The Redskins defeated the Steelers in their Week 2 preseason matchup Saturday, but despite the meaningless victory, there are still concerns about Washington's inert offense. It starts with quarterback Jason Campbell, of course, although fans now have a new favorite backup quarterback should things get to that point. The defense is a different story, however. Free-agent acquisition Albert Haynesworth and first-round pick Brian Orakpo have suddenly given Washington a pass rush, and as Pittsburgh and Baltimore (the 'Skins opponent last week) can attest, a suffocating defense can mask a lot of offensive shortcomings.
The '09 Redskins defense isn't yet on par with some of the league's best units, but it wouldn't come as a complete surprise if that changed in the coming months. Because in addition to Haynesworth and Orakpo, there's also free safety LaRon Landry who, according to safeties coach Steve Jackson is, well, just keep reading (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette):
In case you missed it, the Redskins were crowing before the game that their free safety, LaRon Landry, is better than the Steelers' Troy Polamalu.
"I'd take LaRon over [Polamalu] any day," Washington safeties coach Steve Jackson said last week. "They would probably rather have Polamalu because he does do the things like a linebacker with the blitzing ... But when you watch him play true free safety, it's not even close in my humble opinion as far as who the better safety is."
The Football Outsiders Almanac (on sale now!) offers this:
Troy Polamalu led all safeties in Defeats*. He tied Brian Scott of the Bills for the league lead in Run Defeats and finished tied for second behind Yeremiah Bell in Pass Defeats. Polamalu's Stop Rate of 58 percent was the highest in the league for a safety with more than 50 plays...And if you're not into the whole egghead stat thing, how about this, courtesy of Brandon Jacobs.
Defensive statistics are highly circumstance-driven, and safeties who play close to the line like Polamalu get a huge boost when Stops and Defeats are tabulated. Still, the statistics confirm what just about everyone knows: Polamalu is the best safety in the NFL.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-24-2009 @ 6:45PM
ben said...
i agree with the Skins safety coach. Polamalu is a beast in his role on the Steelers, which is closer to the line of scrimmage and blitzing more than a normal safety would. Landry is better in coverage IMO, and i don't need stats to know that. i'm tired of the stat geeks using that as the be all, end all for any sports debate.
Landry is a beast and will be an All-Pro/Pro Bowler this year.
i'll take the words of a guy who actually knows what he is looking at, a safeties coach, over yours...one hit by jacobs on landry doesn't change that fact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTSuzFs57ds
see! i can do that too!
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8-25-2009 @ 5:07AM
Dave said...
I would take Landy any day over Polamalu. Period. More complete player.
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8-25-2009 @ 8:24AM
cawleye said...
Polamalu is a better player hands down. Ben, he doesn't blitz that much. He fakes the blitz and then drops back into coverage that is why he had 7 picks last year and no sacks. He blitzed more in the past but has developed more into a complete player.
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8-25-2009 @ 11:42AM
LA26 said...
Ed Reed is better than BOTH OF THEM!
Yes I'm baised as well.
LONG LIVE THE U!
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8-25-2009 @ 3:03PM
samm said...
ok im a die hard skins fan and i dont no if landry has reached polamalu staus YET...i think witthin the next yr he will reach polamalu status tho...he is more athletic than polamalu but keep in mind this is oonly his 3rd yr and that being said i think it willl b a breakout yr
8-25-2009 @ 5:02PM
Markus Muthafuck said...
Ed Reed! Is the best safety in the league. Now as for the Landy Vs. Polamalu debate, I think it comes down to scheme and what you are going to ask the safety to do. I would say it's a push they are both in the elite ranks at safety in the league.
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