A positional breakdown of the Redskins’ defense now that the rosters have been set:
Line
Who’s in: Adam Carriker, Barry Cofield, Stephen Bowen, Darrion Scott, Kedric Golston, Chris Neild
Who’s out: Phillip Daniels, Albert Haynesworth, Maake Kemoeatu, Anthony Bryant
Better or worse: Better. The Redskins rarely received strong nose tackle play in 2010 and that won’t be the case this season. Cofield will make plays and he doesn’t need to play at a Pro Bowl level to be considered an improvement. Bowen is better than last year’s starter, Golston, so the Redskins upgraded in two areas. Still not sure how good Bowen is, but he is a decent starter if nothing else. Golston and Scott are adequate backups at best. Neild did not look ready for a roster spot, but he did improve this summer. He has the sort of makeup the coaches like and that could have made the difference between he and Bryant. Carriker should be better; he played well in the last couple games of 2010 – coinciding with increased comfort level in the defense and better play at nose tackle. But the key to this group is Cofield.
Linebackers
Who’s in: Ryan Kerrigan, Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, Lorenzo Alexander, Perry Riley, Keyaron Fox, Rob Jackson, Markus White
Who’s out: Horatio Blades, Andre Carter, Robert Henson
Better or worse: Better. It’s not just because of Kerrigan; rather, it’s because of Orakpo’s development. He looked more comfortable this summer and if he gets help from anyone else in the pass rush then he could have a big year. He took on blockers better, even shedding them to make plays and seemed to show a little more explosiveness. He’ll be fun to watch this season. Kerrigan will improve, but he’s not as explosive as Orakpo. They’re different rushers; Kerrigan will need to learn how to use his hands while rushing from a two-point stance. He’ll need to learn how to cover, too. Doesn’t matter how smart he is, that’s a lot to ask and also expect him to play at a certain level. The coaches know this. Alexander and Jackson both looked better. Alexander is quicker than in 2010 thanks to his offseason work. McIntosh looked less hesitant than a year ago, but still has issues in coverage. Fletcher is Fletcher. One little nugget to show why he’s still so good: During a two-minute drill vs. the offense in training camp, Fletcher spent part of the time exhorting the D to shut them down. He had a game-like intensity to his words. Anyway, he’s the same as last year. I like the depth. As Kerrigan improves, this could be the strength of the defense.
Secondary
Who’s in: DeAngelo Hall, LaRon Landry, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Josh Wilson, Kevin Barnes, Byron Westbrook, Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Brandyn Thompson, Phillip Buchanon
Who’s out: Carlos Rogers, Chris Horton
Better or worse: Worse. But this is like the tight end position because it depends on a key player’s health. And I have bigger fears about Landry than I do Chris Cooley. Landry has yet to practice. How effective will he be once he starts playing? The good thing for him is that he played in this defense last year. If he’s healthy, then the secondary is about the same – better at safety, worse at corner. Atogwe has dealt with hamstring issues much of camp. It’s slowed him down for now. Will that continue? When will he play to his speed? Rogers is a better corner than Wilson, though the latter might end up making more big plays. Hall was a Pro Bowler, but he’s not a shutdown corner. However, he is a playmaker. Of course, if this group gets help from the pass rush it could end up making a lot of big plays. The depth is OK; I like Doughty as a backup strong safety. Gomes looked good this summer, but he’s a rookie. Losing Buchanon for four games could hurt, but Barnes and Westbrook had solid summers.
Overall
Better or worse: Better. But is it a substantial improvement? By season’s end it could be if Kerrigan develops the way they hope. They already think he could play next year like Orakpo is playing now. But losing Jarvis Jenkins was huge. Nobody on the line was more talented. My fear with this group is that they’re breaking in five new starters and another starter hasn’t played in camp because of an injury. And Kerrigan is a rookie. It’ll take time for this unit to click and my guess is we’ll see it in spurts. The D should benefit from an improved offense and the kicking game. If the offense sustains more drives, it stands to reason the D won’t be on the field as much and Rocca will be punting from better spots. They can play more aggressively as the players have a good grasp on the defense now. Coordinator Jim Haslett loves playing that way; it can lead to boom or bust. But he’s not afraid to be aggressive. One talent evaluator said of the D, “I’m impressed with their front; they’re more physical. Their corner position is undisciplined. You’ll never know how the secondary will play from play to play. But there’s no question they made progress.”
Special teams
Who’s in: Sav Rocca, Graham Gano, Nick Sundberg
Who’s out: Sam Paulescu
Better or worse: Better. Rocca is an improvement; Gano has kicked better this summer. He made all 10 field goal attempts and can’t remember any of them being in doubt when the ball left his foot. As for Rocca, he’s been good inside the 20. Brandon Banks is an explosive returner and Terrence Austin is another good option at returner. Gano’s kickoffs are a weapon; the defense will be helped by forcing teams to drive 80 yards for touchdowns. Makes a big difference. They have one of the best special teams coaches in Danny Smith; his coverage units usually fare well. That shouldn’t change.
To read about the offense, click here.
