Haslett likely bringing 3-4 front to the defense
ASHBURN – The moves, perhaps, make sense now. At the end of the season the Redskins signed two linebackers, curious moves given that none were hurt.
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Now they’re probably going to a 3-4 defense.
“Maybe that’s why they signed all those linebackers,” one Redskins assistant said.
In other words, they knew back in December what was going to happen, and that the end result would be a change in defensive coaches and philosophy.
He’s in
Vinny Cerrato, executive VPJim Zorn, head coachJoe Bugel, offensive line coachGreg Blache, defensive coordinator
Bruce Allen, general managerMike Shanahan, head coachKyle Shanahan, offensive coordinatorJim Haslett, defensive coordinator
With Jim Haslett now in charge of the defense, the Redskins likely will play a 3-4 front, which would mean changes. Here’s how it could affect certain players:
Albert Haynesworth » He has the size, muscle and quickness to be a dominating nose guard. At 350 pounds, Haynesworth would clog the middle. However, he also has a desire to make plays and freelance more. That could lead to problems for the rest of the defense, specifically middle linebacker London Fletcher. His size prohibits him from taking on blockers and a freelancing nose guard would cause that to happen. Cleveland’s Shaun Rogers is similar to Haynesworth; but the Browns run defense improved when Rogers, a Pro Bowler, went out. While Rogers made plays, he also sometimes got upfield so fast that if he didn’t make a play, other creases for the back would be open. If the Redskins keep 330-pound Anthony Montgomery, he, too, could be used at nose.
Andre Carter » He’s experienced in a 3-4 defense, having played in it for one season in San Francisco. He recorded 4 1/2 sacks, but did not impress scouts as someone who was fit for this system. He could rush the passer fine, but he was not smooth dropping into coverage. He did drop as an end on occasion, but that was a surprise tactic and not a regular strategy when it would be easier to beat.
Brian Orakpo » His problem is similar to Carter’s because Orakpo does not cover well; it’s one reason why teams that already run a 3-4 passed on him in the draft, an NFL source said. However, he usually was asked to rush the passer this season and that would not change. It’s difficult, though, to always have both outside linebackers rushing. Orakpo could be used similar to Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware, who is a 3-4 linebacker on run downs and a 4-3 end on pass downs. Carter could be used as a rush end in those situations.
Defensive ends » It’s hard to put one name here, but ends in a 3-4 need to be around 300 pounds because their jobs will be to occupy blockers more than get upfield. The Redskins have several candidates, starting with unrestricted free agent Phillip Daniels. Current tackles Kedric Golston and Cornelius Griffin could probably shift to end and be fine. Many ends in a 3-4 are former tackles. It’s hard to imagine the Redskins wanting Griffin to stay inside and take the pounding he would take given his injury history. Smaller ends such as Jeremy Jarmon and Lorenzo Alexander — both of whom are around 280 pounds now would need to add weight to make this transition.
Inside linebackers » Rocky McIntosh would probably do well inside given his ability to take on blockers and also his quickness. Fletcher should be fine, but the line would need to do a lot of slanting, which would keep interior linemen off of him. If that doesn’t succeed, he’ll face more 330-pound guards than ever.
