Washington Redskins: High Expectations for Secondary

Because of the less than stellar play of the Washington Redskins’ defense in 2013, a lot of people thought that the their defensive coordinator, Jim Haslett, should have been shown the door at the same time former head coach Mike Shanahan went through it. But the news that Shanahan had been over-ruling what Haslett wanted to do during games placated many critics.

Even with the criticism regarding its play last  year, for various reasons there are lots of folks who have some pretty high expectations for the much-maligned secondary, even just on the third day of training camp. That doesn’t mean Haslett isn’t on the hot seat still. Having given him a bit of a pass on last season’s mediocre defense means that this season, his unit needs to be all the better. Had a new coordinator come to town a long with new head coach Jay Gruden, fans and critics would have to be patient, right? Because after all… they’d be learning a new system under a new coach, right? But while plenty of people assumed Haslett would be gone after 2013, he is still here.

For the young defensive players in their second year here, having the same defensive coordinator is a great advantage. And it is starting to show in the way they carry themselves on the field in their self confidence and comfort/knowledge of the system.

“It was a big help with Coach Has[lett] and [defensive backs coach] Raheem Morris coming back so we’re already used to the system,” second-year cornerback, David Amerson said this afternoon after the team’s walkthrough. “They know what I can do and it’s just a matter of me going out and doing it, really.”

Gruden appears pleased with the young guys he has inherited. Asked about Amerson and fellow second-year man Phillip Thomas (safety), he was extremely complimentary. Especially about the cornerback.

“I’ve definitely [seen a difference] with Amerson,” he said when I asked him about the second-year defensive backs. “Amerson is playing with a lot of confidence, a lot of swag about him and that’s very important. I mention that about DeAngelo Hall [in an earlier question regarding the veteran cornerback]… how you’ve got to have confidence and a little bit of swagger about you. You can see [David] starting to mature in only his second year. I really like where he is going. Raheem is doing a great job with him and his confidence is just getting more and more. He is long, he can run, he has got great ball skills. I really think he has got a chance to be one of the top corners in the NFL for a long time if he keeps going on the pace that he is going.”

These younger guys have to have a lot of confidence in themselves and much of that comes with time spent within a system.

“I compare it to college,” Amerson said when I asked him when everything clicked for him. “Going into my freshman year of college it was really my first year converting from a safety to a corner. I kind of had a decent year but my second year was really when I caught my swagger. I guess it’s the same thing here in the NFL. I just feel a lot more comfortable. You know you can’t really replace experience. Last year, me playing a lot definitely kind of groomed me into the position I’m about to be in and I just feel real good right now. I want to keep the confidence high and go on with it.”

Third-year cornerback Richard Crawford will be fun to watch this training camp. Hurt during the 2013 season, he didn’t really have much a chance to show what he could do in the secondary although he did flash brightly as a returner. Gruden is eager to see what he can do as well.

“…really my first look at him has been today and yesterday,” the head coach said today. “I really liked his quickness, in and out of cuts. He can play nickel. He’s a very good nickel…”

The group has some veterans around now that know what they’re doing and will help the younger guys along. Gruden has said numerous times that DeAngelo Hall is a valuable presence on the field with his experience. According to Amerson, the Virginia Tech grad has mentored him enormously (actually, they drove down to training camp together). Hall offers not only knowledge but a swagger that a lot of young players will get as they experience time and suceess on the field. As Amerson says, “you gotta have some pit bull in you.”

Also on the team now are Tracy Porter and Ryan Clark, both of whom have been in the league numerous years.

“Another guy that’s played in the league, what, 13 years?” Amerson said of Clark. “He’s an experienced guy, going to be back there reminding you about everything, talking to you before the play, telling you all the stuff that you may forget sometimes. But he’s constantly talking and that’s always a help so Ryan Clark is a big addition to our secondary, I think.”

The defensive players that have been here since at least last season must feel they have something to prove and this seems like a motivated unit. The defensive backs group, like any NFL squad, requires serious communication and cohesiveness. Already knowing the play book means that this unit just needs to get better at what they do… including working together to stop offenses. It appears as though they’re getting there.

“I think our chemistry’s great,” Amerson said. “All the DBs.. I think we’re very close. We all hang out with each other off the field and we’re always around each other. We all have a good connection with Raheem and the meeting room is just great so, the chemistry is there. It’s just a matter of us just going out there and transferring it to the field…not only on the practice field but on game day. I think it’ll get better and better the more we’re around each other.”

Hail.