Dallas bloggers diss Rodney's pass coverage

[Fencer]

http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/2007/10/romos_rolling_now.html

Tony Romo has figured out that Rodney Harrison is just as bad in coverage as Roy Williams.

Romo got going by picking on Harrison when he was (sort of) covering Jason Witten on the last drive of the half. Harrison (sort of) covered Patrick Crayton on the last two plays, a first down and touchdown for the Cowboys.

Harrison actually got away with a hold on the TD, too.

http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/2007/10/seek_and_destroy.html

The Cowboys now seem to be making it simple: Find Rodney Harrison, throw at Harrison. The ex-Pro Bowler was on the business end of those consecutive Patrick Crayton catches.

First, Crayton ran by him to the sideline for a 9-yard pickup on a swing route. Then, he ran by him to the inside on a slant -- as Harrison was covering Crayton underneath -- for the 8-yard touchdown.

Add to that my previous post on Jason Witten abusing Harrison, and you got a pattern.


http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/2007/10/right_after_rodney.html


Patriots S Rodney Harrison has been playing down as a nickel linebacker for most of the game, and his assignment -- more often than not -- has been covering TE Jason Witten.

What the Cowboys seem to have realized is that Harrison struggles a bit to get down the field, having lost a bit of his speed. It's not like it's a secret, and finally the team is starting to send Witten up the seam to get Harrison running.

The latter two are by Breer.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

For them to announce this like it's breaking news is pathetic. How old is Harrison? 34? I think most of the NFL knows that Rodney Harrison isn't that good in coverage because he has lost a step or two with age and injuries.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Rodney did struggle at times today. I was kind of wondering where AD was but either BB had other plans for him or the ankle still isn't 100%. Worked out OK in the end, and Rodney did save a TD on ST.

BB also says that Witten is the most complete TE in the league, so we're past him for the forseeable future at least and we seemed to figure out a strategy that worked better as the game wore on.

I think we may have nearly gassed our defense blitzing like the Eagles to no avail too. The fact remains a few of our core defenders are over 30.

 

[kolbitr]

While he might be right about Rodney in coverage, I don't understand the point he's making about Witten, who had three catches, two of them at the end of the first half when it seemed that the Pats were playing soft. Yes he hurt them on that one drive with a big play, but overall they did an okay job, whoever covered him.

 

[FrontSeven]

Rodney didn't distinguish himself tonight. The team isn't actually perfect. They're as perfect as you could hope, but let's face it, they can give up yardage and points. They just give up fewer than they take for themselves. Some formula.

And some credit to the Cowboys for finding some holes to work over. Not every NFL offense can do what they can do. Witten is an animal, and I dare say that if you can shut him down on man coverage then you're having a pretty good day by anybody's standard.

 

[Fencer]

For them to announce this like it's breaking news is pathetic. How old is Harrison? 34? I think most of the NFL knows that Rodney Harrison isn't that good in coverage because he has lost a step or two with age and injuries.

Count me as somebody to whom it comes as news that he's THIS MUCH of a liability in coverage -- if it's really true.

 

[Rob0729]

I didn't think Rodney had a good game and he was a weak link in our defense in the second half today, but I don't think this means he is bad in coverage. Just that he was bad in coverage today.

 

[Nordy]

Our defense struggled with some tackling today and I was hoping they'd insert Meriweather more because he is such a solid tackler.

 

[Remix 6]

i really wanna see Meriweather implanted into the defense. Meriweather and Wilson are cover guys..Sanders and Harrison arent. i would put Harrison in at nickel LB..put Meriweather-Wilson deep with Gay as the nickel back.


Warren-Wilfork-Green
Vrabel-Thomas-Harrison
Samuel-Meriweather-Wilson-Gay-Hobbs

obvious passing downs

i dont wanna see Harrison cover people man. I wanna see Meriweather get some playing time ..at least on passing downs

 

[Rob0729]

i really wanna see Meriweather implanted into the defense. Meriweather and Wilson are cover guys..Sanders and Harrison arent. i would put Harrison in at nickel LB..put Meriweather-Wilson deep with Gay as the nickel back.


Warren-Wilfork-Green
Vrabel-Thomas-Harrison
Samuel-Meriweather-Wilson-Gay-Hobbs

obvious passing downs

i dont wanna see Harrison cover people man. I wanna see Meriweather get some playing time ..at least on passing downs

The problem is that Meriweather really hasn't shown in his opportunities that he can play in coverage at the NFL level yet. Meriweather has been more effective playing close to the line of scrimmage and short coverage than anything over 5-10 yards. I am not saying that he won't get there, but he may be suffering from some rookie growing pains.

 

[Joker]

Please...it's game SIX of the regular season

Rodney is still rounding into game shape after the four game suspension

Talk to me after game 12...otherwise stop trying to create windmills to charge with your lances

 

[Patstopia]

I am hoping it was just Rodney not back to full game speed yet. Hopefully he will get better as time progresses, he couldn't get much worse.

 

[Rob0729]

Please...it's game SIX of the regular season

Rodney is still rounding into game shape after the four game suspension

Talk to me after game 12...otherwise stop trying to create windmills to charge with your lances

I agree. He played like crap at times today, but it is too soon to get too nervous. He may be shaking off the rust.

 

[JoeSixPat]

This is a valid concern - whether its rust, age, or lack of ability, Rodney's had trouble covering the better pass catching TEs in the slot.

This is going to have to be addressed before going into the Colts game.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

I'd take our defense over theirs anyday.

The defense is a whole unit.
Theres a time and place for Rodney, Sanders, Merriweather, Geno

He'll pick up more steam as the season rolls