The Defensive Line has been re-tooled, but front 7 still lacking impact players
At this point of free agency, the Redskins have not had favorable reviews of their overall crop of players brought in. Their defensive line signings have had mixed reviews – some feel it was a downgrade from fan favorite Chris Baker, who was the team’s most productive lineman, and letting their second best guy in Ricky Jean-Francois go didn’t help their case either. It’s really not about who they let go; the message being sent by the team is more about who they’re bringing in.
The Redskins are going young on the defensive line, signing a 27 year old defensive lineman in Stacy McGee, and a 28 year old in Terrell McClain, both of whom have a reputation of being effective in the run game. It must be noted that Chris and Ricky both were on a defensive line that gave up the 5th worse average in yards per attempt on the ground, and gave up 120 yards per game.
What’s my point? When you are that bad for a number of years, not just one, blowing up the position group and bringing in a new nucleus is an option worth taking. The Redskins are working to change the reputation of their front 7, but they are not done in the slightest. McClain and McGee are two solid lineman who provide a solid rotation for that position group, but the Redskins are still in need of a couple impact players.
An impact player is someone who is capable of making the big-time sack, as well as penetrating the backfield on a 3rd and 1 in the midst of an important drive for the other team. At this point, there aren’t many out there in free agency who could be described as such a player. Jonathan Hankins from New York isn’t an impact player; however, he would create a stout defensive line for the Redskins. His asking price of $10 million according to reports scares me away from him, though.
There are impact guys in the draft we can expect to hear about in the upcoming weeks (also can be found here and here).
There are a few out there at the inside linebacker position who are capable of immediately upgrading our position. Although there is no official word on any possible interest, Zach Brown and Gerald Hodges are two I really like who can be upgrades. The complaints are fair when it’s said the Redskins have not done enough to replace Baker yet and clearly upgrade the line, and at this point it’s known they need a nose tackle, too. With that being said I expect another move or two to be made via free agency, and obviously the draft will likely be centered on the defense.
What do you think? Leave us a comment below.
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