If it's as much of a liability this year, a winning record will be out of the question.Gruden has taken a lot on as a first-year head coach. He's more than capable of anchoring this defense but needs to receive less attention in the middle.Depth is not altogether convincing, although Jarvis Jenkins looked good during preseason. However, that's hardly the case in D.C.The O-line surrendered 43 sacks in 2013 and allowed almost ceaseless pressure in the pass pocket. Orakpo, meanwhile, rushes from the right edge, facing the left tackles. So will making the best use of six talented wideouts.New arrivals DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts can both stretch the field as outside receivers.
They offered evidence of a coach willing to adapt to what he has, rather than simply forcing his ideas onto ill-equipped players.That would make for a very refreshing change following four seasons of Shanahan's intractable rule.Yet that's not to say Gruden's first team isn't facing its fair share of challenges. The Washington Redskins looked to the recent NFL Draft and free agency to not only improve the talent level of their linebacking corps, but to also add depth.
The 32-year-old is still quarterback Tony Romo's favorite outlet while running back.Tracking underneath receivers has, ironically, been a problem for the Redskins since Shanahan switched the team to a linebacker-led defense in 2010. They have included struggles making quick reads and decisive throws. To the surprise of nobody who's ever seen him play, Meriweather has already earned a,That finally prompted the team into action. Haslett's new ideas for the pass rush had better work.Speaking of the schedule, it's a lot tougher than it might appear at first glance. But more than just cover, Murphy will be an important member of the sub-package defenses.He lined up at several positions during the offseason, showing flexibility that impressed Gruden, per.Trent's done a great job. The Eagles knew how to take away his favorite reads as well as knowing when and where to blitz him.That was obvious following a Week 11 loss. Also, don't rule out DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts having an impact here. He excelled last season when hitting and harassing premier receivers such as.It's time for Haslett to let his corners do what comes naturally.Passive coverage will kill the defense against the towering pass-catchers deployed by both the Eagles and Cardinals.Speaking of rookies who will be a threat, Arizona appears to have found a gem in third-rounder John Brown. The pint-sized pace merchants seemed to offer big-play capability from the backfield, particularly from spread sets.Yet neither possessed the blocking and pass-catching skills needed to add the elements Morris doesn't. Preventing big plays in coverage would also help.
Few NFL teams boast depth as strong at football's key position.However, the fact that level of cover is needed reflects the worrying uncertainty underpinning the hype that typically surrounds Griffin. But throughout the offseason, Baker and Haslett have had the two line up at multiple positions. Yet they soon disappeared once the real stuff began.Presumably, that was the Shanahan factor at work.
The running back position is in safe hands as long as Alfred Morris remains the team's primary ball-carrier.There's every indication he will. Five of them were complete for 174 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals were even tougher on running backs in 2013, topping the league charts in this category.Size up front and solid gap control in a 3-4 scheme were the keys to their success.
".But Amerson isn't the only ample-framed cornerback who must be allowed to use his size to make an impression. This is a line short on size and imposing physicality.That's how Shanahan wanted things to fit his zone system. That's not the most encouraging sight.Both players were pushed around a lot last season in both phases of the game. It's not certain how much this was the preference of Cincy head coach Marvin Lewis or Gruden's own schematic riff on the traditional West Coast offense.What is clear is that Morris has become an instant NFL star in the outside-zone-running scheme. He's got some terrific acceleration, but often runs too upright and isn't particularly shifty. It already sounds like wishful thinking.So much work has gone into repairing last season's abominable special teams. That type of tight end needs to see a lot of passes come his way.Fortunately, that may not be a problem for Gruden, as.Last year Gruden was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati and he had a talented rookie tight end of his own in first-round draft pick Tyler Eifert (who was targeted 57 times).