The retooled Washington Redskins defense has looked a lot better so far this preseason. Free safety Dashon Goldson has been a big part of that. After the Redskins traded for him this offseason, he was immediately inserted with the first team unit at safety. Head coach Jay Gruden is impressed with what he's seen from Goldson so far.
Several Redskins players have mentioned that Goldson has emerged as a key leader of the young defense, and Gruden was asked about this development after Wednesday's practice.
"He's accountable for what he does and he takes players underneath his wing and helps them out," Gruden said per Redskins.com. "Out here at practice you see him taking control of the secondary and coaching them up. He's attentive in the meetings and tranfers what he knows to himself and the young guys. He's a natural born leader and we're lucky to get him."
Goldson hasn't only impressed as a leader on and off the field, he has also proven to Gruden that he can excel as an individual in defensive coordinator Joe Barry's scheme. Everything the Redskins have asked him to do, he has succeeded in during training camp. The Redskins have asked him to do a lot.
"He's striker and he can tackle. He's a smart football player that can tackle, and that's what you need. I think he can do it all at safety. He can line up and play the whole, the half, in the box. He can line up and do pretty much everything we ask."
Goldson trained with Jay Glazer this offseason at his MMA-style gym. Goldson struggled over the last two seasons, with the Buccaneers, but leaving Lovie Smith's Cover-2 defensive scheme and joining Joe Barry's more aggressive style could revitalize his career. So far, things are looking up for Goldson and the Redskins' secondary.
(h/t Washington Redskins)
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