That’s Greg Blache talking about the identity of his fourth ranked defense.
Blache continued, “We won’t be a great sack team. Accept it, like us for who we are. You can wish us to be different, but we’re not. ... At some point it will register that, duh, this can’t be that big an issue because if it was we’d be in the back of the pack or in the middle at best. There’s a reason we’re in the upper echelon at this point in the season.”

The Redskin defense is ranked so high because they do two things really well: stop the run and avoid big plays from opposing offenses.

Blache’s comments were a response to media criticism of the unit’s paltry sack numbers (15, 29th in the league).

I’m not here to criticize Blache. I think he has done an amazing job coaching and scheming with the personnel he has. However, the lack-of-sacks argument has valid point. Sacks (and consistent pressure on the quarterback) can swing a game. See Jay Ratliffe’s sack of Jason Campbell on the Redskins second drive of the third quarter that turned what would have been—at worst—a 38-yard field goal attempt into a 46-yard attempt, Shaun Suisham ultimately missed. The Redskins could have extended their lead to 13-7, and would have trailed by only one point after the ensuing Dallas touchdown.

I think The Washington Post’s Jason Reid makes a good case as to why Blache should blitz more.

If the Redskins had a more point-producing offense, I wouldn’t be advocating for more blitzes. However, that isn’t the case. If the Redskins are going to win four out of their last six games the defense is going to have to make some game-changing plays, whether that involves a few pick-six interceptions or sacks that squelch drives.

The Redskins defense is what it is: very good. However, with an anemic offense, is it good enough?

Topics: Greg Blache , sacks

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Should Blache blitz the Rams?

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October 11, 3:04 PM

The defense has done the job done with relatively little blitzing. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache has been successful--so far--adapting coverages and switching back and forth between man and zone. The unit's ability to adapt and adjust... Read More
Topics: Greg Blache , blitzing

Holly Bugel, Gene Upshaw RIP

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August 22, 12:46 AM

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Bugel and Upshaw families today. Joe Bugel’s daughter Holly 35, who succumbed to a rare form of bone cancer. Hall of Fame lineman and chief of the NFL Players Association Gene Upshaw, 63 died from pancreatic... Read More
Topics: Jason Taylor , Jim Zorn , Greg Blache

Say What Coach?

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August 7, 12:30 AM

Not only am I impressed with Jim Zorn’s coaching style, but defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s bluntness has its own charm. From the Redskins Insider: "Rookies are fine and dandy, and I'm glad to see them progressing,"... Read More
Topics: Colt Brennan , Devin Thomas , Greg Blache