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Roy Cummings' Keys To Bucs-Redskins

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2007

Rally To The Ball On Defense

This is probably the most basic fundamental of the Bucs defense. It is a concept that coordinator Monte Kiffin preaches every hour of every day, and it has long since been ingrained into the mind-set of his players. We mention it here again because it cannot be overemphasized, especially when you're facing a running back like Clinton Portis. He's not a football player; he's a locomotive who can change direction faster than Harry Potter on his broomstick playing Quidditch.

The only way to shut him down is to throw a lot of bodies at him and plug all the gaps he will consider slicing through. Portis usually starts running to his left, but he'll cut back to his right away from the pursuit, so the Bucs have to seal off the cutback lanes and tackle low to keep Portis from beating them.

Take Advantage Of Redskins Injuries

The Skins could really use a bye week right now. Their receivers, in particular, would welcome a break; to a man, they are beat up and struggling. Santana Moss has a sore heel and groin, Antwaan Randle El has a sore hamstring, and James Thrash is nursing a high ankle sprain.

It all adds up to a big disadvantage for the Skins, because their receivers are having a hard time getting off the line and into their routes. That slows the process of passing plays, which means Jason Campbell needs more time to throw. The Bucs must take advantage of that extra second Campbell needs to get rid of the ball and either sack him or force him to hurry his throwing motion to the point that he can't complete his passes even when his receivers get open.

Run The Ball Downhill

The Bucs' offensive line was built to run the ball, and run it the Bucs should today. Against a Redskins defense that is built much like their own, the Bucs should pound the rock between the tackles and keep on pounding. The Redskins are adept at pursuing speedy backs running to the outside but they are vulnerable to an attack directed right at them. By splitting the workload between their backs, the Bucs should move the ball well and force the Redskins to bring an extra run stopper into the box.

That will open up passing lanes downfield that the Bucs can exploit by running play-action fakes into the line. The downhill running approach also should wear the Redskins defenders down over time. That will open up the opportunity for Earnest Graham or Michael Bennett to break off a late back-breaking run.

Must Trap The Redskins Safeties

The Bucs should attack the middle of the Redskins defense with more than their running backs today. They should also throw over the middle early to tight ends Alex Smith and Anthony Becht and throw a few balls between the numbers to Ike Hilliard and Michael Clayton. If they do that, the Redskins will keep their safeties either in the box or between the numbers. That eventually will open up opportunities to throw deep and outside against man coverage to speedsters Joey Galloway or Michael Bennett.

While they may have a hard time getting away from CB Shawn Springs, either one should be able to break free of CB Fred Smoot with a double move. Smoot is somewhat susceptible to pump fakes as well, so QB Jeff Garcia can help his deep route runners by faking a throw to the middle or to a back.

Pick Up The Washington Blitz

Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is one of the highest-paid defensive architects in the game. He's also one of the most ingenious. He is one of the best in the business at devising different ways to get to the passer, and you can bet he is going to give the Bucs' young offensive line a test today. C John Wade is the key to slowing the blitz. He must quickly recognize what the Redskins are devising and call out the protections that will diffuse their attack.

In addition, QB Jeff Garcia has to be on his game as well. He has to recognize the play that will allow the Bucs to move the ball and make the call to get into it, and he has to be smart with his scrambling. A wrong step may lead him right into the hands of a blitzer.

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