theogt
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Is Roy really a coverage liability?
The Cowboys unveiled another defensive package that doesn't include perennial Pro Bowler Roy Williams during Thursday's win over the Packers.
Nate Jones took Williams' place in this version of the dime package. The dime that the Cowboys had used all season had essentially been a nickel with Williams manning one of the linebacker spots. I'm assuming the coaches thought Jones, the fourth cornerback on the roster, gave the Cowboys a better chance of matching up with the Packers' four- and five-receiver sets.
It was out of this package that Jones came flying off the left edge to blast Brett Favre, forcing an interception and knocking the Hall of Famer out of the game. So that proves that Williams ought to be off the field in all passing situations, right?
Not so fast. You actually might be surprised by the Packers' passing stats with and without Williams on the field. (Follow the jump to find out.)
Roy on field: 14-of-29, 142 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT (4.9 yards per attempt)
Roy on sideline: 9-of-11, 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (10.5 yards per attempt)
Williams was on the sideline for 17 of the 65 snaps, including penalties, according to my count. Only five of the plays he watched came in the second half.
That's probably because the Packers exploited the Cowboys' new dime look on their touchdown drive just before halftime. Williams was on the sideline for both of Greg Jennings' big plays on that possession -- the 43-yard catch and run and 11-yard TD catch. Jones was responsible for covering Jennings on the 43-yarder, getting beat on a short out route and then overrunning the play to let Jennings get free.
I only saw one play that I considered poor pass coverage by Williams. That was a 22-yard reception by TE Donald Lee on the Packers' touchdown drive just after halftime. Other than that, he was very good in coverage against Green Bay. Part of the credit goes to the coaches for keeping Williams close to the line of scrimmage most of the game.
Williams was on the field for all 14 of Green Bay RB Ryan Grant's carries, including an ooooh!! hit that can be added to No. 31's highlight reel. He took a bad angle on Grant's 62-yard TD run, but nobody with any sense would want Williams benched when the opponent is running the ball.
Strange as it sounds, Jones appears to be a more effective blitzer than Williams. Jones had a hit on Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and a sack against the Patriots. The impact plays by a blitzing Williams have been few and far between.
But the criticism of Williams has always focused on his coverage skills. The Cowboys aren't necessarily a better pass defense with him on the sideline, though. They definitely were not against the Packers.
Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 12:50 PM (E-mail this entry)
The Cowboys unveiled another defensive package that doesn't include perennial Pro Bowler Roy Williams during Thursday's win over the Packers.
Nate Jones took Williams' place in this version of the dime package. The dime that the Cowboys had used all season had essentially been a nickel with Williams manning one of the linebacker spots. I'm assuming the coaches thought Jones, the fourth cornerback on the roster, gave the Cowboys a better chance of matching up with the Packers' four- and five-receiver sets.
It was out of this package that Jones came flying off the left edge to blast Brett Favre, forcing an interception and knocking the Hall of Famer out of the game. So that proves that Williams ought to be off the field in all passing situations, right?
Not so fast. You actually might be surprised by the Packers' passing stats with and without Williams on the field. (Follow the jump to find out.)
Roy on field: 14-of-29, 142 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT (4.9 yards per attempt)
Roy on sideline: 9-of-11, 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (10.5 yards per attempt)
Williams was on the sideline for 17 of the 65 snaps, including penalties, according to my count. Only five of the plays he watched came in the second half.
That's probably because the Packers exploited the Cowboys' new dime look on their touchdown drive just before halftime. Williams was on the sideline for both of Greg Jennings' big plays on that possession -- the 43-yard catch and run and 11-yard TD catch. Jones was responsible for covering Jennings on the 43-yarder, getting beat on a short out route and then overrunning the play to let Jennings get free.
I only saw one play that I considered poor pass coverage by Williams. That was a 22-yard reception by TE Donald Lee on the Packers' touchdown drive just after halftime. Other than that, he was very good in coverage against Green Bay. Part of the credit goes to the coaches for keeping Williams close to the line of scrimmage most of the game.
Williams was on the field for all 14 of Green Bay RB Ryan Grant's carries, including an ooooh!! hit that can be added to No. 31's highlight reel. He took a bad angle on Grant's 62-yard TD run, but nobody with any sense would want Williams benched when the opponent is running the ball.
Strange as it sounds, Jones appears to be a more effective blitzer than Williams. Jones had a hit on Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and a sack against the Patriots. The impact plays by a blitzing Williams have been few and far between.
But the criticism of Williams has always focused on his coverage skills. The Cowboys aren't necessarily a better pass defense with him on the sideline, though. They definitely were not against the Packers.
Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 12:50 PM (E-mail this entry)
