The Washington Redskins defense no longer revolves around big personalities, but strong personas. Big bucks bust Albert Haynesworth is gone like so many marquee free agent predecessors that never led the defense to steady success. Instead, the Redskins are blue-collar grinders.
Sure there are standout players as Washington readies for Arizona on Sunday. Safety LaRon Landry is an impact player whenever he returns from a strained hamstring. Linebacker Brian Orakpo is one of the NFL’s top young linebackers while inside linebacker London Fletcher is a true workhorse.
But the strength is work ethic, forged by a year under coach Mike Shanahan. The second-year Redskins coach shed underperforming stars this season and created a group willing to forgo a Victory Monday day off. A group that’s more likely to watch film than go clubbing.
It’s a little remindful of George Allen’s “Over the Hill Gang” in the 1970s and Joe Gibbs’ “Hogs” of the 1980s. Nothing too flashy this season — just very good players forming a collective conscious rather than a “Prime Time” persona Deion Sanders brought in 2000 when the team finished 8-8.
“The coaching is better,” Redskins broadcaster Sam Huff said. “I don’t think players have questions any more over who’s in control — Mike Shanahan is. The players are reacting. They feel better knowing where they’re going.”
Ridding themselves of a big distraction in Haynesworth can’t be understated. Teammates once saying they didn’t care now admit the ongoing battle between Haynesworth and Shanahan was a big problem before the lineman was suspended for the final four games. Top players are supposed to lead. Instead, Haynesworth brought chaos and uncertainty while the defense fell to 31st last season.
With Haynesworth traded before training camp, it was a new beginning. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall and Fletcher emerged as the dominant personalities. They have been for several seasons, but without a star system in the locker room they now have everyone’s attention.
“In practice they’ll step it up. Rookies look at that and see what’s right,” rookie nose tackle Chris Neild said. “There’s no huge personalities sticking out. That’s what you want in a locker room.”
Cornerback Josh Wilson said Fletcher recruited him as a free agent to join Washington.
“London called me and asked me if I wanted to be part of something great,” Wilson said. “That made me excited to be here. London and DeAngelo and other guys are stepping up.”
Landry admits leading by example rather than vocally. But he sees the value in having both types on the team.
“I think it’s more everyone’s on the same mindset of winning,” Landry said. “Everybody’s trying to get to the same place. Our leaders have done a phenomenal job like London, a great group of veteran guys.
“Everybody’s joining in and focusing on the same thing — winning.”
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
