33 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012602275.html Changes Near the Top BLACHE: Intense New Coordinator Knows How to Push Players By Jason Reid Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, January 27, 2008; D01 After executing his assignment well on a play during an exhibition game against the Baltimore Ravens in August at FedEx Field, Washington Redskins rookie defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander sprinted toward the sideline to connect with defensive line coach Greg Blache. Alexander figured he would receive high marks from Blache. "Let's just say he . . . oh, man, he let me have it," Alexander said yesterday. "I did a good job on the play, yeah, but he wanted me to actually make the [tackle]. I took it with a grain of salt because it's tough love. It's not like it's a bad thing. He just wants you to do better than even you think you can. That's the way he is. That's just Coach Blache." The Redskins yesterday promoted Blache, 58, the team's defensive line coach the past four seasons, to their top defensive position. Blache was traveling yesterday and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. During the season, Blache always declined comment to the media on all matters, citing his desire to retain a low profile. Blache replaces assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams, who was let go yesterday. Although Williams was the leader of a defense that produced three top-10 finishes the last four seasons, Blache, in his 21st season in the NFL, played a key role in devising and implementing game plans each week, many players and team officials said. And Blache, a successful defensive coordinator for five seasons with the Chicago Bears before joining the Redskins, also is considered a good teacher, having tutored many Pro Bowl players, including Bears All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher. Intense and vocal, Blache is among the league's most intimidating coaches, players said, pushing them to achieve even more than they envision for themselves. But he also is highly respected for his knowledge and commitment to his players, which is why many in the organization are pleased Blache will return next season. Williams had strong support from players to be the team's next head coach, and some are disappointed he won't be back, but retaining Blache helped lessen the blow. "You know how good of a coach Gregg Williams is and you know what he's done for this team," defensive lineman Phillip Daniels said. "He's been there for us and had our back. We've had some solid defenses, we were ranked in the top 10 three of the last four years, so we've proven what type of a defense we were with Gregg Williams as our coach. "But if we couldn't keep Gregg as defensive coordinator, you need to have a guy like Greg Blache in that job. If there's one person you would want to come in and take Gregg's spot, and keep this thing going, it would be Greg Blache. He's somebody that's already in the system. We're just happy that they kept Coach Blache." Click the link for full story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Ive been a fan of Blache from day 1. It will be interesting to see what kind of defense we see with him in control. Will it be the D he ran in Chicago before he came here? WIll it be a continuation of Williams' D? Or a combo of the 2? I think he's a smart guy though, and I think he'll put the team and the skillsets of the players first. In other words he doesn't strike me as someone who is married to a particular system, determined to run it no matter what Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
33 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 I've been a fan of his as well. I think he's similar to Gregg without the interest in attention and without the issues with higher ups. Seems like some of the players are in a preferable situation. But of course only D-Linemen are quoted, so they should be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Pablo Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 As much as I've enjoyed having him around, Blache has only had one decent season as the Bears coordinator. Otherwise, he's been pretty mediocre. I hope he does better this time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrocentric Pak Man Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I'm glad he stuck around. I wonder what this say about all those people who said "who would want to stay in this situation".....Maybe the media nad the fans don't really know what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctorfro Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Blache wants a paycheck.. wouldn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalhead387 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I'm pretty confident with Blache, especially after looking at the stats of the Bears when he was with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bknp7 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I hope Greg is a blitzing machine I'm sick of watching our front 4 get no pressure.While rookie Qb's pick us apart(Buffalo)and average Qb's look like Manning against us.Lets hope Greg can get our D to be feared by all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 what area of the Redskins team improved most in 2007? it was the defensive line, the unit that perhaps had LESS money spent on it this past offseason than any other. Blache worked for 4 years to get production from a unit that was at one time undermanned and lacking in experienced depth. Now we have two young DTs working into a nice rotation with Cornelius Griffin and Andre Carter had a resurgent year with 10.5 sacks on the outside. He also improved noticeably against the run this past year. Jerry Gray was another in-house candidate qualified to take the DC job, but it was probably a case of him being too close to Gregg Williams to feel comfortable taking the position in wake of what just transpired. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gray ask for and receive permission to go elsewhere when the new HC is brought on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 wait, I'm remembering something... Wasn't Blache ALREADY our D Coordinator? I'm pretty sure he was. GW had the title "Asst Coach, D", and Blache was D Coordinator. hmmm, sounds like they just gave him a bump in pay, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
33 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 wait, I'm remembering something...Wasn't Blache ALREADY our D Coordinator? I'm pretty sure he was. GW had the title "Asst Coach, D", and Blache was D Coordinator. hmmm, sounds like they just gave him a bump in pay, that's all. You are correct as far as the titles are concerned. At first I was thinking that nothing new had actually happened, but clearly he will be the ultimate leader of the defense now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War Paint Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, having Blache in charge might mean we spend a 1st day pick on the dline instead of another CB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 My guess this isn't a huge step for him. He should be able to make the transition, such as it is, fairly smoothly. Bonus for getting along with the current players so well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REDSKINZ-RIDEORDIE Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012602275.html .....Intense and vocal, Blache is among the league's most intimidating coaches, players said, pushing them to achieve even more than they envision for themselves. Those are traits I like for my future DC to have. :helmet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Enforcer Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, having Blache in charge might mean we spend a 1st day pick on the dline instead of another CB. For sure, I hope they get the defensive end from the U, Calais Campbell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Great news! At least we can expect a top 10 defense next season:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Edds Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, having Blache in charge might mean we spend a 1st day pick on the dline instead of another CB. I hope this is true! DL and OL really need to be addressed in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacon Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, having Blache in charge might mean we spend a 1st day pick on the dline instead of another CB. See, there are silver linings to this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverwolf Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Sounds like good news to me....no ego to deal with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voicekiller Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 It is a great thing that Blache is the DC...it keeps continuity on the defense , and he is a great guy and it is well deserved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drowland Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, having Blache in charge might mean we spend a 1st day pick on the dline instead of another CB. Fat chance. Vinny believes in the philosophy you can find DL in the later rds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PosseLover Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 hopefully our D will still be good with Blache in charge. I hope the offense atleast is amongs the top 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rm8899 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I think Blache will definitely hold his own and also knows what this organization is all about player, personnel, and fan-base wise. Good Luck to yah Blache, looking forward to a another great year of D!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 At least there will be continuity here. I like Blache and the players like him and I think he will do well. And he has a pretty good staff around him. I will miss Gregg though. Come to think of it, I dont think Ive ever even hear Coach Blache speak... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jivelikenice Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I just don't see the entire defense being put in the hands of Blache with no veteran help on the staff. GW had Blache, Lindsey, and Gray to bounce things off of for the most part. Blache would have maybe Gray in terms of experienced assistants to help him formulate and run his gameplan. I fully anticipate then the HC having a defensive background meaning either Spagnuolo or Schwartz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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