The Redskins may have possibly found their next overachieving safety in fifth year veteran Vernon Fox. Fox has been a stellar career special teamer, spending the last four seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions, and has received increased playing time at strong safety with the Redskins since Troy Vincent suffered a hamstring injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Against Carolina, Fox took full advantage of his first start since the final game of the 2003 season, logging six tackles and setting the defensive tone with his first interception as a Redskin on Carolina’s second offensive play from scrimmage.
Whether Fox becomes a permanent fixture in the secondary across from Sean Taylor remains to be seen, but his play so far has given fans hope for potential cohesiveness with Taylor.
Adam Archuleta was signed in March to become the starting strong safety but has since been relegated to special teams and certain defensive packages after struggling in pass coverage for most of the season.
Subtractions:
Wide Receiver Ryan Hoag, signed to the Practice Squad less than two weeks ago following fellow receiver Mike Espy’s promotion to the active roster, was released by the Redskins to make room for kicker Shaun Suisham.
Additions:
Suisham was signed this week following Nick Novak’s shaky start against the Panthers in which he missed a virtual chip-shot from the 27-yard line in the second quarter. Novak has been inconsistent since returning to the Redskins, converting only five of ten field goal attempts.
Suisham signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green in 2005. As a senior at Bowling Green in 2004, Suisham set the team’s scoring record with 361 points.
He has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.
Other:
The aggressive defense displayed by the Redskins on Sunday improved the team from 30th in the NFL in total defense to 28th.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell