Washington Redskins: Defensive Line Looks to be Dominant

The Washington Redskins look to change the way they are viewed in the trenches.

“When you play the Redskins this year you will know it,” he declared yesterday. “You will feel it and be sore the next morning. We are going to come after you.”

McCloughan had the huge task of revitalizing the Burgundy and Gold defense which ranked 21st in the National Football League in sacks and struggled to control the line of scrimmage in 2014. The defensive front was in desperate need of a solid rotation of men that could be a dominant presence that puts forth a consistent pass rush.

The first signing under McCloughan was that of defensive end Ricky Jean Francois, a player he drafted while working the same role with the San Francisco 49ers. The LSU product recorded a personal best 13 starts with the Colts in 2014, registering 28 tackles and three sacks.

The defensive line of the Redskins would continue its a transformation when the GM added 6’1”, 300 lbs. Oregon State product Stephen Paea, a guy who manned the middle of the Bears’ defense last season. He recorded career-highs in tackles (33) and sacks (6.5). He also logged the first two forced fumbles of his career.

Scot McCloughan didn’t stop there. He would later add Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton, a 6’3”, 331 lbs. hulk-like nose tackle who is among the best players in the NFL at bringing opposing teams’ running game to a complete halt.

In his six-year NFL career, Knighton has amassed more than 200 tackles with 12.5 sacks and 10 passes defensed.

These newcomers, all who are coming off tremendous 2014 seasons, are the type of players McCloughan envisioned. The trio of big, physical, mauler-type linemen has a combined weight of 927 lbs. and should help the teams’ other defensive veterans lead the charge in new defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s attacking-style 3-4 defense.

The Washington Redskins defensive front seven come into this 2015 training camp with a new identity and a new attitude. As you see this unit on the practice field, you totally understand why opposing offenses will understand that they’re in for a real dog fight.

Barry wants his defensive front to be revered as an attacking, disruptive force in the backfield; wreaking havoc and giving offensive coordinators nightmares. There shouldn’t be concern about asking veterans to play such a youthful style of defense.

Outside of the 33-year-old Jason Hatcher, Barry has plenty of guys who are still in their 20’s that have spent some time in this league. The one thing that they have this year however, that they haven’t had in previous years, is quality depth.

Having the number of players to create a rotation that can keep them fresh is one of the key ingredients to a dominant and physical team (besides talent), not just at the beginning but in the waning moments of a tight football game. Fresh players enable a defense to keep that relentless physical pursuit going. It wears down the opposing team’s offensive line. It allows for the linebackers to be effective in pass rushing situations as well.

Another plus on this defensive line is the versatility that they have. Players like Chris Baker and Kedric Golston have the skills to play more than one position and give the defensive coaching staff the ability to come up with different fronts that can take advantage of the weaknesses found in the opponents offensive line.

“I’m as excited as I can be about this group,” new defensive line coach Robb Akey said. “They’re going to play physical. They’re going to play aggressive. They’re going to play fast. We’re going to attack the front. That’s what we want to accomplish. Whatever it is, we’re going to be coming off the ball and getting after it. That’s what we’re working toward, and that’s what we want to be known as.”

The point of emphasis on aggressive play is filtering down through every player. The message that is being preached by Barry and Akey is very clear.

“We definitely want to be a defense that offenses fear,” inside linebacker Perry Riley said. “Finishing tackles; if a receiver gets 10 or 12 yards at the end of a catch, make him feel 10, 12 yards at the end of the play… same thing with running backs. If they run for a first down, finish the play strong and physical. Be as physical as you can as a unit and make teams respect you that way.”

One thing seems like a possibility… the Washington Redskins could be a driving force in the trenches in 2015. They will look to set the tone by bringing a new level of strength and a nasty attitude they now call “Capital Punishment.”