Redskins D (1 Viewer)

[Holy Schneikes]

Fantasy defenses are a funny topic, mostly because the league setup and scoring are vitally important to how much value any given defense can have. That makes them hard to discuss in terms of ADP, etc so I'm talking here in general terms.

Seems to me these guys can be had relatively cheaply and have a very good chance to score a lot of points for fantasy football teams.

The team itself has some talent, but as we all know scheme is just as important if not more important for overall "fantasy" scoring. New DC Haslett has stated again and again that he puts heavy emphasis on turnovers for the defense. Coincidentally, so do most fantasy scoring systems. This pre-season, with the vanilla D out there, they have done exactly that - generate a lot of turnovers. So we have the stated intention, combined with a LITTLE BIT of evidence to show they are really going to do what they say they plan to. So I'm thinking the new scheme will be a "plus". This 3-4 COULD look like the Jets and/or Baltimore's 3-4 when they get it dialed in.

Now back to talent. People are talking a TON about Haynesworth this offseason of course, but hardly anyone is talking about how fricken GOOD he is when he plays. Sure, he takes plays off, and it is annoying as Hell. But when he's in there, he's among the most disruptive defensive forces in the game. All this talk about him not "starting" is just that - talk. If he's reasonably healthy, he'll be in there a good chunk of the time (I don't care what position he plays, he's going to dominate his guy and require an extra guy to deal with him). And that's a solid starting point for a defense.

Also at DL, you have Carikker and Daniels. Daniels is getting old in the tooth but as a backup, he's pretty darn good. Carikker has been pretty good when healthy as well. Golston is what he is, you can't have studs everywhere.

Then at LB you have Orakpo. This guy is a STUD entering his second year. Who has 4 sacks in a game as a rookie? He's ANOTHER guy on the defense that will dominate the guy in front of (or behind) him. He's a difference-maker. The kind of player who wreaks havoc and creates turnovers. Fletcher is solid as always. Andre Carter seems to be a liability in coverage (and maybe run-stopping for that matter), but again, the guy had 11 sacks last year and is good at getting to the passer if nothing else. Chris Wilson might be a decent alternative somewhere in there.

The secondary is nothing to write home about, but how much does it matter? Are they good enough? If the scheme works as intended, they probably are.

Finally, the returner options they are considering this year are miles more exciting than anything they've had in recent years (Randle El, uggh). Both Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks are "go for it" guys, rather than the safe play. Either can make big plays very quickly. I suspect they will keep one of them since most of their receiving core stinks.

All in all you COULD get a "top 5ish" D for the price of a "backup" D. At worst I think, you get what you pay for. I think they'll be a slightly better fantasy D than NFL D, which would be a switch from previous years.

 

[Routilla]

I think WAS is in for a long year. It doesn't help that McNabb is already dinged up so I expect the offense to sputter coming out of the gate. This puts more pressure on the D. Haynesworth is an oaf and I don't consider him the player he once was at DT. I'm avoiding this DEF FWIW.

 

[Meast21]

Fantasy defenses are a funny topic, mostly because the league setup and scoring are vitally important to how much value any given defense can have. That makes them hard to discuss in terms of ADP, etc so I'm talking here in general terms.Seems to me these guys can be had relatively cheaply and have a very good chance to score a lot of points for fantasy football teams.The team itself has some talent, but as we all know scheme is just as important if not more important for overall "fantasy" scoring. New DC Haslett has stated again and again that he puts heavy emphasis on turnovers for the defense. Coincidentally, so do most fantasy scoring systems. This pre-season, with the vanilla D out there, they have done exactly that - generate a lot of turnovers. So we have the stated intention, combined with a LITTLE BIT of evidence to show they are really going to do what they say they plan to. So I'm thinking the new scheme will be a "plus". This 3-4 COULD look like the Jets and/or Baltimore's 3-4 when they get it dialed in.Now back to talent. People are talking a TON about Haynesworth this offseason of course, but hardly anyone is talking about how fricken GOOD he is when he plays. Sure, he takes plays off, and it is annoying as Hell. But when he's in there, he's among the most disruptive defensive forces in the game. All this talk about him not "starting" is just that - talk. If he's reasonably healthy, he'll be in there a good chunk of the time (I don't care what position he plays, he's going to dominate his guy and require an extra guy to deal with him). And that's a solid starting point for a defense.Also at DL, you have Carikker and Daniels. Daniels is getting old in the tooth but as a backup, he's pretty darn good. Carikker has been pretty good when healthy as well. Golston is what he is, you can't have studs everywhere.Then at LB you have Orakpo. This guy is a STUD entering his second year. Who has 4 sacks in a game as a rookie? He's ANOTHER guy on the defense that will dominate the guy in front of (or behind) him. He's a difference-maker. The kind of player who wreaks havoc and creates turnovers. Fletcher is solid as always. Andre Carter seems to be a liability in coverage (and maybe run-stopping for that matter), but again, the guy had 11 sacks last year and is good at getting to the passer if nothing else. Chris Wilson might be a decent alternative somewhere in there.The secondary is nothing to write home about, but how much does it matter? Are they good enough? If the scheme works as intended, they probably are.Finally, the returner options they are considering this year are miles more exciting than anything they've had in recent years (Randle El, uggh). Both Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks are "go for it" guys, rather than the safe play. Either can make big plays very quickly. I suspect they will keep one of them since most of their receiving core stinks.All in all you COULD get a "top 5ish" D for the price of a "backup" D. At worst I think, you get what you pay for. I think they'll be a slightly better fantasy D than NFL D, which would be a switch from previous years.

I agree with this 100% and have been down on Skins fantasy defenses in the past. We had 4 turnovers alone last game and DeAngelo Hall should have a standout year this season (2 picks in very limited action to date). As for the Cowboys fan, really? Our offense has been slinging the ball all over the field. The single biggest acquisition this offseason in my opinion is Kyle Shanahan whose offense is light years ahead of anything we have had the past couple years and our pass protection has actually looked very good except for 1 or 2 plays in the Ravens game. Even Rex Grossman looked like a legit quarterback last week against the Jets which shocked the most diehard Skins fan.

 

[zadok]

No way. Offenses in the NFC East are too potent.

 

[TobiasFunke]

The schedule is a problem. Six games against quality NFC East opponents, plus they draw the NFC North and the AFC South. Seems like almost every team on the schedule put up more than 350 points last year.

 

[Moobin Steadily]

I think WAS is in for a long year. It doesn't help that McNabb is already dinged up so I expect the offense to sputter coming out of the gate. This puts more pressure on the D. Haynesworth is an oaf and I don't consider him the player he once was at DT. I'm avoiding this DEF FWIW.

Obviously they aren't the most talented team, but no way in hell is Washington worse then they have been the last few years. Orakpo had nearly double digit sacks last year? And that was when he was only rushing the passer sparingly. They have stated he is going to be rushing the passer nearly triple the amount of times this year. That guy is DeMarcus Ware lite. Add the addition of Jim Haslet(sp?) who preaches what the Saint's practiced last year by always going for strips and attacking the ball, and I think the redskins, who already had a very good D, improve their poor takeaway numbers substantially.

 

[Moobin Steadily]

No way. Offenses in the NFC East are too potent.

Depends on the scoring format. If yards and points are factored, forget everything I said.

 

[Fat Nick]

I'm a homer, so take it fwiw, but I agree they could be a deep sleeper.

What people don't realize is that the Skins defense has been solid over the last few years...they just don't produce big plays, turnovers, etc., and were often put in bad spots by the offense.

The 3-4 should lead to a few more big plays, and from what I've seen in the pre-season, they are more explosive. Hanesworth may not be what he is getting paid to be, but he's still got some explosiveness. Haslett has him on some nice stunts from the DT position and he's been able to get pressure on the QB both with bull-rushes and with some edge rushes. I was impressed with how they used him, albeit very limitedly in the pre-season.

London Fletcher is a rock. Period. I love him. And I agree, Orakpo will be the primary play-maker on defense. Deangelo Hall has looked better than he has in a few years, and Landry moving back to SS is a big plus. Injuries have made the startign FS job a little sketchy, but I think the unit will do OK.

I almost never draft a defense, and rather pick up "position battle" guys and thin them out before the season starts. I rely on undrafted defenses, like Washington or Cincy, to hold me till bye weeks when someone will inevitably drop a good D. I have Washington in one league and I'm fine with that thus far...

Just my

 

[fatness]

The Redskins seem questionable on the defensive line. If Kemoeatu starts at nose tackle (with Haynesworth playing DE), Kemoeatu has been getting pushed around too much in preseason. If Haynesworth is at nose tackle, then DE takes a step backwards with Daniels.

 

[SYMPHONY X]

The schedule is a problem. Six games against quality NFC East opponents, plus they draw the NFC North and the AFC South. Seems like almost every team on the schedule put up more than 350 points last year.

I avoided all of the NFC East defenses in my drafts specifically because of their schedules. A good matchup here and there, but overall it's pretty brutal. I would assume that Washington and NYG D's will be on waivers most of the year, so you should be able to pick em up when they do have a favorable matchup, then drop em again.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Well, a good chunk of their production came this week against a turnover factory, but they are currently top 5ish, and looking decent going forward (they have already faced most of the top offenses in the game). Looks like they will continue to produce turnovers (no matter how many yards they give up) and score fantasy points. 15 in the last 5 weeks.

Probably too late to grab them this week though unfortunately.