Redskins pick Doughty as starting strong safety, demote Horton

Published: Oct 01, 2009 at 08:13 AM

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins are switching their starting strong safety, giving Reed Doughty the job and demoting Chris Horton.

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache also said Thursday there will be strategic changes when Washington (1-2) hosts Tampa Bay (0-3) this weekend, with a more "maverick" approach.

The Redskins' defense ranks last in the NFL in third-down conversions, allowing opponents to convert 51 percent of the time.

Doughty, a fourth-year pro, hasn't started a game since Oct. 5, 2008; he missed most of last season with a back injury.

Horton replaced Doughty in the Redskins' lineup as a rookie last season and started 10 games. Horton also started the first three games this season, although Doughty did receive playing time, too.

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