3 Key Redskins Who Outperformed Expectations In 2012 On Defense and Special Teams

I. Jackson - II. Paul/Crawford - III. Williams

Three guys that impressed Redskins this season on the defense and special teams

I.  Rob Jackson – To be completely honest we though Rob Jackson's NFL career was possibly over after this season.  The Redskins linebacking core was full of elite defenders such as London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, and Ryan Kerrigan and Jackson's previous seasons were subpar.  But when Pro Bowl Linebacker Orakpo went down for the season during Week Two, someone had to step up.

The Redskins didn't look for a trade, or free agent, they simply said “Next man up”, and that happened to be Rob Jackson. Rob responded to the challenge in a big way with 4 interceptions and 4.5 sacks. He was a big reason for the Redskins mid season turnaround and is going to get payed when his contract expires this offseason.



II. Niles Paul & Richard Crawford – To the disappointment of several Redskins fans, Brandon Banks was going to be the main man on special teams in 2012.  But after some injury and/or poor play, Banks was replaced in the punt game by Richard Crawford and on kick returns by Niles Paul.  Paul & Crawford stepped in and made smart decisions on when to take a knee, when to fair catch, and when to return.

Paul never ended up breaking any showstopping runs, but the 233 monster took the ball downfield and gave RG3 solid field position. Crawford did a similar thing with a little more excitement, making one of the biggest plays of the regular season on an overtime punt return against Baltimore that helped the Redskins take home a big win.

III. Madieu Williams – With injury and suspension decimating the Redskins, their secondary was in shambles.  Enter Madieu Williams.

At the start of the season, few knew much about the 31-year-old safety, but he finished 3rd on the team in tackles with 99 and added a big interception.  If you take away his subpar performance in the playoffs, Williams was often a bright spot in a very dark defensive backfield.

Written By Redskins Contributor Ben Gerow

Read Our 3 Key Defensive/Special Teams Players From 2012

Hey Madieu, Remember When We Signed You Like 2 Days Ago? Yeah We Don't Need You

Yesterday the Washington Redskins signed what appears to be the 100th safety on the roster.  Every week a new safety gets picked up and this week the man is Tanard Jackson.

Jackson has been the starting free safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2007...kind of.  The was busted 2x for breaking the NFL substance abuse policy and was suspended for games in 3 different seasons.

"The league's action means it's the second time Jackson, 25, has tested positive for a banned substance since entering the NFL's intervention program." -Tampa Bay Times (2010)

So suspended 4 games in 2009.  Suspended 14 games in 2010.  Suspended 6 games in 2011.  Offseason shoulder surgery in 2012.  That's only 24 games missed due to suspension and a huge injury question.  He can teach Trent Williams and Fred Davis some skills, they only were suspended once.

Jackson was recently released by the Bucs after offseason shoulder surgery caused him to fail the team physical.  They must have realized that it was one thing after the other with Tanard.

All the signs make you wonder why the Skins picked him up, especially after picking up safety Madieu Williams last week (Williams is not even listed on the Skins website roster)  But Jackson's former coach Rahim Morris is now with the Skins, so he may be convinced that Tanard is the guy who will start at free safety.

Madieu Williams Welcome To DC

The Washington Redskins have signed another safety, Madieu Williams a former Maryland Terrapin. Williams played for the 49ers last season but only started 3 games for the playoff team racking up an amazing 4 tackles.

Madieu was a starter at free safety before that with the Vikings for a few years so he does have starter experience.  Plus he is 30 years old, which isn't young, but means he should bring some veteran leadership.

Williams was a winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2010, meaning another guy with a strong character will be joining the SKins.  Experience & character.  A good look.

With Laron Landry and Otagwe gone, the Skins needed some depth in the secondary.  Earlier in the offseason the Skins picked up a corner from the Vikings, Cedric Griffin, and former Patriot/Bear Brandon Meriweather at safety.  Williams will help plug that hole left by both safetys.