SOW| Expect The Redskins Defense to Crank Up the Pressure Monday Night (With another sick wallpaper from Left)

[rd421]

Pressure… it can be your absolute best friend or your worst enemy, depending on if you’re applying said pressure or being crushed under it.

When Mike Shanahan took over as Head Coach of the Washington Redskins he inherited a defense who had ranked among the best in the league on overall defense. Unfortunately that same defense also ranked among the worst in regards to creating turnovers.

In an effort to increase the pressure that his defense generated, Shanahan decided to switch the Washington Redskins from a 4-3 base defense to a more agressive 3-4, which in theory would lead to more turnovers from increased pressure on apposing Qbs.

While the theory was sound, forcing it on a team built for the 4-3 was, well, lets just call it terrible. The team just did not have the personnel to run the 3-4 and it showed.

Watching former defensive centerpieces like Andre Carter (who had double digit sacks in 2009) wander the field like a lost puppy was equally as humiliating as it was heartbreaking (and don’t even get me started on Fat Albert).

One of the biggest reasons for the Redskins early success this season is the night and day improvement of the defense.

The improvement through the first two weeks has been stunning. To say that the defense has impacted the outcome of the first two games is quite frankly a gross understatement. The results of the switch in year two speak for themselves. In the first two games netting 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and a TD (which came from rookie Ryan Kerrigan’s beautiful Tip Pick Six in week 1).

Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan (KERRAKPO!!)so far are off to a spectacular start. Last year when offenses could hold back Orakpo (literally), they could stop the pressure of theWashingtondefense, especially after Washington lost Laron Landry to injury.

This season offenses have not been able to stop Kerrakpo. If they are able to stop one, the other is coming free terrorizing quarterbacks. It’s not just the sacks either, Kerrigan in his first two games has showed a keen ability disrupt QB’s even when he isn’t touching them.

In each of his first two games as a pro Kerrigan has deflected key passes, against the Giants intercepting his own tip and scoring, then against Arizona he tipped a Kevin Kolb pass stalling a key fourth quarter drive, giving the Redskins the ball when they needed it most.

For Redskins fans the improved play of the defense is a welcome surprise considering that hard hitting safety Laron Landry has been out dealing with Achilles and hamstring issues.

Landry looks set to make his return Monday night against the bitter rival Dallas Cowboys. You can be sure Dallas fans are losing sleep considering their demigod of a quarterback Tony Romo sits to pee has been on life support all week nursing broken ribs and a now miraculously healed punctured lung (can these guys be bigger drama queens?).

It’s not just the linebackers and Landry the Cowboys should be worried about. The defensive line in 2011 has been much better than last year.

Barry Cofield has done a great job collapsing the pocket and creating opportunities for the linebackers to make the plays they need to and don’t forget Monday marks Stephen Bowens return to Jerry World. I fully expect Bowen to play at a level we have not yet seen from him as he provesDallasmade a mistake by letting him go.

Honestly I hope we see Romo sits to pee Monday Night, not really just to hush Dallas fans from saying we only beat them because of injury (though that is all I have heard this week), and not just because I want to see Landry/Orakpo/Kerrigan go all “Lavar Arrington” on Romo sits to pee and knock his star wearing head off (and believe me I really, really want to see that).

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[TSO]

Great job as usual, your articles are always fun reads and I do like the homerism... don't ever let that go as we're Redskin fans first and football fans second!

[gatorskin77]

Great read rd421 and great wallpaper left coast.

[amm0409]

thats cool, do you guys have wallpaper 1680x1050. I liked the Sean Taylor one:) and all the others as well. Nice job

[rd421]

thats cool, do you guys have wallpaper 1680x1050. I liked the Sean Taylor one:) and all the others as well. Nice job

Hmmm you would have to ask left about that. Those dudes are amazing

[SnyderShrugged]

Just set it as my tablet wallpaper and it looks great!

[rd421]

Just set it as my tablet wallpaper and it looks great!

Awesome!

[Fresh8686]

Another great article my dude, thanks for the write up. Although I gotta point out that you spelled demigod as demy-god.

[rd421]

Another great article my dude, thanks for the write up. Although I gotta point out that you spelled demigod as demy-god.

Yeah it auto spell checked that I went with it but I thought I was right the 1st time thanks!