Washington Redskins Front Seven Facing Immense Pressure After Rough Season

The Washington Redskins have the makings of an elite defense, even if you discount the questionable secondary they've assembled since the scheme change. Last season, they made some key additions and showed great improvement, but did not live up to expectations.

In year three of Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense, the front seven needs to have its breakout season or face criticism.

Re-signing London Fletcher to anchor the defense went a long way towards restoring faith in the unit's potential. Without Fletcher, the Redskins would not have the instincts or experience necessary to command the defense on the field.

Fletcher, however talented and experienced he may be, is just one man and can only do so much.

The talented tandem of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan should be a force, but the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker has taken time for both. The pair combined for 16.5 sacks last season, but could have easily produced 20 or more.

Orakpo was nicked up during the season, and teams used his slowed attack to neutralize Kerrigan's pass rush.

The Redskins defense finished 10th in the NFL in sacks last season with 41, but suffered from the lack of playmaking in the secondary. The Redskins intercepted just 13 passes last season, with Fletcher and Kerrigan combining for three.

Barry Cofield, Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen performed well in their new roles, producing 14.5 sacks as a group.

The issue isn't whether the Redskins have the capacity to control games as an elite defense, it is how much more they can do to ensure that the shaky secondary doesn't lose games for them.

Anyone who expects big years from Brandon Meriweather, Cedric Griffin and Madieu Williams is kidding themselves. Sure, they offer experience and depth, but how likely are any of them to recapture whatever spark they once had?

Short-term deals can only do so much to motivate players, and what happens if they don't perform to their contracts? Worse yet, what if they outperform their contracts?

The Redskins can't afford to pay players if they're constantly coming out of contract years, and they can't have players excelling in-house and seeking bigger contracts elsewhere.

The front seven could dictate the pace if not for the faults of the secondary, and it may come down to it if the additions made this offseason don't perform.

Most of all, the Redskins need to dictate the pace of the game to give their offense ample rest. For the last two years, the defense has suffered from the deficiencies of the offense and led to big plays given up at crucial times in games.

The offense has a new quarterback and some new receivers, and isn't likely to be firing on all cylinders right out of the gate.

If you want something right, do it yourself, and that is the philosophy that the front seven needs to adopt for this coming season. In the past it has fallen on them to make plays, but it is entirely different to take upon themselves to make plays.

The success or failure of the season doesn't depend on the defense, but it would make things much easier for a rookie quarterback if the front seven could create turnovers at the line and get the offense the ball back on a regular basis.