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This is Redskins football. Cover 2 is a great change of pace with the athletic ability the Skins defenders have. But, let’s be honest, Williams always goes for the kill, and with his new toy, rookie safety LaRon Landry, the blitz is back and better than ever. Landry is the strong safety Williams has been waiting for to unleash in his pressure schemes. Time and time again on Sunday, Landry was sent after the quarterback. He picked up a personal foul when he drove his helmet into Clemens’ face. But I like to think Williams had to hide his grin, because this is the type of football he wants - that’s why he kept calling his number.
There is art to Williams’ blitzing madness and Landry has it with the size, speed, and most importantly, the toughness to reach the quarterback. He uses his hands well and keeps linemen off-balance with his ability to change directions. He also has the strength to overpower running backs en route to the quarterback. I’m not ready to crown him the next Steve Atwater, but he is playing like a seven-year veteran. Don’t be surprised if this blitz happy scheme becomes a constant for the stretch drive.
What makes Williams’ scheme so good is the preparation his players do during the week on protections, and his ability to come up with new blitzes based on those same protections. Williams, in a way, is the “mad scientist” of the blitzing laboratory, as his playbook is lined from top to bottom with them. Throw in Landry; corners who can cover with little or no help, a rookie quarterback, and you had a recipe for a long day of blitzing. This is a blitzing team, one that can play Cover 2, stop the run and play with almost everybody. This is the style we have become accustomed to under Williams; it’s sure nice to see it back in the mix.
Former Redskins safety Matt Bowen, a seven-year NFL veteran, contributes a weekly column to The Examiner during the NFL season.
Comments from Examiner Readers
11:03 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "Williams is the best choice for Redskins"
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10:02 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008
re: "Williams is the best choice for Redskins"
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8:53 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008
re: "No need to look outside, Williams is the best choice"
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8:08 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008
re: "No need to look outside, Williams is the best choice"
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10:17 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 29, 2007
re: "Separating the ‘guy’ from the backup QB"
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7:40 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 28, 2007
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1:47 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 30, 2007
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10:30 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007
re: "Warner impressive, throbbing elbow and all"
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4:58 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 28, 2007
re: "Skins at home in Tampa Two"
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12:54 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007
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GAB said:
My crystal ball is analog and the world is digital now, so I'll go with my gut feelings. Snyder is going to hire Williams. He has to go through the motions, but I think he's actually beginning to learn how to run a football team, thanks to Gibbs' mentoring. Now, watch him hire Cowhers and prove me wrong!
105 agree | 89 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Yeh Danny, Williams is a good fit. DO NOT go out and try to change things around again. It didn't work in the past nor will it work now. Less of course you want to start losing your fans? The wheels are in motion, so let them continue to spin. If not for a few close loses last season, we would have hosted the Seahawks as opposed to going there. That should tell you something right there. Williams for HC position and bring in O cho Cinco to compliment Moss.
95 agree | 102 disagree
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Dan said:
Greg Williams is the best choice for the job of coaching the Washington Redskins. The team doesn't need to look any further.
125 agree | 111 disagree
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S.Bishop said:
I totally agree! I love Greg Williams and think he is absolutley the best fit!! Comment from a life long Redskin Fan
101 agree | 102 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Collins takes less risk in my opinion, and simply makes the smart choice with the ball. Good article!
103 agree | 91 disagree
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Gabe said:
Matt, I hope you know how many skins fans stop to read your columns. You are great and keep up the amazing, intelligent, and insightful work.
111 agree | 108 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thank you Matt Bowen. It's good to hear insights from those who knew the man as opposed to the wild speculations and insinuations of those who garner attention by thoughtlessly rehashing dismissed accusations.
131 agree | 127 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I was glad to read Matt Bowen's column on the game performance by Curt Warner...he proved to be a competitive warrior and as I watched it seemed like a throw back to NFL "heart" of years ago not seen as frequently these days. I'm sure Cardinal players were motivated by his gutsy showing---maybe Russ Grimm can bring back such traits when he becomes a head coach. Between Vinny Testaverde and Curt Warner I see an add for AARP in the off season---these vets are showing true NFL grit.
163 agree | 157 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Matt Bowen - enjoyed watching you play. Also enjoyed your revealing article on Skins and the Tampa 2. I say 'revealing' because this summer I had read that the Skins would play Cover 1 and Cover 3 more than Cover 2. I assume Tampa 2 and Cover 2 are pretty much the same.
190 agree | 212 disagree
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Overpaid Al said:
This defense requires a strict discipline in coverage area and reaction. It is challenged by the same routes run by every team. Sunday, the Giants kept sending tight end Jeremy Shockey down the seam against Fletcher, and had receiver Plaxico Burress sit down in the holes vacated by defenders. Three major routes can beat the Tampa 2: the 7-route (hitch, corner), where they sneak in a corner route behind the corner and in front of the safety; four verticals where they put two seam routes on Fletcher, and the outside vertical stretch (flat-corner-go route), where they run off the safety and hit the 7-route over the corner. Ok if its so obvious to Bowen then why wasn't this the least bit apparent to a coaching staff grossing millions of dollars a season in income. Maybe Matt Bowen should be hired on to help Overpaid Al!!!
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