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Per Redskins Insider, the Redskins have agreed to a deal with first rounder Brian Orakpo, but as usual, terms of the deal were not disclosed. This ends Orakpo’s holdout at only one day, and he will be present for camp this morning. That sound you’re hearing is the collective sigh of relief from Greg Blache and the Redskins’ faithful. Get out there and wreak some havoc O-Sack-Po.
Through July, I will be running positional breakdowns for the Washington Redskins. Each assessment will be broken down into four areas: Past Statistics, Experience/Potential, Positional Competition, and Intangibles.
Today we’re addressing defensive backs. The defensive backfield for the Washington Redskins looks significantly different than one might have predicted two offseasons ago. The loss of Sean Taylor still stings Redskins fans and the organization as a whole, but I believe it’s safe to say that the group has been able to move forward (not on…there’s a difference), and 2009 should see some improvement from the corners and the safeties.
Past Statistics
Statistically, the DBs did not put up spectacular numbers, but they performed well as a cohesive unit. Chris Horton and LaRon Landry came in 3rd and 4th on the team in tackles respectively, which isn’t entirely unsuspected for two safeties. The surprising stat for me is Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot following them at 5th and 6th on the list. They managed to sacrifice little against the pass despite their improved run support. As a group, they carried the 7th best yards per game average (193.4), 5th best touchdowns against total (16), and 5th lowest yards per catch average (6.3). The two glaring problems were giving up the big play (8 plays of 40+ yards which was 12th worst in the league) as well as big play ability. The defensive backs collectively hauled in only 11 interceptions, and the team’s 13 total picks were only 17th in the league, which is atrocious for such a talented group. Like the linebackers, the corners must improve their big-play ability, and get over their “hands of stone” mental blocks. I can’t even begin to count the number of interceptions that Smoot and Rogers dropped over the course of the 2008 season.
Experience/Potential
Overall, this probably the youngest group on the roster. Landry must begin to create some more turnovers if he wants to be considered an “elite” safety in the league, but he’s done quite a bit in his two seasons to earn a reputation as a very reliable starter. Chris Horton came out of left field to seize the starting strong safety position, and while he only started 10 games in 2008, he led the way in tackles and interceptions. He has far better range than anyone thought, and he has a nose for the football. I’m excited to see his improvement in year two under Greg Blache. Rogers is now entering his 5th season in the NFL and must thrive in the #1 role with the loss of Shawn Springs. DeAngelo Hall seems like he’s been in the league forever, but he’s still only 25 with more room to improve. He has elite speed and great hands, and SHOULD become the team’s shutdown corner if he works hard enough. Smoot is still a good nickel corner, but it will hurt if Rogers misses time with injuries again in 2009. Kevin Barnes seems to have the hitting ability, and my Terp friends (correction: friend…Chris Hurst) tell me that he has the ability to be a regular starter in the league, so if he develops well as the dime back, the corners will be VERY deep.
Positional Competition
Horton, Landry, Rogers, and Hall have the starting positions locked down. Smoot should have a strong grasp on the nickel spot. The most interesting competition out of the defensive backs will be for the 4th and 5th spots. There are three guys in the mix: the aforementioned Barnes, Justin Tryon, and Byron Westbrook. Barnes, a 3rd round pick, has good size at 6’1”, 188 lbs, and has a nasty reputation for making guys throw up (shown below). He started 20 games at the University of Maryland with 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and two forced fumbles. Tryon, a 4th rounder in 2008 struggled mightily when he made it on the field last season. He is relatively diminutive (5’9” 183) and showed below average cover skills. He remains a BIG work in progress. Westbrook has latched onto the ‘Skins practice squad the last two seasons after being signed as a rookie free agent in 2007. This will be his last opportunity to make the team as a regular. He has shown a lot of fight and won’t give up his spot easily, but he’s also small and hasn’t made any impact on the field to date.
Intangibles
It would be easy to say that losing the experience of Shawn Springs is going to be big, and it will be, but it’s time for this group to grow up and move on. Springs durability has been terrible in recent seasons, and while he was very tough to throw on when he did make it onto the field, he’s replaceable. How Rogers steps up in the top dog role will say a lot about how the season will go, but don’t count out the impact that DeAngelo Hall might have. He’s PISSED that he’s being overlooked and criticized (especially by the Madden ratings guys), and he’s going to play with a chip on his shoulder. Having watched him for three years in Blacksburg and then with the Falcons, he plays well when he’s angry (not cocky). A leader must also emerge to take the place of Springs in the locker room. My money is on Landry, but it might be a void that they aren’t able to fill.
Final Assessment
The defensive backfield is one of the most comfortable positions for the coaching staff, with a nice mix of experience and young talent. It’s a group of three first round picks and a former no-name, and they seem to have great chemistry. If they can generate more interceptions to flip the field for the offense, they could be the best unit on the roster. My money is on Hall to emerge as the player he’s capable of being, and that’s a VERY bad thing for Messrs Romo, Manning and McNabb.
Through July, I will be running positional breakdowns for the Washington Redskins. Each assessment will be broken down into four areas: Past Statistics, Experience/Potential, Positional Competition, and Intangibles.
We’re now approaching the end of the month and we still have three previews left. I’m going to try and fit these in by Saturday, but as my best friend is getting married (congrats Jason!), that might not be a reality. Nonetheless, Saturday = August, so sorry special teams. Anyway today’s endeavor is the linebacking corps for 2009. For the sake of ease, I’m considering Brian Orakpo in this group as well (although it may not matter sans contract at this point). The linebackers were a bit of a mixed bag in 2008, and 2009 will be about getting younger, and hopefully a little more durable. Here we go.
Past Statistics
The easy part to point out about this group is the continued effectiveness (and Pro Bowl snubs) of middle linebacker London Fletcher. Fletch remained toward the top of the NFL heap in tackles with 133 and 96 solo, good for sixth overall. Steady man Rocky McIntosh came in second on the team and 44th overall with 87 total tackles and 60 solo. Only three or four of tandems fared better over the course of the season than those two in terms of tackles and effectiveness stopping the run. H.B. Blades, the starter opposite McIntosh finished third on the team with 60 tackles. Fan favorite and supposed “pass rushing specialist” Marcus Washington only hauled in 44, despite starting nine games. No other linebacker really contributed significantly besides that foursome. The biggest problem here is playmaking ability. Fletcher is a rock in the middle and McIntosh is still improving, only entering his fourth year, but the group as a whole only two sacks (both McIntosh), six forced fumbles, and only one interception. While the Redskins had a solid defense in the middle last year, they were often caught on the field too long, and a big result of this was a lack of game-changing plays from the linebackers, this must improve in order to help the defense maintain a high level of effectiveness through this entire season. Brian Orakpo SHOULD help the fumbles and sacks, but someone needs to step up on pass defense.
Experience/Potential
There is no questioning London Fletcher’s experience. The man has started every single game since the 2001 regular season. That’s hard to beat. He’s 34, and not really slowing down. I believe the Skins have at least two more years to develop someone behind him, and even then, he may not lose his starting spot without a fight. McIntosh has shown great flashes at times, and seems to be non-discriminate for a linebacker out of ‘the U,’ but his play is growing much more consistent and he’s quietly one of the best players on the defense. He’s only 26, and could potentially remain slotted here for many years to come. It would be nice to see some more big plays out of him, but consistency against the run is a great start. We’ve already touched on Orakpo’s potential, and HB Blades will probably be bumped back into a reserve role this season, but he’s a quality player. I wouldn’t be surprised to be that guy to continue learning under Fletcher until he decides to retire. Robert Henson has the size to be a strong contributor down the road, but he’ll probably spend a lot of time on special teams for now. Guys like Robert Thomas and Khary Campbell can do a good job filling in for brief periods if they’re called upon, but it’s imperative that the Redskins develop their young talent. Thomas was a nice addition this offseason to positional depth, considering that he carries 50 career starts and has played all three ‘backer positions.
Positional Competition
It will be interesting to see who earns roster spots, especially with Orakpo’s holdout. Every day he sits, another player has an opportunity to show why they deserve a roster spot. The biggest competition will obviously be a strong-side linebacker where Orakpo figures to earn the spot, but Blades won’t hand it over. Thomas and Campbell will most likely compete for a spot, but both may be kept for depth, and look for Henson to squeak in as well. I have a funny feeling that Blades might not give up his spot until mid-season, and we’ll still see a good bit of him as Orakpo will get some decent time at end on passing downs.
Intangibles
London Fletcher is easily one of the best players at his position, and will continue to be, but his biggest contribution as a Redskin has been his leadership ability. He’s the kind of guy that commands the attention of his teammates at all times. He’s the ultimate lead-by-example kind of guy, but he’s very vocal and very emotional as well. He’ll have to maintain his heart to make up for the loss of a genuinely good guy in Marcus Washington. Washington’s skills significantly depreciated last season, but he’s still one of my favorite Redskins, and he always knew how to put on a show. Orakpo’s work ethic has also been called into question in the past, but I don’t foresee that being a problem with Fletch flanking him.
Final Assessment
The Linebackers might be one of the most balanced groups on the team in terms of player development. They have an aging but still-relevant vet in Fletcher that acts as a leader, the up-and-coming starter McIntosh, and the young phenom in Orakpo. There’s a decent mix of youth and experience with the backup group and that will pay dividends late in the season. If they can manage to flip field position a little more often in 2009, they could be one of the best units in the NFL. With Orakpo in tow, expect them to do just that.
So apparently I did speak a little too soon on that 2011 OOC schedule. Per HokieSports.com, it looks like Jim Weaver has replaced Syracuse with Sun Belt Powerhouse Arkansas State. The Hokies have faced the Indians Red Wolves three times, winning all three matchups in Blacksburg (surprise, surprise). Apparently Tech has shelled out $1 million to get ASU to come to town. This completes the OOC schedule for 2011, which also includes a gauntlet made up of East Carolina, Marshall and Appalachian State. Considering that the Red Wolves took down Texas A&M last year 18-14, this still looks like an upgrade over the Orangemen Orange. The Sun Belt and the Big East are basically the same anyways, right?