Question about M. Washington

[Temple of the Dawg]

Does anyone know why he was playing so much at corner last night? There were several times where he got burned last night it seemed. I have noticed that he seems to be a lot better playing in the nickel package. He seems to be a lot better not playing on the outside. From what I saw in the MTSU and UF games, he played pretty well, especially in more of a run support role playing in the nickel. He made some really good plays in both of those games at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Last night though, it seemed like there were several stretches where Broomfield was out and Washington was playing corner. Just wondering if Broomfield was hurt or if there was some other reason Washington was out there.

 

[mabtsdawg]

In the second and third quarters, UK was having success getting to the second level of our defense by running off tackle and bouncing it out or by just getting the corner. Washington is pretty physical against the run game. Maybe he was out there to help more with that. Besides, he's not a terrible cover guy either. He's by far the most experienced corner we have. He's had his ups and downs, but I don't think we have much choice right now, but to hope he plays well at corner. We may try to get away with moving him inside some to take advantage of his run defense, but we have to have him play well on the outside for a lot of the game.

 

[Temple of the Dawg]

In the second and third quarters, UK was having success getting to the second level of our defense by running off tackle and bouncing it out or by just getting the corner. Washington is pretty physical against the run game.

If I remember correctly (haven't gone back to watch the game again), this is when Washington was primarily playing corner instead of nickel. He was downfield in coverage. I like having him in when he is playing closer to the box because he has done pretty well in run support the last two games. He was out wide a lot last night though & UK was having success bouncing outside and getting the corner. I'm not positive the two things are related, but there seems to be evidence for it.

Besides, he's not a terrible cover guy either. He's by far the most experienced corner we have.

I guess terrible depends on who you are comparing him to. Just because he is the most experienced corner we have doesn't make him the best option. Our coverage seemed to improve a lot during the MTSU & UF games with Broomfield & Langston at the corners. I know Broomfield is only a RFr., but he seems to have more natural ability in coverage than Washington. I like Washington's heart, attitude, and swagger in run support. He has made some big hits and made some key stops against the run. He seems to be more natural in that role than he does in coverage.

With the play of Broomfield on the corner, I don't think we really need Washington on the corner. We only have one team left on the schedule that is really adept at passing, so it may not matter too much if Washington is out at corner from that standpoint. However, both Bama & Ole Miss are good running teams & I would like to see Washington inside more against them if we are in a nickel situation.