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In January, it’s a whole new ballgame
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Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The first time I stepped on a football field in January I had no idea what I was walking into. I was a wide-eyed rookie in St. Louis; a year after the Rams had won the Super Bowl. I thought it would be like any other Sunday, just another game.
That lasted until kickoff. I was just a special teamer, but I felt like I had played an entire season after covering kicks all day. The collisions were like car accidents. I was hit so hard on the first kickoff that my mouthpiece suddenly vanished and blood streamed down from my upper lip.
That was my introduction to playoff football and it was the farthest thing from regular season action as it gets.
It is different. I don’t know how else to describe it. I played on four teams who advanced to January, and those games, the ones when the spotlight is on every player, are the one’s I remember. The practices are more intense, the meetings are longer and your overall preparation increases.
Two years later, I was starting against the Atlanta Falcons in the snow of Lambeau Field on a typical northern Wisconsin winter night. I registered 15 tackles, and went from a special teams and nickel guy to a full-time starter the following season. Sure, a 15-tackle night is great, but it gains attention when performed in January. Play the same game in October, and you get your name in the paper. Do it in the playoffs, you get your name in the paper — and a new contract.
As well as I played, I was part of the first team to lose a home playoff game in Green Bay Packer history. It was embarrassing. I felt like we let down the legends.
Suddenly, the season is over. No warning. No offseason plans. It is finished, just like that.
Leading up to that game my stomach was in knots. Here I was, in my mid-20s, with this huge opportunity to separate myself as a have or have not in this league. The pressure is enormous. Forget about Monday Night games. Those are a walk in the park compared to January. For many of us, and I’m talking about the regular “Joe’s” of the NFL, it is the chance to show you belong.
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
re: "Separating the ‘guy’ from the backup QB"
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1:47 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 30, 2007
re: "Taylor’s death magnifies life"
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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
re: "Skins at home in Tampa Two"
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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.
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
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!!!
214 agree | 220 disagree
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