Andre Looks Completely Lost At LB.

[Skin'emAlive]

This D has many different facets and ways to use talent. We didn't see anything but base calls against Buffalo.

This is true. But we also didnt see anything but base calls from Buffalo. They were simple misdirection run plays that would could not contain.

[Smurf85]

Well the problem isn't Carter it's the fact we are now going to the 3-4. If you don't expect our defense to struggle this year you have another thing coming. Point is we don't have the personal for the 3-4 and it will take time to get. I completely expect our offense to improve and improve a lot. At the same time I expect our D to struggle and fall aways from our overall ranking last year.

[Master Blaster]

This is true. But we also didnt see anything but base calls from Buffalo. They were simple misdirection run plays that would could not contain.

They had 121 yards going into the fourth quarter.

I'll take that any day.

We didn't scheme their run plays at all. If we had, AC and Rak would have come underneath the blockers, forcing the RB to bounce and giving our D time to pursue to the ball.

[Hiro]

I think it's likely that this will end up similar to the situation Green Bay had with Aaron Kampman. It's very possible the rest of our defense will perform well, with a guy like Carter fully adjusting and thus having to go to a new team the following season. Whether this happens via trade of FA remains to be seen.

I actually believe for the most part, our defense will be solid. If our offense can put up some good numbers to go with a solid defense, we should be alright. I do agree that I'm concerned about Andre at that spot ...

[z0eboy]

Do you guys realize we probably wouldn't be discussin this if fat albert was on the 1st team.... then carter would have looked like perry in the 2nd half. Fat albert not with the 1st unit makes a huge difference "scheme" wise for a DC.

[chaught76]

Just a question.

H.B. Blades seems to be doing really well in the middle. Why not play him and Fletcher there and move Rocky to OLB if Carter is struggling so bad?

One more thing, did Carter look bad or unsure? Because unsure gets better in time. Just wondering.

Thanks.

[bedlamVR]

One more thing, did Carter look bad or unsure? Because unsure gets better in time. Just wondering.

Thanks.

DON'T BE RIDICULOUS !!! THIS IS EXTREMESKINS . THERE ARE NO MINOR ISSUES . NO ONE EVER GET BETTER WITH TIME AND EXPERIENCE !!! IT IS EITHER PROBOWL OR BUST !!!

sorry but it is a reasonable point . We talk about grabbing someone from the waiver wire etc but Carter has an entire off season in Hassletts system ... he may not be a perfect fit but he will be an awful lot better than anyone else who will likely be out there .

It was the first game in the new system . Can we at least wait for Dallas utill we start talking about the falling sky?

[z0eboy]

Can we at least wait for Dallas utill we start talking about the falling sky?

no way in hell we lose the superbowl... wait a minute do u mean week 1? :doh1:

[redskins55]

The 3-4 is a "TEAM" defense.. even more so than the 4-3. And yes Carter looked like a fish out of water sometimes but he did not play poorly.

In the 3-4 everyone must really do their job for it to work. Now there were some plays where Carter was trapped by their linemen and they had sizable gains. Well Carter was rushing up field... that's his job..that's what Haslett had him and Rak doing. They wern't really run scheming for Buffalo so of course he's going to get kicked out by the guard or TE. If they would've run to Orakpo's side it wouldve been the same result because Rak was rushing up field big time too. It's also Adam Carriker's job to not get blocked down, and its the MLB and sometimes SS job to fill the hole. Well Carriker was sealed several times leaving a gaping hole off tackle. We finally got it right after a few plays when they were called for holding on Rocky who filled nicely. But on another play Landry took a horrible angle and didnt fill the hole properly which resulted in Kareem Moore's face mask. It's a team thing with this defense, so if we dont all get on the same page we're really gonna see some explosive plays against us.

I'm not worried about Carter's responsibility because Haslett will scheme so that he's not isolated one on one, he'll be in zone and straight rushing the passer. But I am worried about Laron Landry. He's supposed to be Polomaou in this defense by flying all over the field, stuffing running lanes, and punishing receivers. He clearly needs more work in taking better angles and playing bigger.

[Master Blaster]

.

In the 3-4 everyone must really do their job for it to work. Now there were some plays where Carter was trapped by their linemen and they had sizable gains. Well Carter was rushing up field... that's his job..that's what Haslett had him and Rak doing. They wern't really run scheming for Buffalo so of course he's going to get kicked out by the guard or TE. If they would've run to Orakpo's side it wouldve been the same result because Rak was rushing up field big time too.

This.

[GSF]

This defense is going to struggle defending runs and short passes to the outside. Neither Rak or Carter are comfortable or very good at covering TEs or FBs in routes. Defense will be great against the run up the middle and great against the pass, but screens and sweeps to the flats will be its weakness.

[KDawg]

The 3-4 is a "TEAM" defense.. even more so than the 4-3. And yes Carter looked like a fish out of water sometimes but he did not play poorly.

In the 3-4 everyone must really do their job for it to work.

As opposed to any other defense? It doesn't matter what scheme you run in football. If one player messes up their assignment, someone else is going to have to stray from theirs to make a play. If that continues to happen, the offense will find and exploit that deficiency and bury you with it. 3-4, 4-3, 3-3-5, 3-5-3, 46, Bear... it doesn't matter. You have to do your job regardless.

But I absolutely see your point here. And I agree with it, except that Carter didn't play poorly. The biggest point you made is that we didn't scheme for Buffalo, but then again they didn't scheme for us, either.

I'm not worried about Carter's responsibility because Haslett will scheme so that he's not isolated one on one, he'll be in zone and straight rushing the passer.

If we're in man, Carter and/or Rak will be in coverage at times. It's virtually impossible to not have them cover time to time without the offense finding that and exploiting it. Even if we got away with it for a game or two, once there is film on us that will be exploited heavily.

But again, overall, I agree with this point. Haslett is going to avoid them being in coverage as much as he can... or at least I hope so. But that doesn't change the fact that Carter looked confused versus the run as well. Whether people want to admit it or not, Carter is a weak link. Not because he's not a great player, but because he's playing way out of position.

This doesn't mean the defense is doomed, either. It means we have a weak link. Most team's fans want that weak link to be corrected and not have the team (or fan base) stay ho hum with it and say that it could be the only weak link... (it's not, by the way, redskins55 next quote below will tell us the next one)

But I am worried about Laron Landry. He's supposed to be Polomaou in this defense by flying all over the field, stuffing running lanes, and punishing receivers. He clearly needs more work in taking better angles and playing bigger.

Landry scares me back there. Big time. I'd be more comfortable with him playing closer to the box, to be honest. But Kareem Moore didn't inspire confidence Friday, either.

But, it was the first preseason game and no I don't think this defense will fail... But we have a lot of work to do in order to get it working properly. And most importantly, it's a conversation piece of a conversation starved fan base in regards to the actual game of football.

I also don't think anyone in this thread is completely writing off the defense. Ryman has some real concerns, but I don't even think he said it will fail completely... I may be wrong there, but he seems more concerned than he is determined it won't work. KingGibbs never said it would fail.

Some here are blowing it out of proportion on both ends. Let's just have a conversation about it until Saturday, when we can continue this conversation or move on to other positives/negatives

[KingGibbs]

Great post dawg and you are right about me never stating the defense would fail. Like I said I am concerned with ONE component of the defense right now and it's Carter. The people that are claiming some are in panic mode? Could you exaggerate a little more?

Also, for those of you that don't quite get it. I LOVE Andre.....as a DE. I want him to succeed at LB, but his past history as a LB has the odds stacked against him. He's not getting any younger so he needs to adapt quickly IMO.

I'm not worried about Rak manning the other OLB spot because he's just a freak of an athlete and when I hear him talk he just oozes confidence.

[TotalRecall]

How about kick McIntosh outside and put Blades with Fletch in the middle? Or give Wilson a shot in place of Carter? Move Carter in the DE rotation.

[z0eboy]

Rocky is a ILB PERFECT FOR 3-4 scheme next to fletch. The key to the ILB is the other guys around THEM. Those 2 LB's and IF necessary SS (Landry) should be UNTOUCHED AND FREE TO MAKE PLAYS.

I started a thread highlighting Rocky link - http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=207409

Miami Hurricane LB's - Is it just me or does anyway else realize Rocky McIntosh has been an impact player since his college days at UM. Game in and Game out he racked up tackles, sacks, ints you name it, side line to side line ball hog who played on a defense built around speed and creating big plays. He played along side DJ Williams (Broncos) J Vilma (Jets) S Taylor (Skins) Ed Reed (Ravens) Antrell Rolle (Cards), and thats not including offensive players like Shockey, McGahee, CPortis, and D Hester. My only point is he beat out Jon Beason (Panthers 1st pick 25th overall) for the starting job at UM. McIntosh was slowed down from a knee injury but came back strong his senior year leading in team...

[RandyHolt]

another aspect of LB play, and guys out of their natural positions, are we expecting Fletcher to match or top last years studly performance? I am not sure he can improve on last years Mike efforts, and taking on a new role, maybe we even need to bump his expectations down just a tad.

I just have a feeling Carter and others out of the position where they earned their stripes, are going to be in Fletch's way more than to my liking. Heck I was livid that Blache put Orakpo at LB behind Daniels, now a plenty are out of their natural positions. Rak had a quiet time at LB last year, lets face it. His damage was done at end.

Everyone that is learning a new position on D should get at least a half against the Ravens.

[ChillSkinzFan84]

Carter is a problem and shouldnt be starting. His problem is that he has tight hips and cant read and react. He cant adjust and still move fluidly. Tight hips cant be fixed or coached up folks. The fact is we should of traded Carter while he had trade value...now that we have switched to the 3-4 his value is gone. I would rather have Lorenzo Alexander or even Chris Wilson out there. Carter continues to make the same mistakes even after he gets burned on them. He doesnt keep containment...he let DeSean Jackson burn him on that reverse last year then the next week did the same damn thing, then against Buffalo he does it again...he just doesnt keep containment. He doesnt even jump up to bat the ball down on pass plays its like he cant read and react.

If you think this is going to work out with him starting your in for a rude awakening

[wilburmarshall]

Carter is a problem and shouldnt be starting. His problem is that he has tight hips and cant read and react. He cant adjust and still move fluidly. Tight hips cant be fixed or coached up folks. The fact is we should of traded Carter while he had trade value...now that we have switched to the 3-4 his value is gone. I would rather have Lorenzo Alexander or even Chris Wilson out there. Carter continues to make the same mistakes even after he gets burned on them. He doesnt keep containment...he let DeSean Jackson burn him on that reverse last year then the next week did the same damn thing, then against Buffalo he does it again...he just doesnt keep containment. He doesnt even jump up to bat the ball down on pass plays its like he cant read and react.

If you think this is going to work out with him starting your in for a rude awakening

I would not go as far as saying that his trade value has gone. I agree, and mentioned earlier that we should have traded him before, or during the draft, while his stock was @ its peak, and before other teams realized that he would not fit into our plans, but that does not take away his skills as an end on a 4-3. If a team has an injury, or thinks it needs an upgrade I am hopeful they can find a suitor who would be willing to give up a 3rd rounder for him. Maybe a LB or WR.

I would not go as far as saying that his trade value has gone. I agree, and mentioned earlier that we should have traded him before, or during the draft, while his stock was @ its peak, and before other teams realized that he would not fit into our plans, but that does not take away his skills as an end on a 4-3. If a team has an injury, or thinks it needs an upgrade, I am hopeful they can find a suitor who would be willing to give up a 3rd rounder for him. Maybe a LB or WR.

[Skin'Em84]

I have a feeling Alexander will end up with the starting role, with Carter coming in on obvious blitzing downs. He's still a solid pass rusher, and will eff up a QB or two.

I wouldn't give up on Rak in coverage yet, it's his second year, he can still improve.

[Skin'emAlive]

Rocky is a ILB PERFECT FOR 3-4 scheme next to fletch. The key to the ILB is the other guys around THEM. Those 2 LB's and IF necessary SS (Landry) should be UNTOUCHED AND FREE TO MAKE PLAYS.

Rocky is not perfect for the 3-4. Albeit, i have high hopes that he will be serviceable. He is a tad too small to be a true ilb. Fletcher has thickness and a lower center of gravity, things that rocky does not. In many situations rocky should be able to come untouched for a tackle. But there will be many more situations where an ol will get his hands on him at the second level and he will be useless. He was not great at shedding tackles that last 2 years, i dont see why that would change now.

[z0eboy]

Rocky McIntosh- Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRoger A. "Rocky" McIntosh(born November 15, 1982 in Roosevelt, New York) is an American football linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National ...* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_McIntosh

check him out do research... need i say more?

[wilburmarshall]

Rocky is not perfect for the 3-4. Albeit' date=' i have high hopes that he will be serviceable. He is a tad too small to be a true ilb. Fletcher has thickness and a lower center of gravity, things that rocky does not. In many situations rocky should be able to come untouched for a tackle. But there will be many more situations where an ol will get his hands on him at the second level and he will be useless. He was not great at shedding tackles that last 2 years, i dont see why that would change now.[/quote']

I agree. I like Rocky, but not thrilled w/ him. I feel that Riley will get a lot of playing time, and will eventually move ahead of Rocky.

[wilburmarshall]

The only LB position that I am worried about is the one that Carter holds. I do not think that everyone should be freaking out about the rest of the LB. There were comments made in the offseason about needing to get the right personal in here to run the defense that they installed. They said they will constantly bring in players who they think will help. I feel that we will see them pick up a player, not saying a starter, that might help the situation @ OLB. We have to remember to, that if our 3-4 does not perform well, Haslett can run the 4-3 also.

BTW, they have only played 1 game. We could all be worried for nothing.

[HBnotBlades]

Rocky McIntosh- Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRoger A. "Rocky" McIntosh(born November 15, 1982 in Roosevelt, New York) is an American football linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National ...* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_McIntosh

check him out do research... need i say more?

What does this post even mean? Am I missing something?

In regards to Rocky, he is a little small for a 3-4 ILB, but I think he'll do just fine. If Kemoeatu and Haynesworth are eating up blocks ahead of Rocky his size won't be an issue.

[KingGibbs]

I don't think there's a need to worry about Rocky either. He's very athletic and a lot stronger then some people think. Not to mention he's playing for a new contract/extension.