Keeping Orakpo for the tender?
Cutting Rambo after the opener after talking him up all summer?
Acquiring and starting 4-3 linemen in a 3-4 scheme despite the obvious struggles time and again?
All of these decisions seem to center around Haslett and his decision-making and influence on a young HC that now seems in over his head.
Gruden trusted Haslett's evaluations and as a result there were only a couple of changes on a defense that was #30 last year.
Same personnel, similar results.
You can add in a rookie like Breeland or are turning pick who has been hurt like Robinson and they can be pleasant surprises.
But if you add them together with Kerrigan and perhaps Baker, the defense still needs 6-7 new starters!
Jenkins = bust
Bowen = over 30, injury prone
Cofield = see above
Hatcher = at 32 he will be retired when the Redskins are contenders even if they bring in the right GM.
Riley = overrated player who has poor anticipation/instincts despite being a good athlete.
Orakpo = he says he is an elite OLB. If he sat down and watched Von Miller or Justin Houston on film I think he would be humbled.
Amerson = appears to be a knucklehead, missed assignments, misses practice and team meetings. This guy thinks he has made it. He needs to improve 50% to remain a starter on a playoff caliber defense.
Meriweather = suspended, injured whatever. This guy is never on the field. He is the embodiment of the phrase 'you can't make a good club from the hot tub'.
Clark = at 35 he's done. The problem is the team brought him in to be a leader but in order to have credibility you still have to be able to go out there and not embarrass yourself.
Biggers, Minnifield, et al = these guys are just bodies. Either cast offs or practice squaders, there aren't any answers in this group.
But you need 53 players right?
The team with Haslett providing the Intel didn't do much in the offseason to revamp this unit because he felt they were close.
He was right - close to the bottom that is.
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