The Redskins have tabbed Chargers linebackers coach Joe Barry as their new defensive coordinator in hopes of improving its long-suffering unit.
If our national defense was anything like the Redskins over the past five seasons, the State of the Union wouldn’t be so optimistic.
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The Redskins’ long-suffering unit found its latest potential savior in the form of Joe Barry, as the Chargers linebackers coach was named Washington’s new defensive coordinator late Tuesday. Barry takes his turn to cure the ills of a Redskins unit which has been missing its D since 2010, a span in which Washington has finished no better than 21st in points allowed per game.
“I like what he’s done in his career, how he’s progressed as a football coach,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden told the Washington Times. “I know what kind of guy he is and what kind of energy he’s going to bring to the team.”
The 44-year-old Barry comes with a solid resume, having been part of five defenses that finished in the top 10 since his first NFL job with the 49ers in 2000. San Diego finished 13th in points allowed and ninth in yards given up last season.
Barry spent the previous four seasons with the Chargers after coaching linebackers at USC during the 2o10 campaign. He served as defensive coordinator for the Lions during the 2007-08 seasons after spending five seasons as linebackers coach for the Buccaneers.
The son of former NFL offensive line coach Mike Barry and son-in-law of Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, Barry was the subject of criticism late in the 2008 season when Detroit News sports columnist Rod Parker suggested that Marinelli — then head coach of the Lions — wished his daughter had “married a better defensive coordinator.” The take blew up in Parker’s face, as he resigned shortly afterwards.
Barry replaces Jim Haslett, who was replaced after the Redskins gave up 438 points during their 4-12 season. Washington gave up a franchise-record 478 points the previous season, the main culprit behind the team’s 7-25 record in that span.
The Redskins have made just one playoff appearance since 2010, and have been outscored by opponents in all but two years since 2001. Numerous free agent moves (Albert Haynesworth, anyone?) and the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor in 2007 have not helped the team’s bid to return to the glory days of Joe Gibbs.
Barry will install a 3-4 defensive scheme in Washington, which was what Haslett had used. The first order of business will be improving a secondary that allowed nearly 4,000 yards and a league-worst 35 touchdown passes. Washington will have the fifth overall pick in the April 30 draft.
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