RI: Skins to use more press coverage this year

[MTK]

The Redskins have been playing a lot of press-man coverage with their corners early in camp, more than what seemed to be the norm. Playing man is nothing new around here, but there was no cushion being given at all. Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs, the starting corners, have loved it, 'cuz now they're even closer to the WRs to beat them up a bit and also to ensure all of their smack talk is audible.

Smoot said he expects the team to play a ton of it this season, and that CB Coach Jerry Gray is stressing press technique. I asked Jim Zorn if the prevalence of the coverage was just to give the offense that look in practice, and he said, no, that he figured the Redskins would be a pressing team. Not 100 percent of the time, of course, but given the size and skills of their corner, the enhanced pass rush with Jason Taylor and the presence of a ball-hawk, head-hunter like LaRon Landry behind the corners at safety, it makes a lot of sense.

The CBs have to get a solid jam on the WRs and derail them from their route - within the ever-shrinking legal limits of doing so - and it's definitely a high-gamble tactic (if the corner whiffs you've got a streaking WR going deep all alone), but it can be smothering if done properly. Makes for some fun battles during 11-on-11s as well, especially when the kid WRs are out there.

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