GSF Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Like all Skins, I'm of course excited about the additions on offense. Coach Saunders, Randle El, and Loyd bring a lot of talent and creativity to an offense that was already coming together nicely last season(don't let those last fewgames fool you). After some time to soak in all of the offseason festivities though, I believe that the defense has improved as much as, or maybe more than the offense, and will continue to the the unit that leads this team. This defense has a chance to be absolutely dominant, and here's why: 1. Andre Carter. Finally the Skins have a young, pass rushing DE. Of course Carter's presence frees up Williams with the back 7 since he won't have to blitz as much to pressure the passer, but it does more than that. For one, it moves Daniels, who played outstanding for the second half of the season last year, back to his natural position LDE. The addition of Carter also creates excellent depth with Wynn and Evans now serving as rotational players, and starting caliber backups who can play all 4 positions on the line between the 2 of them. Suddenly, the Redskins' Dline has become one of the teams biggest stregths. 2. Archuletta. Many of us were big Ryan Clark fans, and I have to admit I was really surprised when the team signed Archuletta, but after some time to reflect the move makes perfect sense. Adam is a big, hard hitting safety that plays great near the LOS in run support. Williams will keep AA near the LOS quite a bit, and take advantage of Taylor's huge range and ability to play centerfield. Archuletta and Taylor are a perfect match. 3. Experience. The team will now be in its third season with this defense, and most of the same players. Lamar Marshall played very well late in the season last year as he became comfortable ot MLB, and should continue to improve. Carlos Rogers also stepped it up late last season, and now will have a whole offseason of healthy practice which he didn't get last year. Sean Taylor goes into his third year, and will have a better understanding of coverages against NFL offenses to match up with his incredible atheletic ability. 4. The departure of Lavar. I know many Skins fans consider this a loss, but in this case a think it's a case of addition by subtraction. Lavar was the last player left from the "big money, me first" club from Snyder's first years. He wasn't buying into Gibbs' and Williams' team mentality, and he was still getting caught out of position on the field. Every young player on the Skins now knows that a no-name like Lamar Marshall can become the starter, and a huge name like Lavar can lose his job. It's allabout how hard you want to work. I know I sound a little homeristic here, but barring any huge injuries, I think this defense is going to be something very special. Can't wait to find out. HTTR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy2677 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 The only thing that really worries me this season is three things. Can Mark Brunell lead this team? Is Shawn Springs to old and are injuries gonna screw him over? Are injuries gonna kill us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFolk Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I agree, but we still need a WILL LB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuck_N_virginia Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Yeah but what if taylor ends up in the pokie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanster Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 We will be as good of a defense as anyone in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 The only thing that really worries me this season is three things. Can Mark Brunell lead this team? Is Shawn Springs to old and are injuries gonna screw him over? Are injuries gonna kill us? injuries happen, and a healthy Brunell, is a dominating Brunell Brunell is so good at putting the ball exactly where it needs to be for our WRs/TEs to make the catch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facemire1 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I dont see why so many people are worried about the weak side linebacker spot when the last two years we did fine without lavar in there. Im more worried about secondary depth because behind springs and rogers who both were out for some time last year we are lacking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlock Holmes Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I dont see why so many people are worried about the weak side linebacker spot when the last two years we did fine without lavar in there. Im more worried about secondary depth because behind springs and rogers who both were out for some time last year we are lacking Well said. It suprises me that a lot of people seem to have forgotten when we were really weak at corner last year and how we were getting burned over the middle alot.... Porter ripped us up in the Oakland game... A nice fresh young corner please in the second round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodie987 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I agree, but we still need a WILL LB. yeah i agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottnSharrer Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I am hoping we draft either D'Qwell Jackson or Dee Webb this year. we need to add depth to both positions in my opinion. It is obvious how GW likes to keep rotating players to keep them fresh, so depth in the back 7 is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodie987 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I agree, but we still need a WILL LB. yeah i agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critz1407 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I think I'm the most worried about our secondary behide Rogers and springs, our LB positions will be filled by minicamps and we did just as well with out Lavar. To tell the truth he was out of shape and wasn't listening. In this defense were better with out him. As long as we can find a solid backup for rogers and Springs I think were set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefhogskin48 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 LBs are a dime a dozen in the NFL. They won't make or break a defense (unless you're talking truly elite talents like Ray Lewis). Give me a beast line and good corners, and I'll show you a good defense. Whereas a ****ty line and great linebackers (see Redskins, 2002-2003) does you no good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefhogskin48 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I think I'm the most worried about our secondary behide Rogers and springs, our LB positions will be filled by minicamps and we did just as well with out Lavar. To tell the truth he was out of shape and wasn't listening. In this defense were better with out him. As long as we can find a solid backup for rogers and Springs I think were set. Wright is a solid, physical player. He is every bit the equal of Walt Harris, if not better than the 2005 version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I am still mildly concerned with the existing depth at safety. We lost Clark and Stoutmire who played, and Bowen who didn't. We've only added Archuleta. Prioleau is about the exact same player Clark is so you don't lose a ton there. I'd just like to add one more live body to this spot given how much Williams seems to like stacking safeties up. Overall, where we've really improved is defensive line depth and versatility. Retaining Evans is key as he and Wynn can split time at both tackle and end spots. If we are able to fill from within or from the outside and find a good weakside backer who can hold down the job -- as Marshall did two years ago -- we'll really be loaded defensively this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPstretch Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Wright is a solid, physical player. He is every bit the equal of Walt Harris, if not better than the 2005 version. i really hope he will be better. 3rd downs will be a lot different this year. we wont have walt, nor will we need to blitz corners since we will have carter and daniels. plus clemons will be in on 3rd downs. our secondary will be able to do their job instead of having to blitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerclone Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 The only thing that really worries me this season is three things. Can Mark Brunell lead this team? Is Shawn Springs to old and are injuries gonna screw him over? Are injuries gonna kill us? I dont understand the questions about Mark... The guy is a leader and last year proves he can still do it.... The question is the O Line... it starts there With all the new YOUNG talent... the skins will rock and prob go to SB I think even with ramsey they go very far... But the Big D is the question here... they will dominate and put the skins in every game. I dont think we will see games like the first Giants game or losses like Denver and KC this year. With our new reciever core.. it aint gonna happen.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 McCune as a potential WLB replacement? Anybody know his status? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigredskin77 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 McCune as a potential WLB replacement?Anybody know his status? Yea, he is still on the team. His named has been mentioned a little bit as a replacement. Thats why i dont mind us picking up a d-lineman in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 The Skins did well without Lavar in 2004, but that year Lemar Marshall was his replacement...and we've all seen how underrated a linebacker he truly is. So far he's taken over for both Lavar and Antonio Pierce and held his own both times... In 2005, however, Holdman took over for Lavar and the results were not nearly as good. Finding a solid WLB is definitely a must...the "We did fine without Lavar for two years" mantra isn't really gonna fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budski Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 We gained much more than we lost on the defense, and each of the last two years we have all had questions about the defense, but they have played exceptional. I see them better this year than the last two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jivelikenice Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I agree with all points except that we're better with the subtraction of Lavar. Our defense was clearly better with Lavar on thie field this past season then it was with Holdman on the field. Finding a Lofa Tutopo type who could come in here and be the final piece could take us from being a good defense to a great defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPstretch Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 in 2004 the defense was reaaaaally good. they finished 3rd in the league i believe. that team was all no names since we had so many injuries. and the offense was so bad that they were on the field more too. i hope they can get back to that level in 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Jones Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 My list: 1. Free ST 2. Stay healthy 3. Play of the QB Brunell, when healthy, is not the issue. However, Brunell is getting on in years and it is very difficult to predict when the arm is just plain done. Also, he has not been able to stay healthy the entire year which means someone will have to come in and replace him until he heals. I agree with Art that we need to address the DB's. I would like at least one more CB and one more S on the roster that can contribute. Young guys that can sit and gain experience would be nice. I am not as worried about the WLB position as some people on this site. Williams and his coaches will figure that out by the start of the season. I would also like some young draft choices on the Oline that can sit and learn and be ready for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddub52 Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 even if injuries hurt us, we have proved to fill in pretty good. with the exception of the first tampa bay game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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