[NC_Skins]

Giants 27, Redskins 23: Ten Observations | WashingtonExaminer.com


Good read.

Let’s go right to the 77-yard touchdown pass. The knee-jerk reaction, clearly, is to blame defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. If you want to knock his schemes and the lack of pressure, go right ahead. If you want to question adjustments, go ahead. But it’s awfully difficult to blame him for the coverage mishap on this play. In fact, it’s misguided. A coordinator puts defenders in position and then it’s up to a player to do the rest. He assigned two players to stop the most dangerous target on the other team. Not a bad idea. In this case, corner Josh Wilson and safety Madieu Williams failed to execute a double team. Actually, Williams deserves more of the blame. It’s clear based on Wilson’s alignment at the snap he’s expecting – and needs – safety help over the top. Wilson is shaded inside and never looks at the quarterback. Williams, though, perhaps because of a receiver to the outside, was flat-footed. Here’s the thing: based on how Wilson was aligned, it’s easy to deduce there should have been no hesitation.


On this play, it’s an easy read for the receiver. With Wilson inside and Williams shaded to the outside, Victor Cruz runs a straight go-route. As Wilson said, Cruz hadn’t done much of anything before this catch – six catches for 54 yards. It wasn’t just Wilson covering him; Wilson would shadow him for a series but other times Wilson would show up and then drop into deep middle in a cover-3 look. But back to Haslett. Obviously the defense hasn’t produced enough under Haslett. They allow too many big plays. However, this one falls on the players, Williams in particular. If you don’t like Williams starting, that’s another matter. The Redskins did not have the best plan at safety, hoping Tanard Jackson – who had multiple drug suspensions before he signed – would be their starter. But Williams is the guy; the alternatives are few. Williams is a steady guy, but lacks speed. That’s been evident in other games and it impacts the coverage. I just don’t think the corners trust the safeties all that much right now to be where they need to be and at the right time.