WT: Redskins have some pieces that fit, some that don’t (Haslett quote)

[ciresolstice]

I don't like that at all. Changes need to be made unfortunately, smh..again.

[Lavarleap56]

Given your close(r) interaction with the players, what do you feel is the general mindset of the players right now? Does it seem like they'll come together and finish strong, or is it more along the lines of a "Why the hell is our head coach and coordinator saying this ****" and it's going to continue to suck for fans/team down the stretch for the final 7 games like normal?

Honestly Haslett and some defensive players haven't been on the same page since last season. This year has been much of the same and the losing is compounding the frustrations of everyone involved.

[blitzpackage]

I can't defend what he's saying but I try to look at it in context. All of the big plays, the game-changers, were a result of poor execution. We've all seen it, whether it's Madieu standing flat footed against Cruz(among others), DHall trying to jump a route and leaving Armanti freakin' Edwards wide open for 70+ yards, Josh Wilson taking a horrible angle to the sidelines and allowing a long TD, Richard Crawford getting burnt in the slot, some really poor tackling.....it's too disheartening. That being said, maybe it is time for a coaching or philosophy change.

We've been in every game, even PIT and CAR. You just can't give up big plays and that's been our weakness. What in the hell has happened to our pass rush? Rak wasn't THAT dominant. Where in the hell has Bowen, Cofield and Jenkins been? Carriker is a marginal player. No push whatsoever...nothing like we saw last year or even in the preseason. Why is Perry Riley's name never called, like, ever? London is 5 steps slower than he was last year for some reason. Sometimes, regardless of scheme we all know it's about whooping the guy's ass in front of you and we're simply not up to the task. We knew our secondary was a weakness heading in, now we're down two "starters" and it's been an absolute train wreck. Man up and beat your guy. I keep asking myself on third and long, screaming at the TV...please someone STEP UP. Who wants to make a play? We need it right now! Nobody. Nobody wants to make a play, at least not regularly.

[Chump Bailey]

Carriker is a marginal player.

The difference in the DL play without him is stark. I don't think he is a marginal player at all.

[blitzpackage]

The difference in the DL play without him is stark. I don't think he is a marginal player at all.

When it comes to pass rush he's marginal and we are quite capable of stopping the run without him. Maybe "average" would've been a better word choice?

My broader point is more of an indictment of the rest of the DL than a real knock on Carriker. Do you really think if he wasn't injured we'd.....oh, nevermind - just noticed your avatar.

[MartinC]

When it comes to pass rush he's marginal and we are quite capable of stopping the run without him. Maybe "average" would've been a better word choice?

My broader point is more of an indictment of the rest of the DL than a real knock on Carriker. Do you really think if he wasn't injured we'd.....oh, nevermind - just noticed your avatar.

Adam Carriker had 5.5 sacks last year which is excellent production from a 3-4 DE not called JJ Watt. I would not make a claim he is an All Pro or elite player but he is more than a marginal starter as well.

[UK SKINS FAN '74]

"I come to work, I work hard, I do the best I can with what we got and try to put these guys in position to win games and be successful on defense,” “That’s all really I can do.”

I don't have an issue with that statement. The whole things a mess. The guy may not be very good at his job, but I'm done with giving him a hard time.

This is Mike Shanahans mess. The longer he lets it roll, the more I want to fully lay all blame at his door.

[Wyvern]

From what I see of the games, the defensive front seven lost alot when Carriker and Orakpo went down. That was a signiificant blow to it's ability to generate pressure.

Jenkins hasn't emerged as much of a threat, and Cofield isn't a great fit at NT, and neither Baker nor Wilson compensate for what Orakpo was providing --so the numbers now favor the opponents offensive line. They can double Kerrigan or occasionally double Bowen on plays running his way -- and the front seven pressure is neutralized And since Fletcher seems to be diminishing his range of what he can cover/tackle, sending Riley becomes a real risk -- especially with the porous secondary behind this front seven.

And using DBs to help the front seven generate pressure -- well that puts some folks (usually Hall) on the island. Until we get better play out of the folks replacing Carriker and Orakpo, or the DBs show they can handle their assignments with little or no help-- the Skins defense can either risk giving up the big scoring plays, or give up a long series of short plays and hope to stop the team at the goal-line.

[justice98]

When it comes to pass rush he's marginal and we are quite capable of stopping the run without him. Maybe "average" would've been a better word choice?

My broader point is more of an indictment of the rest of the DL than a real knock on Carriker. Do you really think if he wasn't injured we'd.....oh, nevermind - just noticed your avatar.

I would agree with that assessment.

[RandyHolt]

Maybe its the bad fit guys we converted to 3-4 not doing well in his 4-3 looks we use. Disclaimer, I am not sure how many 4-3 looks or fronts we show this year, if any at all. Are Fletcher and Riley great 3-4 backers??? Are our LB collectively making the grade this year?

The question is how to fix the problem. We are not going to promote a Todd Bowles.

I would start with basics, generate a pass rush by simply blitzing players the offense is not expecting to come. No, not on a delayed blitz exclusively. Stunt in the first clear passing situation next game.

If possible, ease the load on London a little bit. Maybe have him blitz more often to get him out of coverage. Try and feature Riley or others instead.

Smarter play calling. Dont be in man coverage up 4 with 90 seconds left, the offense having to drive 80 yards.

Live dangerously and stop deferring and try to get an early score from RG3 affording the D the luxury to be a bit more aggressive. Put pressure early on the opposition with our best player, as a priority. Not pressuring RG3, who keeps trotting onto the field cold, the team and fans flat, already down a score.

Its not rocket science. But if our coaches do not even try to adjust, its not a lack of talent causing it. It is stubbornness and a refusal to even consider what they are calling is not working.

[LaxinFish29]

You guys do realize every question he is asked is put in the article? If this is on the heels of questions about injuries then I see no problem with it. I know it's easy to jump to conclusions when you don't like someone for whatever reason but didn't we JUST go through this with Mike's presser?

[Chump Bailey]

Maybe its the bad fit guys we converted to 3-4 not doing well in his 4-3 looks we use. Disclaimer, I am not sure how many 4-3 looks or fronts we show this year, if any at all. Are Fletcher and Riley great 3-4 backers??? Are our LB collectively making the grade this year?

I think Mike is and was simply too fixated on the 3-4. IMO, we should abandon it outright immediately. We are much better suited for the 4-3 and with minor tweaks, we could become a dominate defense in a short period of time once again IMO.

If he's fully healthy, Orakpo is an effective weak-side DE. He has the necessary power/speed and IMO flashed excellence when we ran the 4-3.
Adam Carriker IMO could anchor the LDE position very effectively.
Cofield, Bowen, Baker, Jenkins all could be an absolute force in the middle.

Riley, Robinson and Kerrigan all make for an excellent 4-3 LB group.

We would have plenty of quality DL depth better suited for the 4-3. The pressure such an above line could create would allow the LB's and secondary to be in position to make numerous plays. We still nee to add talent to the secondary in the shape of FS & CB, but IMO, making the change back to the 4-3 would solve our problems in a quick and efficient manner.

[moondog]

Honestly Haslett and some defensive players haven't been on the same page since last season. This year has been much of the same and the losing is compounding the frustrations of everyone involved.

Do you get the feeling the players have Shanahan's back and want to turn this thing around, or is the majority of the team just kind of in a funk? I guess what I'm asking is does this team seem to have the heart, desire and chemistry in the locker room to go out on fire this year rolling into next year to right the ship or will they just continue sinking?

[RandyHolt]

I think Mike is and was simply too fixated on the 3-4. IMO, we should abandon it outright immediately. We are much better suited for the 4-3 and with minor tweaks, we could become a dominate defense in a short period of time once again IMO.

If he's fully healthy, Orakpo is an effective weak-side DE.....

I think with his year off, he became committed to it, convinced it was key. But after X number of years, I want him to man up and admit it failed. I won't hold my breath but support a DC change tried before the full abort. Change tried this week... sigh. Did Philly's D tank after going Bowling?

The issue is we committed to converting Rak and Kerrigan. We have to reinvent the wheel to switch back, bulk them up. I am not sure I want Kerrigan a full time 43LB, but he can go hand in dirt in passing downs.

Is it possible that one could be stout enough to be a strong sider, or is there any scheme to make it work? If not, it would encourage teams to run on us in what has become a passing league, so maybe we could pull it off. Have a big ole Sam behind Kerrigan. What do I know, but if neither struggled against the run in college it could work.

Kerrigan Bowen Cofield Rak

Mann and Manley Part II.

[Chump Bailey]

The issue is we committed to converting Rak and Kerrigan. We have to reinvent the wheel to switch back, bulk them up. I am not sure I want Kerrigan a full time 43LB, but he can go hand in dirt in passing downs.

While both are adept in the pass rush aspect, Ryan, IMHO, has the added ability to not be a huge liability in coverage and can make plays in space better than Rak.