Washington Redskins We will be featuring a
different Washington Redskins player each day on this list, staying
away from rookies or some second-year players still finding their way. Washington
Redskins This will focus primarily on veterans at or near a career crossroads. Washington
Redskins Today, Defensive end Jason Hatcher. Because
he was a high-profile signing by a defense in need of help. Washington
Redskins Also Hatcher is coming off a career year with 11 sacks and must show
it wasn’t a fluke. Washington Redskins The Redskins’ coaching staff felt
Hatcher gave them more fits than any interior rusher last season because of his
quickness and his hands. Washington Redskins Hatcher was not as big a pass-rush
threat while serving as a 3-4 defensive end, though he had a combined 8.5 in
his past two seasons at that spot (when he became a full-time starter). By
comparison, all the Redskins’ linemen have combined for 8.5 sacks in the past
two seasons (they did have 17 in 2011. But as their production waned the past
two years so, too, did the pass rush. Stephen Bowen has one sack the
past two seasons combined). Still, Hatcher must show that last season was not
an anomaly. The Redskins targeted him because of what he did against them and
others. They also needed to diversify their rush, and the outside rushers, Brian
Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, received little to
no help from the interior. That left offenses able to focus more on them. The
same as he did last season. The notion that he only had a big season because of
Dallas’ switch
to a 4-3 and now that he’s back in a 3-4 he’ll do nothing is misguided. The
Redskins used their nickel pass rush about 70 percent of the time last season;
that alignment is more of a 4-3 look with two interior rushers. Hatcher would
be the main rusher in their fast nickel set, which features three outside
linebackers. In other words, he will be used mostly as a rusher inside just
like he was a year ago -- but he does have the ability to pressure from end,
too. I don’t know about him getting double-digit sack totals again; in fact I’d
be a little surprised. But if he got even eight that would qualify as a big
improvement. Washington Redskins He needs to be a threat and have the ability
to collapse the pocket. Starting right end. Washington Redskins The worry
is that Hatcher is now coming off arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. That
puts him in jeopardy of missing the start of training camp. Washington Redskins
And the question will be: What is the lingering effect? He’ll be 32 when camp
opens, Washington Redskins so there has to at least be some concern about his
durability. Washington Redskins The Redskins need to have good depth at end so
they can save Hatcher on run downs if need be and use him in pass situations, Washington
Redskins.
