[Note by CptChaosSidekick, 05/11/08 9:03 AM EDT ] Taking from wikipedia to help illustrate my point in reguards to the defense we use and issues as it relates to the Saftey postion.

Cover 2

In traditional Cover 2 schemes the free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS) have deep responsibilities, each guarding half of the field. The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions run a variant of this defense called the Tampa 2.

Cover 2 can be run from any seven-man defensive fronts such as the 3-4 and the 4-3. (It is difficult to implement Cover 2 from an eight-in-the-box front, because the strong safety or someone replacing him is usually the eighth man.) Various "underneath" coverage played by cornerbacks and linebackers may also be implemented. For example, Cover 2 Man means 2 safeties have deep responsibility while the cornerbacks and linebackers follow their offensive assignment in one-on-one coverage. The NFL's San Diego Chargers inherited a base Cover 2 Man 3-4 from Wade Phillips. Cover 2 can also be paired with underneath zone schemes: Cover 2 Zone refers to 2 safeties with deep responsibility but now the CBs and LBs drop back into specific coverage zones where they defend passes only in their assigned area.

Teams that play Cover 2 shells usually subscribe to the "bend-but-don't-break" philosophy, preferring to keep offensive players in front of them for short gains while limiting long passes. This is in stark contrast to a more aggressive Cover 1 type scheme which leaves the offensive team's wide receivers in single man-to-man coverage with only one deep helper. By splitting the deep field between two defenders, the defense can drastically reduce the number of long gains.

The main weakness of the Cover 2 shell occurs in the middle of the field between the safeties. The safeties attempt to gain width upon the snap of the ball to cover any long passes to quick wide receivers down the sideline. This movement creates a natural hole between the safeties that can be attacked. By sending a receiver (usually a tight end) into the hole, the offense forces the safety to make a decision: play the vulnerable hole in the middle of the field or help out on the wide receiver. The quarterback reads the safety's decision and decides on the best matchup (i.e. which mismatch is better: TE vs S or WR vs CB).

Looks like this type of D goes hand in hand with a lot of things. Good CB cover skills and a much needed pass rush by the front 4. I wonder if we will implement a somewhat diffrent type of cover 2 under our new D cordinator.

I was listing to the radio, and heard some very intresting things concering postions on the field that might go the way of the Dodo bird. Here is my take. The NFL is a copy-cat league, and what everyone is doing on offence is spreading the field. Caues & effect..some postions are no longer considered as valuable as they once were.

Fullback:  With teams lining up with three & four wideout's, the defence gets spread out and the need for a sledge hammor like Lorenzo Neal isn't as nessasry as it once was.  Now FB is one of my favroite postions but it seems like the only ones in need are the ones with pass catching abilities  ...except when in  a goaline situation. 

Strong Saftey:  AKA roving LB that can cover.  Players such as John Lynch, Roy Williams, and Adam Archulata are constantly findind themselves out of postion and getting burned.  Teams are specifically targeting them due to their lack of range.  So defensive packages simply take out the SS and rotate a CB in his place.

Inside/ Middle Linebacker:  What I'm talking about here is the downward attacking LB, that more specifically stuffs the run. Case in point Dan Conner who was considered the 3rd best ILB in the draft but didn't get taken until the 3rd round. He came out of linbacker U with the alltime tackels record but teams again are worried by lack of range by their LB's causing a Reggie Bush type or even a more deadly threat to expose them.

So what do you all think?  Is this a change that will have a lasting effect on the league?

Just wanted to say thatnks for allowing me to join the group...We  are in the midst of a new begining New Coach , New Philosophy and I for one am very excited to be able to witness it from its birth...This years draft was a waste to some and a revalation to others I see it as the begining of  Jim Zorn's masterpiece . Now let me be clear it will take a season or two but once the pieces are gathered and all on the same page NFC East lookout.............HTTR

From progridironfootball.com  Team News Section via The Washington Times

The Washington Times Reports:

Second-round draft pick Fred Davis didn't report for the last day of minicamp. The Redskins eventually located the tight end from USC and said he's safe but didn't release any other information at this point.

To view the full article check out the Redskins News Section at progridironfootball.com

*Also new layout for our Video Games Section !

From progridrionfootball.com, reported by mlive.com

Here's what new Redskins head coach Jim Zorn had to say about:-- Thomas still being there at 34th

"I think that was the biggest surprise for us. We were thinking, 'Okay, well we are giving that up to go down and get more choices in the second round,' and then when he was there even in the second round, we got excited about that."

-- What the Redskins like about Thomas

"His speed, his size. I like the fact that he can run after he catches the ball. He averaged 29.1 yards per kickoff return. He had 79 catches in 2007. He is a young player with a lot of upside. He doesn't have injury problems coming out of college. With Devin it is going to be how well he can pick up the offense, a whole different language, but his athleticism is right there and we just need to develop him."

For more league news, check out Pro Gridiron Football

*Also updated with new Madden 09  & NCAA Football 09 Screenshots and Videos

My earliest memory of ever watching the Redskins was seeing Bronco John Elway throw a TD bomb to Ricky Nattel on Super Bowl XXII's first play...and my dads expletive rant right after.  My grandmother was in attedance as well, and ironically used expletives to inform dad not to use expletives in front of me. What excitement for a six year old.

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Positional reviews on who has a chance to make the 53 man roster, does not bode well for Tommy Davis and Cedrick Holt.

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Okay, after a formal request from dr WNC, here is your official post to keep track of who has whom. I'll try to update it as much as possible.

As far as what is expected, I'll just steal what I wrote before:

... the program is all about hyping your player [sic] over all the other players, even to the point of over hyping him. Think of it as your chance to be an online Flava Flav (best hype man ever) for your guy. And remember, [Your Player's name]'s future on this team rests on your shoulder. Good luck to you and your player.

Here's who I can remember has already taken a player. let me know if I overlooked someone or if you'd like to take a player off the board.

Skin Patrol - FB Pete Schmitt

TexSkins - WR Anthony Mix

dr WNC - LS Ethan Albright, CB Cedrick Holt and DE Tommy Davis (What a caring soul... 3 Skins.)

CaptChaosSidekick - P Durant Brooks

Romans 12 - OL Kerry Brown

BlackOps - CB Byron Westbrook [Note by TexSkins, 04/30/08 9:06 PM CDT ]

Ach - QB Colt Brennan [Note by TexSkins, 05/01/08 1:11 PM CDT ]

DBacksSkins - OL/DL Lorenzo Alexander [Note by TexSkins, 05/06/08 12:17 PM CDT ] I'm taking him off the board until I get confirmation.

matthiasstephan - DB Justin Tyron [Note by TexSkins, 05/09/08 10:03 AM CDT ]

Who am I missing? Let me know if you would like to claim a play and I'll add it to the list.

It has been mentioned over and over how the Redskins do not focus on the Defensive line.  How it appears that Daniel Snyders deep desire to Win is steeped in him trying to build a high powered offensive...maybe the philosphy has not worked but is it working?

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I hope I didn't miss these getting posted, lots of great traffic on the "Hogs Haven"

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Ladell Betts is going to be at the Macy’s Metro Center Store this Thursday, May 1st. An awesome event for fashion and sports fans alike to meet Betts as he autographs footballs, answers audience questions and talks about his life on and off the field.

 Customers who purchase $50 or more of Perry Ellis apparel will receive a Perry Ellis football and entry into the VIP line to get the football signed.

 Thursday evening at Macy’s Metro Center Store is a cool chance to meet Betts, win giveaways and chek out the hottest looks from the Perry Ellis.