Redskins at Cowboys: Scouting Report

Just to clear up, the reason I'm a day behind according to the planner I laid out in yesterday's post is because the Skins played on Monday night. So because of that, I'll have to combine the fantasy stuff and projection in tomorrow's post. Anyway, back to today.

Redskins at Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. Sunday, NBC

Dallas Cowboys Scouting Report

Quarterback

Drew Bledsoe can still muscle a few down the field. But the same problems that plagued him years ago in New England affect him in Dallas. His lack of mobility has always been a concern, and when he's forced to hurry a throw or, god forbid, leave the pocket, he's more prone to mistakes than the Arizona Cardinals version of Jake Plummer. He has problems managing a football game. He may tantalize you early, but give him time, he'll slowly crush what faith you placed in him. The key to beating Bledsoe is getting in his face. The defense has to disrupt his timing. It seems Bledsoe has an especially difficult time getting himself out of trouble. He threw 17 interceptions last year, and in one game this season, he's thrown three. Seems as though not much has changed.

Running Backs

Julian Jones is neither a fast, nor powerful runner. Dallas will use him more, though, for runs inside the tackles. He should be easy enough to stop. If they bounce him outside, the linebackers will simply have to force him toward the sideline. He's not quick enough to cut back. Marion Barber has blazing speed with little power. Most of his runs will be off tackle. He may also be a viable option on RB screens. Redskins defenders are going to have square him up. If he slips by, he'll be tip-toeing his way to the endzone. Neither back, however, is special. The Redskins should have success curtailing the Cowboys ground game.

Wide Receivers

Last year, the Redskins shifted double coverage toward Terry Glenn, and he still torched them in the first match up for 157 yards and a score. This year, the Skins will be more focused on doubling T.O., which will leave Glenn in single coverage against a Redskins defensive back, which doesn't bode well for Washington. The Cowboys have a dynamic duo. T.O. is a big, strong receiver, so when he catches a pass, it will be integral for the corner or safety to bring him down immediately. Glenn is a little faster, and he should dominate whoever covers him.

Tight End

Jason Whitten is a top-5 receiving tight end in this league. He's a big guy, who should find plenty of seams in the middle of the Redskins defense. If there's one soft spot in a Gregg Williams defense, it's the middle of field. The Redskins linebackers are not very good in coverage, so Whitten has the potential for a big day.

Offensive Line

Despite infusing this unit with some more proven talent, it's still fairly weak. Last year, the line gave up more than 40 sacks. In the first week, the unit looked flustered against a stout Jacksonville defensive front. The Redskins, however, don't boast the same kind of power and athleticism up front. It should be an easier match up for Dallas, but the Cowboys should keep an eye on Andre Carter at the right end. He played a particularly poor game last week, and he'll need to demonstrate he's the same 12-sack guy the Skins signed in the offseason.

Defense

The strength of this group lies up front. The Redskins will have to neutralize the rush. The Cowboys defensive line will be facing a pretty strong offensive line, one that allowed no sacks to the Minnesota Vikings last week -- no small feat. The Cowboys linebackers are a liability, which makes the defensive line's job is magnified. Without Dat Nguyen, who retired, the linebacking corps lacks a lot of lateral mobility. Their pass coverage skills are less than mediocre. The Cowboys secondary is weak. The corners cannot are not good enough to playin single coverage. The safeties have no grasp of coverage concepts, particularly Roy Williams, who's more interested in a big hit than making a play against the passing game. If the line can't get to Brunell, the Redskins should rack up plenty of passing yards.

Special Teams

Dallas has a so-so punter and an awful kicking game if Vanderjagt isn't playing.

The Cowboys present many match up problems because of their strength at wide receiver and tight end. But overall, some of their more fatal flaws makes this an unstable team from week to week.