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http://www.footballoutsiders.com/cov...errated-part-2
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/cov...errated-part-2
Cover-3: Rise of the Underrated, Part 2
by Doug Farrar
Right Tackle Winston Justice
Denver Broncos 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 30
From Fred Merkle to Scott Norwood, there are those unfortunate souls whose careers are defined by one ignominious play or one horrible game. No matter what happened before or after, there are those sporting moments so painful that they are forever burned in the minds of the fanbase. Eagles tackle Winston Justice has had a game like this, and it was his first NFL start. In a 16-3 loss to the Giants on September 30, 2007, Justice gave up five sacks to Osi Umenyiora. Donovan McNabb took 12 total sacks, tying the NFL single-game record, and Justice didn't get another NFL start for two years.
Former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas was one of many who questioned Justice's effort and heart on that always-delightful communications phenomenon that is Philly talk radio, and the only thing Justice had to say in response was that "it would be stupid to talk back to him. Talk is nothing. The only thing I can do is prove it. I think that's the best thing to do." It took Justice a long time, but in an unexpected and underreported turn, he's making believers out of those who are paying attention.
Before the season, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg talked about the steps his maligned tackle had taken. "He's striking people and he's playing a physical manner. It sounds crazy, but he really is a good pass protector now. I've been impressed with Winston. There's no question he has dramatically improved his game. Sometimes it takes guys until their fourth or fifth year before it clicks for them. I think it has clicked for Winston."
I joined the bandwagon after watching him against the Broncos last Sunday.
Justice had a tight end outside right on Philadelphia's first two plays from scrimmage, a McNabb overthrow to DeSean Jackson and a three-yard run by Leonard Weaver. On third-and-7 from their own 39, the Eagles went three-wide, shotgun, single-back, with Elvis Dumervil slanted to Justice's right and ready to pounce. Justice took Dumervil's charge and fanned him out surprisingly well -- clearly, he's learned how to deflect that furious forward motion. By the time Dumervil escaped Justice's reach and came around to help sack McNabb, the protection had already broken down just about everywhere else. Denver stacked their linemen to the defensive right side, and I found the protection call to keep right guard Nick Cole in space, seemingly waiting for second-level defenders, to be very curious. A pull or slide would have helped the Eagles' line take away the advantage Denver was seeking. D.J. Williams blew through an open gap for the sack, but Brian Dawkins' illegal contact penalty prolonged the drive.
Two plays later, a four-yard Brian Westbrook run showed Philly's new commitment to power running. It was slide protection to the right, Justice chipping off Vonnie Holliday to hit the next level, and a second block on linebacker Mario Haggan as tight end Brent Celek stayed with Holliday. The space created by Justice's vertical drive gave Westbrook enough for a first down on second-and-2 from the Denver 48-yard line. I actually liked what I didn't see here -- Justice proved that he has the agility and technique to avoid just being a prototypical mauler. Your average to sub-average right tackle would have gotten lost in the swamp of players and allowed one of two defenders to close the gap.
The Eagles were using different protection schemes to deal with Dumervil -- on the next play, McNabb was back in shotgun with Celek in the backfield. Justice took a sloppy angle on a chop block, and if Celek hadn't been there to slow Dumervil up with a flying "Hong Kong Phooey" block, Dumervil would have beheaded McNabb. No. 5 got the ball off to Jackson on the left side for an 11-yard gain.
Justice is good with inside pinches and combos -- he doesn't get lost or pushed back. When he starts forward, it's pretty difficult to get him going in any other direction. He's not as adept at firing out through gaps and blocking linebackers, as he did on Westbrook's nine-yard run from the Denver 31-yard line with 10:36 left in the first quarter; it looked as if he had to get his bearings after a quick blast upfield before he could block Haggan again. He's better at chipping one defender and climbing to the next level; he has surprising agility and ability to shed defenders in those instances. I like his patience when asked to drop back in a zone in pass protection and wait for a defender to come to him -- he doesn't lurch out of step or drive out of position.
On the first play of Philly's second drive, a screen to LeSean McCoy, Justice handled end Ryan McBean's outside spin move very well, as Holliday came through unobstructed. Philly's clearout pattern left a wide open right flat, and McCoy motored for 39 yards.
I became more and more impressed with Justice as the second drive progressed. His hand-strike in pass protection is worth mentioning, and it became more evident that he can be a real force when he's blocking in tandem and blowing out a gap. His ability to fan out and take Dumervil through the rush was a real surprise. Perhaps the most impressive example came when McNabb hit Jason Avant over the middle for six yards down to the Denver 5-yard line with 5:36 left in the first quarter. With Cole moving to center and Max Jean-Gilles in at right guard, Justice took Dumervil outside one-on-one, hooked his right shoulder, and rode him out of the scene. Very impressive. Actually, given the fact that Dumervil and Holliday moved around a lot and from the results I saw, I'd be more concerned with Philly's left-side protection at this point.
Justice's game still needs improvement, though not as much as you might imagine if your sole memory is the Umenyiora beatdown. He's not a quick stepper -- once he gets locked on, he's very powerful, but his footwork isn't elite and defenders can get around him if they shoot out of the gate. He's in a good situation with the Eagles, who employ zone blocking about as often as I send "Job Well Done!" cards to Jim Mora. Justice fits the Eagles' blocking prototype, and though I didn't see him run any little tackle pulls or anything that would either show or expose his lateral movement, he isn't just a forward/backward player. The Eagles believed in Winston Justice, avoided quick-trigger blame for his early struggles, and the investment is starting to pay off.
by Doug Farrar
Right Tackle Winston Justice
Denver Broncos 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 30
From Fred Merkle to Scott Norwood, there are those unfortunate souls whose careers are defined by one ignominious play or one horrible game. No matter what happened before or after, there are those sporting moments so painful that they are forever burned in the minds of the fanbase. Eagles tackle Winston Justice has had a game like this, and it was his first NFL start. In a 16-3 loss to the Giants on September 30, 2007, Justice gave up five sacks to Osi Umenyiora. Donovan McNabb took 12 total sacks, tying the NFL single-game record, and Justice didn't get another NFL start for two years.
Former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas was one of many who questioned Justice's effort and heart on that always-delightful communications phenomenon that is Philly talk radio, and the only thing Justice had to say in response was that "it would be stupid to talk back to him. Talk is nothing. The only thing I can do is prove it. I think that's the best thing to do." It took Justice a long time, but in an unexpected and underreported turn, he's making believers out of those who are paying attention.
Before the season, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg talked about the steps his maligned tackle had taken. "He's striking people and he's playing a physical manner. It sounds crazy, but he really is a good pass protector now. I've been impressed with Winston. There's no question he has dramatically improved his game. Sometimes it takes guys until their fourth or fifth year before it clicks for them. I think it has clicked for Winston."
I joined the bandwagon after watching him against the Broncos last Sunday.
Justice had a tight end outside right on Philadelphia's first two plays from scrimmage, a McNabb overthrow to DeSean Jackson and a three-yard run by Leonard Weaver. On third-and-7 from their own 39, the Eagles went three-wide, shotgun, single-back, with Elvis Dumervil slanted to Justice's right and ready to pounce. Justice took Dumervil's charge and fanned him out surprisingly well -- clearly, he's learned how to deflect that furious forward motion. By the time Dumervil escaped Justice's reach and came around to help sack McNabb, the protection had already broken down just about everywhere else. Denver stacked their linemen to the defensive right side, and I found the protection call to keep right guard Nick Cole in space, seemingly waiting for second-level defenders, to be very curious. A pull or slide would have helped the Eagles' line take away the advantage Denver was seeking. D.J. Williams blew through an open gap for the sack, but Brian Dawkins' illegal contact penalty prolonged the drive.
Two plays later, a four-yard Brian Westbrook run showed Philly's new commitment to power running. It was slide protection to the right, Justice chipping off Vonnie Holliday to hit the next level, and a second block on linebacker Mario Haggan as tight end Brent Celek stayed with Holliday. The space created by Justice's vertical drive gave Westbrook enough for a first down on second-and-2 from the Denver 48-yard line. I actually liked what I didn't see here -- Justice proved that he has the agility and technique to avoid just being a prototypical mauler. Your average to sub-average right tackle would have gotten lost in the swamp of players and allowed one of two defenders to close the gap.
The Eagles were using different protection schemes to deal with Dumervil -- on the next play, McNabb was back in shotgun with Celek in the backfield. Justice took a sloppy angle on a chop block, and if Celek hadn't been there to slow Dumervil up with a flying "Hong Kong Phooey" block, Dumervil would have beheaded McNabb. No. 5 got the ball off to Jackson on the left side for an 11-yard gain.
Justice is good with inside pinches and combos -- he doesn't get lost or pushed back. When he starts forward, it's pretty difficult to get him going in any other direction. He's not as adept at firing out through gaps and blocking linebackers, as he did on Westbrook's nine-yard run from the Denver 31-yard line with 10:36 left in the first quarter; it looked as if he had to get his bearings after a quick blast upfield before he could block Haggan again. He's better at chipping one defender and climbing to the next level; he has surprising agility and ability to shed defenders in those instances. I like his patience when asked to drop back in a zone in pass protection and wait for a defender to come to him -- he doesn't lurch out of step or drive out of position.
On the first play of Philly's second drive, a screen to LeSean McCoy, Justice handled end Ryan McBean's outside spin move very well, as Holliday came through unobstructed. Philly's clearout pattern left a wide open right flat, and McCoy motored for 39 yards.
I became more and more impressed with Justice as the second drive progressed. His hand-strike in pass protection is worth mentioning, and it became more evident that he can be a real force when he's blocking in tandem and blowing out a gap. His ability to fan out and take Dumervil through the rush was a real surprise. Perhaps the most impressive example came when McNabb hit Jason Avant over the middle for six yards down to the Denver 5-yard line with 5:36 left in the first quarter. With Cole moving to center and Max Jean-Gilles in at right guard, Justice took Dumervil outside one-on-one, hooked his right shoulder, and rode him out of the scene. Very impressive. Actually, given the fact that Dumervil and Holliday moved around a lot and from the results I saw, I'd be more concerned with Philly's left-side protection at this point.
Justice's game still needs improvement, though not as much as you might imagine if your sole memory is the Umenyiora beatdown. He's not a quick stepper -- once he gets locked on, he's very powerful, but his footwork isn't elite and defenders can get around him if they shoot out of the gate. He's in a good situation with the Eagles, who employ zone blocking about as often as I send "Job Well Done!" cards to Jim Mora. Justice fits the Eagles' blocking prototype, and though I didn't see him run any little tackle pulls or anything that would either show or expose his lateral movement, he isn't just a forward/backward player. The Eagles believed in Winston Justice, avoided quick-trigger blame for his early struggles, and the investment is starting to pay off.
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