Washington Redskins: Defense Needs Extraordinary Joe
It’s been a long time since we have seen the Washington Redskins go deep into the playoffs.
The franchise’s last Super Bowl victory came in 1991 at the Metrodome, a 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills. That also marked the last time the team even managed to reach the NFC Championship Game.
These days, a winning season would be a step in the right direction. Dating back to 2008, the Redskins have finished dead last in the NFC East six times in seven seasons. The one year they managed to avoid the basement, the rookie tandem of quarterback Robert Griffin III and running back Alfred Morris propelled the team to a season-ending seven-game winning streak, a 10-6 record and a division title in 2012.
Oct 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) celebrates his third quarter touchdown with tight end Niles Paul (84) against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Notice we said Griffin and Morris, meaning the performance of the Washington offense as then-head coach Mike Shanahan’s club led the NFL in rushing yards and a committed a league-low 14 turnovers that season.
In 2012, Jim Haslett was in his third season as the team’s defensive coordinator and the Redskins allowed the fifth-most yards in the league. The one-time head coach of the New Orleans Saints and later the interim head coach of the St. Louis Rams ran the defense in D.C. for five years and the club was ranked 20th or lower in the NFL in total yards allowed three times over that span.
Fast forward to the past two seasons – the first under Shanahan and the other under current head coach Jay Gruden. In 2013, the Redskins surrendered 478 points and gave up a league-high 52 offensive touchdowns. This past season, Washington wasn’t nearly as inept but came damn close. The ‘Skins allowed 438 points and 46 offensive touchdowns – including an NFL-high 35 touchdown passes.
Haslett and the Redskins agreed to part ways this offseason, hence the arrival of new defensive coordinator Joe Barry. The well-traveled assistant has done his tour of duty this century with the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but spent the last three seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
As mentioned, Barry inherits a defensive unit that has struggled for far too long. However, new general manager spent the free-agency period adding talent to this side of the football while watching veterans such as free safety Ryan Clark (retired), outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (signed with Tennessee Titans) and defensive linemen Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen (both released) depart.
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) reacts during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, the new faces on this side of scrimmage include free agents such as defensive linemen Ricky Jean-Francois (Indianapolis Colts), Stephen Paea (Chicago Bears) and Terrance Knighton (Denver Broncos), as well as defensive backs Chris Culliver (San Francisco 49ers) and safety Jeron Johnson (Seattle Seahawks). McCloughan also traded for two-time Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Goldson, who spent the previous two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and used a second-round pick on linebacker Preston Smith.
Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) tackles Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
These additions, along with incumbents such as defensive end Jason Hatcher and outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, give Barry something to work with. Along with the aforementioned dismal numbers, the Redskins produced just 36 sacks and totaled only 19 takeaways in 2014.
Flipping the script in terms of returning to playoff contention for this team won’t be easy, especially for a team that’s dropped 10-of-12 games vs. NFC East foes the past two seasons. Even if Gruden is able to fix Griffin and the offense, Barry and the defense must deliver in a big way.
If Barry and the Redskins defense doesn’t get enough stops in 2015, even a comeback season by the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year won’t amount to much when it comes to wins and losses.
Next: Washington Redskins Running Game Key for 2015
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