TK Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=34725 Blache Taking On a Higher Profile Now By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com March 4, 2008 In the last four seasons, Greg Blache opted for a low profile as a Redskins assistant coach. He rarely talked to media, by his own choosing. Now that he heads up the Redskins' defense, replacing Gregg Williams, Blache takes on a higher profile. What will Redskins fans learn about Blache in the coming year? For one, he's not one to mince words. He tells it like it is. He won't recount statistics to prove a point. He doesn't care about a defense's ranking against the run or pass. He calls his brand of defense "hard-nosed football." He wants tough, physical, hard-hitting players. Simply put, he looks at a football game and prepares his players for a fight. In an interview shortly after the Redskins hired Jim Zorn as head coach, Blache would not label himself or put himself in any category of defensive coordinators. Asked if he would be as aggressive on defense as his predecessor, Blache said: "When a situation presents itself, you make decisions and you go with it. So if there's more blitzing or less blitzing, I can't answer that to you right now. "I look at winning a series and winning a football game. Whatever I have to do, I'm going to do it to win that series and win that football game. Some weeks there may be more blitzing, some weeks there may be more zone. "It depends on the opponent, it depends on the health of our football team, and it depends on matchups." Blache said he does not expect to revamp or alter the Redskins' defensive approach. Under Williams, who is now the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Redskins finished last season ranked eighth in total defense, fourth against the run and 16th against the pass. "There's no need to change," he said. "We were a very good defensive unit the last four years. There are some areas we need to clean up, but that's not about scheme. That's us doing a better job. Greg Blache (Wire Image) "We have a good scheme. We have some good packages. We're going to stick with the system that matches our players. I see no reason to change." Blache does put a premium on cornerback play in his defense. "When you blitz, somebody has to cover those wide outs," he said. "When you put them in one-on-one matchups, you always have to be careful." The Redskins have veterans Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot on the roster, but fourth-year player Carlos Rogers is coming off a knee ligament injury. That's one reason why the team has targeted cornerback as a need this offseason. Springs was among the first players Blache called after he was hired to lead the Redskins in 2008. Springs is coming off a strong season in which he had four interceptions in the Redskins' last four games--all wins. Even though Springs turns 33 years old on March 11, he is regarded as an elite-level cornerback. "I talked to Shawn, Cornelius [Griffin] and Fletch--some of the key guys--and I let them know what my thoughts were about them," Blache said. "I have great respect for Shawn Springs. He had one of the best seasons of his career, with how he played down the stretch in the last few weeks. He played as good as any corner in the league." Blache served primarily as the Redskins' defensive line coach the last four years under Williams. He helped develop youngsters Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston and Chris Wilson in recent seasons. Before joining the Redskins, Blache was a defensive coordinator in Chicago, where he led the Bears to several top 10 rankings in five seasons. What kind of coordinator is he? "I'm very hands-off," he said. "I let my [assistants] coach their guys. I don't watch drills cloesely. I stay back away from them. The hardest thing for me will be standing back and not putting my two cents in with the defensive line drills. "One thing I know, when I have a job to do, I like people to get out of my way and let me do it." The Redskins return all their defensive starters from last season, but coaches and team officials have targeted defensive line and safety--along with cornerback--as needs this offseason. Blache also sees a need for depth at all positions on defense. "If you go across the board, in the NFL, you have to have quality depth," he said. "So we have to take our team, see what's available, what best fits us, and then go from there." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 great read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aston Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Blache does put a premium on cornerback play in his defense. "When you blitz, somebody has to cover those wide outs," he said. "When you put them in one-on-one matchups, you always have to be careful."The Giants just won a Super Bowl with a banged up, inexperienced, mediocre secondary. I agree with adding a CB or S for depth, but I think our current secondary would be more than capable if they had the line NYG had. I really hope we get a stud DT in the draft this year, and maybe trade for another next year. We have been decent that last few years in this system, but it just seems that corners are just too damn expensive to base a defense on.:2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackest Eyes Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Pretty interesting interview. I really hope we see more turnovers this year. I also hope that Blache will keep the pedal to the metal when we are sticking it to someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnhay Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I tend to agree with Blache that in today's NFL, good corners are probably the most important part of a defense. I say this only because of how the elite passing teams like to use 3 or 4 wide receivers and get the ball out quickly. The defensive line usually doesn't have enough time to get to the qb before the ball is out, so it is on the CBs to cover well. I'm not saying defensive line isn't important, but unless you're line is playing out of their heads like the Giants did in the Super Bowl, the corners are taking most of the punishment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jweisk1 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 good read...I am excited to see how are D looks this year...I think we were really playing well down the stretch, I hope it can continue into next season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I strongly disagree with Blache if he thinks the DL either could not or should not be improved upon - immediately. Why there exists an apparent indifference or non-premium placed on our ability to rush the passer with four DL is really baffling to me. I said in about week 6 or 7 that the Giants were the team to beat precisely because of their ability to get to the QB and we all know how that turned out. I also know we all realize this and have said as much practically on a daily basis. I just wish Blache and company did. I was not comforted by his statements at all. It just seemed like more of the status quo stuff. Of course the defense has been the bright spot, but to continue to ignore addressing the line is without question idiotic - IMO . Does the line suck? No, of course not, but they do need a talent infusion and sooner not later. We are all pleasantly surprised by Montgomery and Golston, but we need more - much more IMO. I also do not feel Wilson is the answer either as so many readily believe. If we continue to ignore the DL it will be at our own peril... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I strongly disagree with Blache if he thinks the DL either could not or should not be improved upon - immediately. Why there exists an apparent indifference or non-premium placed on our ability to rush the passer with four DL is really baffling to me. I said in about week 6 or 7 that the Giants were the team to beat precisely because of their ability to get to the QB and we all know how that turned out. I also know we all realize this and have said as much practically on a daily basis. I just wish Blache and company did. I was not comforted by his statements at all. It just seemed like more of the status quo stuff. Of course the defense has been the bright spot, but to continue to ignore addressing the line is without question idiotic - IMO . Does the line suck? No, of course not, but they do need a talent infusion and sooner not later. We are all pleasantly surprised by Montgomery and Golston, but we need more - much more IMO. I also do not feel Wilson is the answer either as so many readily believe. If we continue to ignore the DL it will be at our own peril... You must have missed the part where he said DL was a need. If you have read other things from him, you would have seen that there is a lot of focus on that. Vinny has also echoed those things. But, along with that, improving our depth at CB and S is also important. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Anyone else wonder how Gary can get all of these quotes while a guy like JLC only gets quotes from either press release or a media group setting? Or is it just me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 You must have missed the part where he said DL was a need. If you have read other things from him, you would have seen that there is a lot of focus on that. Vinny has also echoed those things.But, along with that, improving our depth at CB and S is also important. Jason I did miss that sentence at the end. I know Vinny mentioned getting a DT, but it would have been nice if Blache had emphasized directly - even in a round about way to not throw anyone under the bus on the DL so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Anyone else wonder how Gary can get all of these quotes while a guy like JLC only gets quotes from either press release or a media group setting? Or is it just me? Not sure if you're being sarcastic here, but obviously Gary isn't real media, he works for the team itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2006Skins Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Anyone else wonder how Gary can get all of these quotes while a guy like JLC only gets quotes from either press release or a media group setting? Or is it just me? You noticed that too, eh? It seems JLC is getting most of his info from ES now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icbmayday Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 sounds good 2 mw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 two things... someone needs to buy him some hats that fit. second, i hope this isn't hugh jackson part 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Chaaarmnder Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 getting VERY excited about next season. I love the attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsince72 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I am anxious to see how Blache handles his new title. If we are keeping all of our starters and can make a splash in the draft w/ a DT/DE, I feel we will finish in the top 10 again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playsmart30 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I strongly disagree with Blache if he thinks the DL either could not or should not be improved upon - immediately. Why there exists an apparent indifference or non-premium placed on our ability to rush the passer with four DL is really baffling to me. I said in about week 6 or 7 that the Giants were the team to beat precisely because of their ability to get to the QB and we all know how that turned out. I also know we all realize this and have said as much practically on a daily basis. I just wish Blache and company did. I was not comforted by his statements at all. It just seemed like more of the status quo stuff. Of course the defense has been the bright spot, but to continue to ignore addressing the line is without question idiotic - IMO . Does the line suck? No, of course not, but they do need a talent infusion and sooner not later. We are all pleasantly surprised by Montgomery and Golston, but we need more - much more IMO. I also do not feel Wilson is the answer either as so many readily believe. If we continue to ignore the DL it will be at our own peril... This is the problem i am having with some redskins fan. we was surprised by Montgomery and Golston last two year, instead let them play and see what we got in them alot of fans want more bring in a pass rusher DT. We don't need no DT and just only need a DE just one. Carter was very solid and chris is interesting talent. Chris is not a starter yet but maybe the pass rusher we need on 3rd and 8 or longer. People keep saying we need a pass rusher but if u put two pass rusher on the field at same time they rush all over us. We need a guy that can do both. pass rusher/ run stopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyConway Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 You have to love Blache's attitude. He and GW have plenty in common when it comes to coaching styles. I really liked this part: "clean up, but that's not about scheme. That's us doing a better job." I took this to mean we are going to be holding all players, including vets accountable for assignments. I think he likes our personnel but wants to add depth at certain positions like DL and DB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotfire Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Not sure if you're being sarcastic here, but obviously Gary isn't real media, he works for the team itself.Maybe instead of "real media", you could have said "traditional media". His articles are real, quality journalism - no question about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goskinz0721 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I read somewhere along the way that Blache & GW did not get along. At all. I never saw any details about it, but the comment was something along the lines that they hated each other. Anyone else hear/see this and know more details? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewCliche21 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I don't get it. If he's hands off with his guys, and he doesn't pay attention to drills, then what the hell does he do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomE Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I don't get it. If he's hands off with his guys, and he doesn't pay attention to drills, then what the hell does he do? "I'm very hands-off," he said. "I let my [assistants] coach their guys. I don't watch drills cloesely. I stay back away from them. The hardest thing for me will be standing back and not putting my two cents in with the defensive line drills. "One thing I know, when I have a job to do, I like people to get out of my way and let me do it." He is not going to micromanage and let his assistants do their jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 second, i hope this isn't hugh jackson part 2. Honestly, I've given that more than a passing thought. What I've always admired about Bill Belichick... is that EVERY week he had a new strategy for a particular team. And he observed and analyzed what you did best... and made a concerted effort to take that away. He forced you to beat them doing the things you aren't necessarily efficient at. I've always liked that philosophy. It's how you get offenses to make more mistakes than usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewCliche21 Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 He is not going to micromanage and let his assistants do their jobs. Awesome, so what's his job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary@Redskins.com Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Just to clarify, Greg Blache focuses on the bigger picture. That's what defensive coordinators do. That's what Gregg Williams did. Blache won't be looking at drills, like players running through blocking dummies. But you can bet he'll be scrutinizing the 11-on-11s during that portion of practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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