ASHBURN — The rationale is simple to Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry when deciding if a specific cornerback should follow a specific receiver. That style of defense, as opposed to cornerbacks manning their side no matter the personnel in front of them, is easy for the assigned cornerback, but complicates things for the other defensive backs.
For instance, if Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, the highest-paid cornerback in the history of football, were to follow a four-time Pro-Bowl receiver like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown, proper alignment for Norman would not be a challenge. He would move side-to-side with Brown, and target him should he lineup in the backfield to see if a defensive back was trailing him. The Steelers popped Brown into the backfield during their drubbing of the Redskins on Monday night just for that reason.
Once Norman is aligned, at least three other defensive backs have to be in the proper place to face the remaining route-runners. Frequently for the Redskins, that would be four other defensive backs since they play nickel defense so often.
“It’s easy for you to get lined up but the other guys, it’s difficult and that’s why most of the time, people get talked out of it, especially with offenses that move their guy around,” Barry said Thursday. “And [the Steelers] do a really phenomenal job because people try to do that and they make it difficult just because of all of the different places that [Brown] aligns. It is hard for the other guys to get lined up in a timely manner, especially in a no-huddle offense with the tempo.”
There, in terms he repeated during Thursday’s press conference, was Barry’s explanation for keeping Norman on his side while fellow cornerback Bashaud Breeland allowed two well-contested touchdowns against Brown. The decision was one of the most chewed upon postgame topics this week.
The Redskins preferred coverage strategy was not only discussed in the Washington area. Down in Dallas, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was asked about Washington’s decision to defend Brown with Breeland instead of Norman.
“No comment. L.O.L.,” Bryant told The Dallas Morning News.
Bringing the topic to Bryant is understandable. The 0-1 Cowboys come to FedEx Field on Sunday afternoon. Last season, Bryant and Norman had a memorable tussle on Thanksgiving Day when the Carolina Panthers beat the Cowboys, 33-14. Bryant had just two catches for 28 yards in the game.
But, multiple members of the New York Giants, home to Norman archnemesis Odell Beckham Jr., were asked about the strategy and commented, questioning Norman’s position. It’s a curious point of discussion for a team that hosts the New Orleans Saints this week. It’s also an indication of the pending chatter in Week 3, when the Redskins travel to the Meadowlands.
At no point Thursday did Barry express remorse for his decision to keep the Redskins defensive backs positioned the way they were on Monday night. He pointed out that Breeland was not out of position by five yards or more, but rather that the third-year cornerback was in the right place before dealing with the wrong outcome.
“He did not make the play, but he had pretty darn good coverage,” Barry said.
Barry said changing strategy during the game was discussed, but discarded, explaining he has “never” been part of such a drastic in-game change in approach.
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