You may think I am as crazy as Jim Haslett’s defense when I suggest the following: The Washington Redskins defensive coordinator is a genius, contrary to what cornerback DeAngelo Hall may believe.
A mad genius, mind you. But after losing Sunday 30-27 in overtime to the Houston Texans — a team that rolled up 526 yards of offense in nearly five quarters — I am more convinced than ever that Haslett is a genius, because he is working miracles with a defense whose talent, on a good day, is limited.
The former Saints and Rams head coach is pulling out all the stops to hide the fact that a number of guys who are starting for this Redskins defense wouldn’t be starting for most other teams, and some might not even be on the roster.
There are more defensive players coming and going during the game than a Metro escalator at rush hour. I swear, at one point Sunday I thought I saw Dexter Manley on the field.
You know the football terminology of putting guys in the box? You can’t even find the box with some of Haslett’s defenses. At times it appears the Redskins defensive players are offended at the notion of putting their hands down in the dirt.
The defense is creating pressure — five sacks Sunday — where it really shouldn’t. It’s causing confusion on the other side of the ball for opponents. And sometimes it is creating confusion on the defensive side of the ball, with players having to quickly step in and fill their role for that particular down in the new 3-4 scheme.
“There are a lot of different looks,” defensive end Phillip Daniels said. “You got that many people coming in and out, and everyone has to know what they are doing.”
Linebacker Andre Carter added, “I’ve never played on a defense with this many looks. We have such a variety of packages. It’s great.”
It’s also hiding the talent limitations Haslett is working with.
Yet arguably, Haslett has gotten the defense to the point in the first two games of the season where the Redskins were in position to win the game. Even in Sunday’s scoring festival, the fact is if Graham Gano makes that second field goal attempt in overtime, the Redskins win.
The previous week, the Redskins held Dallas to seven points while they managed to put 13 on the board to win. On Sunday, they faced one of the most explosive offenses in football — one that had put up more than 400 yards and 34 points on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
The Super Bowl champion Saints proved last year that the only defense you really need to win in this league is one that can somehow find a way to hold the opponent to less points than your offense scores. There are no points for style. But if there were points for crazy, what Jim Haslett is doing on defense would lead the league.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN 980 and espn980.com.
