A pass over the middle to a speedy running back, covered by a defensive end, produces a predictable result: six points. A receiver breaks free behind a secondary frozen by the play-action pass. Tight ends shake free for crucial catches.
The Redskins’ secondary has allowed numerous big plays this season.
But the problem is, so, too have other parts of the defense.
And that’s something that must change soon — like before Sunday against the explosive Giants offense.
“We have to minimize big plays,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “We have to do a better job of tackling.”
Which, of course, is an understatement. The Redskins have allowed 16 plays of 20 yards or more. It’s seven more than they allowed at the same point last season. Also, Washington has allowed eight touchdown passes, only seven fewer than all of last season.
New York has passed for five touchdowns of 20 yards or more. And those scores have come by three different receivers — Amani Toomer (two); Plaxico Burress (two); and Tim Carter.
Washington’s problems are many.
» The secondary is in the worst shape because of injuries (top cornerback Shawn Springs remains out), new players (four of the top six are new) and castoffs (safety Vernon Fox was cut in preseason; the Niners were going to cut cornerback Mike Rumph, but instead traded him to the Redskins). The result is uneven play, partly because of communication breakdowns.
“If we weren’t giving up big plays, everyone would be talking about how well we’re playing,” cornerback Kenny Wright said. “But we’re giving up big plays. In the secondary, you can’t hide. Once we give up a big play, it’s points.”
It doesn’t help, either, when safety Sean Taylor takes a bad angle as he did against on Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew’s 51-yard touchdown catch, in which Drew originally beat defensive end Andre Carter.
» The linebackers have not played well in coverage. Last week, for example, the Jaguars running backs and tight ends combined for nine receptions and a touchdown. Each starting linebacker has been victimized; last week it was Warrick Holdman’s turn.
» Ineffective blitzing. The Redskins are forced to blitz to apply consistent pressure, thanks to a front that didn’t generate much of a rush until this past Sunday, recording three sacks. The linebackers have combined for two sacks. But they will continue to try and pressure via blitzes.
“A lot of people try to pick one thing,” Holdman said. “We’re not getting a rush; the linebackers aren’t helping on the blitz. It all ties in together.”
Week 5 Notes
» The Redskins fired the first shots. Now Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington has responded.
One day after cornerback Shawn Springs and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey both said Arrington couldn’t help New York’s offense with Washington’s defense because he didn’t know it when he was here, Arrington said, “when people show themselves enough, people see it for what it is. I don’t have to defend myself against comments or remarks like that. I’m here. I’m happy.”
Arrington, who spent six seasons in Washington, wasn’t bothered by Lindsey’s comments; he had a contentious relationship with him anyway. But Springs saying the same thing did irk him.
“That’s stupid, to even make a comment like that,” said Arrington, who referred to Springs as a company guy. “He showed himself, and he has to deal with that, not me. … Obviously we must not be that close. It’s interesting to me. I don’t even know that [Springs] is playing, so why make a snide remark and you’re not even having anything to do with the outcome?”
Arrington said he still had his Redskins playbook.
“They don’t have anything to worry about,” Arrington said. “I don’t know anything, so it’s good.”
As for Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, Arrington said, “If he wanted something to be different, it would have been different. Am I wrong? Joe Gibbs could call me the worst person in the world, or he could call me the best. It doesn’t matter. Who is he? He’s just a coach of another team that we’re playing.”
» The Clinton Portis show has returned. Thursday, he dressed up as Dolomite Jenkins, wearing a curly brown wig with glasses, blue jeans and a white T-shirt that read, “Vote for Santana.” Why dress up? “Because you guys weren’t expecting it,” Portis said.
