Carlos Rogers and the Skins' Secondary

For the past few seasons the Skins' secondary has been under undue pressure as the D Line could not create any pressure so opposing QB's were free to take time and throw the ball downfield. Now that we have Haynesworth and Orakpo, the secondary will get some relief.

But how good is the secondary?

Clearly, the loss of Sean Taylor, who before he died was set to break the record of interceptions by a safety, has stung. The mere presence of the Grim Reaper on the field sent opposing WR's into fear of catching a pass. I was at the 2005 game against Dallas in which Terry Glenn, seeing Taylor launching toward him, folded his arms in and let the ball drop so as not to be hit. After the game, Parcells referred to Glenn as "she." That is exactly what we want in Redskins football.

Rogers was a first round pick. He does a good cover job but has famously butter fingers; he dropped an easy interception in the 2006 playoffs that would have sealed the game. He basically drops everything that comes his way, so his athletic cover skills come nothing near what Ed Reed does for the Ravens.

The Skins' secondary is strengthened by the long-term signing of DeAngelo Hall, though even he admits that the money the Skins threw at him made him complacent last season. The Danny money tends to do that. Rather than make players prove their worth first and then get paid, Danny likes to toss megabucks at players and then hope and pray that they perform. At least DeAngelo has some pride and is looking to perform this year, according to the interview in the article I highlighted above.

But back to Carlos. He is injured now with a "lingering calf probem" and perhaps cannot play the season opener. I hope that he can but even with him in the line-up the secondary looked weak in the preseason. If the D Line can create real pressure the secondary will get needed relief. If not, they will be picked apart.