Against Bucs, Redskins Will Need Turnovers
By Louis Riddick
Pro Scout
September 10, 2004
Redskins Pro Scout Louis Riddick will contribute an occasional column for Redskins.com throughout the season. This week, he previews the much-anticipated Redskins-Tampa Bay season opener on Sunday at FedExField.
Finally!
That's the shout you can hear all across the country in sports bars, living rooms, and health clubs regarding the start of the 2004 NFL regular season.
Teams have been in training camp for the better part of six weeks, and it's time to get to the games that count. Of course, Indianapolis and New England got a jump on everyone else in the NFL with a Thursday night game that was a great game, with the defending champion Patriots winning 27-24. The rest of the NFL has to wait until the weekend or Monday Night.
For the Redskins, we draw the daunting task of opening the season against a team that just two years ago was the Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you remember anything I used to write about in 2003 (which I hope you do!), you will hear me once again talk about the matchups and the contrasting styles that will be on display when the Redskins-Bucs game begins.
Starting with Tampa's offense, you should see a complex, multiple-set, multiple-personnel group.
Look for short, intermediate-range passes and a lot of counter runs, draw plays and play action passing--all of which revolves around Brad Johnson, a very capable veteran quarterback.
How will the Redskins' defense respond? It will be very aggressive, taking calculated chances at putting pressure on Johnson and the offense with the intent being to cause turnovers.
Tampa emphasizes precision, timing and a certain degree of "smoke and mirror" tactics all designed to keep defenses off balance. The Bucs count on preventing a defense from being able to accurately predict what's coming next.
Johnson does a very nice job of running the show for Tampa, as he is a calm, poised veteran who was recently a Pro Bowl performer. That happened when he was a Redskin in 1999 in Norv Turner's offense.
Tampa has added speed to its wide receiver group in the form of former Cowboy Joey Galloway and ex-Lion Bill Schroeder. They have a slashing, dangerous back in Charlie Garner, and they've tried to upgrade their offensive line with the signings of Matt Stinchcomb and Derrick Deese.
The Redskins match up well with their line, particularly inside where defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin should be able to do some things against the interior of the Tampa offensive line. At right defensive end, Phillip Daniels is expected to go against Derrick Deese. Both players have been hobbled in the preseason. Look for the veteran Daniels, in his first game in Washington, to make some key plays.
As far as Tampa's defense, they have a quick, fast group. They'll be up against the Redskins' power running offense, which has the speed on the outside to go up top for the big play. That's what Clinton Portis means to the Redskins.
Linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive end Simeon Rice and safety Jermaine Phillips are the guys to watch on the Tampa defense, as these are the three big playmakers for them.
All-around, Brooks is one of the best, if not the best, linebacker in the league with his ability to cover and tackle. Rice gave us all kinds of problems last year when we played the Bucs, and he has proven that he's one of the best pass rushers in the league. Phillips is not widely known, but now in his first full year as a starter, football fans will know his name at the end of the season.
Obviously, getting off to a quick start by playing quality football against quality opponents is very important in the NFL. After the game versus the Bucs, the Redskins take on two tough NFC East opponents in the Giants and the Cowboys. The tests come early.
The Redskins have the opportunity Sunday to get started on a season that has high expectations both internally and externally. This will be a very good test for Joe Gibbs and company right out of the gate.
Louis Riddick is in his fourth season as a pro scout with the Redskins. Riddick played safety in the NFL for seven seasons. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1991 after an outstanding college career at the University of Pittsburgh and went on to play for Atlanta, Cleveland and Oakland in the NFL.
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