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Who to watch:
- The 'Skins try to get the ball to RB Stephen Davis (48) more
often by using him out of the backfield.
- The Cowboys counter by blitzing both Dexter Coakley (52) and
Barron Wortham (57).
- The Redskins turn the Cowboys pressure against them, by reversing
the field.
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This is a very effective play for the Washington Redskins. Because Stephen Davis (48) is such a big running threat, the 'Skins don't need to run the ball 15 times before they throw a screen pass. In fact, Washington could run this play with great effect in the first quarter against an overly aggressive Dallas defense Monday night.
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Salisbury |
The key is getting flow going one way and selling the run. The Cowboys know the Redskins run the ball well, so the flow of the Dallas defense will go toward the misdirection. Cowboys linebackers Dexter Coakley (52) and Barron Wortham (57), who are extremely aggressive and fast. These guys want to tackle everything and are blitzing on this play.
In the Redskins' two tight-end set, they send one in motion toward the misdirection. Stephen Alexander (80) takes the strong-side linebacker with him on a passing route over the middle.
With everything flowing toward the misdirection, Davis can get beyond the outside containment with a couple of linemen. Davis, as a receiver out of the backfield, isn't Marshall Faulk, but he knows how to set up the screen. And on a screen, it's all about how the running back sets up his blockers. The Washington offensive line runs well and is good at getting down the field.
If executed correctly, the screen will work well against Dallas because the Cowboys have to respect the run. If the linebackers blitz or overrun their holes, then the offensive linemen can peel back and make it a play of angles. All the offensive linemen have to do is get in the defenders' way and allow Davis room to run.
Editor's note: The experts at Sportvision and ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury will provide an in-depth look at NFL teams' playbooks each Friday on ESPN.com. Sportvision will provide the animated play diagram, and Salisbury will detail how the play works and when you can expect to see it.
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