Patchwork D could doom Redskins
Injuries to Washington's defense and lack of a pass rush could be issues
Originally Published: January 4, 2013
By
Gary Horton | Scouts Inc.
The Washington Redskins have exceeded expectations in 2012 with their dynamic rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, an unexpected and productive running game with unheralded running back Alfred Morris and surprising receivers stepping up in the passing game. Washington's defense has also played at a high level without key injured playmakers; they've done iit with mirrors under defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's innovative schemes.
To read Gary Horton's full take on the biggest weaknesses for the Washington Redskins, plus get all of Insider's NFL content, sign up to be an ESPN Insider.
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
Gary Horton spent 10 years in the NFL as a scout and another 10 years at the college level as an assistant coach and recruiter. He is the founder and most seasoned member of the Scouts Inc. staff, and his extensive experience at all levels of football make him an excellent talent evaluator.
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- Urlacher retiring from NFL after 13 seasons
- NFL: Expanded playoffs, 18 games still mulled
- Goodell confirms draft moving to May in '14
- Jets' Goodson pleads not guilty to charges
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
SUPER BOWL XLVII COVERAGE

Road to Superdome | Super Bowl results NFL Stadium Guides | QBR ratings
Super Bowl Bowl topics
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL
RAVENS 34, 49ERS 31
- Fox: Flacco is right on the money
- Hensley: Ravens' pressure to sign Flacco
- Clayton: 10 things we learned
- Clayton: Early SB favorites for 2013
- Grades: Ravens | 49ers
- numberFire: 2013 Playoffs Predictor
- Tuley: Super Bowl value bets for 2014
- MacGregor: SB overtakes American culture
- Barnwell: Putting the Ravens' win in context
- Sando: Where 49ers, QBs fell short
- Stats & Info: Flacco's downfield dominance
- Chadiha: Ray Lewis' biggest contribution
- Garber: Best and worst moments
- Hensley: A magical ride for Ravens
- Graziano: Ravens defend final 5 yards
- Sando: 49ers should blame themselves
- Garber: Har-Bowl bittersweet for family
- Fagan: Ayanbadejo can't celebrate just yet
- Power outage delays game
- FBO: Why Baltimore can repeat

- Williamson: Can 49ers get back?

- History: Ravens | 49ers | Super Bowl
SUPER BOWL WEEK HIGHLIGHTS
- Garber: Doug Williams proud of his role
- Secrets of the Super Bowl Quarterbacks
- Merrill: Are you a Ray Lewis believer?
- Lost Heroes of the Super Bowl
- "Lost Heroes" photo gallery

SPORTSNATION
- Vote: SB reaction | Grades | Commercials
- Rank: Best SB | Last 10 champs | Catches
- Is SB MVP Joe Flacco elite?
- Reaction to power outage
2013 NFL DRAFT
EDITORS' PICKS

- He Changed The Game
- Paul Brown's coaching influence is remarkable. Brown's legacy »

- Gridiron Genius
- ESPN.com celebrates the NFL's greatest coaches. Garber »

- C'mon, NFL, Take The Leap
- Super Bowl L should be for Lambeau Field. Ashley Fox »

- Putting Heads Together
- Owners are still trying to fix the Pro Bowl. Clayton's mailbag »

- The Smarter Money?
- Patient teams might get more bang for their bucks. Clayton »
- Bowen: 5 second-year breakout candidates
- Edwards: The NFL's all-time Top 20 coaches
- Tuley: Best early-season win-total bets
- Red Flags: NFC East | North | South | West
- Kiper: 2014 Big Board | Top TEs | OLBs | ILBs


