Free Agency: 3 Steelers Who Would Boost the Redskins' 3-4

The Washington Redskins moved to a 3-4 defense to have more flexibility and increase their big plays and turnovers.  For nearly the last two decades in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers have set the standard for this kind of defense.

The Redskins want to emulate Pittsburgh's style.  Mike Shanahan installed Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator in 2010, and Haslett brought with him three years experience running the defense in Pittsburgh from 1997-1999.

Haslett's attempt to install a similar system in D.C. was largely unsuccessful in 2010.  But even for a unit which struggled mightily all year, there were elements of the Steelers playbook present in the Redskins defense.

In their dramatic opening night win against Dallas, the Redskins defense was able to corral the Cowboys by utilising a package of Steeler-esque fire zone blitzes and blanketing Tony Romo's hot reads.  Later in the year Haslett made use of the trademark Pittsburgh cross blitz with both inside linebackers overlapping each other and attacking the rush lanes.

If this is the style of defense the Redskins are aiming for then Washington's fans have reason for excitement.  Safety O.J. Atogwe was a smart acquisition from the St. Louis Rams.  Atogwe can play as a free center fielder allowing LaRon Landry to fully commit to the roving role enjoyed by Steelers all-pro Troy Polamalu.

But the Redskins still have work to do to properly restock 2010's 31st ranked defense.  Here are three Pittsburgh Steelers eligible for free agency under 2010 rules.  Each would offer vital schematic knowledge to the Redskins defensive staff and could hasten the team's transition to a 'Blitzburgh' style attacking defense.  

3. Chris Hoke, Nose Tackle

A 10-year veteran out of Brigham Young, Chris Hoke has spent his entire career in the Steeler defensive system.  At 6'2" and 305 pounds Hoke has good enough size, leverage and initial quickness to anchor a three-man line.

One thing that could count against Hoke is his age.  Signing the 35-year-old would seem in contrast to the Redskins attempts to get younger.  Yet Hoke's experience should not be so readily undervalued.  As things stand, the prime candidates to man the nose tackle position from the Redskins roster are Anthony Bryant and Chris Neild.

The duo are inexperienced.  Neild is a rookie and Bryant has spent most of his career on various practice squads.  Acquiring a player like Chris Hoke would, at the very least, provide experienced depth at the most important position for a 3-4 defense.

2. Nick Eason, Defensive End

Fortifying the defensive line remains a priority for the Redskins.  Probably the only assured starter is Adam Carriker, who showed some promise last season in a return to his more favoured two-gap responsibilities.

The Redskins selected Jarvis Jenkins in the second round of the draft and hope to turn him into a five technique defensive end.  This requires Jenkins to adapt to a new alignment after playing as a 4-3 tackle in college.  That could prove a tall order for a rookie.

Assuming free agency is allowed to begin, securing Eason would ease the pressure on Jenkins to start right away and provide the first-year player with a useful source of knowledge about the position.  Eason would become a valuable member of a rotation which is so far slated to include only the aging Phillip Daniels and Vonnie Holliday or unproven players like Joe Joseph and Jeremy Jarmon.

Still young for his position at 31, Eason could have some value as a starter.  The 6'3" 305-pounder has the necessary bulk to lock up double teams and create lanes for the Redskins linebackers to make plays.

If Haslett incorporates more zone blitzes in year two, certain coverages are sure to require defensive ends to pass drop.  Having a player like Eason, who is already comfortable with these kind of plays, would reduce the learning curve for the defensive line.  This could prove invaluable with so much preparation time having been lost to the lockout.

1. Ike Taylor, Cornerback

Facing the prospect of Carlos Rogers departing via free agency, the Redskins have been linked with many high-profile replacements.  Nnamdi Asomugha and Johnathan Joseph are the popular front runners.  But Asomugha and Joseph have both forged their reputations as man to man lockdown corners.  Steelers veteran Ike Taylor might be a better fit for the zone blitz system Jim Haslett is installing.

That's not to say that Joseph and Asomugha couldn't excel in a zone system.  Both are exceptional cover men.  But one of the main struggles for the Redskins defense in 2010 stemmed from the fact that the existing corners were ingrained in the man coverage schemes of former defensive coordinator Greg Blache.  Repeating the same attempt to acclimatise players more familiar with another style of coverage, could stymie the progress of the Redskins defense.

An experienced proponent of the zone coverages favoured by legendary Steelers defensive guru Dick LeBeau, Taylor would be a useful addition to Washington's secondary.  Standing 6'2" and weighing 195 pounds, Taylor is the ideal size for the type of press coverage common in most cover two zones.

Taylor's knowledge of zone schemes would also help the Redskins smoothly interchange their zone coverages.  With Landry most often positioned near the line of scrimmage the Redskins may decide to rotate their zones into a deep, cover three shell.

Taylor is also a skilled blitzer, a necessary skill for certain fire zone packages.  He displays good timing when brought from a standing position as one of the free rushers out of an amoeba front.

Bringing one or more of these experienced 3-4 practitioners to Redskins Park would bring the defense closer to the image Jim Haslett and Mike Shanahan have for it.