Examiner Mike Mouat salutes the Red Wings ageless defenseman.

Los Angeles Examiners

Colin Ward-Henninger
Los Angeles Lakers Examiner
Most Recent Article
Pau Gasol votes for his favorite All-Star...himself
Des Martini
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Examiner
Most Recent Article
Mike Scioscia re-ups with the Angels through 2015
 
 

Multimedia News

Notables who have lost children
6 photos
John Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett died Jan...
New Year, New You
6 photos
Oprah regrets her weight gain over the past y...
Hopman Cup highlights
6 photos
Russia's Dinara Safina returns a shot against...
Ski jumping at its finest
6 photos
Ski jumper Nicolas Mayer from France flies du...
Virginia Tech beats Cincinnati in Orange Bowl
6 photos
Virginia Tech's Darren Evans (32) celebrates ...

Williams, Skins brought the heat to Clemens

Nov 7, 2007 12:00 AM (427 days ago) by Matt Bowen, The Examiner
This story ranks Not ranked
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The blitz is back in vogue in Washington. After several weeks of Cover 2 against superstar quarterbacks Brett Farve and Tom Brady, Gregg Williams dialed up constant pressure packages, sending Redskins blitzes straight into the face of rookie Kellen Clemens.

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.

Add a Comment


Name: (required)
Comments:
characters left
Comments are regulated by the Terms of Use.

Comments from Examiner Readers

11:03 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "Williams is the best choice for Redskins"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

10:02 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "Williams is the best choice for Redskins"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
8:53 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "No need to look outside, Williams is the best choice"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
8:08 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "No need to look outside, Williams is the best choice"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
10:17 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 29, 2007 re: "Separating the ‘guy’ from the backup QB"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
7:40 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 28, 2007 re: "Separating the ‘guy’ from the backup QB"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
1:47 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 30, 2007 re: "Taylor’s death magnifies life"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
10:30 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Warner impressive, throbbing elbow and all"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
4:58 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 28, 2007 re: "Skins at home in Tampa Two"

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
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
12:54 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 26, 2007 re: "Skins at home in Tampa Two"

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!!!

215 agree | 220 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Advertisement