Washington Redskins: More Conservative Approach Is Needed to Subdue Michael Vick

The Redskins entertain the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in a crucial NFC East matchup.  Containing Michael Vick is the number one priority for the Redskins, and a more conservative defensive approach will be needed.

Washington's defense was torched in this game last season, with Vick accounting for 413 all-purpose yards and six of the Eagles' touchdowns in an embarrassing 59-28 massacre on Monday Night Football.

Controlling the fleet-footed scrambler will be crucial to avoiding a repeat on Sunday.  The temptation is to attack Vick and register as many hits as possible on him.

This is certainly an approach that no doubt appeals to Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who likes to utilize a heavy dose of man and zone blitz calls.

But Vick is still managing to put up the yards even under intense pressure, and the blitz creates plenty of openings for his unique skill set to exploit.

Containment is the key against Vick, and that means keeping him in the pocket.  Attacking Vick up the middle should be the last thing the Redskins consider.

Vick's array of moves and pure speed makes blitzing the central areas too big a risk.  Any kind of blitz inevitably presents a man-coverage matchup somewhere in the defense, and the Eagles have the players to ruthlessly exploit one-on-one coverage.

Haslett should opt for exclusive zone coverage in this game.  Instead of a loose deep zone that allows burners DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin a  free run off the line of scrimmage, the Redskins  could employ a tighter, short-zone scheme, designed to clamp on Eagles receivers underneath.

A zone scheme will also allow Washington defenders to always keep eyes on Vick and know exactly when he starts to scramble.

In long-yardage situations, the Redskins could replace their bigger, slower linemen with linebackers and use a five linebacker front to rush Vick.

Against a superior athlete like Vick, it makes sense to get as many quick and agile athletes on defense as possible.

Four of the five linebackers could rush the pocket while the fifth drops underneath to spy on Vick.  Six defensive backs would be free to lock up the Eagles' dangerous pass catchers in intermediate and deep coverage.

It is the same tactic the late, great Fritz Shurmur famously used against Randall Cunningham in the 1990 Wild Card Playoffs.

If the Redskins simply maintain their rush lanes and use disciplined zones to keep the likes of Jackson and Maclin in front of them, then Vick will be forced into pulling the ball down and attempting to run out of a pocket he can't escape.

This will lead to increased frustration amongst the Eagles' offense and can result in a bevvy of turnovers and an important Redskins victory.