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by: Keith Kidd
posted: Friday, November 16, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys
One of the intriguing matchups this weekend has to be between Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Commanders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Garrett has been one of the most-aggressive play callers in the NFL, especially on first down. The Cowboys lead the league with an average of 6.84 yards on first down, which allows Garrett to be even more aggressive in manageable second and third-down situations.
QB Tony Romo continues to play at a high level and has actually gotten better since signing his new six-year, $67 million dollar deal during the bye week in late October. Romo will place a lot of pressure on the Commanders' defense due his ability to make all throws in the passing game, his instincts in the pocket and mobility to elude rushers, while keeping his eyes downfield. Plus he does a good job of using his legs in open space to move the chains. The Commanders front four, led by RDE Andre Carter and LDE Phillip Daniels, must be disciplined in their rush-lane integrity, while not allowing Romo to escape outside containment, where he is extremely dangerous at putting pressure on the backend.
Springs
OwensThe Cowboys have a lot of weapons on the offensive side led by the combination of running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber, along with a big physical offensive line that gives the Cowboys a lethal rushing attack. On top of that, wide receiver Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and TE Jason Witten give the Cowboys one of the most explosive receiving units in the NFL. Owens has had three-straight 100-yard games and is playing as well as he ever has, which is a scary thought when you think about it. Garrett will move Owens around in order to create mismatches against the Commanders secondary. Williams will counter Garrett's strategy by having Shawn Springs cover Owens, which should be an interesting matchup to watch this Sunday.
However, Williams will be without CB Carlos Rogers and starting FS Sean Taylor. Taylor, who leads the NFC with five interceptions and is having a highly-productive Pro Bowl season. Backup FS Pierson Prioleau now moves into the starting lineup with rookie SS LaRon Landry. This will place even more pressure on the Commanders' front four to create pressure on Romo. Williams must find a way to slow down this high-powered offense, while picking his poison on how to attack Romo in the pocket without getting burned on the backend. Without Taylor, it will be a difficult task to slow down this offense.
Look for Garret to rely on the Cowboys' physical running game to set up the play-action attack, which will allows Romo to attack Prioleau or Landry in deep, downfield zones. And Williams must take away Owens, match up MLB London Fletcher underneath on Witten in the Commanders Cover 2 with help over the top and force Romo to make plays in the passing game to Crayton, Sam Hurd and Barber.
This is a classic rivalry between two teams that simply don't like each other, which should make the matchup between Garrett and Williams even more fun to watch.
posted: Friday, November 16, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys
One of the intriguing matchups this weekend has to be between Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Commanders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Garrett has been one of the most-aggressive play callers in the NFL, especially on first down. The Cowboys lead the league with an average of 6.84 yards on first down, which allows Garrett to be even more aggressive in manageable second and third-down situations.
QB Tony Romo continues to play at a high level and has actually gotten better since signing his new six-year, $67 million dollar deal during the bye week in late October. Romo will place a lot of pressure on the Commanders' defense due his ability to make all throws in the passing game, his instincts in the pocket and mobility to elude rushers, while keeping his eyes downfield. Plus he does a good job of using his legs in open space to move the chains. The Commanders front four, led by RDE Andre Carter and LDE Phillip Daniels, must be disciplined in their rush-lane integrity, while not allowing Romo to escape outside containment, where he is extremely dangerous at putting pressure on the backend.
Springs
OwensThe Cowboys have a lot of weapons on the offensive side led by the combination of running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber, along with a big physical offensive line that gives the Cowboys a lethal rushing attack. On top of that, wide receiver Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and TE Jason Witten give the Cowboys one of the most explosive receiving units in the NFL. Owens has had three-straight 100-yard games and is playing as well as he ever has, which is a scary thought when you think about it. Garrett will move Owens around in order to create mismatches against the Commanders secondary. Williams will counter Garrett's strategy by having Shawn Springs cover Owens, which should be an interesting matchup to watch this Sunday.
However, Williams will be without CB Carlos Rogers and starting FS Sean Taylor. Taylor, who leads the NFC with five interceptions and is having a highly-productive Pro Bowl season. Backup FS Pierson Prioleau now moves into the starting lineup with rookie SS LaRon Landry. This will place even more pressure on the Commanders' front four to create pressure on Romo. Williams must find a way to slow down this high-powered offense, while picking his poison on how to attack Romo in the pocket without getting burned on the backend. Without Taylor, it will be a difficult task to slow down this offense.
Look for Garret to rely on the Cowboys' physical running game to set up the play-action attack, which will allows Romo to attack Prioleau or Landry in deep, downfield zones. And Williams must take away Owens, match up MLB London Fletcher underneath on Witten in the Commanders Cover 2 with help over the top and force Romo to make plays in the passing game to Crayton, Sam Hurd and Barber.
This is a classic rivalry between two teams that simply don't like each other, which should make the matchup between Garrett and Williams even more fun to watch.
