Defense must address nose tackle to improve
ASHBURN – Early in the season, an NFL talent evaluator and a front office executive eyed the Redskins’ defense and reached the same conclusion: They’ll struggle all year. One even said they had no chance to improve.
They were right. There was mild statistical improvement at the end, allowing Washington to escape the rankings cellar, shooting all the way up to … 31. But perhaps more telling: The Redskins were 21st in points allowed.
“If you look at the positive, we’re directly involved in the six wins,” coordinator Jim Haslett said.
Linebacker London Fletcher said it took him 12 games to fully understand what he needed to do in this defense. Others agreed.
“It’s completely different, especially if you’ve never done it,” end Adam Carriker said.
Thing is, coach Mike Shanahan’s track record with defenses in his last three years as a coach is not good. In 2007 and 2008 with Denver, his defenses ranked 28 and 30, respectively. On his last Denver team in ’08, only three defensive players remained from his 2000-06 drafts. The lack of draft success was compounded by failed free agent signings.
“He has a horrible history [with defenses],” said one NFL executive, who likes Shanahan as a coach.
Regardless, two areas must be filled above all else:
A pass-rushing OLB
Andre Carter (2? sacks) couldn’t fill this spot; he knew all along it was a tough fit. And Lorenzo Alexander provided more run support than pass rush (1? sacks).
“You need balance on both sides,” Haslett said. “We’ve kind of been lacking a little bit on the other side. Are [Alexander and Carter] the guys for the future? I don’t know. They did a nice job, but you need another guy like [Brian Orakpo] that can really turn it and get some sacks.”
The Redskins tried to be creative, moving Orakpo around at times to create mismatches or to catch the line sliding a certain way. But it’s easy to avoid one player. It’s much harder to avoid two good rush linebackers.
Possible free agent targets: Pittsburgh’s LaMarr Woodley who has 38? sacks in four seasons. Kansas City’s Tamba Hali had a breakout season with 14? sacks.
If they opt for a draft pick, some names to consider in the first round: Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan, Texas A&M’s Von Miller and UCLA’s Akeem Ayers.
Nose tackle
The run defense improved with Anthony Bryant starting the final two games. Bryant was more active than Maake Kemoeatu, who wasn’t healthy at all this year.
“He played lights out,” defensive end Vonnie Holliday said of Bryant.
But Bryant is 29 and has never started more than three games in a season. To make this an elite defense, they need to find a better nose tackle or, at the least, a playmaking end. Baltimore’s Kelly Gregg, Pittsburgh’s Casey Hampton and New England’s Vince Wilfork are elite nose tackles — coincidentally their defenses also are elite.
The best player potentially available in free agency? Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata, who starts at end, but could play either spot.
If the Redskins want to draft a nose tackle, there could be a number available, including Mississippi’s Jerrell Powe, Baylor’s Phil Taylor and Stanford’s Sione Fua. Powe is the most talented.
