Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was very optimistic when the team signed linebacker Junior Galette to key what they then believed was a vastly improved pass rush this season.When Galette went down after practice this week clutching his Achilles, Gruden modified that view to "very concerned."
Now, after doctors confirmed a tear and with Galette out of the picture this season, the Redskins are back to square one. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall had said Galette was the best pass rusher he's been around in some time.
"He was practicing excellent out here and we know what type of energy he brought to this football team in the short time that he was here and were all fired up about the pass rush ability that he had," Jay Gruden added.
Galette's absence brings second-year linebacker Trent Murphy back into the picture.
Murphy has performed consistently and well in training camp, but is not the elite pass rusher that Galette is.
If the Redskins' inside rush holds up, as they believe it will with the additions they made to the defensive line, that should open up more opportunties for outside rushers to make plays against end runs, or create lanes to make pressure in the pocket.
While Ryan Kerrigan is the man for the job to the left side, there are some questions remaining for Murphy. He had some issues with strength fighting off blocks to make plays against the pass last season, finishing with only 2.5 sacks, but some work in the weight room and a concerted effort starting in spring OTAs shows he may have improved in that department. He showed more prowess against the rush, collecting 33 tackles off the edge in 2014.
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