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Williams best choice for Redskins
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Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams, right, shown in this file photo with safety Vernon Fox, left.
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Without a doubt, Gregg Williams is the best fit for the Redskins.
Williams has been running his defense like a head coach would run a team since he arrived in D.C. When you had an issue with something or someone on the team, you went to Williams. When you wanted to know what the appropriate dress code was for road trips, you asked Williams, and when you busted a coverage, or missed a tackle, you most definitely went to Williams.
I felt as if I played for two head coaches in Washington. I respected Coach Joe Gibbs, but I thought higher of Coach Williams. Maybe I was impressed with the way he ran the team defensive meeting or his talks the night before games, but I wanted to impress the man. He speaks with emotion when he talks to the defense, you believe him. More than any coach I have played for in this league, Williams was the guy I wanted to play for. He is a players’ coach, but he rules with an iron fist, equaling the perfect combination for winning. He demands your best in meetings, practices and on Sundays. He demands you be a professional.
Yes, there is time for fun, but when it comes down to business, it is about winning with Williams. By far, he is the most prepared coach I have ever seen. Scouting reports become manuals for winning, and film study a way of life. I thought I had pro football all figured out, but after two seasons with Williams, I became the student of the game I wanted to be.
However, what goes beyond saying, he prepares men for the rest of their lives. The toughness, the ability to deal with adversity in real life situations, is a trait I owe to playing for Williams. He is a master of putting players in the toughest situations, under the toughest circumstances, to challenge them, not only as players, but also as men. Practice is a beast, making Sundays a walk in the park. It is the long days, the constructive criticism in the heat, that prepare us for Sundays, and the days, and years that follow.
Williams is the right choice for this franchise. You don’t need a big-name guy when you already have one down the hall.
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
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8:53 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008
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re: "Warner impressive, throbbing elbow and all"
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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.
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!!!
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