“We complement each other well and go out there and let ’er rip,” Carter said. “We feed off each other.”

If that’s the case, the Redskins’ defense could have its best pass rush in some time. Washington hasn’t had many duos of this caliber in the past 20 years. The last time the Redskins had two players post double-digit sack totals was in 2000 with Marco Coleman and Bruce Smith.

But Taylor and Carter likely represent the Redskins’ best tandem since Dexter Manley and Charles Mann in the 1980s. Those two played together for seven seasons and combined for 29 1⁄2 sacks in 1985.

For the Redskins’ defense to have much success, Carter and Taylor will have to perform well. Neither is particularly suited for playing the run. One veteran predicted this would remind the team how valuable Phillip Daniels, the run-stopping veteran end, is to the defense.

“Where you lose big guys on first down you hope to pick up speed on third down,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “It’s not a huge difference, but it changes the personality of your focus.”

Taylor and Carter are about providing a rush. And part of that rush depends on their constant communication.

“I’ve picked up things from him as far as angle and approach, setting guys up,” Carter said. “I’ve got a better idea of how to set up opponents. … You’re gonna learn.”

Said Taylor, “There’s the start of chemistry, but that takes time to develop. We’re similar in a lot of ways. We can both bring pressure off the edges.”

They also can both play either end position. Or at least will play both sides. Both have things to learn at left end, one Redskins source said, such as reading the tight end. When the tight end releases inside, it’s often a draw. When Carolina did this in the fourth preseason game the Redskins’ ends did not react accordingly, leading to long runs.

But they can throw a knuckleball at teams by switching sides.

“I don’t know if a team can plan for that because both are so effective,” Zorn said.

“It’s different, but it’s not that big a deal [for a tackle],” right tackle Jon Jansen said, “because they’re similar type players. If we face a defense where they’re switching guys around we would run our regular offense because it’s hard to say which guy will be on which end.”

Jansen also said size won’t be a huge issue with Taylor at left end.

“Jason has that little shake before he gets into you,” Jansen said of Taylor. “Once he gives you that shake, your hands are like this [spread too wide] and your chest is open and that’s what he’s going for.”

Said Carter, “You rely on being explosive and getting that first step. People have said I was too small, but this is my eighth year. I’m fine with it.”