Scot McCloughan’s To Do List: Part 4 – Linebackers

Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) escapes from Washington Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy (93) during the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Trent Murphy

Trent Murphy began the season versus Houston spelling Orakpo and Kerrigan each for a series of plays and as part of the Redskins Nascar package. The Nascar package had Orakpo, Kerrigan, Murphy and DE, Jason Hatcher, as part of a 4 man line intended to put quick pressure on the QB.

Murphy ended the season with 2.5 sacks in his 8 starts with 8 QB hurries

Murphy had a slow start against the Texans with a 0.63 rating. He had a 0.73 rating versus the run and a 0.50 rating rushing the QB. He also had 2 plays in pass coverage and 4 in the Nascar package.

Murphy improved greatly in the blowout win over Jacksonville with a 0.85 rating. His rating as a pass rusher was 0.82 and he had a 1.00 versus the run with no plays in pass coverage. Murphy continued spelling Orakpo and Kerrigan and being an added pass rusher until week 7 when Orakpo went down with his injury.

Murphy’s first start came in the Redskins upset win in Dallas. Murphy had a key fumble recovery and an important batted pass that he almost intercepted. Grading Murphy’s performance was my first article for this site back in November and I gave him a 0.79 rating going up against Cowboy’s pro-bowler, Tyron Smith.

Murphy had his first sack the following week versus Minnesota. He had a 0.85 rating for the game. Murphy looked more and more comfortable as he gained more experience.

The next game I graded was in week 15 versus the Giants. His rating for the game was a much improved 1.02. Murphy had an extremely good 1.18 rating versus the run and a 0.89 rating rushing the passer.

Murphy’s season ended in the first quarter the next week versus the Eagles. He scored a 1.14 rating in his limited time. The rating included a 1.20 rating versus the run and a 1.25 rating rushing the QB.

Murphy spent a lot of time in pass coverage later in the season. My guess is the coaches wanted Kerrigan rushing the passer more so they put Murphy back in zone coverage.Murphy had 16 plays in coverage over his final 5 quarters while only rushing the QB 23 times.

Murphy was a very good run defender throughout the season

This was part of the problem with the Redskins pass rush. They put their better pass rushers back in coverage while their slow unathletic interior linemen take their time getting to the QB.

Murphy was a very good run defender throughout the season. He handled blockers well and had excellent functional strength and technique. Murphy had a good motor on pass rushes but needs to work on his finishing technique to cause more disruption to the QB and get more sacks.

Murphy ended the season with 2.5 sacks over his 8 starts with 8 QB hurries. Those numbers don’t look great but in context the sacks number was 5 times as many as Orakpo had on the season and his hurries were over 3 times as many as Orakpo had.

Next: Jackson Jeffcoat