Richmond, Va. – The Washington Redskins new head coach has brought in his offensive system but it fortunately, is not all that different from previous scheme. The defense, however, remains the same under fourth-year defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Upgrades have been made to Haslett’s squad by way of the hiring of additional assistants, drafting a linebacker in the second round (Trent Murphy), adding some free agents and simply by letting guys like cornerback David Amerson mature in the system.
But, because THE middle linebacker on the team, London Fletcher, retired after last season, filling his slot is critical to the success of the defense. Two of the guys that are integral to that success are “mike” and “jack” linebackers (respectively) Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley, Jr.
Because the defensive scheme will change little in 2014, the linebacking corps — and more specifically the middle linebacker position — has the benefit of being able to concentrate on improving in the game without also having to learn a new system. The aforementioned two players, Riley and Robinson, have evolved within the system in such a way that, rather than being in direct competition with each other, they end up jointly leading the defense on the field.
Both men have shown that they have potential for doing their jobs well. Under new defensive assistant Kirk Olivadotti’s coaching, the entire corps seems to have improved (or learned well in the case of the younger players), covering the run more consistently and augmenting the team’s pass rush… all the while getting constant instruction and encouragement from Olivadotti.
The joint practices and scrimmages with the New England Patriots last week during training camp was fun for Redskins fans, to be sure. But, according to players and coaches for both teams, it was invaluable.
One noticeable difference between the two teams was that the Patriots practice faster than the Redskins did. It seemed that for every one snap that Washington quarterback Robert Griffin, III took, New England signal caller Tom Brady had three. For Washington’s defense, logging the time against the Patriots’ up-tempo offense could give them a real advantage when they play some of the teams they face this season. I asked Riley about this.
“The no-huddle aspect of [practicing against New England’s offense] was great,” he said yesterday. “We’ve worked on it a little but [New England’s] tempo is faster than ours so that was something to get some work in on before the season. We know [the] Houston [Texans] will do a lot of no-huddle. Philly [the Philadelphia Eagles] will do a lot of no huddle. So that’s great work. That’s work that you can’t get anywhere else so… there’s been some great things we’ve gotten at camp these last few days and this is my first time doing it. I look forward to doing it again.”
For the Redskins’ defense, it would be hard to think of a better quarterback against whom to test your meddle than one who deserves the nickname “The Surgeon.” That would be Brady who, at times, ran his offense with such precision, it was amazing.
“You know you’re going to have to be on your keys,” Riley said about playing against a quarterback like Brady. “Someone as great as him has the arm to make every throw. He’s smart and can make every read. He’s going to get his offense in the right position every time. All 11 guys on the defense are going to have to know their assignments and do their jobs. We have to play as a group… you know, play together.”
It appears they did this Thursday night versus the Patriots, winning the contest 23-6.
Riley and Robinson work well together. Add in rookie Trent Murphy, special teams’ beasts Adam Hayward and Darryl Sharpton, outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan; and you have what looks to be a pretty solid group.
Facing a healthy [quarterback] Robert Griffin, III and the weapons he has on offense right now should also help the defense improve.
“Oh, most definitely,” he answered when asked if working against Griffin was more of a challenge this year than it was in 2013. “His legs are back. When he takes off, you can see that his speed and his quickness are back. And that aspect is going to make defenses… they’re not going to want to play man coverage and turn it back to Robert. They’re going to have to zone it, they’re going to have to play short and that’s going to have DJax [DeSean Jackson] , Pierre [Garçon], J. Reed [Jordan Reed], Andre Roberts…. we have some guys that can go deep and we have a quarterback that can throw the deep ball so…. It’s going to be a fun season. I think there’s going to be a lot of great things from Robert and the offense this year.”
Preseason games are all about evaluating guys and seeing where teams are in the process.. Last Thursday night, the Redskins beat the team they’d been practicing against all week and did it in convincing fashion, showing improvement in most areas. Players generally are generally extremely glad to get “out there” in pads. They want to find out how they’re doing as much as the coaches do.
On Thursday night, the linebacking corps made their presence known early in the game. The first time was on the first play of the game when Patriots’ running back Stevan Ridley ran to the left and gained only two yards because Keenan Robinson stopped him along with cornerback E.J. Biggers. The second time was on the next play when Ridley tried to run up the middle but got nowhere. It was Riley that was instrumental on the stop.
“It was good,” Riley said about the game. “It was good just to see the team come together, especially the way practice was. If you looked at those practices you’d be like, ‘Wow, New England is amazing… the Redskins blah, blah…’ if you bought into that. But we knew from watching film that we looked good. And it was awesome just to see [Brian O]Rak[po] coming off the edge, Ryan [Kerrigan] coming off the edge and sacking people, RGIII just playing his game, Alfred [Morris] running, special teams people out there having good returns. So it was good to see. It was kind of like a building block and that’s what we used it as.
“We gotta get a lot better obviously,” he went on, “because we want to be one of the best teams there is. But to see where we are? Especially the way we practiced? Real high-tempo, fast, physical, hitting everything… It was great to see.”
Gruden appeared happy with the progress of his team after the game. Asked about the communication between players that went on he had this to say:
“[On] defense, I think the communication was clean with Coach Haslett and the linebackers and then obviously the quarterbacks did a nice job of getting the play out quickly and getting everybody set.”
In the weeks leading up to the regular season, there is a new hope in every NFL training camp. Another year is on the way; there is new talent on teams, guys are healthy and improving in their systems (hopefully) and anything is possible. In Washington, a new coach with a fresh outlook and enthusiasm has caused RedskinsNation to be at its most optimistic. Every player I’ve talked to has specific goals for the year and that is how it should be. Perry Riley, Jr. is no different. Between the two of them, he and Robinson bring youth and a set of skills to the middle linebacker position that has the potential to set the Redskins’ unit apart from other teams, given the right guidance and coaching.
“I just want to take that next step as a player,” Riley said about 2014. “You know, become that defensive leader that [London] Fletch[er] was that we’re… well, not necessarily missing right now but, nobody’s done it to Fletch’s level yet. I want to take that next step and just be accountable for every snap so my teammates can trust me. I’m a middle linebacker… I’m a voice on the defense. I’m the veteran and they’re going to need me to be at my best out there at all times. That’s what I look forward to doing.”
Hail.