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One of the signs of a very good to a great defense is when players can play fast but maintain their aggression. A lot of that can be attributed to the scheme in which the players play.
Are they able to play without thinking about assignments but able to react and move downhill?
Throughout the early part of the Washington Redskins schedule, their defense has shown glimpses of being one of the leagues best units, only to fall back on expectations when they give up huge plays to opposing offenses. Lack of communication on the field most of the time is seen as the culprit in those incidences. The big plays have almost become a weekly occurrence that otherwise thwarts solid defensive play for most of the games.
In a Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Redskins were victimized by crossing routes that led to big plays and touchdowns. Washingtons defense produced two takeaways in the game and played Andrew Luck tough, however.
In an impressive Week 3 win over the Green Bay Packers, the Redskins defense gave up a big play on a breakdown between cornerback Josh Norman and safety D.J. Swearinger. Both players looked like they were expecting the other to cover Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison who beat them for a 64-yard blown coverage touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers.
In last Monday night’s 43-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints, The Redskins were again victimized by big plays that gained chunks of yards or scored. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees picked apart the Redskins defense with sizable gains to WR’s Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith and Cameron Meredith as well as RB Mark Ingram. Far too many times Redskins defenders looked bewildered in their assignments.
A Redskins win over Panthers would …
Redskins coach Jay Gruden mentioned that things need to get fixed as far as getting everyone on both defense and offense on the same page.
“I don’t know if it’s about simplifying or just communicating better, making sure everybody is on the same page that’s all,” Gruden said. “We’ve been doing some of the same stuff since training camp that we messed up, which is a little mind-boggling. But we’ll get it fixed up. Coach [Torrian] Gray (defensive back coach) and Coach [James] Rowe (assistant defensive back coach) and [Greg] Manusky (defensive coordinator), they’ll do a good job of fixing it up. It was an abysmal performance by a lot for people not just the secondary, not just the defense, but the offense included. I think we all have a lot of work to do.”
Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky had the same sentiments as Gruden when I asked him if he needs to consider scaling back the defensive scheme and assignments to avoid miscommunication.
“I think sometimes you put a decent amount of stuff on some of these guys,” Manusky said. “We try to cut it back. I always try to talk to the coaches asking ‘is it too much? If so, then we cut it back, so that’s what we’ll be doing this week.”
The Redskins face a familiar foe this weekend in the Carolina Panthers who are led by former NFL MVP Cam Newton. Washington will have to be disciplined in their defensive approach and perhaps that starts with a scaled down defensive package.
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