I watched the NFLN when Mayock was breaking down the passing game, it is amazing what is happening during a play. There are so many things happening we can't see it on tv. Houston had an opportunity to break some big passes, the DL put so much proessure on Schaub he didn't have a chance to see the opne man deep. They also showed how Steve Smith caused different coverages which made Eli go to Nicks. Once they rolled coverage to Nicks Eli found Smith with some great throws.
What really interesting is how Fewell morphs the 4-3 into Old School 5-2, when he has to (to insure back-side protection).
Remember Superbowl XXXII; The Packers were the better team, but it didn't matter because the Broncos were able to pull the attention of the Packers defense to the sideline, that eventually their influence blocking and cut-backs won the game.
I'll never forget the sight of 400 pound DT Gilbert Brown running to the sidelines, to help out, till he couldn't do it anymore.
Sintim on the first play completely stood up the fullback
"Now, on this particular play, Dreesen doesn't block the LB, but instead he has the back-side block across the formation and FB Leach has the block on the LB, but the LB comes across the line of scrimmage and meets him head on, which shuts down the outside and turns the play back inside to where the Giants have schemed to close down the cutback lanes."
This is what we say when we scream about tackles and stats not being the only way to judge player performance.
The LB who was blocked by Leach held containment to the scheme, forcing the action back to the Defensive Line to close down the play.
"Tickled silly" to have the talent that he has to work with, here.
Scary thing for our future opponents, he's just getting started !
I remember hearing him on Serius Radio (when he was the interim @ at he Bills). I said to myself - "well, I guess those poor "bastids" are gonna be more than fine!"
Then he was gone, then Tom snatch him up. Thank you, Tom.
To see if he ever experimented with defenses like this there.
There's so much versatile talent here you can really see the massive difference between Fewell and Sheridan in how they use personnel.
LB is a weaker defensive unit here. So let's make Deon Grant a run-stopping LB? And this **** is working! Putting 4-3 DE's into stand-up LB spots and blitzing with effectiveness right out of the gate is bold.
And it's not a pile-on Sheridan. He just didn't have the know how yet to implement ideas like this and make them work.
On the example he uses of the safety (Rolle) sealing backside edge, he claims that if it had been play action pass, we'd have been screwed and hints that Rolle was too aggressive.
I don't agree at all. Rolle was reading his key and it's obvious that it's a run play from the tackle's first step.
Like I said, a minor nit, but if you watch the OT on that side, his first step is the directional steps to run a zone run block. When it's play action off of zone, that first step if flatter and more along than the line than forward.
It's a subtle distinction that distinction is what gave Rolle the confidence to attack so aggressively.
Part two of this, is that Rolle takes the perfect angle to defend the TE in case he was wrong and it turned out to be Pass.
The TE disappears inside to seal block and the only two routes he can effectively run to Rolle's side from that position is an "in and arrow" or an "in and sail".
Rolle maintained his outside leverage so that if he spotted the TE sliding off that block, he could still adjust and jump the route.
however, to bring a little cloud to this lovefest, the whole coaching vs players is brought to a highlight. IF, as BB sez, the DL was injured last year and couldn't carry out the assigned tasks, that speaks ill of the DC who continues to ask them to carry it out. The whole coach vs players boils down to, IMO, does a coach ask players to do things they can execute? The whole series of plays highlighted in the link points to plays which suceeded because individual players were up to the task. They were risky defensive schemes. Any given one of them could have been torn apart IF any given individual didn't do their job. IF the LB in the first case didn't turn the play back inside, the outside was wide open. IF Rolle didn't stay in his role and stop Foster, it would've been a big gain. Two plays, two different ways things could've gone.
Should balance out the D plays that suceeded with a play that didn't suceed. Overall, after a while you get to find out when the DC put the players in position to suceed, and when the DC asked too much of players. Worked with some games. blew chunks big time for others (Indy game comes to mind)
Don't know much about chess, but, IMO, football games are decided by who guesses right (coupled with physical execution) more than the other. IF a coach asks too much of a player, who is at fault? IF the players execute, is it the player or the coach who gets the credit?
No one can say that Spags didn't have injuries during our SB run, our DBs were practice squad players. However he changed things around and found a scheme to hide them, or make it work with them.
Sheridan being a good coordinator that was just hit by injuries is an opinion, not a fact. Mu opinion is that Sheridan was in way over his head, didn't adjust to the game, players, or injuries, couldn't relate or motivate his players, and was a disaster. Knowing the X's and O's does not necessarily make a good coach. I think the defense under Fewell is proof of my "opinion". How many times have we seen Head Coaches come in and turn teams around? Good coaching matters, thats why they get paid and thats why certain guys always win (like Parcells).
not getting off blocks, sometimes are not true. In this case the LB was supposed to get blocked in a certain spot, thus funneling the play inside to help.
reads by the players. For the unschooled this was enlightening. Thought dorgan was right about Rolle. He didn't seem like he jumped to early. The ball was handed of quickly and he read his key faster.
FINALLY an analysis that isn't shallow and astounding to anyone who has never watched a play in slow motion. That is some good quality recognition.
The only bone I have to pick is that on the play where Rolle comes in to shut down the run, his keys were 100% that it was going to be a run. You don't run play action passes where your OL on the play side are collapsing down to create a running lane. You'd get your QB killed if you did that and you'd have illegal men downfield. Rolle read it right because it was a run all the way.
on that play looks like the (receiver or te?) never looks to
he is extremely critical to the success of those plays. He is exactly where he needs to be to force the cutback or swallow up the RB. He hasn't received enough credit for what he is doing against the run.
as long as the player IS NOT engaged by another blocker. havent had a chance to watch the specific clip yet but as you described it, it should have been a penalty
they weren't working for me....
That article with the video highlights is like crack cocaine to a football junkie.
I want more, more...
What really interesting is how Fewell morphs the 4-3 into Old School 5-2, when he has to (to insure back-side protection).
Remember Superbowl XXXII; The Packers were the better team, but it didn't matter because the Broncos were able to pull the attention of the Packers defense to the sideline, that eventually their influence blocking and cut-backs won the game.
I'll never forget the sight of 400 pound DT Gilbert Brown running to the sidelines, to help out, till he couldn't do it anymore.
This is what we say when we scream about tackles and stats not being the only way to judge player performance.
The LB who was blocked by Leach held containment to the scheme, forcing the action back to the Defensive Line to close down the play.
Scary thing for our future opponents, he's just getting started !
I remember hearing him on Serius Radio (when he was the interim @ at he Bills). I said to myself - "well, I guess those poor "bastids" are gonna be more than fine!"
Then he was gone, then Tom snatch him up. Thank you, Tom.
There's so much versatile talent here you can really see the massive difference between Fewell and Sheridan in how they use personnel.
LB is a weaker defensive unit here. So let's make Deon Grant a run-stopping LB? And this **** is working! Putting 4-3 DE's into stand-up LB spots and blitzing with effectiveness right out of the gate is bold.
And it's not a pile-on Sheridan. He just didn't have the know how yet to implement ideas like this and make them work.
Surviving FOUR DCs in as many years ..
Tim Lewis fired after '06
Spags left after '08
Sheridan fired after '09
Fewell just started, here in '10
And, look at their record after all that; amazing. Kudos to them !
Peter in Atlanta : 10/13/2010 11:30 pm
but the DL is healthy. It makes all the difference in the world.
Great find, Mort
One nit to pick but it's minor:
On the example he uses of the safety (Rolle) sealing backside edge, he claims that if it had been play action pass, we'd have been screwed and hints that Rolle was too aggressive.
I don't agree at all. Rolle was reading his key and it's obvious that it's a run play from the tackle's first step.
Like I said, a minor nit, but if you watch the OT on that side, his first step is the directional steps to run a zone run block. When it's play action off of zone, that first step if flatter and more along than the line than forward.
It's a subtle distinction that distinction is what gave Rolle the confidence to attack so aggressively.
Part two of this, is that Rolle takes the perfect angle to defend the TE in case he was wrong and it turned out to be Pass.
The TE disappears inside to seal block and the only two routes he can effectively run to Rolle's side from that position is an "in and arrow" or an "in and sail".
Rolle maintained his outside leverage so that if he spotted the TE sliding off that block, he could still adjust and jump the route.
Should balance out the D plays that suceeded with a play that didn't suceed. Overall, after a while you get to find out when the DC put the players in position to suceed, and when the DC asked too much of players. Worked with some games. blew chunks big time for others (Indy game comes to mind)
Don't know much about chess, but, IMO, football games are decided by who guesses right (coupled with physical execution) more than the other. IF a coach asks too much of a player, who is at fault? IF the players execute, is it the player or the coach who gets the credit?
So the DL is not all that healthy.
Sheridan being a good coordinator that was just hit by injuries is an opinion, not a fact. Mu opinion is that Sheridan was in way over his head, didn't adjust to the game, players, or injuries, couldn't relate or motivate his players, and was a disaster. Knowing the X's and O's does not necessarily make a good coach. I think the defense under Fewell is proof of my "opinion". How many times have we seen Head Coaches come in and turn teams around? Good coaching matters, thats why they get paid and thats why certain guys always win (like Parcells).
Excellent thread Mort...
The only bone I have to pick is that on the play where Rolle comes in to shut down the run, his keys were 100% that it was going to be a run. You don't run play action passes where your OL on the play side are collapsing down to create a running lane. You'd get your QB killed if you did that and you'd have illegal men downfield. Rolle read it right because it was a run all the way.
In the comments, below the article, somebody mentions it, says McKenzie should have been flagged. Should it?
If I remember right, cut blocks within 3 yards of the LOS are legal. Isnt that the case?