RedskinsVision
09-01-2004, 11:01 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54406-2004Sep1.html
love the Smoot-smack...
With one final tuneup -- tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field -- before the Sept. 12 regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Redskins contend that last week's debacle isn't a true gauge of life after Bailey.
"That's just BS if you really want to know. Excuse my French," Smoot said, adding that the Redskins played only a basic defense without any of the wrinkles that will be employed during the regular season. "We were real vanilla while they were real uptight about the butt whipping they had taken the week before that and didn't put up a point. They were bringing out their midseason plays. I can't wait to see them in the playoffs."
Defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker said: "I think it was a game that we needed to experience."
The Rams, coming off a Monday night trouncing by the Kansas City Chiefs, opened up much of their playbook against Washington's conservative schemes, which were mostly zones. Gregg Williams, the Redskins assistant head coach-defense, inserted several untested defensive backs on the first unit to help evaluate them before final cuts.
Smoot and Springs have been solid but unspectacular during training camp, although Smoot in particular struggled against the Rams. Smoot said he has used training camp to improve his technique and learn to play with Springs, his new partner.
"We're just left and a right shoe," Smoot said. "To take steps, you need the left and the right. One foot can't do it. We're learning what each other likes to do."
Springs said: "I think people are going to be surprised. We're going to be much better than people think."
Williams, who is known for using multiple cornerbacks in his defensive schemes, doesn't believe in designating a top cornerback. Instead, Williams will generally place Smoot on the left side and Springs on the right side while occasionally basing their matchups against opposing receivers on physical attributes. In third-down passing situations, Springs switches to nickel back and Walt Harris plays right cornerback.
Williams believes that a defense can have an advantage if the offense doesn't know ahead of time which cornerback will face its top wide receiver. "I don't want you to know when we're going to play matchups," Williams said.
Smoot and Springs echoed Williams that Washington's secondary doesn't distinguish between which cornerback is number one and which is number two. But when pressed, each player indicated that he considers himself the top dog.
"You know Fred Smoot is going to tell you me," Smoot responded, smiling. "I've waited out my time. I've put the time in and the work in."
Smoot had played in Bailey's shadows since being selected in the second round of the 2001 draft. Smoot, who has taken more of a leadership role this year, must adjust to playing more zone defenses instead of the one-on-one coverage he is used to.
"During the course of the season if one of those guys emerge as being a shut-down type guy," Walker said, "then maybe we'll consider that."
Regardless of Williams's outlook on cornerbacks, Springs said that defenses will determine the No. 1 cornerback, by staying away from that player.
"It's not a touchy subject: You'll find out who the number one cornerback is when you see how many balls you get thrown at you," said Springs, laughing heartily. "I can't come out and say I'm the number one cornerback. The teams will let you know who the number one cornerback is."
love the Smoot-smack...
With one final tuneup -- tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field -- before the Sept. 12 regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Redskins contend that last week's debacle isn't a true gauge of life after Bailey.
"That's just BS if you really want to know. Excuse my French," Smoot said, adding that the Redskins played only a basic defense without any of the wrinkles that will be employed during the regular season. "We were real vanilla while they were real uptight about the butt whipping they had taken the week before that and didn't put up a point. They were bringing out their midseason plays. I can't wait to see them in the playoffs."
Defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker said: "I think it was a game that we needed to experience."
The Rams, coming off a Monday night trouncing by the Kansas City Chiefs, opened up much of their playbook against Washington's conservative schemes, which were mostly zones. Gregg Williams, the Redskins assistant head coach-defense, inserted several untested defensive backs on the first unit to help evaluate them before final cuts.
Smoot and Springs have been solid but unspectacular during training camp, although Smoot in particular struggled against the Rams. Smoot said he has used training camp to improve his technique and learn to play with Springs, his new partner.
"We're just left and a right shoe," Smoot said. "To take steps, you need the left and the right. One foot can't do it. We're learning what each other likes to do."
Springs said: "I think people are going to be surprised. We're going to be much better than people think."
Williams, who is known for using multiple cornerbacks in his defensive schemes, doesn't believe in designating a top cornerback. Instead, Williams will generally place Smoot on the left side and Springs on the right side while occasionally basing their matchups against opposing receivers on physical attributes. In third-down passing situations, Springs switches to nickel back and Walt Harris plays right cornerback.
Williams believes that a defense can have an advantage if the offense doesn't know ahead of time which cornerback will face its top wide receiver. "I don't want you to know when we're going to play matchups," Williams said.
Smoot and Springs echoed Williams that Washington's secondary doesn't distinguish between which cornerback is number one and which is number two. But when pressed, each player indicated that he considers himself the top dog.
"You know Fred Smoot is going to tell you me," Smoot responded, smiling. "I've waited out my time. I've put the time in and the work in."
Smoot had played in Bailey's shadows since being selected in the second round of the 2001 draft. Smoot, who has taken more of a leadership role this year, must adjust to playing more zone defenses instead of the one-on-one coverage he is used to.
"During the course of the season if one of those guys emerge as being a shut-down type guy," Walker said, "then maybe we'll consider that."
Regardless of Williams's outlook on cornerbacks, Springs said that defenses will determine the No. 1 cornerback, by staying away from that player.
"It's not a touchy subject: You'll find out who the number one cornerback is when you see how many balls you get thrown at you," said Springs, laughing heartily. "I can't come out and say I'm the number one cornerback. The teams will let you know who the number one cornerback is."