Redskins Like Their Middlemen

[TK]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36316-2003Sep6.html

Redskins Like Their Middlemen

'No-Name' Defensive Line Leaves an Early Signature

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, September 7, 2003; Page E16

Lional Dalton skipped breakfast on Aug. 26 before stepping on a plane in Denver. On the flight to Washington, the 6-foot-1, 315-pound defensive tackle shunned the airplane food. When Dalton reached Redskins Park, mere hours after being dealt by the Denver Broncos, his only nourishment had been a bottle of Gatorade.

But after passing a physical to make the trade official, Dalton rushed onto the practice field. Such enthusiasm was no defense against the scorching heat and humidity. Within an hour, Dalton was carted off the field, suffering from lightheadedness and heat exhaustion.

Dalton is still teased about his practice debut by teammates such as defensive end Regan Upshaw. But Dalton's mentality is no different than that of fellow defensive tackles Martin Chase (6-2, 310), Jermaine Haley (6-4, 325) and Bernard Holsey (6-2, 286).

The big men -- all new Redskins -- remain hungry.

"We're going to work all day long," said Haley, who played every game last season for the Miami Dolphins as a reserve.

"That's just us. We can't afford to take a break. We're not those types of players."

The obscure quartet is trying to fill the humongous holes in the middle of the defensive line caused by the departures of Dan Wilkinson (released before signing with the Detroit Lions) and Daryl Gardener (signed with the Broncos). Minus the towering twosome, defensive tackle was an area of concern during training camp, even bringing reservations from defensive end Bruce Smith.

When Gardener's no-frills replacement, Brandon Noble, suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason, critics envisioned opposing tailbacks resembling Barry Sanders when they faced Washington.

Redskins Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato was forced to execute two trades over a one-week span late in preseason, acquiring reserves Chase and Dalton. But the makeshift line was sturdy in Thursday's season opener, a dramatic 16-13 victory over the New York Jets.

Curtis Martin -- one of the NFL's best running backs -- mustered only 48 yards on 15 carries (an average of 3.2). By harassing opposing offensive linemen and clogging holes for linebackers, Washington's defensive tackles helped hold the Jets to only 57 yards on 22 carries.

"They've played extremely well," Smith said Friday, "especially learning our defense in a short period of time."

The surprising results can be explained more by a workmanlike approach than by any scheme or technique. "That is our strategy: work hard and be sound," Robert Nunn, the defensive line coach, said yesterday.

Starters Haley and Holsey and their backups possess the flash of a flickering light bulb. However, the defensive tackles bring boundless energy, which was used to halt the Jets' offensive linemen and mute detractors, at least temporarily.

Dalton wears 95, the same number as Wilkinson, who was released during training camp after declining to take a pay cut. But Wilkinson's old jersey doesn't bring the same recognition to Dalton or his fellow tackles. Wilkinson, at 6-4, 353 pounds, was known as Big Daddy even before being selected No. 1 overall in the 1994 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. And the 6-6, 300-pound Gardener -- also a former first-round pick -- was described by some teammates as Superman while becoming the Redskins' most valuable player last season.

Washington's new defensive tackles are so obscure that Friday, one reporter approached Chase and Holsey and asked if they would identify themselves. The pair wasn't offended by the request, and expressed understanding.

Haley is the only defensive tackle in the Redskins' media guide because the others joined the club after it had gone to press. Besides, Holsey didn't play in the NFL in 2001 after being released by the Indianapolis Colts. And Chase has started in only four games since being drafted in the fifth round (No. 124 overall) of the 1998 draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Haley has replaced Wilkinson; Holsey has taken over for Noble. Washington's new defensive tackles will need more strong performances before their names and faces are recognized beyond family members and NFL junkies.

But Redskins linebackers, grateful for the efforts up front, have already concocted a couple of monikers: Jessie Armstead calls the defensive tackles the "Blue-Collar Crew." LaVar Arrington has dubbed them "Mighty Mites." Arrington explained:

"Because they're not really tall but they're mighty. They're not pushovers by any stretch of the imagination."

At 6-4, Haley is the only one taller than 6-2. But an edge that the quartet has over their towering predecessors is an ability to chase plays. While Gardener and Wilkinson used power to disrupt offensive linemen, they seldom moved beyond their points of impact. "All of us can run," Haley said. "We'll run all day."

Chase said: "You can call us, 'The No-Name Crew,' or 'The No-Namers.' All we care about is helping this team win."

Holsey -- whose July 25 signing made only one line in some newspapers -- flourished against the Jets. (After the departures of Gardener and Wilkinson, Holsey was projected as a reserve.) Haley and Chase provided solid performances while Dalton lagged because of his conditioning. (More Gatorade?) But the coaching staff views the No-Name Crew as having similar abilities.

Thus, the tackles are rotated every other series, accentuating the energy from an already hyperactive bunch.

Haley and Chase play nose tackle, lining up across from the center. The nose tackle's primary role is to clog the middle, not necessarily make plays. The three-technique tackle -- played by Chase, Dalton and Holsey -- lines up between the offensive tackle and the guard. In that role, the defensive tackle withstands double teams while disrupting offensive linemen trying to reach linebackers.

While Washington's tackles have regimented roles -- controlling certain gaps -- the linebackers have been given more freedom than last season. (It's one significant change between new defensive coordinator George Edwards and his predecessor Marvin Lewis.) And the "no-name" tackles have meshed with the linebackers corps, renown for their bushel of Pro Bowls. "The guys we have up front are blue-collar workers," Armstead said. "They might not be flashy, but we love 'em.

"They get the job done. They grab [the offensive linemen], turn 'em, hit 'em. They put us in situations to make plays."

Thursday, the teamwork and synchronicity was illustrated on a critical play that led to the winning drive. With less than three minutes left, the Jets had the ball on third and one from their 27-yard line. After the snap, Chase and Holsey knocked a Jets offensive linemen aside. This allowed linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to dart through a hole to tackle LaMont Jordan for a four-yard loss. "There won't be a stat [for the defensive tackles]," Nunn said after reviewing the game yesterday, "But that's what caused the play."

The defensive tackles didn't have to be reminded that Thursday was only one game. The Jets were intent on employing a run-oriented offense without quarterback Chad Pennington, who fractured his left wrist during preseason. And there was minimal pressure on Pennington's replacement, Vinny Testaverde, who used three-step drops to avoid the rush.

However, the Redskins defensive tackles aren't supposed to be a bunch of Warren Sapps. The no-names merely hope to gain some recognition, even it means working out on an empty stomach.

"When you have marquee players like Daryl Gardener and Big Daddy and you replace them with [us] fans may feel like they're losing a step," said Chase. "But we feel like we're helping each other, we're hungry, and we'll make a name for ourselves in time."

[bulldog]

Wilkinson was the perhaps the most overhyped Redskin FA upon his arrival in DC. Gardener played here just one season.

There is a great opportunity here for these players to form a solid unit and stand up for themselves, much as the 1989-92 units did.

Those units were led by Charles Mann yet he is the only memorable player from those teams to fans outside of DC.

Those teams won 10, 10, 14 and 9 games

[frankbones]

Stubblefield was even more hyped than Big Daddy. He was coming off an MVP season and performed at a level lower than Big Daddy.