The Redskins' defense is in a drastically different place than it was a season ago, but those that remain know what Giants safety Brandon Meriweather brings to the table.

For three seasons, two-time Pro Bowler Brandon Meriweather was a member of the Washington Redskins' secondary.

When healthy and able, the University of Miami product was a key member of the Washington defense, recording 92 tackles with eight passes defensed and three interceptions.

While the Redskins and Meriweather parted ways during the offseason, he still has an effect on some in Washington's locker room.

"He always talked with me and just worked with me," said Trenton Robinson, who started for the Redskins at strong safety last Sunday vs. the Rams. "I actually went down and stayed at his place when I was training for a little while, and we just talked about the game and how to roll my hips, and really focusing on that, which was something I was really trying to work on last year, and I've gotten better I feel like."

Robinson, who was signed by the Redskins midway through the 2013 season, is the only remaining safety on this year's active roster that played for the team last season.

After Duke Ihenacho went down with a season-ending injury in the opener against the Dolphins, Robinson was inserted into the starting lineup.

His game will continue to grow each week, including the possibility for some big hits, which, of course, Meriweather has been known for throughout his career.

"I'm still trying to figure it out and learning," Robinson said. "Like, Dashon [Goldson's] a guy, where it doesn't take anything for them to just explode, and it's a crazy explosion hit. Like all the hits look super super violent. That's something that I'm still working on to get, but I don't want it to look to violent because I'm not trying to be fined all the time. But they just have something special."

For second-year cornerback Bashaud Breeland, the veterans in the secondary were influential during his rookie season.  

"[Meriweather] and Ryan Clark, they are veterans of the game on and off the field, in terms of film study and doing different things," Breeland said. "They gave me techniques that I didn't know coming in, and their leadership. They really put their arms around me when I was here."

Leading the Redskins' secondary this season is defensive backs coach Perry Fewell, the defensive coordinator for the Giants from 2010-14.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall joked that he's hopeful Meriweather doesn't give away too much about the Redskins, but that Fewell knows a lot about what New York has on their defense, too.

"We've got a guy from up there who knows a little bit more than Meriweather knows about us, so hopefully we can use it to our advantage," Hall said.

And while Robinson says Meriweather and he are "bros and BFFs and all that," there's no denying where his allegiance is.

"I want us to win this game," Robinson said. "There's no question or thought about anything like that."

RELATED LINKS:
-- 2015 Game Information: Redskins-Giants
-- 5 Takeaways: Sept. 22 Jay Gruden Presser

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