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http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Orakpo_s_Versatility_Brings_Responsibility__Too_45248.jsp
Draft day approaches. The various web sites, mavens and maniacs dedicated to the study of personnel puzzles analyze each team’s needs and issue their judgments.
Running back for this one. Receiver for that one. Pass rusher for the party of the third part.
So it went for the Washington Redskins. A lack of pressure usually shows up quickly in an array of statistics, not the least being the old won-loss record. The Redskins ranked fourth in total defense but had a meager 24 sacks, few takeaways and an 8-8 record in 2008. Those 24 were the worst in the NFC and 8.4 below the league average. Team leader Andre Carter had four, and no team had a player with fewer than that as its top sack artist.
So, a pass rusher. The problem is that rookies aren’t often the immediate answer.
No rookie had more than five sacks last year in the NFL. No rookie had more than six in 2007. If the pass rush is a problem and the draft will provide the answer, we are talking a longer-term solution than right here and right now.
Gaines Adams, a defensive end chosen fourth overall by Tampa Bay in 2007 and not much liked by the Washington Redskins scouting staff, led all rookies with half a dozen sacks. He had 6.5 last year. This is the sort of incremental progress pass rushers make. If they make any at all.
CLICK LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE
Draft day approaches. The various web sites, mavens and maniacs dedicated to the study of personnel puzzles analyze each team’s needs and issue their judgments.
Running back for this one. Receiver for that one. Pass rusher for the party of the third part.
So it went for the Washington Redskins. A lack of pressure usually shows up quickly in an array of statistics, not the least being the old won-loss record. The Redskins ranked fourth in total defense but had a meager 24 sacks, few takeaways and an 8-8 record in 2008. Those 24 were the worst in the NFC and 8.4 below the league average. Team leader Andre Carter had four, and no team had a player with fewer than that as its top sack artist.
So, a pass rusher. The problem is that rookies aren’t often the immediate answer.
No rookie had more than five sacks last year in the NFL. No rookie had more than six in 2007. If the pass rush is a problem and the draft will provide the answer, we are talking a longer-term solution than right here and right now.
Gaines Adams, a defensive end chosen fourth overall by Tampa Bay in 2007 and not much liked by the Washington Redskins scouting staff, led all rookies with half a dozen sacks. He had 6.5 last year. This is the sort of incremental progress pass rushers make. If they make any at all.
CLICK LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE