Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (21-26)
Dec 22, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) celebrates after an interception against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins 3-13
Last Season’s Rankings: #18 Overall Defense (354.1 total yards per game allowed) #20 Passing Defense (243.6 passing yards per game allowed) #17 Rushing Defense (110.6 rushing yards per game allowed)
With an offense such as that of RGIII and Alfred Morris, the Redskins defense this season could be mediocre at best and still help the Redskins go to the playoffs. This off-season, the Redskins (or whoever they end up being named) concentrated on keeping their returning players, signing LBs Brian Orakpo, Perry Riley and Rob Jackson to big contracts. As well, they also added some new faces which should give this Washington team a new look in 2014.
For their run defense, the Redskins get their strength mainly from their line backing crops. The combination of OLB Ryan Kerrigan (66 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three passes defended), ILB Perry Riley (115 tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and eight passes defended), ILB London Fletcher (111 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss and two passes defended) and OLB Brian Orakpo (60 tackles, 10 sacks, nine tackles for loss and four passes defended) were extremely solid last season. However, Fletcher retired this past off-season after a great 16-year career in the NFL. Some may say that the Skins won’t be the same without Fletcher, but I beg to differ. Don’t forget, in this off-season the Redskins were able to add yet another LB to their already stacked repertoire in Stanford LB Trent Murphy.
Out of Stanford University, defensive end-linebacker Trent Murphy has been one of the most dynamic play-makers in the country. In his senior season, Murphy lead the nation with an unbelievable 15.0 sacks to go along with his already awesome 23.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. From his early days as a freshman linebacker for the Cardinal, Murphy has grown and developed more than any other defensive force in the nation. In his sophomore season Murphy managed to record 6.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss and 40 total tackles in his 13 games played for the red and the white. However, real progress occurred between his sophomore and junior season when Murphy went on to sack opposing QBs 10.0 times and record 18 tackles for loss for a total of -87 yards. What Murphy showed all of us this season is that he is almost the ultimate linebacker combination. He is huge; 6’6″ and 252 pounds, but at the same time he is fast and skilled with a 4.82 40-yard dash time. Nobody in this draft can match the size and brute strength that Murphy brings to the table.
With Murphy, Orakpo and Kerrigan, I expect the Redskins to be doubly effective in 2014. Not to mention, they’ve added some depth to their defensive line and line backing corps through free agency. With DE Stephen Bowen (19 tackles and three tackles for loss), DE Jarvis Jenkins (22 tackles and two sacks), DT Barry Cofield (32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss) and new acquisitions in DE Jason Hatcher (41 tackles, 11 sacks and eight tackles for loss) and LB Akeem Jordan (67 tackles and four tackles for loss), the Redskins do have somewhat of a complete front seven. The key for the Redskins 2014 rush defense is learning to stop teams in the red zone. Last season Washington ranked dead-last in the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed with 23. I believe that with former Dallas DE Jason Hatcher, the Redskins will have somewhat of a rushing presence up front. If Hatcher and the Redskins’ talented line backing corps can dominate while picking up the slack of Bowen and Cofield, I believe that Washington could be good in 2014.
As for their pass defense, the Redskins were able to add some big names during free agency. CB DeAngelo Hall (78 tackles, 13 passes defended and four interceptions), SS Brandon Meriweather (69 tackles, three passes defended and two interceptions) and CB David Amerson (48 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions) will be welcoming former Redskin and Steeler FS Ryan Clarke (104 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defended) and CB Tracy Porter (67 tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions) from Oakland. Last season, the Redskins ranked third-worst in the NFL in passes defended with just 57. As well, their 29 touchdown passes allowed (ranked 21st) helped contribute to their 29.9 points per game allowed in 2014 (ranked third-worst as well). With Clarke and Porter, the Redskins will be getting two seasoned veterans of great defenses. Only question I have though is with Meriweather and whether or not he is able to stay out of trouble with illegal hits. I think that if he can concentrate on the defending aspect rather than the tackling aspect of the short safety position, the Redskins should see improvement over last season.