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Eagles made the moves, Westbrook made them count
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - I have always believed Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook is an exceptional football player, however, I am now convinced he is quite possibly the most underrated player in the National Football League.
This guy, who is more of a combination of Marshall Faulk and Warrick Dunn, can be defined to defensive play callers simply as “Matchup Hell.” He is too fast and quick for any linebacker — and for about three-fourths of the safeties. He lines up all over and turns your normal five-yard check down route — especially against the Redskins deep, and I mean deep, Cover-2 alignment — into a 50-yard touchdown scamper. All the while leaving defenders, guys that can run, spinning on their heels as he walks into the end zone. Man, I knew he was good, but this good?
Show a seven-man front and he can run on you all day. Bring an extra guy in the box and have a linebacker or strong safety cover him and you will be chasing until they turn the lights out at the stadium. Cover 2 is designed to make the quarterback throw the check down. It is a completion, followed by a quick tackle, and at most, four yards and live for the next down. Not with this dude. It is a catch, hold your breath, and then watch him make the rest of your teammates look silly. What is lost in all of this is that he is still a running back. He gets the ball over 50 percent of the time, and every play has the chance to go the distance.
I understand the concept of taking away the deep ball and sending 11 guys to the check downs and underneath routes with the Redskins’ defensive speed. But speed has never made a tackle in the open field. From my vantage point, which is a long way from the sidelines these days, it looked like the Redskins game plan in September against the Eagles involved more pressure. I love the fact that Gregg Williams has the ability to mix and match what he uses on Sundays, going from pressure to coverage, but this Sunday seemed a little too passive. Give credit to Eagles coach Andy Reid. He won the chess match Sunday. His game plan centered around Westbrook, while Williams and his boys were a couple of moves short.
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.
94 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.
124 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
100 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.
110 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.
130 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 | 155 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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