Heavy Jumbo Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 10/28/2003 By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com At the start of the 2003 campaign, the Redskins’ defensive tackles rotation—and their ability to maintain gaps, collapse the pocket when necessary and stop the run—was thought to be one of the keys to a successful season. The unit started off well, helping limit the New York Jets and Atlanta to an average of 78 yards per game on the ground while allowing the linebackers to create havoc in the backfield. The group has tailed off in recent games and the defense now ranks 18th in the league in average rushing yards allowed. In the last two games against Tampa Bay and Buffalo, the defense has allowed an average of 153.5 rushing yards per game. Meantime, sacks have been hard to come by for the entire defensive line. The defensive tackle rotation includes starters Jermaine Haley and Bernard Holsey and backups Martin Chase and Lional Dalton. Haley has been hampered in recent weeks with a fractured thumb, opening the door for Dalton to see some playing time. Ends Renaldo Wynn and Peppi Zellner also move over to the tackle spot on occasion. Haley, who signed as a restricted free agent last offseason after three years with Miami, sat out the Buffalo game and hopes to play in Dallas this Sunday. He is wearing a cast on his right hand. His status will be determined later this week. “It’s hard for me to play right now because you use your hands a lot when fending off blockers,” he said. “It’s hard with the cast because I like to grab. It limits me a lot, but I’ll try to fight through it.” As a group, their responsibilities include occupying offensive linemen so that the Redskins’ trio of Pro Bowl linebackers can burst through open lanes and disrupt plays. That scheme has allowed Jessie Armstead to record 46 tackles and a team-high 3.5 sacks. Offenses have adjusted, however. LaVar Arrington, who has a team-high 62 tackles and one sack on the season, says he faces 2-3 blockers every time he attacks the line of scrimmage. Holsey, a free agent pickup who signed with the Redskins prior to training camp, says the defensive tackles need to be more aggressive with blockers. The seven-year NFL veteran, who has had stints with the New York Giants and New England Patriots, had his best game against Philadelphia in Week 5, when he recorded 1.5 sacks and five tackles. “We still have a long way to go,” Holsey said recently. “We just have to practice and play more consistently. It’s more technique than anything else. [Defensive coordinator] George Edwards hasn’t made things too complicated. He just lets us play, which is good.” Regardless of who starts—or if another defensive tackle is eventually added to the mix—Haley, Holsey, Chase and Dalton have developed respect for each other. “Any three or any four of us could start,” Holsey said. “It really doesn’t matter. I guess they’re calling us the no-names. That’s fine. I know that my play reflects on everybody else and their play reflects on me. So we all try to keep up our end of the bargain.” Each of the defensive tackles average about 25-30 plays per game, Holsey said. “It’s definitely keeping us refreshed,” he said. “I think it’ll be a benefit as the season goes on. When you have 40-50 plays per game, and you’re consistently banging and banging, it takes a toll on your body—especially around the 12th game of the season. But if you’re taking 25-30 snaps, and you’re always fresh, it’s much better.” There are a few things I'm worried about after reading this article: 1) If offenses have ajusted to the scheme, why haven't the D-lineman been able to get more preasure on the QB or been able to stop the RB's from getting past the line of scrimmage when our LB's have been holding 2 or 3 guys. 2) Is Edwards system that bad? If his system isn't complicated, why is the defense playing so horribly? I don't think we have a talent problem. 3) This ties in with my first point. If the DL is so fresh with the rotations, why aren't they able to get preasure on the QB or stop the run? I hope the adjustments they made this week work, or we are in big trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Fakeman Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Pressure Please, Thank you gentlemen.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yank Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Originally posted by Buck 2) Is Edwards system that bad? If his system isn't complicated, why is the defense playing so horribly? I don't think we have a talent problem. 3) This ties in with my first point. If the DL is so fresh with the rotations, why aren't they able to get preasure on the QB or stop the run? I think the problem IS with the talent level. The DL just isn't very good. We have very medicre DEs and DTs and the results are showing. You could have Tom Landy as the DC and it wouldn't help a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scskin Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 If our DT's could pick up Orlando Pace it would make them even slower in getting to the quarterback!:laugh: If they pick up the Pace, I'll get the Tortilla chips! If they keep stopping to pick up their pacemakers won't it slow down the pass rush? I SLAY ME:rotflmao: Thank You, Thank You very much:applause:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I agree w/ Yank - what we have is a collection of 2nd stringers. All these guys are run-stuffer non-penetration types as well, so nobody's collapsing the pocket. Haley is the only one who might be starting DT caliber, and his absence over the last couple weeks has been huge. Hate to say it, but we desperately need someone like Darrell Russell who can get past blockers. Poor Edwards, he inherited a horrid DL, and now has to face comparisons to Marvin Lewis who had Daryl Gardener in a contract year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awesome Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Another inovative, insightful and extra sugar-coated piece from the brilliant minds at Redskins.com! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Jumbo Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Originally posted by yank I think the problem IS with the talent level. The DL just isn't very good. We have very medicre DEs and DTs and the results are showing. You could have Tom Landy as the DC and it wouldn't help a bit. I was trying to say that with our overall talent on defense (with our LB's) either the DL or the LB's should be getting soemthing done with the pass rush. If teh OL is tied up with the DL then the LB's should be able to get through, and vice versa. I think Edwards needs to fix his schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Om, want to use your"merging powers" again before Mark sees this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 This is why I want Russell. It will take him a couple of weeks to learn the system and get ready, but by then, hopefully we'll still be in the hunt and be 5-4. All we'd need then is him putting a little push and we'd be able to have the double team on him and our LB's will be free on a blitz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Jumbo Posted October 30, 2003 Author Share Posted October 30, 2003 Originally posted by TK421CLICKER Om, want to use your"merging powers" again before Mark sees this. I hope they don't ban me from the board after doing this terrible deed which has come to be known as "double posting." Sorry guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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