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Washington Redskins 2017 first quarter positional grades: Defense

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Mason Foster #54 and Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Mason Foster #54 and Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Bashaud Breeland #26 of the Washington Redskins gets taken down by Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Bashaud Breeland #26 of the Washington Redskins gets taken down by Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Overall

Watching this team play has been significantly better this season because of the improvements all over the stop unit. Last year, fans would wait for the defense to give up points and hope that the offense could carry the team. That hasn’t been the case at all this year.

The Redskins defense under Greg Manusky is significantly better than the unit that Joe Barry marched out last season. There’s no doubt about it. The defense is playing with much better energy and they have improved their fundamental skill sets. Manusky deserves a lot of credit for the work he has been able to do.

The team made the proper upgrades to each unit in the offseason. There was a heavy focus on the defensive side of the ball in free agency and in the draft, and it appears to be paying off. New playmakers like Zach Brown, Jonathan Allen, and D.J. Swearinger have all made massive impacts and that has helped the team to win.

Next: Redskins first quarter offensive grades

Hopefully the Redskins will continue to play well on defense. If they can, they will have a shot at making the postseason and being a legitimate threat.

Overall Defensive Grade: B+

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