Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Eagles versus Redskins: 5 Questions and answers with Riggo’s Rag

By Geoffrey Knox

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins watches warm ups prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins watches warm ups prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 20: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins looks on against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 20: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins looks on against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Inside The Iggles: How dominant can this Redskins defense be in 2017? Is Josh Norman regressing or is he as good as he thinks he is?

Riggo’s Rag:

The Redskins defense can be much-improved in 2017, but to say ‘dominant’ even in the same sentence as ‘Redskins defense’ is still too much to bargain for. The secondary looks much improved, but Su’a Cravens‘ retirement speculation complicates things.

The linebackers looks solid and deep, but the team is still waiting to see growth and consistently from players like Preston Smith, Ryan Anderson, and Junior Galette. On the defensive line, Jonathan Allen is an immediate upgrade. He’s been as advertised this offseason, but the line around him is not nearly as strong. Having nose tackle Phil Taylor would have helped this year, but instead, he’s out indefinitely with a torn quad.

The defense is getting better, and as long as they can find consistency, they can at least be a top sixteen unit in the league. To say it can be anything more would be reaching at this point. There’s plenty of young talent on the squad, and it will take some time for those pieces to gain experience and knowledge at their positions. Washington’s defense won’t be their anchor this year. There are still some holes on the hull that need patching up.

As for Josh Norman, the Redskins’ number one cornerback is getting up there in age. He turns 30 years old later this year, but he hasn’t visibly regressed just yet. Although there wasn’t as much excitement around his performance last year, he was better than many think. He was the only consistent piece in a very shaky Redskins’ secondary. With more help in 2017, he should be able to function better as a cog of the defense instead of being a football field vigilante.

Norman’s attitude is contagious, and the team has adapted to his competitive style. We should continue to see high-level play from him for at least a couple more years. He might not be as good as he thinks he is, but he’s very, very good.

Home/Eagles News