If nothing else, the switch in defenses — schemes and coaches — has energized the Redskins. Every time we talk to a guy they speak as if a magic formula will be unveiled and voila… more turnovers! more sacks! more everything!
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Today it was corner DeAngelo Hall’s turn. Thing is, they might be right. But we won’t find out for another five months. (By the way, he didn’t try to play games when asked about the new 3-4 defensive scheme; thank you for that, D-Hall. And, yes, we know they’ll still run a 4-3 at times). Anyway, he likes the 3-4.
First he summed it up this way:
“A lot of confusion. Guys coming from different places. On the back we’re going to have a chance to, I think, make plays. That’s all you can ask for.”
Then he expanded:
“The 4-3 is so stagnant. A guy is going to come from here, come fromt here. You’ve got [Brian] Orakpo on one side, you know he’s coming, then, every single time. A 3-4 is going to give you a chance to mix it up a little bit. Rak might be at end one play, he might be outside linebacker, he might be rushing, he might be dropping back, he might even play some safety for us….You’re not going to know where guys are coming from.”
He also likes that coordinator Jim Haslett will play use more zone than the Redskins have used the past two years. In man to man, the opportunity for interceptions are limited, especially if playing press coverage. It’s harder to read the quarterback and that’s how defensive backs often get their picks.
“I think you all know Gregg Williams a lot, he doesn’t run a lot of man,” Hall said. “He runs a lot of zone, zone blitzes, fire zones, fire pressures, and they were able to get the ball. Quarterbacks, these guys throwing, it’s not just, hey, he’s checking him, I can hit him. It’s guys coming from every which way. He’s throwing the ball, and other guys on the defense are catching it. That’s kind of the model that I think a lot of people are trying to go with.”
Oh, about Williams: his defenses in Washington did not create enough turnovers (20 per year). It’s usually about the players, not the scheme. But the point is made: it’s spring and the Redskins are optimistic.
It’s funny about Williams; his defenses in Washington did a lousy job of creating turnovers. He averaged 22.5 turnovers per season, which is OK but not what you would think given his aggressive style. You still have to have players who make those plays. Hall does; others on this defense do not.
