Opinions About Our Defense

[Patrick]

Well we are three preseason games in and there appears to be vast improvement over last year ….
BUT this is preseason and all things aren’t what they appear.
Yes Fletcher is a major upgrade to the MLB position and Landry is the real deal. The CB area is solid as long as Springs is healthy ……… SO my question to the hR faithful:
Have we really made improvement OR do you think our lack of pass rush and D-line pressure will catch-up to us????

For me my concern is that many offensives will be able to adjust to our scheme. I had to raise an eyebrow when the McNair and company drove for a TD.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Well we are three preseason games in and there appears to be vast improvement over last year ….
BUT this is preseason and all things aren’t what they appear.
Yes Fletcher is a major upgrade to the MLB position and Landry is the real deal. The CB area is solid as long as Springs is healthy ……… SO my question to the hR faithful:
Have we really made improvement OR do you think our lack of pass rush and D-line pressure will catch-up to us????

For me my concern is that many offensives will be able to adjust to our scheme. I had to raise an eyebrow when the McNair and company drove for a TD.

We've looked a lot more aggressive. One on one tackling is much better. We should be better this year.

However, two things that stand out:

1) Only one (1) sack in the better part of 3 games.

2) Only two (2) turnovers generated in the better part of 3 games with zero (0) coming from the first team defense.

If we don't fix these two things, which have been carried over from last year, they will ultimately undermine the defense and betray the entire team.

[dj_stouty]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Well we are three preseason games in and there appears to be vast improvement over last year ….
BUT this is preseason and all things aren’t what they appear.
Yes Fletcher is a major upgrade to the MLB position and Landry is the real deal. The CB area is solid as long as Springs is healthy ……… SO my question to the hR faithful:
Have we really made improvement OR do you think our lack of pass rush and D-line pressure will catch-up to us????

For me my concern is that many offensives will be able to adjust to our scheme. I had to raise an eyebrow when the McNair and company drove for a TD.

I think the defense overall is better than '06...but lets see how they do against a non-vanilla defense.

Also, especially in the Raven's game, our defense benefited from the Raven's multiple penalties. Every series seemed to start off with false start or illegal formation, thus giving GW the enviable position of defending 1st and 20...along with subsequent 2nd/3rd and longs.

Oveall, I'm happy with our d-backs and LBs...but the jury is still out on that front four. They still seem spotty....

[CNYSkinFan]

The only thing I am majorly worried about our defense is the lack of turnovers. Our offense needs some short fields and turnovers can help that.

The lack of pass rush from the front four is another concern. Even in 2004 when we had a great defense, theird and long was always trying because we would drop into a zone and generate no pass rush from the front four.

However our LBers are upgraded with Rocky and Fletcher over Marshall and Holdman. Our depth at corner is greater with Smoot< Macklin, and probably Butler or Eubanks over Wright, Rumpf and Jimoh. And of course our depth at Safety is much better with Landry, Prioleau & Stoutmire vs. Arch, Fox, & Doughty

I also think you cannot over emphasize the effect last year had on Gregg Williams. IN 2004 he came to DC hungry to prove those in Buffalo wrong, by 2006 he got a little arrogant with his insistence that ANYONE could play in his system. He will be hungry again in 2007 because he is coaching for his paycheck and reputation once again.

So I am cautiously optimistic.

[shally]

high risk/ high reward all season.. good plays with more turnovers but we will give up some big plays also

[bergiemoore]

Since I have the Skins defense as my DST in my fantasy league, I'm hoping that they do well.

I worry about the lack of sacks, but they have been able to disrupt quite a few plays, and have gotten to the QB a bit (albeit, not before he's gotten rid of the ball).

Remember what the defense looked like in last year's preseason games? They were downright atrocious, especially against a TE across the middle. I think that preseason does give an indication of how well they will do in the regular season. To have only allowed 1 TD in 2.7 games is not too shabby, IMHO.

I only see improvement coming for this squad as well. Montgomery has shown that the hype surrounding him at OTAs may have been justified. Golston has made great strides. Griffin is disrupting things like he was healthy, and even Salave'a has shown that he's not ready for retirement. Add to that the emergence of young talent like Wilson, Hickman and Alexander, and it appears that our DLine might not be the absolute worst in the NFL. I would still like to see Wilson play with the first team, just to get a decent indication of how well he plays against starters, and to make a case to the coaches for pushing Daniels/Wynn down the depth chart, or off the roster altogether.

Landry is a beast.

Our depth at CB is finally not a laughing stock.

Our LB corps is fast and aggressive. Our depth at LB is very decent, with a lot of good looking young talent.

Altogether, I'm pretty content. Now, let's see how they do against some of the better offenses, like the Eagles, Patriots, Jets, etc.

[Keino]

I'll have a more firm opinion on September 10.

Right now I am happy with the way they have been flying to the ball, but I am concerned that the only way we seem to generate pressure is by blitzing. My Dad told me that Carter looked impressive in the Balt game, so hopefully is is poised to pick-up where he left off last season.

[swheeler]

Originally Posted by shally

high risk/ high reward all season.. good plays with more turnovers but we will give up some big plays also

I'd like to agree with you, but I think we need to see some turnovers (that aren't caused by and against backups) for that to be realstic. I think you might be right, but I think the "high reward" is going to take the form of regularly stopping people for no gain or short losses.

[MONK_in_HOF]

The D looks so much better. They look really fast and are swarming to the ball.
I think a lot of this has to do with LFB in the middle calling the shots, not to mention playing sideline to sideline. Also Mcintosh and Landry are huge upgrades in the speed department. I also love having Prioleau back at what look like full speed.

I am still worried about a lack of pass rush shown thus far by our 1st team DL. I think the Skins will continue to struggle forcing turnovers without a pass rush. But even without any improvement in the pass rush department, hopefully the DL will be able to continue to hold the line against the run as they have to this point.

[shally]

Originally Posted by swheeler

I'd like to agree with you, but I think we need to see some turnovers (that aren't caused by and against backups) for that to be realstic. I think you might be right, but I think the "high reward" is going to take the form of regularly stopping people for no gain or short losses.

pressure causes turnovers. last year we didnt get to the qb in time and got burned repeatedly. this year will be different. we WILL get there in time-- some of the time. that will result in fumbles and opportunities for int's..

last year would have been average if only the guys had held onto possible int's.. rogers alone had 9 or 10 possibles in his hands.. he could not possibly be that bad again this year.

[swheeler]

Originally Posted by shally

last year would have been average if only the guys had held onto possible int's.. rogers alone had 9 or 10 possibles in his hands.. he could not possibly be that bad again this year.

I sure hope not. Hopefully he's spent half of preseason praticing with the WRs

[Hr fan]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

We've looked a lot more aggressive. One on one tackling is much better. We should be better this year.

However, two things that stand out:

1) Only one (1) sack in the better part of 3 games.

2) Only one (1) turnover generated in the better part of 3 games with zero (0) coming from the first team defense.

If we don't fix these two things, which have been carried over from last year, they will ultimately undermine the defense and betray the entire team.

Couldn't agree more. A running game will have to carry us this year, and no short field situations makes scoring that much more difficult, makes 3 and outs more likely and makes the D stay on the field longer. Please, no 2nd half meltdowns.

[Ibleedburgundy]

I think the defense has improved quite a bit. Fletcher looks like a good fit, McIntosh has great speed and Blades looks pretty good out there IMO.

Landry is the man. That guy alone will make a huge difference.

But, and this is a huge but, the D-line looks the same as 2006. Andre Carter is a pretty good pass rusher when the TE bumps into the LT. Philip Daniels does absolutely nothing out there. Montgomery looks like he has some fight in him. Kris Wilson looks OK so he might be this year's Demetric Evans-the guy who looks good when he plays but never gets on the field.

I think this will be a middle of the pack defense. Possibly ranked 18th or so.

[Moe]

If they can prevent the Dolphins from scoring on their opening drive (something this D allowed in the first 7 games or so last year) then I'll be psyched.

To this point the tackling has been much improved, overall speed looks good and they are flying around the field which is also good. If they can up the turnovers and even manage to put some occassional points on the board then this team could look imposing.

[hessy36]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Well we are three preseason games in and there appears to be vast improvement over last year ….
BUT this is preseason and all things aren’t what they appear.
Yes Fletcher is a major upgrade to the MLB position and Landry is the real deal. The CB area is solid as long as Springs is healthy ……… SO my question to the hR faithful:
Have we really made improvement OR do you think our lack of pass rush and D-line pressure will catch-up to us????

For me my concern is that many offensives will be able to adjust to our scheme. I had to raise an eyebrow when the McNair and company drove for a TD.

HUGE improvements! .. as far as our Pass rush goes.. we've haven't seen nothin yet. I think it will get much better.

It's part of the game to have the other team adjust to stop us, and it's part of our job to not let them. It's all a learning experience and hopefully we'll learn faster and play stronger than they do!!!