Meriweather out 4-6 weeks (Actually, 2-4 weeks---MET)

[Koolblue13]

Damn it. I was the biggest fan of our new safeties and it's over before it began.

That said. I'm extremely happy Landry is off this team and assume his biggest fans, play a ton of Madden.

[MartinC]

Coverage schemes are going to be critical to try to avoid getting our safeties tied up in man coverage - Jimmy Graham down the seams is going to be a big threat. We play a lot of Cover 3 zones with 3 guys underneath allowing a fire zone pressure with 5 rushers - I would expect to see Hall in that deep 3 a lot.

We already knew pressure was important from the front 7 - its vital now.

[NIKKI8]

It seems that some teams, like the Packers for instance, when a DB goes down they plug another guy in and they don't miss a beat. I know alot of that has to do with excellent drafting but I also feel that the coaches do a great job of getting the backups ready to go. I hope that since we have a very good db coach in Morris that he can fire up Gomes, Doughty and Bernstine and somehow make them better. I would also make a call to Nick Collins and see how his injuries are coming along, just in case.

[Murphs56]

Lets not act like the sky is falling. Basically the secondary is what it was last year but hopefully with an upgrade in Williams and an improved second year Gomes. The Saints would put it on Meriweather just the same. Hopefully, the difference with this years team is offensively. We averaged 18 a damn game last year. Hopefully, that aspect of our team improves with the upgrades in talent

[MartinC]

hopefully with an upgrade in Williams

Who do you see Williams as an upgrade on? I have not been impressed with what he showed in preseason and if Jackson had not been suspended Williams would have started on the bench.

[Murphs56]

Who do you see Williams as an upgrade on? I have not been impressed with what he showed in preseason and if Jackson had not been suspended Williams would have started on the bench.

I think it is an upgrade somewhat. At least another body with experience and leadership. He's at least better than rookie version Gomes and Doughty. That's basically what we had last year when Landry and Atogwe were injured.

I'm banking on Wilson to be great, Hall to be at least somewhat better, Gomes to be better, and Crawford to surprise.

[MartinC]

I think it is an upgrade somewhat. At least another body with experience and leadership. He's at least better than rookie version Gomes and Doughty. That's basically what we had last year when Landry and Atogwe were injured.

I'm banking on Wilson to be great, Hall to be at least somewhat better, Gomes to be better, and Crawford to surprise.

I guess Williams and Atogwe are maybe a wash - at least Williams seems healthy which is something Atogwe was not. Williams is really just a veteran body at FS IMO. Gomes will likely get the start at SS and should be better than last year based on the experience he gained - but I doubt Drew Brees is lying awake at night worrying about our safeties and I bet Jimmy Graham can hardly wait for Sunday as well. Our corners need safety help but the way things are shaking out we may need to move our coverages around to give the safeties help exposing the corners and linebackers underneath. Expect to see a lot of zone coverage - which Brees is great at picking apart.

If either of Williams or Gomes gets knicked up then in jogs Doughty who I like as a special teams player but has no business playing safety in the NFL ....

[wilco_holland]

Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham...jikes. We better win with the O. RGIII needs to light up the score board. Epic shootout in da bayoooooo!

[SkinsCrushCowboys]

Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham...jikes. We better win with the O. RGIII needs to light up the score board. Epic shootout in da bayoooooo!

No way we want a shoot out with Brees, we need to eat the clock with a strong running game and keep him off the field. Long, clock consuming drives.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Sean Taylor curse anybody?

Just what in the heck is the 'Sean Taylor curse?'

Hail.

[RGIIINATION]

Remind me again why we let Laron Landry go?

Because after tackling an opposing RB who was capable of somehow gaining a billion yards on say 3rd and 24, he would dance in victory as if he single-handedly stopped him in the backfield to force a 4th down. That and he was always injured.

[Drexen Del'Sangre]

Can we change the title of this thread already? Even the links provided here say 2-4 weeks. Its just generating more doom and gloom amongst those that dont bother to read the provided links.

[S.T.real,lights,out]

Damn, prob mean Reids gonna get the start....next year #1 priority has to be SS, FS and CB...and as always oline..not writing us off or anything just saying.

[pjfootballer]

Look I get you are a homer but the fact is I have never seen our secondary so putrid except when Stanley Richards was the sherrif in town...I hope I am dead wrong and the front 7 apply pressure and our secondary looks awesome..and RGIII lights it up and we run the ball and control the clock and Brees is on the bench for most of the game drinking a swamp water....but if not it could be a long day

Look, I'm not a homer, I just think you guys are overeacting to "one" injury. This defense is modeled after the Steelers 3-4, which means the front 7 is what drives it. Our front 7 is healthier than it's ever been. I wish everyone would stop looking at that stupid Bears preseason game. Cutler hadn't played in almost a year, so he was pumped. He hadn't played with Marshall in a real game in 3 years, so he was pumped. Who do you know in the Steelers secondary besides Polamalu who is considered a HOFer? They usually have no names in the secondary. Will Brees get his yards? Yes, he always does. But we have beaten him 2 of the last 3 times and it should have been 3. You gotta roll with what you got. No sense in cryng about it.

---------- Post added September-6th-2012 at 08:02 AM ----------

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Doughty/Gomes start against NYG in one of our victories against them last year?

I think a lot of the concerns over the safety position are a bit overblown. Yes, it's a weak spot, but the Skins could do worse. Beyond that, I DEFINITELY don't think the difference between Doughty and Meriweather is enough to acquiesce to defeat already. It's not like he's replacing Ed Reed, and it's not like swapping London Fletcher out for Keenan Robinson. Just my opinion.

You are correct and I agree with your opinion.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Look, I'm not a homer, I just think you guys are overeacting to "one" injury. This defense is modeled after the Steelers 3-4, which means the front 7 is what drives it.....

Haslett's scheme is similar to LeBeau's in personnel only. We run a 34. They run a 34. There the similarity's end.

This isn't the place, and needs it's own thread, but IMHO, this D will never be a great D, regardless or personnel; so long as that predictable, uninventive chump is running the show.

Hail.