LaTunaNostra
09-09-2004, 09:50 PM
NEW! Michael Downs: It's Williams' defense now
07:59 PM CDT on Thursday, September 9, 2004
Former Cowboys All-Pro safety Michael Downs will offer insight, analysis and a peek behind the X's and O's every Friday exclusively on CowboysPlus.com. Downs, a Rice graduate, played safety for the Cowboys from 1981-88. Send questions for Downs' consideration to downs@dallasnews.com
Defense wins championships. I'm sure there are staunch supporters of the West Coast offense or "The Greatest Show on Turf" or even the Cowboys' "Triplets" who disagree with that, but they will never change my mind.
Despite all the offensive moves the Cowboys have made this year, their season will still be a reflection of how well the defense plays. And with any unit, there must be a leader. Ready or not, this has become young Roy Williams' defense. The reasons? His position and performance.
First, Roy plays safety. Traditionally, the safety is responsible for making calls and adjustments for the four- or five-man secondary, and often times the linebackers as well. Being able to see the entire offense is vital, and at times the view for cornerbacks and outside linebackers is impaired. The safeties can see the entire offensive set.
But it's not just about seeing, it's also about recognizing and understanding formations that dictate tendencies. In essence, the safety is the quarterback of the defense, and he must be willing and able to make the call. Defensive adjustments are most important in one of two situations: motion by the offense or when a blitz is called.
When you see a wide receiver or running back go in motion before the ball is snapped, it's for one reason: to create an advantage for the offense. When offensive motion changes defensive responsibility, someone must make that call and communicate it to everyone. The first step is understanding what's happening to the defense (Is there an overload? Are there enough numbers to cover eligible receivers?) Next, the player must know what is the appropriate call, the correct audible. Motion is a distraction that must be responded to with quick and accurate decisions.
When a blitz is called by a defense, the most important element is coordination. Running a successful blitz is much tougher than it looks. Blitzes are always coordinated with a number of players at the point of attack. Two or more players are designated to take on blockers. They are pawns. Then there are two or three other players ready to rush the quarterback or cover a receiver. The number of possible adjustments can be baffling for even the seasoned veteran. Again, it is usually the safety who makes the calls and ensures that the blitz is run smoothly or checked out of just as smoothly. A defense can live or die by the blitz.
Of course, all of this is worked on during the week of practice, and every player must do his job. But it is not so easy when you have about a split second to recognize, decide and communicate those changes under the gun. It is fast and furious. And it takes a general's mentality to do so, which brings us to the second reason why this is Williams' defense.
He is the best young player on the team.
Players respect and look up to good players. Without saying a word, Williams will be looked to for leadership and direction. Throughout training camp and preseason, Williams has been consulted more than ever by teammates in the secondary. Coaches make sure Williams understands everything about the defense because they depend on him to be an extension of them.
In years past, this has been Darren Woodson's defense. Whether this is Woodson's last year or if he plays for several more years, he has much to offer. In meetings, I'm sure Woodson is a wealth of knowledge. But "The General" must be on the field. And, that's where Williams has been since arriving in Dallas. He has not just shown up, he has excelled. This Dallas D is much like a "No Name" defense looking for its identity. Roy Williams is its young star and the player who has the position and ability to supply the direction.
07:59 PM CDT on Thursday, September 9, 2004
Former Cowboys All-Pro safety Michael Downs will offer insight, analysis and a peek behind the X's and O's every Friday exclusively on CowboysPlus.com. Downs, a Rice graduate, played safety for the Cowboys from 1981-88. Send questions for Downs' consideration to downs@dallasnews.com
Defense wins championships. I'm sure there are staunch supporters of the West Coast offense or "The Greatest Show on Turf" or even the Cowboys' "Triplets" who disagree with that, but they will never change my mind.
Despite all the offensive moves the Cowboys have made this year, their season will still be a reflection of how well the defense plays. And with any unit, there must be a leader. Ready or not, this has become young Roy Williams' defense. The reasons? His position and performance.
First, Roy plays safety. Traditionally, the safety is responsible for making calls and adjustments for the four- or five-man secondary, and often times the linebackers as well. Being able to see the entire offense is vital, and at times the view for cornerbacks and outside linebackers is impaired. The safeties can see the entire offensive set.
But it's not just about seeing, it's also about recognizing and understanding formations that dictate tendencies. In essence, the safety is the quarterback of the defense, and he must be willing and able to make the call. Defensive adjustments are most important in one of two situations: motion by the offense or when a blitz is called.
When you see a wide receiver or running back go in motion before the ball is snapped, it's for one reason: to create an advantage for the offense. When offensive motion changes defensive responsibility, someone must make that call and communicate it to everyone. The first step is understanding what's happening to the defense (Is there an overload? Are there enough numbers to cover eligible receivers?) Next, the player must know what is the appropriate call, the correct audible. Motion is a distraction that must be responded to with quick and accurate decisions.
When a blitz is called by a defense, the most important element is coordination. Running a successful blitz is much tougher than it looks. Blitzes are always coordinated with a number of players at the point of attack. Two or more players are designated to take on blockers. They are pawns. Then there are two or three other players ready to rush the quarterback or cover a receiver. The number of possible adjustments can be baffling for even the seasoned veteran. Again, it is usually the safety who makes the calls and ensures that the blitz is run smoothly or checked out of just as smoothly. A defense can live or die by the blitz.
Of course, all of this is worked on during the week of practice, and every player must do his job. But it is not so easy when you have about a split second to recognize, decide and communicate those changes under the gun. It is fast and furious. And it takes a general's mentality to do so, which brings us to the second reason why this is Williams' defense.
He is the best young player on the team.
Players respect and look up to good players. Without saying a word, Williams will be looked to for leadership and direction. Throughout training camp and preseason, Williams has been consulted more than ever by teammates in the secondary. Coaches make sure Williams understands everything about the defense because they depend on him to be an extension of them.
In years past, this has been Darren Woodson's defense. Whether this is Woodson's last year or if he plays for several more years, he has much to offer. In meetings, I'm sure Woodson is a wealth of knowledge. But "The General" must be on the field. And, that's where Williams has been since arriving in Dallas. He has not just shown up, he has excelled. This Dallas D is much like a "No Name" defense looking for its identity. Roy Williams is its young star and the player who has the position and ability to supply the direction.