Trot out any statistic and it says the same thing: Washington’s defense is bad. The pass defense? Ranked 32nd. The run defense? Nineteenth. Overall? Thirtieth.
The only positive statistic? They are ranked 14th in yards allowed per rush. Break out the bubbly.
With six games left, it’s hard to imagine it getting much better until the offseason. Considering the salary cap is expected to be around $109 million and the Redskins always seen to have room, another round of free-agent shopping is likely.
Of course, that assumes the Redskins would make the right decisions. The past suggests that’s debatable, especially when viewing last year’s cropof Adam Archuleta, Antwaan Randle El and Andre Carter.
One Redskin source said after watching film of former 49er Carter from Washington’s meeting with San Francisco last season, “What we did to him could be considered assault.” He wondered why the team’s scouts didn’t see the same thing.
On that vote of confidence, here’s which defensive players will be free in several months:
» Defensive line
The biggest free agent end will be the Colts’ Dwight Freeney, though he’ll likely be franchised.
After that, New Orleans’ Charles Grant and Atlanta’s Patrick Kerney are the big prizes. Kerney would be a gamble; he’s had nagging injuries and turns 30 next month. But he’s also never missed a game until this season and fits the Gibbs mold. Grant has rebounded from a down year in 2005. Cincinnati’s Justin Smith also is expected to be available.
Clemson’s Gaines Adams is the top college end, followed by Georgia’s Quentin Moses, whose stock has dipped this year.
» Linebacker
The Redskins might need to replace two starting linebackers. Lemar Marshall has not played well in the middle, for whatever reason. And Warrick Holdman on the outside is a short-term option.
Rookie Rocky McIntosh has not shown the coaches enough to warrant bumping Holdman from the NFL’s 30th-ranked run defense.
The top free agent linebacker is Chicago’s Lance Briggs, but he plays on the outside and would command top dollar, as might Baltimore’s Adalius Thomas. Among the free agent middle linebackers are Buffalo’s London Fletcher, who played under Gregg Williams, Minnesota’s Napolean Harris and Kansas City’s Kawika Mitchell.
Among the top college senior linebackers are Penn State’s Paul Posluszny and Mississippi’s Patrick Willis.
» Safety
The great Archuleta Experiment has failed. And Sean Taylor struggles incoverage — “he can’t change directions,” one NFL insider said.
But would Washington really spend more money at this spot? If so, Jacksonville’s Deon Grant and Seattle’s Ken Hamlin will be among the top players available.
Week 12 notes
» When asked Monday what reasons he could give the fans to stay optimistic, Joe Gibbs talked about the fans themselves, painting them as crucial to the future. OK. But do the fans return that love? On an ESPN.com poll, Gibbs had a 32-percent approval rating out of 573 votes. Six coaches fared worse.
» Unhappy stats: Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El has just one catch in the last three games. And 18 of his 23 catches occurred in the season’s first six games. … Linebacker Lemar Marshall has made seven tackles in the past two games combined. … Rock Cartwright is averaging a respectable 24.1 yards per kickoff return. But he’s had only two returns for 29 yards or more, including his 100-yarder for a score against Dallas.
» Linebacker Marcus Washington on second-year quarterback Jason Campbell: “I saw some really good stuff. Looking at him, it was hard to tell he was going out for his first time. He was so poised and relaxed and confident. He didn’t get too excited or too down. He had a lot of veteran savvy, even though it was his first time. It was kind of weird to watch.”
