We might have gotten lucky with some injuries.

[Solitary Man]

The 2 inside linebackers in particular. I thought Keenan was one of our 5 best players last year, but you can not argue that we are a better team right now with Compton and Foster in the middle. Not only does Will do a great job of making defensive calls, but he and Foster play off of each other very well. One could argue that we would not be in the position we are in had it not been for those 2 guys being in the lineup.
I hope Keenan and Perry can learn from what those guys are doing.


Here is an article on Foster.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-foster-brings-to-the-table-for-the-redskins/

 

[Elephant]

'Lucky' might not be the best way to describe it, but I think we were fortunate that these guys got a chance.

The same could be said for the TE position.

I like Niles Paul, all he has done is everything we've asked of him, but I think Reed's talent would have earned him the starting job early in the season regardless.

I would love to have seen how the offense could be with those guys on the field together down the stretch of the season.

I like that we have an ILB who can captain that defense like Compton does. I thought Keenan Robinson was a beast, but it's obvious he wasn't the defensive "captain" Compton has turned out to be.

The injuries I think were unfortunate were Gallette and then Jeffcoat when he finally got on the field. I think Jeffcoat can be a good one, but it looks like Preston Smith is going to be the guy at OLB opposite Kerrigan. Makes me wonder if we'll even try to bring Gallette back. I think we do, but makes you wonder about Trent Murphy's future here. I would hate to see another 2nd round pick go down the tubes.

Also, I think injuries got us a glimpse at some young raw talent in our secondary with Keyshown Jarret and especially Quinton Dunbar. If they can continue to develop Dunbar, that kid can be a good CB.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Makes me wonder if we'll even try to bring Gallette back. I think we do, but makes you wonder about Trent Murphy's future here. I would hate to see another 2nd round pick go down the tubes.

Murphy was originally an ILB, so maybe he can go back and pair up with Compton in the middle.
Or just rotate with Smith. I don't see us getting rid of Murph.
Galette, maybe he can take Hatcher's position, now that Hatch is getting banged up, fragile, and long in the tooth.

 

[Elephant]

Murphy was originally an ILB, so maybe he can go back and pair up with Compton in the middle.
Or just rotate with Smith. I don't see us getting rid of Murph.
Galette, maybe he can take Hatcher's position, now that Hatch is getting banged up, fragile, and long in the tooth.

No he wasn't. He came into the league drafted as a DE, they tried to see if he could play ILB and interior OL when Haslett was here, but he couldn't. OLB in this scheme is his position.

Gallette is an OLB too, he is not going inside the interior DL to replace Hatcher.

With the emergence of Preston Smith, we will have to see what players like Jeffcoat and Gallette will bring in the off-season, if Gallette is brought back. I would not be a bit surprised to see Trent Murphy on the outside looking in.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Gallette is an OLB too, he is not going inside the interior DL to replace Hatcher.

Hatcher is not interior DL though
Unless your interpretation of a DE in a 3-4, to be "interior", which is debatable.

 

[ntotoro]

'Lucky' might not be the best way to describe it, but I think we were fortunate that these guys got a chance.

The same could be said for the TE position.

This is still kinda' sorta' what scares me about Gruden. If not for injury, would those guys have gotten a chance?

Nick

 

[Boone]

If they didn't it would have been because our starters were kicking ass. I think the play of the guys who've stepped in this year isn't about them all being some kind of 'hidden gems'. It's as much about this coaching staff 'coaching them up' as anything. Jesus - we've made a playoff run with Josh.Effing.Leribeus. at center for most of the season. I'm not dazzled by his play, but I'll confess, high snaps aside, he has at least held down the position well enough to allow Kirk to thrive. Now THAT's coaching.

 

[Solitary Man]

This is still kinda' sorta' what scares me about Gruden. If not for injury, would those guys have gotten a chance?

Nick

Nick, this is a tough one. As far as the 2 ILB's, probably not, but we don't know. Keenan was a arguably our best defensive player last year. Always flying to the ball.

 

[JohnssBass]

It's pretty hard to imagine this team to be hurting in the injury department in 2016 as they have been this season. At least they know they have some depth in spots.

That's kinda a new thing for the Redskins.