The Redskins' offense is expected to be potent in 2014. It's the defense that could hold the team back.
Washington went from worst to first in 2012, and then went from first to worst last season. Can the team turn the trick again? Ryan Clark, who returned to the team after eight years in Pittsburgh, believes the Redskins can field a "much better defense" this season.
"The biggest thing is talent. It's the most talented secondary I've been around," Clark told NFL Media's Jeff Darlington. "It's the most talented group of corners I've ever played with.
"And also, as far as intelligence, we don't have that one guy that's from Mars with the long hair (Troy Polamalu), but Brandon (Meriweather) is a guy who's been to the Pro Bowl, guy who was a first-round pick, so I think talent-wise, we're there."
The Redskins' secondary, of course, was the team's biggest problem area during the 3-13 campaign. Meriweather struggled in coverage, and the defensive backfield was burned time and again. The Redskins will feature two new starters in the unit, with second-year corner David Amerson lining up next to DeAngelo Hall and then Clark and Meriweather at safety. Meriweather believes Clark's veteran presence could be the difference.
"He's the first vet that I have played with in a long time that can actually teach me something and somebody that I can actually learn from," Meriweather said. "I actually (have) been following him around like I've been a rookie."
Jim Haslett's D will have to make do without the retired London Fletcher, its longtime vocal leader. Keenan Robinson (zero career NFL starts) is expected to inherit signal-calling duties.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" offers up team-by-team training camp previews of the NFC East and NFC West.
