Springs or smoot?

[Skinzfan_26]

Who will cover the number one reciever and who will have more interceptions?

[Big C]

Smoot will have the most picks, but Springs will be covering the top reciever most of the time. Bauman will win the nickle spot.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

if healthy, springs could easily have a pro-bowl calibur year this year covering the #1 guys but I don't think Williams system classifies which cb is #1 or 2 and they switch their assignments during the game. If springs plays up to his abilities, then teams might look more at whomever smoot is covering and smoot might have a chance for a 5-6 int season.

[Darock]

Originally Posted by Big C

Smoot will have the most picks, but Springs will be covering the top reciever most of the time. Bauman will win the nickle spot.

Hopefully Harris is back in time for the season to take Bauman's place.

[joecrisp]

From what Gregg Williams has been saying throughout the offseason, he doesn't really envision using a #1 and #2 corner, but will use Smoot and Springs interchangeably, depending on the personnel matchups. He also said he plans to use them more as "left" and "right" CBs, rather than assigning one of them to always cover the opponents' top wideouts, for whatever that's worth.

Between the two of them, Springs has a reputation as a more physical cornerback who supposedly would matchup better with the bigger receivers in this division, like TO and Keyshawn. When you look at the Redskins' schedule this year, it's chock full of teams whose top receivers are big, physical guys. Based on those personnel matchups, it would lead one to believe that Springs will more often be matched up against the #1 wideouts.

It does sound like Smoot intends to play more physically this season than he has in the past. He's been hitting the weights, trying to add some muscle to his frame (though I don't know if it's helped a whole lot in terms of his weight, he's probably a stronger player, at least), knowing that it will not only help him matchup better against the league's bigger wideouts, but also help him stay healthier. I think Smoot's going to have a great year, and he's certainly going to benefit from the more physical presence of his new backfield mates in Springs and Sean Taylor. I can see Smoot having a lot of picks this season.

[manicd]

Wow. I don't know why you guys see Springs as the #1. Let alone the defensive scheme; Smoot is the man. I saw Smoot make some plays that shows me he is a gamer. Guess I don't know much about Springs, but I like Smoot. Want him in a Redskins Jersey for a long time.

[RedskinRat]

I see them as even, saves the adjustment mix ups and makes the D retain its shape better.

[Big C]

Springs has always been a number one corner, except for maybe last year. The injury stuff, i dont really see a big worry there, he has never missed a whole yaer, the most hes missed is 8 games, and he played most of the games last season. he was the #3 overall pick, and has been a pro bowler in the past. He is very fast, and experienced. Thats how i see him at #1. Smoot gave huge cushions at times last year, but he should be better, and will eventually be #1, but not this year.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by Big C

Springs has always been a number one corner, except for maybe last year. The injury stuff, i dont really see a big worry there, he has never missed a whole yaer, the most hes missed is 8 games, and he played most of the games last season. he was the #3 overall pick, and has been a pro bowler in the past. He is very fast, and experienced. Thats how i see him at #1. Smoot gave huge cushions at times last year, but he should be better, and will eventually be #1, but not this year.

good point. I think that might be smoot's main weakness in that he seems to like to bait qbs into throwing to the guy he's covering a bit too often. but I gotta admit he makes good, if not great plays on the ball sometimes and his baiting technique works sometimes cuz of his incredible recovery speed.
Joe makes a good point about how springs is gonna match up better with the bigger #1 wrs that litter our schedule and thus might get more oppurtunities to get an int. I hope the best for both and more awesome sound bytes outta smoot,lol.

[JWsleep]

And it will help them both to have Taylor back there, once he gets the feel of the pro game.

Even, but Smoot is a team leader and fan favorite.

SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

[jbcjr14]

If we don't get a pass rush from the Dline and LB's blitzing, this question becomes irrelevant and they both get trashed often.

God, please send us a pass rush!

[jasonskin]

Originally Posted by Darock

Hopefully Harris is back in time for the season to take Bauman's place.

Yes i think we need Harris but do you think he will be back in time.Do you know how he is doing.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by jbcjr14

If we don't get a pass rush from the Dline and LB's blitzing, this question becomes irrelevant and they both get trashed often.

God, please send us a pass rush!

Very true. There's going to be tremendous pressure on both Springs and Smoot to blanket their assignments, as the inevitable use of heavy blitzing will frequently leave them on an island. In addition to the LBs being very involved in the blitzing, both Taylor and Bowen will be thrown in the mix pretty regularly as well.

But I expect Gregg Williams to be very creative in his use of the safeties, and when the matchups dictate it, Taylor could be used one-on-one against some of the bigger wideouts and tight ends. This would free-up Bowen to blitz or assist Smoot/Springs with their assignments.

One thing that should help is the depth the team has acquired for nickel/dime packages with Walt Harris and Ralph Brown. Combined with Bauman, these guys should be able to keep opponents' 3rd and 4th receivers pretty quiet, which is always a concern when the safeties are frequently blitzing.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by jasonskin

Yes i think we need Harris but do you think he will be back in time.Do you know how he is doing.

Harris should be ready for the start of training camp. He may start off camp on light duty, but that would just be a precaution to ensure that he is available for the season opener.

[Big C]

it said in this weeks sporting news that Harris probably wont be fully recovered for training camp, so bauman will take his reps or something like that. They say Bauman is "speedy and confident". Ive always liked Rashad