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- Jan 14, 2013
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I'm not picking on JJ guys. Just throwing out scenarios.
I agree that JJ was likely doing what he was supposed to.
But...schematically...
Why wouldn't JJ just stick to his man there? Its 1st and 10 and the entire field has been compromised due to a bad defensive call. Dallas was in max protect so just let your safety handle the other guy while your LB's retreat back in to help.
Switching Dez off to your deep safety gives the QB a window. McLeod cant run with Dez anyway.
That's the thing, it doesn't. Romo's back injury has resulted in him losing velocity on his deeper passes. He's never had a strong arm. He doesn't have the arm to hit that window. With McLeod playing the deep middle third, he can undercut Dez running the post and pick it off. Romo's only option is throwing a jump ball for Bryant down the field.
Why did Jenkins do what he did? The best explanation aside from explaining his responsibilities on the play is this...by doing what he did, he set himself up to pick off Romo if Romo attempted to throw to Williams. And knowing Romo's tendencies, he was baiting Romo to make that throw. If McLeod had been where he was supposed to be, there's a very strong chance that Romo tries to force it in there and Jenkins gets his second pick of the day.