Addition by (unfortunate) Subtraction

by mmford10 on Jul 21, 2008 2:02 PM EDT

Congratulations, Redskins.

Regrettably, it took the loss of a team leader in solid, steady Phillip Daniels. But the Redskins became a better football team yesterday.

I like to think I'm not one for hyperbole, at least in terms of football. But I assert that the Redskins defensive line, its only laughably weak facet just hours ago, is now one of its strongest.

Last year, Redskins defensive linemen recorded 21 sacks (if I can count correctly). Jason Taylor had 11 last year. If he sustains production (no reason to believe he won't), the Redskins DL just increased its production by over 50%. Last year as a team we had 33 sacks -- good for 16th in the NFL. If we add to the Redskins' total 11 sacks, we'd move up to 44 last season, which would put us behind only 4 teams -- one of which beat us in the playoffs, the other our most hated rival who had their best season in recent memory, and the other two that played in the Super Bowl. Coincidence?

As people on this site have been saying for centuries, you need to put pressure on the QB to win. Period. The Giants had a terrible secondary, but shut down the Patriots' offense in the Bowl, literally the best in history. Why? The Big Blue pass rush. Now, the Redskins have one of their own. Call them the Burgundy People Eaters, the Zorn Curtain, or the Salsa-Dancing-Sackmasters (or think of your own goddamn name, alright?), but the Redskins have a pass-rush off the line that can be envied by almost every team in the NFL. When did we EVER, EVER think we could say that this season after drafting 3 offensive players with our top picks?!?!?!

Worries about Chris Wilson? Dispelled. He is literally a secret weapon now, because if he comes on the field with Taylor and Carter, who's going to notice him? Worried if Griffin could withstand another season of double coverage and get pressure? Can't double him now -- Taylor, Carter, and Griffin all are double-cover worthy (Carter had 10.5 sacks last year -- very respectable). Worried about the secondary? Carlos Rogers can now rest a little easier, knowing that when he recovers, he won't have to run for hours as WR's run full routes -- because they won't have time anymore. The Redskins defense just moved into contention for elite status. Just with the trade for Jason Taylor. I said it.

The Redskins can blitz without a blitz package, something Williams could never accomplish with his personnel in Washington. Someone can chase down every QB in the division on any pass play now, whether it's Carter or Taylor or Wilson.

Simply put, I'm ecstatic. This may be the best move of the offseason, assuming the man stays healthy. Way to go, Cerrato.

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Salsa-Dancing-Sackmasters!!!

great post as you capture all that is great about a pass rush and the Redskins having one now. A pass rush generated without sacrificing LB’s or the anyone from the secondary has been a long time dream for all of us!

by CptChaosSidekick on Jul 21, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

I hemm and haw

but the more I ponder it the more I feel like this move was for the best. The 2nd is alot to pay in the long run, but the short term value for Taylor on the skins is huge for the reasons you indicated. If you put them on a sliding scale, I think the two weigh evenly. Aside from bona fide linebacker depth (which will recover along with RockMc) and a bit of a shallowness at corner (alleviated by Carlos’ healing), our D is rock solid, especially if Doughty breaks out like Cpt. Chaos has predicted. Two years from now we may wistfully wish for that second round pick, but for right now we should be pleased. This decision was a whole lot better than hunting the Farve snark, and frankly was the one move that can really, really improve our D right now (even had PD stayed healthy).

TTB!

by Ach on Jul 21, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

I am pleased as well

but I’ll be many, many times over more pleased if we can manage more than two seasons out of this guy. This whole thing becomes an unmitigated disaster if Taylor, say, tears an ACL in the next few weeks. Obviously you can’t move forward with any feasible player acquisition strategy if you refuse to bring in players who could get injured (which includes all of them) but Taylor is old enough where an injury or one, really, could mean we gave up two picks… for nothing. He plays out the whole year and does well, no one will be questioning the necessity or intelligence of this move. He comes in, has lingering injuries throughout the year that limit his ability to rush the passer, maybe retires in 2009, we’ll all be wondering what the eff happened to the draft picks.

My overall thought is: We got value for the picks, it’s a risky move that could yield diminished returns, but you can’t simply sit on your thumbs when your starting defensive end goes down to a season ending injury, especially with the pass rush we’ve had the past few years. If this is an evil - it might not be - it’s the necessary kind.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Jul 21, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Jason Taylor on how long he plans to play

“I made a statement in June that I planned to play one more year and take it from there, but I have told Dan Snyder, Vinny Cerrato and Coach Zorn that I am on board and will play out my contract. I will be here for more than one year. I am here to play football as well as I can.”

Transcript of the prsser here.

by CptChaosSidekick on Jul 22, 2008 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions