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Haynesworth Anchoring a New Look Redskins Defense
Published: May 28, 2009
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When you are 6’6″ and 320 pounds, you should be able to command a strong presence on the defensive line.
When you are that size AND you sign a $100 million contract in the offseason, the word “should” turns into “must” with each paycheck you receive.
That is the type of pressure Albert Haynesworth will receive (and then some) from the Washington Redskins fanatics when he steps on the grass at FedEx Field this season.
Haynesworth, along with veteran defensive back DeAngelo Hall and rookie defensive lineman Brian Orakpo, will be expected to bolster a defense on a team that already ranked in the top five in total defense last year, yet still missed the playoffs.
With the addition of these three big names, the Redskins will look to put more pressure on the defensive side of the ball, going into a possible 3-4 formation with Haynesworth in the middle and Orakpo manning one of the two outside end spots.
Despite their top give defense, the Skins only recorded 24 sacks as a team last season, ranking 28th in the NFL and last in the NFC. Those numbers will only improve, as Haynesworth had 8.5 sacks alone for the Titans in ’08
Hall will also be able to strengthen the Redskins’ secondary, a unit that finished in the middle of the pack in passing defense. Hall, who picked up a nifty six-year, $54 million contract in the offseason, will be the leader of the Redskins’ secondary.
By picking up key additions on the defensive side, the Skins will look to build upon their success from last year, running a primary 4-3 or 3-4 defense to use the skills of Haynesworth and Orakpo.
Thanks to Hall’s shutdown speed, the team can also afford to play more man-to-man defense rather than zone, keeping the other team’s primary receivers from reaching the endzone.
The Redskins will not have to change up their defensive schemes too much, but by making minor tweaks to their base packages, the Skins will be even tougher as they compete in the NFC East.
