CSNWashington.com: On the bubble: Chris Wilson and Rob Jackson

[Chump Bailey]

http://www.csnwashington.com/05/18/11/Wilson-and-Jackson-are-on-the-bubble/landing_redskins_loud3r.html?blockID=524700&feedID=272

By Rich Tandler

Redskins Blogger

CSNwashington.com

Last week we took a quick look at some of the players who might have been affected by the results of the NFL draft last month. Over the next few weeks we’re going to start looking at some players who were on the roster in 2010 but, due to the results of the draft and other factors, will have to battle for a roster spot in 2011.

We’ll start the series today with a look at linebackers Rob Jackson and Chris Wilson.

Wilson, 29, is a four-year NFL veteran who came to the Redskins after playing two years for British Columbia in the Canadian Football League. Playing as a reserve defensive end, Wilson got four sacks his rookie year and contributed on special teams. He moved to outside linebacker when the Redskins switched to the 3-4 defense. Wilson played sparingly on defense (115 snaps, 11 percent of the total defensive plays) and did not record a sack.

The Redskins drafted Jackson, 25, in seventh round in 2008. He has spent most of his first three years on either the practice squad or the inactive list. It wasn’t until the last two games of 2010 that he saw a substantial amount of action on defense. Jackson played 43 snaps in those two games, recorded a sack and looked fairly comfortable in the defense.

Prior to the draft, both Wilson and Jackson likely knew that they would have battles on their hands to make the roster this year. Wilson will be either a restricted or unrestricted free agent, depending on how the CBA negotiations shake out. The Redskins have exclusive rights to Jackson for the coming season. Years four and five are key seasons for fringe players like Jackson and Wilson.

Then the Redskins took Ryan Kerrigan in the first round of the draft and Markus White in the seventh round. Both were defensive ends in college who will be moved to linebacker in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense. If they weren’t concerned about job security before that happened they certainly are now.

[DJD2]

I'd like to see what Jackson can do in this D. I think Wilson will be the one most in danger of losing a roster spot.

[Chump Bailey]

I thought Rob Jackson played very well in the limited action he saw and is certainly underrated IMO. Chris Wilson has been inconsistent, but plays hard. I think highly of both.

[SWFLSkins]

On this team no roster spots are set in stone, except maybe TE and Safety.

[Mahons21]

W kerrigan likely taking Zo's starting spot, I wouldn't mind hanging on to Jackson/Wilson as rotational players, and either letting Zo go , or moving him to yet another position.

I love Zo, but unfortunately for him we drafted his replacement and he's not exactly a great situation pass rusher.

[Chump Bailey]

W kerrigan likely taking Zo's starting spot, I wouldn't mind hanging on to Jackson/Wilson as rotational players, and either letting Zo go , or moving him to yet another position.

I love Zo, but unfortunately for him we drafted his replacement and he's not exactly a great situation pass rusher.

I think Zo could nail down the Center position

I wish he could get a chance anyway

---------- Post added May-18th-2011 at 08:34 AM ----------

On this team no roster spots are set in stone, except maybe TE and Safety.

Definitely true

[AKM311]

Zo isn't going anywhere.

[RandyHolt]

Maybe the move to the 3-4 has more to do with their job security, than the draft. How many proven 3-4 guys did we draft this year... Zero? Jackson and Wilson were moved to OLB, just like the guys we drafted will be. The problem with moving to a 3-4 - there arent many college teams that run it so drafting sherlock cant fail guys for it, is a crapshoot at best. They have as good a chance at excelling in moving backwards (into pass coverage) as Wilson and Jackson, who at least have a year under their belts.

All the DE's we convert look stiff to me in coverage. Carter was the hardest to watch. I dont think even Rak excels in pass coverage. We either make guys lose weight or gain weight, it seems. Change them - square peg round hole them. Shanahan keeps hammering away.

[Chump Bailey]

Maybe the move to the 3-4 has more to do with their job security, than the draft. How many proven 3-4 guys did we draft this year... Zero? Jackson and Wilson were moved to OLB, just like the guys we drafted will be. The problem with moving to a 3-4 - there arent many college teams that run it so drafting sherlock cant fail guys for it, is a crapshoot at best. They have as good a chance at excelling in moving backwards (into pass coverage) as Wilson and Jackson, who at least have a year under their belts.

All the DE's we convert look stiff to me in coverage. Carter was the hardest to watch. I dont think even Rak excels in pass coverage. We either make guys lose weight or gain weight, it seems. Change them - square peg round hole them. Shanahan keeps hammering away.

Good points and have to agree with you.

[The Full Monty]

Agreed RandyHolt, I wish we could at least give some hybrid looks and 4-3 looks more often, I've read that we did use that package on occasion last year. Also, Rak wasn't very good against the run either last year. Tight ends and tackles were blocking him with ease. But, I hope another year in the system will let him get more comfortable in all aspects of being OLB.

[Tweedr01]

I think Zo could nail down the Center position

I wish he could get a chance anyway

i think he could play any position 'well' that he wanted. if we put him at WR he would find a way to make it work. the work ethic in that guy is outstanding.

[authentic]

One of them has to go. We drafted two LBs who i think will make an impact right away. My guess is that Wilson's days may be numbered.

[Annonymous Source]

Maybe the move to the 3-4 has more to do with their job security, than the draft. How many proven 3-4 guys did we draft this year... Zero? Jackson and Wilson were moved to OLB, just like the guys we drafted will be. The problem with moving to a 3-4 - there arent many college teams that run it so drafting sherlock cant fail guys for it, is a crapshoot at best. They have as good a chance at excelling in moving backwards (into pass coverage) as Wilson and Jackson, who at least have a year under their belts.

All the DE's we convert look stiff to me in coverage. Carter was the hardest to watch. I dont think even Rak excels in pass coverage. We either make guys lose weight or gain weight, it seems. Change them - square peg round hole them. Shanahan keeps hammering away.

Honestly in the admitttedly limited action that we saw him in last year, Jackson did impress me in coverage. Jackson was the second best OLB on this roster at the end of last season. Wilson is a 4-3 edge rush specialist. If he were on a team like the Colts he would be getting playing time because that is the scheme that team uses. As an OLB he is very limited however. I hope that he can find a better fit if he does become a free agent. Lorenzo is essentially a special teams player. He and Sellers are basically our entire special teams unit. Shannahan likes rewarding those types of players with playing time, but the problem is that he doesnt really fit any position in a 3-4 scheme. Expect to see a lot of him this year in Goal Line and short yardage packages.

[#98QBKiller]

Rob Jackson had a couple of beastly games at the end of last season. I'd be surprised to see him go.

[maskedsuperstar]

Agreed RandyHolt, I wish we could at least give some hybrid looks and 4-3 looks more often, I've read that we did use that package on occasion last year. Also, Rak wasn't very good against the run either last year. Tight ends and tackles were blocking him with ease. But, I hope another year in the system will let him get more comfortable in all aspects of being OLB.

on occasion? The Skins played in four man fronts more than 3 man fronts. Hybrid is what they are. But see, nobody pays any attention to that.

---------- Post added May-18th-2011 at 09:54 AM ----------

Honestly in the admitttedly limited action that we saw him in last year, Jackson did impress me in coverage. Jackson was the second best OLB on this roster at the end of last season. Wilson is a 4-3 edge rush specialist. If he were on a team like the Colts he would be getting playing time because that is the scheme that team uses. As an OLB he is very limited however. I hope that he can find a better fit if he does become a free agent. Lorenzo is essentially a special teams player. He and Sellers are basically our entire special teams unit. Shannahan likes rewarding those types of players with playing time, but the problem is that he doesnt really fit any position in a 3-4 scheme. Expect to see a lot of him this year in Goal Line and short yardage packages.

Wilson can flat out get after the QB. He needs to play more. Wilson fits the 3-4 defense. He should have been starting opposite Orakpo from the start.

[DRSmith]

Wilson had a second round tender placed on him pre lockout did he not?

[Chump Bailey]

Wilson had a second round tender placed on him pre lockout did he not?

I believe that's correct

[feeshta]

3-4 OLBs are not asked to run and cover in the same way as 4-3 OLBs, stop comparing the two because it is not the same thing. Their weakness in coverage in a designed-in assumption of the defensive scheme. Of course there is a point of no return, where their inadequacy in coverage outweighs their other advantages, but it's a pretty low standard. Carter basically just floated around directionless in coverage, and that is not acceptable, but the one thing I would be really surprised to see out of Kerrigan is directionless play. He will probably make a few mistakes, but my bet is he will make them going 100mph.

Lorenzo Alexander is going to be starting at ILB next to Fletcher. Wilson and Jackson are going to be the backups at OLB. Riley and Blades are most likely going to be the backups at ILB.

[panel]

I don't think Jarmon is 100% safe either

---------- Post added May-18th-2011 at 10:33 AM ----------

3-4 OLBs are not asked to run and cover in the same way as 4-3 OLBs, stop comparing the two because it is not the same thing. Their weakness in coverage in a designed-in assumption of the defensive scheme. Of course there is a point of no return, where their inadequacy in coverage outweighs their other advantages, but it's a pretty low standard. Carter basically just floated around directionless in coverage, and that is not acceptable, but the one thing I would be really surprised to see out of Kerrigan is directionless play. He will probably make a few mistakes, but my bet is he will make them going 100mph.

Lorenzo Alexander is going to be starting at ILB next to Fletcher. Wilson and Jackson are going to be the backups at OLB. Riley and Blades are most likely going to be the backups at ILB.

Alexander isn't exactly a coverage guy himself. That would make 3 converted D Linemen playing LB

[authentic]

I don't think Jarmon is 100% safe either

I'm hoping that Jarmon is more "safe" than Golston. I think Golston has hit the ceiling as far as potential is concerned. Really good, high character guy, but hasn't produced alot on the field.

[BeefJerky]

W kerrigan likely taking Zo's starting spot, I wouldn't mind hanging on to Jackson/Wilson as rotational players, and either letting Zo go , or moving him to yet another position.

I love Zo, but unfortunately for him we drafted his replacement and he's not exactly a great situation pass rusher.

One man gang stays. If it came down to wilson/jackson, I'd keep Jackson. I like Wilson, but Jackson has that nasty streak you want in a LB.

[Kostaskins]

Jackson is from connecticut so of course I want him to stay lol. But he needs more reps to show what he can do. And to be honest he did ok with what he got. And that "ok" was done with limited reps.

I expect him to double if not triple the plays he gets this year.

Its a make it or break it season for him. So.... Hope it works out well for us and jackson.

[Annonymous Source]

on occasion? The Skins played in four man fronts more than 3 man fronts. Hybrid is what they are. But see, nobody pays any attention to that.

---------- Post added May-18th-2011 at 09:54 AM ----------

Wilson can flat out get after the QB. He needs to play more. Wilson fits the 3-4 defense. He should have been starting opposite Orakpo from the start.

The front and the scheme are two different things. The front is where people are lined up before the snap, so a 4 front means 4 people are at the line of scrimmage before the snap. A 3-4 refers to the personnel group that is used. It means that there are 3 defensive linemen and 4 linebackers. Sorry to rant like that, but it irritates me when I see terms being used incorrectly.

As for what you said about Wilson, he strikes me as being too limited to play OLB in a 3-4. He was a liability in coverage, and struggled at times against the run although doing better than Carter or Zo. I wont say that he will not make the team, but if he makes the team it is just because we are still lacking scheme fits at that position.

[maskedsuperstar]

The front and the scheme are two different things. The front is where people are lined up before the snap, so a 4 front means 4 people are at the line of scrimmage before the snap. A 3-4 refers to the personnel group that is used. It means that there are 3 defensive linemen and 4 linebackers. Sorry to rant like that, but it irritates me when I see terms being used incorrectly.

As for what you said about Wilson, he strikes me as being too limited to play OLB in a 3-4. He was a liability in coverage, and struggled at times against the run although doing better than Carter or Zo. I wont say that he will not make the team, but if he makes the team it is just because we are still lacking scheme fits at that position.

LOL! I understand the 3 and 4 man fronts. You are not understanding what I said. Haslett said the Skins played more 4 man fronts than they did in 3 man fronts. I know the difference between the 3-4 and 4-3. Go back to last season and look for yourself.

[RandyHolt]

Annonymous ...I must admit, I dont even remember much of Jackson in coverage. But I am encouraged that you show him making strides last year. I always liked him in the 4-3 - like Chris Wilson Jarmon hand in the dirt, these speed guys made plays. The fact that OLB is a position we targeted for upgrade tells me the powers that be didnt like our old 4-3 guys. Jackson always looked quick to me and maybe he can build on that and be a pass coverage specialist.

Monty - I think we did a lot of 4-3 looks / front whatever last year. Carter and Rak hand in dirt. What we call it doenst matter. I think we showed 4 man fronts in part because all our DE's sucked in coverage, and well our 3 man front was just getting creamed. I think the 3-4 is good at generating turnovers because offenses dont know where the blitzers are coming from. With our bulky 4-3 guys moved to 3-4, they knew. Carter and Rak were coming. So why sugar coat it, we went to the 4-3 a lot, and that allowed Al Haynes to get some pushes. Our DL last year was atrocious. the entire defense was. I will forever question the move to the 3-4 when we made win now pickups of McNabb and Brown for picks.

It made me lose trust in the "braintrust". Are we rebuilding the team or not. Just the defense?

Is it too late to go back to the 4-3? I just fear Kerrigan a stud hand in the dirt will struggle in coverage and teams will know, we are bring Rak and Kerrigan. Eliminating the benefit of the 3-4.