Skins show potential, flaws in preseason
ASHBURN – The first series showed the potential, with the Redskins doing something unusual. They forced the quarterback out of the pocket and into hurried incompletions with only four linemen rushing most of the time. It turned into a short series, prolonged only by a penalty.
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The second series showed the flaws. Pittsburgh opted for quick passes and burned the blitz for a 16-yard gain, turning it into a touchdown drive.
But the good has outweighed the bad for the Redskins’ defensive line this summer. And they’ve turned into a defense that can pressure without resorting to blitzes.
The defensive backs notice a difference. Corner DeAngelo Hall said on one route in Washington’s 17-13 win over Pittsburgh, Steelers receiver Hines Ward wasn’t even halfway done with his route when the pass was thrown because of the pressure. It skidded incomplete.
“You can tell the guys up front have got an attitude about getting to the passer,” Hall said. “It’s gonna be real scary once they start fine-tuning and game-planning and really focusing on it.”
The first series showed a glimpse of what the defense could accomplish — though make no mistake, the coaches weren’t pleased with the third down conversions by Pittsburgh. However, on Pittsburgh’s first five passes, the Redskins blitzed one time, which resulted in an incompletion. On the other four attempts they rushed only four defenders. The results: a batted pass; a collapsed pocket and a two-yard completion; and two more incompletions.
The one time quarterback Charlie Batch had a passing lane, there was nothing open because seven defenders dropped into coverage.
“The main thing is to get push up the middle and make the quarterback get off his spot and throw the ball,” end Phillip Daniels said. “When you get them off the spot, they make mistakes.”
One thing to note: The Redskins led the NFL in three-and-outs last season, according to Football Outsiders (32.7 percent of the time). But they also only had 24 sacks and 18 turnovers. If they can pressure with only four down linemen, their turnovers should increase.
“It forces the playcallers to decide whether he can run long-developing plays,” said Redskins coach Jim Zorn about facing teams with good four-man rushes. “It eliminates things. It forces the quarterback to play a rhythmic game.”
But the Redskins’ first defense has not yet created a turnover.
And that’s why the Redskins aren’t celebrating anything yet with their front four, even if tackle Albert Haynesworth and rush end Brian Orakpo are cause for optimism.
“We’re better than we were a year ago,” defensive line coach John Palermo said, “but we’re a work in progress. But when you have Brian off the edge and Albert inside, it gives you a different dimension. … But when it’s all said and done, you have to show up on Sundays.”
