Washington Commanders

Terrance Knighton has a nickname for Redskins' defensive line

Published Jul. 20, 2015 4:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Washington Redskins have put a lot of resources into their defensive line over the last two seasons. Starters Jason Hatcher, Stephen Paea and Terrance Knighton were not homegrown draft picks, they were all added via free agency.

With just under $13.5 million in 2014 salary cap space tied to these three players, the Redskins' defensive success is contingent on their production. All three players worked well together during spring practices where the Redskins' coaches got a chance to see their creation in action, and they liked what they saw.

When the Redskins completed their mini-camp, the defensive line began hanging out off the field in an effort to create a chemistry on the field. Leave it to Terrance Knighton, the man with a nickname of his own, to reveal the nickname that the linemen created for their group.

“The D-line, we call ourselves ‘Capital Punishment,'” Knighton said on ESPN’s SportsNation last Friday, according to 247 Sports.

Capital punishment is a nice play on words, but it stands a strong chance to also reflect the damage these three linemen plan to wreak on opposing offensive linemen. In 2014, on their separate teams, these three combined for 15 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and 66 quarterback hurries. New defensive coordinator Joe Barry has brought in an aggressive 3-4 base attack that isolates the defensive ends in spots where they have the best chance to rush the passer. The Redskins' defensive line group will enter 2015 with the most upside of any position group on the roster.

(h/t 247 Sports)