky and Horton step up the way they have been, it definitely takes some of the sting away. Hopefully the bye week can get some of these guys healthy and ready for the stretch run.

[flave1969]

I give the Defense a "B+" which is still a "B".

I am concerned by the lack of pass rush and the slow starts in the 3rd quarter. I am also concerned about the apparent let-up after we score on offense. Still, our younger players are playing well (HB Blades, Horton, Rogers) and our vets are providing either stellar play (Fletcher, Corny) or leadership (Fletcher, Taylor).

Our DBs, while improving on their play making ability need to finish those plays off. Jumping routes is awesome, but coming up with the ball is awesomer. Still, credit this defense with shutting down some potent offenses.

Sean sums it up perfectly for me. We seem to be very well prepared each week and you sense there is no ego attached to the way Blache coaches.

[jaylen]

I give them an A because they've given us a chance to win every week. They keep scores down and get off the field on 3rd down. yes we lack pass rush and don't generate to's but we're not getting beaten in ridiculous ways like we would occasionally last season with Williams.

[NamVet4]

"Solid B" - with the caveat that this unit needs to step it up for the 2nd half. Hopefully injuries will abate and we will have healthy players!
Pass rush is still a questionable area with room for improvement.

[Ibleedburgundy]

B IMO. Very close to an A. The thing that gives me pause is the late game drives against the Rams, Cowboys, and Browns. You hate to see them change the strategy that's been working and still give up the yards. Maybe a better pass rush makes this more effective.

Just fels like opposing QBs are getting too much time. Yet somehow they really haven't made us pay.

[smoak]

I feel like it is B+/A- but I went A b/c we've gone up against some of the best offenses in the league (statistically speaking) and punched them in the mouth. With a pass rush (not sure what that is anymore) and the resulting lift in turnovers, it would be an A+

[skinsfan36]

B+ for rogers taking next step,horton playing so weel so fast. shutting down awesome recievers with little pass rush. if we had like 4 more sacks and could catch picks it would easily be an A

[JRudy]

B

I couldnt decide between "B" or an "A". Lack of a pass rush decided it for me though.

[LATrueRedskin]

The pass rush is still a concern, but Blache almost deserves a B+ with the decisions to play Horton full time and Rogers as a man press on the opponents' top WR. This defense is always well prepared to face their opponents also.

I said a B, and with pretty much the same thinking. I think we're better prepared to play an opposing offense, and guys are stepping in to fill roles (i.e. Smoot, Horton, Evans, Blades, Mike Green). We're still lacking in pass rush and turnovers for what seems to be an eternity, and that's keeping us from being great.

[shally]

A-

only the failure inthe last drive against the Rams and the lackluster effort against the giants mar a great effort this year

really, all we lack is any kind of pass rush

[ARParr]

B is my vote, and would have been B+ if available.

My two concerns have been, just like everyone else, the lack of pass rush/sacks, and the lack of forced turnovers.

The one very notable exception here is Chris Horton, who has been playing like a man possessed. Incredible.

London Fletcher has also been a monster.

[SkinsFan73]

i think the D has been pretty solid this year. Even with injuries they seem to keep it under control for us.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

I voted B....and thats a B+. I love the quick adjusts we seem to be able to make, not to mention how guys have filled in admirably in relief of our starters. They have kept us in every game and have a great way of making the opponents QB look bad. Just looking at the stats of the QBs we've faced before and after we've played them has been like night and day (in most cases).

EDIT: Decided to post links for those who wanted to check out the stats themselves.

Eli Manning (http://www.nfl.com/players/elimanning/gamelogs?id=MAN473170)
Drew Brees (http://www.nfl.com/players/drewbrees/gamelogs?id=BRE229498)
Kurt Warner (http://www.nfl.com/players/kurtwarner/gamelogs?id=WAR492511)
Tony Romo (http://www.nfl.com/players/tonyromo/gamelogs?id=ROM787981)
Donovan McNabb (http://www.nfl.com/players/donovanmcnabb/gamelogs?id=MCN017517)
Marc Bulger (http://www.nfl.com/players/marcbulger/gamelogs?id=BUL162264)
Derek Anderson (http://www.nfl.com/players/derekanderson/gamelogs?id=AND180512)
Dan Orvlovsky (http://www.nfl.com/players/danorlovsky/gamelogs?id=ORL645634)

[silverspring]

I give them an A-. We still need more sacks and turnovers but overall this defense is performing very well.

[BurgundyAndGold]

I gave the defense a B. They've kept the score down to a point where every game has been winnable. There has really only been a couple of bad lapses (the first half against the Gints and the last drive against the Rams). Aside from that, the defense has played very well. Good tackling, excellent angles, tight secondary coverage and swarming to the ball. The best part? They actually game plan each week for the specific opponent. That's *huge*.

The only reason I cannot give this defense an A is because they still are not generating turnovers and pressure on the QB is still lacking. These need to get fixed for this defense to get to the next level.

These are the exact reasons I voted "B" too.

[hail2skins]

I gave the defense a B because of the lack of pressure being applied to the QB and the lack of turnovers being generated. Now, they have kept us in games but for the 2nd half of the season, we'll need to get more of both to be successful.

[ChiefPowhatan17]

I gave a B, for the fact that we are good, but we are the classic bend don't break Defense. As long as we stay healthy and get some pass rush to take the pressure of the secondary they will be fine. Chris Horton has been great, we missed him last week.

[nicefellow31]

I gave the D a "B". The lack of pass rush is a major concern, but it doesn't seem to hurt us so far. With games coming up against Big Ben, Romo (maybe), Eli, and McNabb, I think that is an area that needs to be improved.