Which Redskin Will Break Out in 2011? Anthony Bryant

by Redskins Historian on Mar 26, 2011 11:53 AM EDT in Redskins Analysis

My pick is nose tackle Anthony Bryant, who was inactive for most of the 2010 season until Albert "Head Case" Haynesworth was suspended for the final four games. The Redskins are in dire need of a nose tackle to operate in the 3-4 defense, and Bryant, unlike Haynesworth, is indeed a true nose tackle. He has the body for the position (6-3, 350 pounds) and has proved he’s able to blow up plays in the middle of the line. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has said, however, that Bryant has a tendency to play too high at times. Bryant had 18 tackles last season, eight solo.

Bryant began seeing solid playing time in the Tampa Bay game on Dec. 12, and his reps remained steady the rest of the season. Haslett had this to say about Bryant on Dec. 30, a few days after the Redskins beat Jacksonville, 20-17, and held the Jaguars to 78 yards rushing: "I thought he read things well. They were running power and running a lot of things. He read things well, held his gap, pushed the pocket. He didn’t give ground on a lot of things. I bet the linebackers appreciated that. I thought the front three did a great job on the run game."

Bryant, who’ll be entering his fifth season, has been a journeyman. He signed as a free agent with the Redskins in April 2010, marking the fifth stop in his NFL career. Given that it’s a virtual certainty Haynesworth will never again be a Redskin, Mike Shanahan and company will likely be eyeing a promising nose tackle in next month’s draft. That could push Bryant out of the picture. Then again, with Haslett’s tutelage, he could become the dominant man in the middle that the Redskins are seeking.

Mike Richman (a.k.a. Redskins Historian) is the author of the Washington Redskins Football Vault and The Redskins Encyclopedia. His email is mikerichman@redskinshistorian.com and his Web site is www.redskinshistorian.com.

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I think that he can do it

Plus if he does pan out then that frees up one more draft position that doesn’t need fixing right now. Hes still relatively young and can still get better.

I come ready, when I came out the womb I was ready, tell them mama that's why you had me, you knew I was ready. -Moss

Beating your opposition physically is great and all, but confounding them mentally is sooo much more fun.

by Redwolf333 on Mar 26, 2011 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

We won't know if he doesn't pans out until after the draft.

But neither a rookie or Bryant is going to be completely dominant next year, and both will be relatively cheap.
At worst, Bryant still becomes a good contributor into the rotation.

by SSBlitz on Mar 26, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I was going to ask

Is A. Bryant a legitimate starter or a great guy for depth?

by Elaw6 on Mar 26, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the best we can realistically count on right now....

is for him to be a good solid player in rotation, but who knows? He looked good at the end of last year, we will just have to wait and see if he can build on that. I don’t know anything about his work ethic, but 5 teams in 5 years is not a good sign. I just he takes full advantage of his opportunity here. It’s likely his last stop, and we could certainly use his help.

by MagicHat on Mar 26, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he was the NT on the roster during the preseason.

Surprised it took him so long to get more playing time .I wonder about his practice habits..

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Mar 26, 2011 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

he was out of the nfl for a couple years

He can play but at most he should be considered a quality backup with as chance to win the job IMO.

Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 26, 2011 2:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That should have read "best NT on the roster during the preseason".

He’s definitely a journeyman but I agree about him being a good guy for depth.

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Mar 26, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Like Kevin mentioned, Bryant was out of the NFL a couple of years. Unless Miami was a 3-4 team in 2007, the

Skins were the first 3-4 team he played for. A scouting report on him coming out of Alabama looked encouraging – http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2005draft/Bryant,Anthony-DT%2BOG-Alabama.htm. An excerpt: “Overview: Anthony is a massive athlete with incredible strength, holding the school records with a 505-pound bench press and 775-pound squat. He was the veteran leader of the Crimson Tide defensive line the last two years and has experience in the one- and two-gap systems. […] Analysis: Positives Anthony is an imposing space-eater with a massive frame that makes his arms appear very short (29-inch length). Bryant does not get pushed around much due to his size and imposing strength, but is better served as a bull rusher than trying to get to the quarterback. He is a two-gap tackle whose size makes him stout vs. the run. He has the strength to hold his ground at the point of attack, but when he has to work outside the box, his marginal change of direction agility becomes evident. He has been only an adequate performer throughout his career and with his size and strength, might be better suited for nose guard or switch to the offensive line. He is certainly not an upfield player, but working in the box, he does a better job of plugging the rush lanes and maintaining balance. He might generate some quickness to get up field, but he has marginal lateral agility needed to avoid in-line blocking schemes.” There is more to this report, but it does look like NT is his niche.

by Jefferson1935 on Mar 26, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

What jefferson just said..

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Mar 26, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Not the next B.J. Raji

I doubt he’s the next B.J. Raji. But he has the potential to be a more than adequate nose tackle. The Redskins’ 3-4 defense as a whole will be much improved next year.

Mike Richman
Redskins Historian & Freelance Writer
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

by Redskins Historian on Mar 27, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m still baffled why Bryant rode the pine for 12 weeks…I mean, Vonnie Holliday was seeing time at NT in b/w Kemo’s suckiness.

Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 27, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sorry, but saw more out of Bryant in a short time than ...

anyone else on the D line. last three games of the year you actually saw centers going back into the QB and guards having to double this guy. 8 solos for his short time in there last year? I agree, he could have a huge break out and would love to free up space for an OLB and a couple of sound offensive guards or center.

by RiggoPosse on Mar 28, 2011 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

Based on the picture...

Can anyone explain to me how Bryant ended up with 0 sacks this season?

Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 28, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions