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It’s 2009 and there’s still no flying cars or a pass rush in DC

July 22nd, 2009

In 2007 the New York Giants led the NFL in sacks. The Giants also won the Super Bowl that season.

Last year the Pittsburgh Steelers sacked more quarterbacks than any other team in the AFC. The Steelers went on to beat the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

It’s not a coincidence that clubs who are getting to the quarterback are winning lots of games and it shouldn’t surprise you that teams that pressure the quarterback end up having postseason success.

Simply put: Pressuring the passer forces an opposing quarterback to make rushed decisions. Rushed decisions increase the chances of incompletions and interceptions. Getting to the quarterback for a sack can also lead to a boost in fumbles and will at the very least result in lost yardage.

The Washington Redskins haven’t had a pass rush consistent enough to change games in years. In fact, last season the Redskins didn’t even average two sacks per game, as the club mustered just 24 all season. Only four teams posted a lower total than that.

Amazingly, Washington’s defense still finished the season ranked in the top-5. That means that despite the fact that the Redskins defense couldn’t pressure opposing quarterbacks, the unit was still one of football’s best. Defensive backs and linebackers had to cover receivers and tight ends for longer, and both did.

The 2008 season didn’t mark the first year of Washington’s inability to penetrate an opposing team’s offensive backfield. In fact, last season capped a decade-long run in which the team has finished in the top half of the league in sacks only four times.

Here is a year-by-year look at where the Redskins have ranked in sacks.

2008: 24 sacks - 28th

2007: 33 sacks - Tied 16th

2006: 19 sacks - Dead Last

2005: 35 sacks - 20th

2004: 40 sacks - Tied 9th

2003: 27 sacks - 27th

2002: 40 sacks - Tied 9th

2001: 25 sacks - 29th

2000: 45 sacks - 8th

1999: 40 sacks - 14th

Defensive End Renaldo Wynn said that it would be a “travesty” if the Redskins didn’t get to the 40-sack plateau this season, citing the additions of DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Brian Orakpo, the 13th-overall pick in this year’s draft, as reasons why Washington should finally be able to generate a quality and consistent pass rush.

IF Wynn’s right, and his team registers 40 sacks, it would be hard to imagine that the Redskins defense doesn’t improve from its league-wide ranking in total defense (4th) from last season. The boost in sacks would also lead to more turnovers and a spike in drives with short fields, which could lead to the Redskins scoring more points this fall.

Posted by Grant Paulsen Filed in General, NFL, MLB, Washington Redskins

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It’s 2009 and there’s still no flying cars or a pass rush in DC

July 22nd, 2009

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