Hazard's Huddle: RT Tom Compton vs. Dallas Cowboys (1st Half)

A Redskins win is great. A Redskins win against the Cowboys is the best. Washington shocked the nation by defeating one of the best teams in the NFL on national television (did I just get to say that?!?!?). While all the headlines went to QB Colt McCoy because he was getting his first start since 2011, he wasn't the only Washington Redskin making his first start of the season. Tom Compton, who replaced often-criticized Tyler Polumbus, played the entire game at Right Tackle. Let's take a look at how he did.

1. Here's I Right Outsize Zone Right. Tom Compton is going to help Logan Paulsen block the DE if needed and then release to the second level.

Paulsen did need help. Compton pushes the DE outside so Paulsen has inside leverage, then he releases to the second level.

Alfred Morris isn't patient enough and tries to get north just a little too soon. Compton seals the LB inside and Morris trips over him and falls for a short gain. If he would have gotten outside of Compton, there was a good gain ahead. Instead, he's tackled here.

2. Tom Compton in pass protection against a DE.

The DE uses a swim move to get past Compton.

But Compton is able to shuffle his feet, re-establish his base and stay in front of the defender.

3. Here's a fake zone right, bootleg left. Compton is blocking at the point of attack on the fake run.

Compton does a good job here setting the edge and selling the run.

Compton has the defender walled off so the defender tries to back up into coverage because he knows he isn't getting to Colt McCoy.

4. Here is a zone right out of Pistol. Compton is blocking the DE at the point of attack.

Oddly, while Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, and Chris Chester make their blocks and get up field, Trent Williams and Tom Compton are the ones who are in the backfield. Compton gets bull rushed and can't handle the power. He gets driven straight backwards into Morris forcing Morris to cut immediately.

Morris cuts back and is immediately tackled by the player Trent Williams was blocking.

5. There is a lot going on in front of Tom Compton here. He has three guys close. One defender is going to drop into coverage while the other two stunt.

Compton does a great job identifying who is coming and rides the DE inside to Chris Chester.

When Compton recognizes the DT looping around, he transitions to him and keeps him outside giving McCoy a clean pocket to throw from.

6. Here is the "Darrel Young/Roy Helu go left while Colt McCoy goes right" missed handoff. Compton blocking the DE.

Compton takes care of his guy and keeps him far outside. If Chris Chester made his block this might have been a decent gain.

7. Tom Compton somehow manages to get away with a false start on this play. He clearly moves before the snap.

Because of that, the ball is snapped while he's resetting so he's a step late causing the DE to easily get into his pads and drive him backwards.

Compton does a good job resetting and keeping enough contact with the defender that Morris is able to get outside of him.

8. What happens the play after you should have been flagged for a false start? 

It means staying in your stance late to make sure you don't get flagged for one.

9. Here is a fake outside zone left, bootleg right. Compton is making the block on the DT.

Unfortunately, you can't block what you can't see. Compton keeps his head down and the DT uses a swim move to go right past him.

This is not where you want the OT blocking on the front side of the play after you're already leaving the DE unblocked.

10. Cowboys using another stunt on Compton's side.

Once again, Compton does a great job riding the DE inside towards Chris Chester.

And when he recognizes the DT looping around, he peels off his guy and makes a good block here too.

11. Here is Tom Compton in pass protection. The Cowboys have moved their personnel all over. Henry Melton is Compton's blocking assignment.

Melton uses the swim move and Compton gets caught bending at the waist.

Chris Chester actually saves him here and prevents any further damage.

First Half Notes:

Compton is good at picking up stunts so far.

Against the swim move? Not so much.

Check back later for Tom Compton's second half review.