TheWarpath.net Interviews Matt Bowen (part 2)

[SmootSmack]

Here is part 2 of our two part interview with former safety Matt Bowen

Players


1. In the past week we've heard 2 prominent, starting players kind of 'call out management' by saying the problems start with ownership and we don't have the right personnel. When players start to speak out like this, does it resonate with management where they will start to take heed and reassess things?
Whenever players start to call out the front office, there is obviously and issue inside the facility. The players see a front office that is not meeting the demands of the locker room...and it usually signals a season that is in trouble.


2. What makes a good locker room leader?
I have felt that a good locker room leader is a true pro: studies the game, is prepared both mentally and physically, plays hurt, and doesn't just do it with fake words--they get it done on Sundays no matter what the circumstance is. For the Skins, those leaders are being tested right now with all of the adversity surrounding that team. They have to keep the players together and get some wins.

3. Our 2nd year receivers are still struggling, while other young receivers around the league seem to be shining. It appears that they are lacking in some basic fundamentals-route running, getting separation-what is your assessment of Kelly, Davis and Thomas at this point. And can you talk about the role of a position coach. It appears that they would teach fundamentals, but shouldn't an NFL player know these fundamentals already?
Thomas and Kelly have been a disappointment, and that does fall some on the coaches, but it also shows signs that they haven't matured enough to grasp the pro game. There is a lot more than Sundays. You have to prepare for 16 weeks of game action, and from what I see, they don't get it yet. If they were drafted on the second day, they would probably have been cut, or on the verge of getting released. Their draft spot is protecting them right now, but even that runs out when you don't see production.


4. Are the Redskins misusing Brian Orakpo playing him at SAM?
I think Orakpo is a talent, but he is too undersized to play DE on first and second downs. It will take time, but he will develop into a solid Sam Backer in this league.

5. Is Laron Landry better suited to play FS or SS?
like Landry at FS because of his range. He may be more involved at the SS position, but he will make more plays at FS and also prevent the big play. That is huge at this level. In my opinion, he is one of the better safeties in the league. Big talent.

6. Do players in the secondary, either from a corner's or safety's perspective, prefer to play off WRs and give a cushion? Or do you find that players prefer to play up to the line? We notice Blache's corners playing off receivers quite often and many fans get frustrated because it seemingly allows WRs a clean release and an opportunity to gain four yards or so before initial contact. Perhaps you can speak to the advantages of playing off?
There are advantages to playing press and off-man, just as there are disadvantages. It all depends on the scheme. If the scheme asks you to play off, then you do. If it calls for press, then you press. The Skins have corners with talent to do both. But, off-man is hard at this level.

Bowen's playing days

1. What was your "Welcome to the NFL" moment?
My welcome to the NFL moment was training camp as a rookie in St. Louis. We had joint practices with the Titans, and Eddie George physically welcomed me during an inside run drill. I don't think he broke stride as he ran over me in the hole. I knew I wasn;t in college anymore after that.

2. Can you talk a little bit about playing for Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs. What were their styles?
I loved playing for both Steve and Joe. Both, obviously had different styles. Gibbs was more business like than Steve, but I really enjoyed Spurrier. It was an honor to play for Gibbs, but I didn't like seeing Spurrier leave. I was a big fan of him, and I thought he truly cared about his players in a league that is all business.

3. A former player indicated recently that Snyder treated players one way when they won and another way when they lost. Can you talk a little bit about what it was like to play under Snyder?
Dan is great. He is sometimes too passionate about this team, but he treated the players with respect, and how can you not like a guy who pays you to play football? He gets a bad rap, and maybe he can do some things different in terms of putting this team together, but he is a good man.

4. You played in a major market with a high-profile owner in Washington than wrapped up your career in almost the complete opposite scenario in Buffalo. How was it different as a player?
Loved the media attention of Washington, and the NFC East in general, but Buffalo is a great town also. One thing about the NFL, no matter where you play, you are the center of attention. DC is a great spot.


5. Can you tell us a little bit about what Sean Taylor was like as a teammate?
Sean Taylor was one of the best pure football players I ever saw, and one of the biggest playmakers in the game. It was a tragedy and I loved playing with the guy. Someone you could always count on to come out and play on Sundays.

6. Who were your favorite teammates in your NFL career (including with the Redskins)?
I played with a lot of great guys and great players. Favre, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, etc... lots of great, great players. In DC, I loved sharing a huddle with LaVar Arrington and Marcus Washington. Those guys made the game fun. Marcus would recite lines from "Old School" in the huddle on game days... classic.

7. If you had one play or moment from your NFL career that you could play in a continual loop in heaven, what would it be?
One play, well, one game for sure... the 4th quarter comeback down in Texas Stadium when Mark hit Santana on those two TDs. Favorite game of all time. As for a play, I picked off Tom Brady when I was a Packer. Yes, the ball was tipped, but I don't have to tell anyone that, right?

National Football Post

The NFP is your one stop shop for football fans. Written and managed by people who were in the game. If you want to hear what really happens in the NFL, it is the place to be. Check out our news Skins page: Washington Redskins | National Football Post

The most important question of all...favorite pie

Pecan, with a home made mud slide in my hands.

[Ruhskins]

Awesome stuff. Thanks for putting this together.

[SmootSmack]

Pecan pie is the one pie I just don't like. But hey if he likes it, more power to him

[MTK]

Love pecan pie, especially chocolate pecan pie. Not sure about coupling that with a mudslide though, way too much sweetness in one sitting.

[SmootSmack]

pecan pie must be a matt thing

Interesting comments on Kelly and Thomas, saying their draft status is protecting them. Hard to argue with that

[MTK]

Let's be honest where you're drafted has a lot to do with how you are treated in this league, at least in your first few seasons. Next year will be make or break for both guys.

[freddyg12]

nice work. Thanks!

I also found the wr comments interesting, but his Lavar & MW comment also points out something this team lacks - charisma & enthusiasm. MW was an energizing player & a leader. Say what you will about Lavar, for all his freelancing, he still made big plays & gave the game some excitement.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

nice work. Thanks!

I also found the wr comments interesting, but his Lavar & MW comment also points out something this team lacks - charisma & enthusiasm. MW was an energizing player & a leader. Say what you will about Lavar, for all his freelancing, he still made big plays & gave the game some excitement.

agreed, we really have no one who is a ra-ra guy on the team as far as i can see i loved watching players like marcus lavar and sean getting hyped while music was playing and knockin teammates around as the game was coming back from tv timeouts, we really lack that asspect right now

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

nice work. Thanks!

I also found the wr comments interesting, but his Lavar & MW comment also points out something this team lacks - charisma & enthusiasm. MW was an energizing player & a leader. Say what you will about Lavar, for all his freelancing, he still made big plays & gave the game some excitement.

yep, definitely agree

we need a mw or st to get this team going, though defense is doing pretty well

[Monkeydad]

I love pecan pie.


Interesting that he believes the Orakpo to LB is the right move when most of us here disagree with it.

He does have a point, we need to be patient. 'Rak is an extremely talented player and should make the transition successfully.

[warpaint]

Pecan pie doesnt do any thing for me. Chocolate pudding pie with an oreo crust and cool whip topping.

The Kelly and Thomas comments didnt see that coming but I gues will see next year with a new coach good article.

[MTK]

We need better talent, coaching, and execution. The rah-rah stuff is for the birds.