Examining how the Redskins defense can evolve into a top-tier unit next year

Any Redskins fan who keeps up with the times (Santana Moss is still their No. 1 wide receiver, right?) is excited that Scot "The Savior" McCloughan has arrived to be the invisible hand that guides the Redskin's roster out of perennial disapointment and into perennial contendership. In his short tenure here, (this will be his first season in office) he has already made a variety of moves that prove to bolster this redskins roster tremendously, and especially on defense with the addition of defensive linemen Stephen Pae, Terrance Knighton, and Ricky Jean-Francois. Linebackers selected in the 2015 draft Martrell Spaight and Preston Smith should be cheif among those who benefit from the ripple effects of defensive line additions, as opponents offensive fronts will be distracted and battered by the Knighton, Pae and veterean Pro-Bowler Jason Hatcher show. The secondary will also enjoy the trophic-cascadic effects of a disruptive defensive line, as that means they will be facing a pass game under duress. Newcomers CB Chris Culliver, All-Pro S Dashon Goldson, and S Jeron Johnson will enjoy success alongside second year up-and-comer CB Brashaud Breeland and veteran pro bowl CB DeAngelo Hall in secondary that will surprise many people next year.

(Former GM-demoted-to-president Bruce Allen symbolically passing the torch to new GM Scot McClouhan)

On the other side of the ball, the Redskins offense was never really lacking as much talent as it showed last season. Rather, the offensive woes came from percievably a lack of team chemistry, which mostly likely stemmed from head coach Jay Gruden inheriting an offensive roster full of players that are not ideal fits for his scheme. In fact, most of the players on the Redskins roster when Gruden showed up were hand picked by predesessor Mike Shanahan to execute his zone running scheme behind a nimble-offensive line. The problem is that what Shanahan created the team to be is fundamentally the opposite of the pass-happy offense that made Gruden a star OC with the Bengals. The difference between the Bengals roster during Grudens tenure and the Redskins 2014 roster is also staggering, so its no wonder that Gruden had somewhat of a stump in his first year. But just as he cannot be completely absolved of all blame, he cannot be completely blamed either or his struggles in his first year as a head coach simply because the Reskins roster was built to be used in a completely different type of way than Gruden knows how to operate. Luckily, Scot McCloughan has added significant peices to "the Washington football team" that will help Jay Gruden assimilate, like 5th overall draft pick OL Brandon Sherff and 4th round WR pick Jamison Crowder.

(Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden)

The Redskins appeared to be all fixed by just one player after rookie Robert Griffin III had led the previously anemic offense to a 10-6 record and the no. 1 rushing offense. All it took was an introduction between Griffins fragile knees and 330 pound Haloti Ngata, and suddenly the Redskins were back at square one. Winning only 7 games over the last two seasons, (Thats been 2nd worst in 2013 and 5th worst in 2014, respectively) fans of the Washington franchise have began to pull their hair out. Many blame Griffin, and others blame the front office, namely owner Dan Snyder and incumbent former-GM Bruce Allen. Never fear, Skins fans. In what I would rank as the no. 1 move made by any team this offseason, the Redskins signed new GM Scot McClaughlin, who is tasked with building a talented roster as he once did with the 49ers and the Seahawks. Already, McClaughlin made this defense look like a top-10 unit and has made numerous efforts to revamp the failing offensive line by adding new O-line coach Bill Callahan, and drafting offensive linemen Brandon Sherff (5th overall) and Arie Kouliandro (4th round.)

(2015 NFL Draft 5th overall selection OL Brandon Sherff)