Deceiving defense: In Redskins' secondary, Cowboys can expect different looks
By MICHAEL PHILLIPS
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Planning for a game against the Dallas Cowboys is tough. The Washington Redskins are facing the challenge of having to do that twice.
Even though the Redskins came away victorious in Dallas earlier this season, the team won't show up Sunday expecting the same plays it ran in that game to continue to be effective.
On defense, that means secondary coach Jerry Gray will find new ways to confuse Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
"You can't show them the exact same thing as last time -- Romo's too good for that," Gray said. "You've got to give them some different looks and keep them guessing as to what coverage we're actually in."
Some of those changes were discussed during the team's bye week, when Redskins coach Jim Zorn gathered his assistants for a wide-ranging discussion of the team's strengths and weaknesses.
Down the stretch, the importance of every game will be magnified, starting with Sunday's rivalry. Dallas is one game behind Washington for second place in the NFC East, and with the New York Giants pulling away, the Cowboys and Redskins find themselves in a fight with the Eagles for a wild card playoff berth.
"They get tougher in November and December," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "Who would you rather go up against needing a win than the Cowboys?"
Washington added that he expected Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens to "have his popcorn ready," referencing a statement the receiver made when he signed with Dallas.
The Redskins' secondary was key to the 26-24 victory in Week 4, and despite seven catches for 71 yards, Owens still felt he wasn't playing a big enough role in the offense.
"It's no secret, when I get involved, we move the chains. When I don't, we're more stagnant in our offense," he told reporters after the game.
Shawn Springs covered T.O. in that game, and this Sunday might be his first game that Springs plays since injuring his calf muscle almost a month ago. If he is unable to go, the assignment would fall to Carlos Rogers or Fred Smoot, though Gray emphasized that there is more to beating the Cowboys than just shutting down Owens.
"Between him and Roy Williams, you can't pick just one guy, since both can beat you," the coach said. "Tony Romo is a really special guy who makes things happen."
Romo is 1-3 against the Redskins, though, and his team needs a win Sunday to stay in the playoff hunt.
That's going to create a raucous Sunday night atmosphere at FedEx Field, one that is even stirring Redskins coach Jim Zorn.
"I'm expecting it to be one of the best games of the week," Zorn said. "It should be unbelievable -- I'm very excited about it."
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Planning for a game against the Dallas Cowboys is tough. The Washington Redskins are facing the challenge of having to do that twice.
Even though the Redskins came away victorious in Dallas earlier this season, the team won't show up Sunday expecting the same plays it ran in that game to continue to be effective.
On defense, that means secondary coach Jerry Gray will find new ways to confuse Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
"You can't show them the exact same thing as last time -- Romo's too good for that," Gray said. "You've got to give them some different looks and keep them guessing as to what coverage we're actually in."
Some of those changes were discussed during the team's bye week, when Redskins coach Jim Zorn gathered his assistants for a wide-ranging discussion of the team's strengths and weaknesses.
Down the stretch, the importance of every game will be magnified, starting with Sunday's rivalry. Dallas is one game behind Washington for second place in the NFC East, and with the New York Giants pulling away, the Cowboys and Redskins find themselves in a fight with the Eagles for a wild card playoff berth.
"They get tougher in November and December," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "Who would you rather go up against needing a win than the Cowboys?"
Washington added that he expected Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens to "have his popcorn ready," referencing a statement the receiver made when he signed with Dallas.
The Redskins' secondary was key to the 26-24 victory in Week 4, and despite seven catches for 71 yards, Owens still felt he wasn't playing a big enough role in the offense.
"It's no secret, when I get involved, we move the chains. When I don't, we're more stagnant in our offense," he told reporters after the game.
Shawn Springs covered T.O. in that game, and this Sunday might be his first game that Springs plays since injuring his calf muscle almost a month ago. If he is unable to go, the assignment would fall to Carlos Rogers or Fred Smoot, though Gray emphasized that there is more to beating the Cowboys than just shutting down Owens.
"Between him and Roy Williams, you can't pick just one guy, since both can beat you," the coach said. "Tony Romo is a really special guy who makes things happen."
Romo is 1-3 against the Redskins, though, and his team needs a win Sunday to stay in the playoff hunt.
That's going to create a raucous Sunday night atmosphere at FedEx Field, one that is even stirring Redskins coach Jim Zorn.
"I'm expecting it to be one of the best games of the week," Zorn said. "It should be unbelievable -- I'm very excited about it."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:56 AM
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