Springs at Nickel Back?

joecrisp · 09-02-2004, 05:54 PM

Another thought regarding the use of Springs in the nickel spot is that Williams likes to blitz the nickelback frequently, and considers the bigger, more physical Springs better suited for that role than any of the corners. This is true not just in the sense that Springs may be better able to get to the quarterback, but also in that he could be more adept at escaping blockers to shut down wide running plays before they get outside the slot.

sportscurmudgeon · 09-02-2004, 08:39 PM

Before everyone gets carried away and nominates Coach Williams for MENSA membership, the defensive coordinators here in Washington in the last five years have been pretty good.

Marvin Lewis has been known to put a good defense on the field.

Mike Nolan is working out pretty well himself albeint not in DC.

Maybe - just maybe - the problem has not been all with the coaching staffs. Maybe some overhyped or over-aged or overly egotistical players made the defenses in prior years unworthy of some fancy nickname.

In fact, now that I think of it, given the age on some of the previous defenses and all the complaining we heard and the predominance of the color burgandy in the uniforms, maybe those defenses should be known collectively as

The Vintage Whiners.

Just a thought...

jermus22 · 09-02-2004, 08:59 PM

Don't forget Ray Rhodes.

SmootSmack · 09-02-2004, 09:50 PM

Curmudgeon, Vintage Whiners, amusing, funny even...

I noticed you left off George Edwards from that list of great defensive coordinators of Redskins lore. The prevailing sentiment I believe on this board, and one I agree with, is that we've had some very good defensive coordinators in the past years. And certainly lack of consistency in keeping the same coordinator is something that has hurt the team as a whole and players such as LaVar.

But Mike Nolan, from an era long ago, was not one of them. Not while he was here at least and George Edwards, well good for him for getting a shot but he looked totally lost. So forgive me, and anyone else, if we're more than a little excited about having a solid, proven defensive coordinator in Gregg Wiliams with talented players such as lavar, washington, and taylor (among others) for hopefully the next several years.

joecrisp · 09-02-2004, 11:27 PM

Yeah, I think it's safe to say most of us would be elated to still have the likes of Marvin Lewis or Ray Rhodes here as defensive coordinators, but things didn't work out that way, so we're delighted to have a guy like Gregg Williams instead.

And by the way, though Williams has yet to prove his genius with this particular group of players, I wouldn't rule out that MENSA membership quite yet. This guy's as cerebral as they come. He's the kind of guy I could imagine walking off the practice field and sitting down with Gary Kasparov for an afternoon chess match... just to keep his mind fresh.

Having said that, I'm still not convinced that Williams' intellect, savvy and ingenuity will be enough to overcome the critical deficiencies along the defensive line. Given the situation there, if Williams is able to put this defense in the top 10 this season, go ahead and give him his MENSA card.

If they make top 5, Williams deserves a Nobel Prize or something.

09-02-2004, 08:59 PM	#3
jermus22 Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Frankfort, KY Age: 44 Posts: 336	Don't forget Ray Rhodes. __________________ Win it in the trenches.

09-02-2004, 09:50 PM	#4
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Curmudgeon, Vintage Whiners, amusing, funny even... I noticed you left off George Edwards from that list of great defensive coordinators of Redskins lore. The prevailing sentiment I believe on this board, and one I agree with, is that we've had some very good defensive coordinators in the past years. And certainly lack of consistency in keeping the same coordinator is something that has hurt the team as a whole and players such as LaVar. But Mike Nolan, from an era long ago, was not one of them. Not while he was here at least and George Edwards, well good for him for getting a shot but he looked totally lost. So forgive me, and anyone else, if we're more than a little excited about having a solid, proven defensive coordinator in Gregg Wiliams with talented players such as lavar, washington, and taylor (among others) for hopefully the next several years. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

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09-02-2004, 05:54 PM	#1
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 50 Posts: 1,501	Another thought regarding the use of Springs in the nickel spot is that Williams likes to blitz the nickelback frequently, and considers the bigger, more physical Springs better suited for that role than any of the corners. This is true not just in the sense that Springs may be better able to get to the quarterback, but also in that he could be more adept at escaping blockers to shut down wide running plays before they get outside the slot.

09-02-2004, 08:39 PM	#2
sportscurmudgeon Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,159	Before everyone gets carried away and nominates Coach Williams for MENSA membership, the defensive coordinators here in Washington in the last five years have been pretty good. Marvin Lewis has been known to put a good defense on the field. Mike Nolan is working out pretty well himself albeint not in DC. Maybe - just maybe - the problem has not been all with the coaching staffs. Maybe some overhyped or over-aged or overly egotistical players made the defenses in prior years unworthy of some fancy nickname. In fact, now that I think of it, given the age on some of the previous defenses and all the complaining we heard and the predominance of the color burgandy in the uniforms, maybe those defenses should be known collectively as The Vintage Whiners. Just a thought...

09-02-2004, 11:27 PM	#5
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 50 Posts: 1,501	Yeah, I think it's safe to say most of us would be elated to still have the likes of Marvin Lewis or Ray Rhodes here as defensive coordinators, but things didn't work out that way, so we're delighted to have a guy like Gregg Williams instead. And by the way, though Williams has yet to prove his genius with this particular group of players, I wouldn't rule out that MENSA membership quite yet. This guy's as cerebral as they come. He's the kind of guy I could imagine walking off the practice field and sitting down with Gary Kasparov for an afternoon chess match... just to keep his mind fresh. Having said that, I'm still not convinced that Williams' intellect, savvy and ingenuity will be enough to overcome the critical deficiencies along the defensive line. Given the situation there, if Williams is able to put this defense in the top 10 this season, go ahead and give him his MENSA card. If they make top 5, Williams deserves a Nobel Prize or something.

Springs at Nickel Back?

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