Unit Analysis and an Eye Towards the Draft: Defensive Line
Who's Returning?
Everyone. Corneilius Griffin and Anthony Montgomery are once again expected to start on the interior, and Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter will likely start at the ends. Demetric Evans should push Daniels, and take a lot of his playing time. The Redskins will rotate Kedric Golston in with the the others, and Daniels will see some time at DT replacing Montgomery in strictly pass rushing downs. Ryan Boschetti re-upped the other day, and provides depth only in case of injury. Chris Wilson should become a more effective situational pass rusher this year, and might be able to give Andre Carter a breather on long drives.
Who's leaving?
Well, I guess Lorenzo Alexander is leaving...for the offensive side of the football, but even then, since he will be active on a weekly basis next season, it wouldn't shock me to see him play some DT if the team is in an injury bind.
Who can the team add?
The Redskins just picked up Defensive Tackle Matthias Askew off the trash heap; Askew was with the team last preseason. With the price tag coming down on guys like Rod Colman, Ian Scott, and Darrion Scott (no relation), the Redskins may sniff around them. Ian Scott played for Greg Blache in Chicago.
The Redskins would be overjoyed to land either LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis, but neither really projects to be around by the time the Redskins will select. The team may sniff around North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer, but are more likely to be enamored with Clemson DE Phillip Merling, or Miami (Fl) DE Calais Campbell in the first round. If Campbell or Balmer drops to the second, the Redskins should pounce, but the real gem of the draft in the second round is Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws. Any draft where the Redskins could land Laws AND another top prospect in the first round would have to be considered a great success. There is too much uncertainty after the top picks in the draft to warrent serious consideration in the 3rd rounds or later, so the Redskins would be wise to address all their defensive line needs sooner rather than later.
Unit Prospectus
This is an aging unit who is capable of producing average results--neither of which fits with the Redskins' defensive mantra. The team will likely invest a lot of resources in the draft here over the next few years to overhaul the unit. If they choose not to extend either Montgomery or Golston, expect an entire overhaul by 2010. For 2008, this unit should be the weakest of all the units on the defense, but that should change (for better or for worse) in the near future.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I keep waiting for someone to suggest the Redskins [wait for it...wait for it] trade UP to get a killer D-lineman.
A DT is needed,or someone who can make the QB have happy feet.There might not be a big man left who can make that happen.If they are lucky enough to stay heathy,I would love another impact LB.I loved Merriman when he came out,but it didn’t happen.There are still 1 or 2 LB’s that might take less bucks to stay around a year or 2.Gold and another that can’t come to mind but once played for us could mesh and have impact in locker room.We were getting after the QB’s late in the season and were banged up at LB.Henderson out of Md. ,Rivers,ect. would look good in a Redskins uniform.Brady’s super bowl showed how pressure changes their game.Ware and Suggs were others who would have made a difference.A healthy Washington at LB makes a impact ,and he has plenty left in the tank.We could use someone everywhere,but we are left with one Lucky pick.Let’s get a killer.
Excellent idea Anthony.But I don’t believe we have anything to offer.We have too few picks as there is.Can’t give away nexts years draft as that’s been a bad deal year after year.The draft wait is driving us all crazy.