DeAngelo Hall led the Redskins with six interceptions and earned his third Pro Bowl bid. (Photo: Associated Press)

The analysis of the Washington Redskins’ roster continues with a look at the defensive backs. Check out the TBDSkins blog archives for the offensive breakdowns that were covered last week. This week it’s defense and special teams that we’re looking at. We’ve touched on the line and linebackers, now for the cornerbacks and safeties.

The secondary was expected to be one of the strengths of the Redskins’ defense. Back when the team reported for training camp, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett spoke enthusiastically about cornerback’s DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers, and believed that the team had a strong third corner in new addition Phillip Buchanon. He couldn’t say enough about strong safety LaRon Landry, and free safety Kareem Moore held promise as well.

Like most every other unit on the team, the defensive backs produced mixed results. There were definitely were some highlights, but there were equally as many lowlights and injury-related disappointments.

Creating turnovers was an emphasis of Haslett’s, and a year after producing just eight interceptions and two forced fumbles, Washington’s DBs combined for 13 interceptions and eight forced fumbles, which was definitely an improvement.

But, a year after ranking eighth against the pass with 3,316 yards and 19 touchdowns allowed, the Redskins plunged to 31st in passing defense with 4,187 yards and 23 touchdowns surrendered.

Here’s a look at the individual play of the defensive backs followed by an overall grade:

CB DeAngelo Hall -- Hall this season earned his third career Pro Bowl selection after posting a team-high six interceptions. He also recorded 16 pass deflections and a career-high 95 tackles. Hall this season ensured he will have a place in the Hall of Fame by notching four interceptions and a touchdown in Washington’s win against the Chicago Bears. Canton came calling, asking for his game jersey. Hall was more aggressive in trying to cause fumbles, and the two that he forced were a career high. Hall is an aggressive defensive back that likes to gamble and those gambles pay off for him at times, but they can -- and did -- hurt him. There were plenty of times that Hall tried to jump around, mistimed it by a split second and ended up giving up a big-gain catch. Then there were other times where he bit on the initial move and ended up getting dusted.

CB Carlos Rogers -- The sixth-year pro reported for offseason workouts disappointed that the lack of a CBA killed his chances of being a free agent, but he quickly got over that and set out to improve himself as he learned Jim Haslett’s new scheme. Haslett used Rogers in a variety of ways, including matching up with receivers in the slot, and Rogers did a solid job. He gets grief for his terrible hands, and even Haslett said that Rogers could have had at least half a dozen interceptions if he could hold onto the ball more often. But despite that, Rogers was the Redskins’ most consistent cover corner. He gave up few big plays, and quarterbacks actually tended to throw more Hall’s way than Rogers. A year after not recording an interception at all, Rogers did tie a career-high with two this season. His numbers this year could have been better, but he battled injury, missing four games with hamstring and calf strains.

Backup CBs Phillip Buchanon/Kevin Barnes/Byron Westbrook -- Buchanon was a nice offseason pickup for the Redskins last spring, and he ended up posting a team-high 18 pass deflections. In nickel packages, he took the other outside corner spot opposite Hall while Rogers lined up in the slot, and because of that Buchanon often drew some tough assignments. He recorded two interceptions. Buchanon’s biggest weakness was tackling. There were far too many times where he gave up unnecessary yardage because he didn’t wrap up. Buchanon actually got benched for poor tackling in Washington’s first meeting with the Giants. … Barnes didn’t begin to see much action until the second half of the season when fellow defensive backs got hurt. He played mostly at safety down the stretch of the season, but he showed some signs of potential as a cornerback. His interception in overtime against Jacksonville set Washington up for the game-winning field goal. The former Terp definitely needs more seasoning, but his versatility is a plus, and he could compete for a starting job next year. … Westbrook played very sparingly at cornerback and instead got his minutes on special teams.

FS Kareem Moore/Macho Harris -- Moore struggled mightily this season. He often had poor angles on receivers or running backs and whiffed on tackles, or he would hit them, but not wrap up and bring them down. He got beat on deep passes as well. Part of the third-year player’s problem was injury. He tore a meniscus in his knee in the preseason and missed the first two regular season games. It was suspected that Moore never was quite right, and that would explain some of his struggles. He ended the year on injured reserve and missed the final two games of the year. … Washington added the second-year pro and former Virginia Tech standout Macho Harris in Week 12 and he had some significant catching up to do, having not played since the preseason for Philadelphia. Harris started in Week 16 against Jacksonville and had a decent game. After showing his inexperience in the first half, he demonstrated an ability to adjust in the second half and took away passing options for the Jaguars. He showed some big-hit ability, but you could tell his timing was still off slightly, and Harris admitted that was the case. He still hasn’t totally mastered the safety position, having played cornerback in college before transitioning to safety in the pros. It should be interesting to see if he figures into the Redskins’ plans going forward.

SS LaRon Landry/Reed Doughty -- Landry was well on his way to his first Pro Bowl, and Haslett believed that he was a candidate for defensive MVP. He opened the season with 17 tackles and needed just eight more games to record 85 stops (10 fewer than his career high, posted in a 16-game season). Landry also recorded eight pass deflections, one interception and a forced fumble. Unfortunately for Landry, what would’ve been a career year was derailed by a bad Achilles’ tendon strain. Landry played with the injury for four weeks, and then it got to the point that it was too painful to manage. This season he was showing himself to be a more sure tackler. He also was slightly better in pass coverage, but he still has work to do in that area. … Doughty started a career-high nine games and also had a personal best 93 tackles. He isn’t a natural strong safety, but did a solid job. Obviously it wasn’t the impact that the Redskins would’ve had with Landry on the field, but Doughty held his own. … Fellow backups Chris Horton and Anderson Russell both saw limited action but had their seasons cut short by injury.

Overall grade -- C
As mentioned before, there were definite positives that the Redskins’ defensive backs could take away from this season. There also were areas of concern. There are some obvious needs in Washington’s secondary. They have to address the cornerback position opposite Hall. Rogers would like to re-sign with the team, but it is starting to look as if Haslett wants a better option. After starting the season with raves about Rogers’ size and versatility, the defensive coordinator wasn’t exactly brimming with praise toward the end of the year, and was non-committal to Rogers’ future. Buchanon will be a free agent, but he likes it in D.C. and could still be a good option as the third cornerback. There will be defensive backs on the free agent market, but Barnes also could be an option. Another glaring need is at free safety. Yes, Moore was hobbled, but he is far too inconsistent and isn’t the sure tackler that he needs to be. Harris could have potential, but the Redskins likely would want to sign a more seasoned player to pair with Landry.