Expectations for Haynesworth and the defense

[smittyskin]

I know that the man just arrived in Ashburn but I wanted to get peoples opinion on what we as fans expect from Albert and the defense. I, like many others, am very nervous about the size of the contract and Albert being able to deliver. So naturally, what do we as fans expect from someone who makes over $100 million? I think it is important for us the fans to establish our expectations now and demand some answers if they are not met. I am not devastated or disgusted by the signing and/or contract but we better see some results.

Personally, if we do not have a defense that takes over games (like Pitt last year) I will be very disappointed. I am not a big numbers guy but I also think that if our sack and turnover totals do not improve significantly, we should be disappointed.

[GreenspanDan]

well if he's as good as taylor, we should expect what, 1.5 sacks?

[hogs86]

A pass rush means turnovers. I think he makes everyone better. Carter and Taylor should be very happy.

[RedskinsDave]

7 Super Bowls in a row. Too high?

[LATrueRedskin]

well if he's as good as taylor, we should expect what, 1.5 sacks?

I think you'll see a lot more production from Jason Taylor. A lot more. I'm glad we're hanging on to him.

[akhhorus]

Its hard to quantify expectations from a player who's contributions will be less tangible than a single stat. If we see the Dline get a consistent and strong push with Haynesworth, to the point of it being a strength, then he's accomplished his job.

[ClubSandwichGuy]

I don't think we'll be as good as Pitt, but we better get more sacks and more interceptions.

[RedskinsDave]

Its hard to quantify expectations from a player who's contributions will be less tangible than a single stat. If we see the Dline get a consistent and strong push with Haynesworth, to the point of it being a strength, then he's accomplished his job.

I agree. His money aside, if there are no games like Baltimore last year where the other team runs the ball 11 straight times, I think he's been an asset. I also think having him in there frees up the ends more so even if he gets fewer sacks, they still might get more.

[SWFlaSkinsFan]

Come to Training Camp in shape, and with a no BS attitude. Solidify the interior of the D-Line and occupy the blockers that teams will try and throw his way. Keep blockers off of Fletcher. Generate enough push up the middle to force QB's to stay where our DE's can get them. Eat any opposing ball carriers that dare to come up the middle. Be a consistent force.

Other than that, not much, considering what we're paying him.

[dj_stouty]

Its hard to quantify expectations from a player who's contributions will be less tangible than a single stat. If we see the Dline get a consistent and strong push with Haynesworth, to the point of it being a strength, then he's accomplished his job.

I agree. A Dominant DT can minimize the run, collapse the pocket and allow DEs to make him scramble, and take on double and triple teams to let him those around him propel their game.

I'm not necessarily looking for another 8 sacks from the guy. I'd rather see the entire defense getting more sacks, hurries, turnovers and win the field position battle. A Monster like Haynesworth can get that done.

[bergiemoore]

It really depends on how Blache uses him. The Titans were pretty creative with how they moved him around, sometimes bringing him from the edge or running stunts. He's actually pretty quick for a big man. I'm guessing that Blache will remain conservative. Even then, however, I expect him to be a disruptive force that allows for more sacks from the DLine and blitzing LBs, as well as more QB pressures and hits that will lead to more INTs. Teams will try and run away from him in an effort to exploit the DEs, so I expect his tackles to decrease.

[akhhorus]

I agree. His money aside, if there are no games like Baltimore last year where the other team runs the ball 11 straight times, I think he's been an asset. I also think having him in there frees up the ends more so even if he gets fewer sacks, they still might get more.

Agreed. I think that if people are looking for something to quantify Haynesworth's impact, look at how many blockers teams commit to stopping him. Last year, I never saw him not get at least double teamed, and a lot of times teams had 3-4 blockers assigned to him. That alone would be a quantifiable impact for me.

[akhhorus]

I agree. A Dominant DT can minimize the run, collapse the pocket and allow DEs to make him scramble, and take on double and triple teams to let him those around him propel their game.

I'm not necessarily looking for another 8 sacks from the guy. I'd rather see the entire defense getting more sacks, hurries, turnovers and win the field position battle. A Monster like Haynesworth can get that done.

Yeah, ESPN did some analysis of him last year after they played the Colts and pointed out while he didn't get a sack, he forced Peyton into 10 rushed throws and hit him a number of times.

[BurgundyNGold]

Its hard to quantify expectations from a player who's contributions will be less tangible than a single stat. If we see the Dline get a consistent and strong push with Haynesworth, to the point of it being a strength, then he's accomplished his job.
+1

Sacks from a DT are great but consistent disruption is more important and making the big play when it matters is vital.

[colkurtz]

I want to see a natural pass rush with 4 players. Pressure on the QB with no blitz. Sacking the QB, collapsing the pocket, creating turnovers.

We haven't had that here since the Gibbs I days - Charles Mann; and the first year that Bruce Smith was here.

I want to see QB who are afraid to come to Fedex because of the nasty pass rush that they will see.

[Redskinmayhem]

honestly, the size of the contract really skews what our expectations should be. If we had signed a premeir DT at say....6/60 it would have been a steal and we would expect to remain the same in overall D, Carter/Taylor to get at least 2-4 more sacks a piece and the TO ratio should jump by at least +5 when all is said and done. Based on the Salary though, how can we not expect this guy to AT LEAST play like Daryl Gardener? that would be the bare minimum. But such is the NFL today. I like AH but like everyone else, the contract is hard to swallow.

[BIGREDSKINSFAN1963]

i expect at least 20-25 turnovers and just as many picks next year.
i hope they teacher carlos rogers how to catch a pass thrown right to him in TC too!

[warpaint]

I know that the man just arrived in Ashburn but I wanted to get peoples opinion on what we as fans expect from Albert and the defense. I, like many others, am very nervous about the size of the contract and Albert being able to deliver. So naturally, what do we as fans expect from someone who makes over $100 million? I think it is important for us the fans to establish our expectations now and demand some answers if they are not met. I am not devastated or disgusted by the signing and/or contract but we better see some results.

Personally, if we do not have a defense that takes over games (like Pitt last year) I will be very disappointed. I am not a big numbers guy but I also think that if our sack and turnover totals do not improve significantly, we should be disappointed.

the redskins have broken my heart so many times past 20 years ,at the point now where i dont expect anything, its not my $ so not concerned about the contract. if our expectations were tied into the 100 million dollar salary,then we would expect a super bowl every year and thats not going to happen, at best i hope he plays as well in the future as he has in the past.

[Battle Cat]

the redskins have broken my heart so many times past 20 years ,at the point now where i dont expect anything, its not my $ so not concerned about the contract. if our expectations were tied into the 100 million dollar salary,then we would expect a super bowl every year and thats not going to happen, at best i hope he plays as well in the future as he has in the past.
Don't try to dash our hopes with reality Warpaint. We are Redskins fans during the free agency period. This is usually our highlight of the year.

I too just hope he has the same drive to stay on top that it took him to get there and that he plays up to the level he has the last 2 years.

[3Taylor6]

I want to see him play hard every single game, cause in the end he will be making about 20k for every snap he plays(prob more). Any one know how incentive laden this contract is?

[native skin]

I want to see him play hard every single game, cause in the end he will be making about 20k for every snap he plays(prob more). Any one know how incentive laden this contract is?

I think he gets 75% of his guaranteed money in the first year and a half, or somewhere around that. I'd like to see how Dan is swinging that. Does anyone know what the numbers are, how it will count against the cap?

[wide_awake]

Don't try to dash our hopes with reality Warpaint. We are Redskins fans during the free agency period. This is usually our highlight of the year.



The only positive I see in all of this is how nasty our defense is going to be in Madden.

[VegasSkinsFan]

The only positive I see in all of this is how nasty our defense is going to be in Madden.

I think it might be nasty on sundays also. Our Dline has NO excuses, our secondary is set and young...only ? is the lb and i think that will be taken care of. On the other hand, it can all blow up in VC/DS's face. Either way, we have been complaining about not having a pocket collapsing DT, and now we have the best. GO SKINS !!!!!

[Patrick]

None right now ........... make it to the regular season without issues then I'll answer.

[hail2skins]

Let's get this straight. He won't see all of the $100+ million. Chances are he'll get a little over 50% of that.

As for expectations, it's hard to say right now. Will there be other changes with the defense? I'm with Akh and DJ on this one. He doesn't have to be sack master but he has to be disruptive to the opposing team's offensive line. He'll occupy two or three of the olinemen freeing up the ends to do their work. I also agree with it's based on how Blache utlizes him.

I think it's unfair for us to sit here and say he has to get so many sacks and cause so many turnovers.

[BIGREDSKINSFAN1963]

i'll have to say that most of the signings in the gibbs era other than archuletta have worked out a lot better than the earlier ones in the norv era did.

[BSMKF]

Complete and utter domination, total destruction of offenses, O-Linemen trembling with fear, QBs running for their lives, the Redskins going 19-0 and the team hoisting the Super Bowl trophy while A. Haynesworth makes it rain with 100 Dollar bills.


WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! I'M READY FOR THE SEASON.

[silverspring]

It gives blache flexibility. I think he was forced into his containment scheme. Last year our personnel just couldn't get a push in the middle, no one demanded a double team and all we could do is protect the line of scrimmage not attack it, unless of course we wanted to give up on the run and the option. With haynesworth, blache can do whatever he wants. He can attack the quarterback and stop the run.

As everyone else said, the best way to measure his affect is by measuring the defense as a whole. Does the # of sacks and turnovers increase? Are drives shorter on average? Do we see more tackles for a loss? More 3rd and longs, etc...

[ClubSandwichGuy]

It gives blache flexibility. I think he was forced into his containment scheme. Last year our personnel just couldn't get a push in the middle, no one demanded a double team and all we could do is protect the line of scrimmage not attack it, unless of course we wanted to give up on the run and the option. With haynesworth, blache can do whatever he wants. He can attack the quarterback and stop the run.

As everyone else said, the best way to measure his affect is by measuring the defense as a whole. Does the # of sacks and turnovers increase? Are drives shorter on average? Do we see more tackles for a loss? More 3rd and longs, etc...
This is what I'm worried about. Greg Blache. If we really want to be an elite defense, we need to get creative.

So I hope you are right, and I hope Blache will be more flexible with the D this year.

[Fathead]

Haynesworth's job is to put AC, JT (if we keep him) and LF in the probowl.

[colkurtz]

He should change this DL from a weak one with almost no pass rush to one that dominates. I think Griffin, Carter and Jason Taylor will all improve as the offensive coordinators must concentrate 2 or more blockers on him.

I'll be interested to see how Blache uses his new weapon.

[lorimike]

He can't ever live up to that contract or expectations. :smash:

[shally]

He should change this DL from a weak one with almost no pass rush to one that dominates. I think Griffin, Carter and Jason Taylor will all improve as the offensive coordinators must concentrate 2 or more blockers on him.



I'll be interested to see how Blache uses his new weapon.

totally agree


should be top 5, with a lot more turnovers, if the secondary can hold onto pics..

[skins74]

He needs to keep doing what he has done the last couple years. I expect the defense to be top 5...if we get a decent LB to replace Marcus.

[shally]

He needs to keep doing what he has done the last couple years. I expect the defense to be top 5...if we get a decent LB to replace Marcus.


draft.. i doubt anything will happen with LB before that

[Meatsnack]

Best case scenario is that Haynesworth makes Montgomery aware of what he is capable of and Monty raises his own game in addition to getting less attention playing next to Haynesworth. If they demand the attention of all three interior lineman plus maybe a back on passing downs, both Carter and Taylor should garner over 10 sacks each. We get injury free seasons out of Griff and Golston and Griff plays at his 2004 level due to reduced snaps. We get 4-6 sacks each from Haynesworth, Griff, and Monty. Using Taylor and Carter, both of whom have played significant snaps at OLB, to fall back in zone blitz coverage McIntosh, Landry, and whomever the SAM is will get 4-6 sacks each as well. Finally, with all the QB hits and hurries, our DBs get loaded down with interceptions.

Worst case? I can't go there. Without seeing the capnumbers I also can't comment on the contract. To his rare credit, Snyderatto usually knows how to structure a deal to allow us to cut a player as they reach unproductive years. If we ever drafted talent to allow us to replace the old geezers so that we could cut them on time, the brilliance of the plan would be more clear. I will say that I am more excited going into the season than I was last Thursday.

[Skinsfan1311]

In the short term, I just want the man to stay healthy through TC and be on the field opening day.

Long term?

Like others, I expect him to raise the level of play of others around him and expect AC & JT to have monster years. I expect him to bring a nastiness to the D-line.

I expect a lot more turnovers.

[dogfight6]

To me if Romo-McNabb and Manning are on the ground shaking the cobwebs out of their head screaming somebody block those guys it will be worth it.

[lorimike]

I would expect a defense that doesn't let the QB stand in the pocket like a statue for 5 seconds on 3rd and long. I would think Carter and Taylor should now be able to get 10 sacks each and I would expect more turnovers. But we've seen this movie before when we signed Wilkinson and Stubblefield so we'll see.

[ChiefPowhatan17]

I expect us to break Jacobs and crush his attitude.

[jtovb2005]

..while A. Haynesworth makes it rain with 100 Dollar bills.


WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! I'M READY FOR THE SEASON.

Lol, even down here in Virginia Beach? It has been raining for a couple of days, I couldn't fnd any $100 bills?

[skinsfan36]

my expcetation is our d gets alot of pressure picks and turnovers and plays like a top 5. should be top 3 if not kidnap blache

[The Iceman]

I would expect a defense that doesn't let the QB stand in the pocket like a statue for 5 seconds on 3rd and long. I would think Carter and Taylor should now be able to get 10 sacks each and I would expect more turnovers. But we've seen this movie before when we signed Wilkinson and Stubblefield so we'll see.

These two were never the dominant force that Haynesworth is. They were top players, but never like Haynesworth. He can change a game by himself. He can completely take over a game. I expect that to happen all year long. He can be such a disruptive force that everyone around will get the opportunities that have not been afforded to them up to this point.

[skins4life24]

i want to see lbs able to blitz with out being held up because all the offensive linemen are tied up in our dl forcing teams to eventually keep both there back and tight end in to block so we will essentially have 5 or 6 dbs covering 3 receivers which in turn causes the quarterback to have less options so he will be taking more sacks and throwing in to more double teams.