I've played the game and have watched religiously since I was a kid. That said, there are "ins" that I don't quite grasp while wathcing the Giants. For example, I was content to believe that "Omaha" was either an audible or some type of identifier for the linemen, receivers, etc.
But in more recent years, you hear Eli (and yesterday, paying closer attention, several other QBs) consistently yelling that X is the Mike." Here are a few questions about that.
* I understand that the QB is identifying the MLB, regardless of where he's lining up in ever-changing schemes. But from that identifier, who benefits most? I assume the O-linemen and perhaps an RB in the backfield.
* Probably doesn't happen often, but how do personnel changes on defense affect the ability and importance of the quarterback's IDing of the MIKE?
* In situations like the Giants playing their 5-2 front, how does a quarterback know which guy is the MIKE? Is it based on knowledge of film and schemes from that week (which would make a film rat that much more prepared and critical for a team's success)? Or is it more a recognition of individual players (when Boley and Williams are in at LB, for example, how would you know which is the MIKE on a given play, without recognition of the way the D is lined up from film)?
* What types of things do we see when the QB fails to correctly ID the MIKE? Are those the plays where, seemingly inexplicably, there's a blown assignment and a blitzing DB slips up the middle untouched for a sack or at least applying pressure?
Wanted to start this thread to get this converstation - and all things related - going. Our quarterback makes many calls at the line, changes plays on many occasions, and it's all about his intelligence, preparation and recognition skills. Very under-appreciated Giant, in some quarters.
Eli calling out that "54's the MIKE" is clearly a hinge for the success of a lot of plays. But just what does that line call do for the O?
Thanks.
Billick 101 - ( New Window )
I'm sure some others could explain it in more detail - I think the general idea is to identify whether the offensive linemen have responsibilities to one side or the other at the snap. The times Eli changes it seems to be when he reads a blitz that will overload the pass rush from one side, thus he changes the protection to shift the blocking that way
It's definitely one of those little things about Eli that doesn't show up on the stat sheet...by most accounts, he's excellent at getting the blocking set up properly
One thing I've noticed, Eli will pick out the Mike, but it's not always a linebacker. Sometimes it's a defensive back that's playing up at the line.
Bringing a DB up to the line on one side may push the focus of the offense that way, as far as blocking. But, too, just as critical in a defense's prep and ability to disguise things and trick a QB (or center, or whoever makes the call) into to making the wrong call.
Seems simplistic, but during a game with a rookie or young QB (or even O-lineman), his inability to perform well may only have a small amount to do with his physical talent, and more to do with his experience in making calls to give the offense its best chance for success.
Look at Vince Young, a guy who's infinitely physically gifted. Need I say more?
It might be more accurate to say the quarterback is "assigning the MIKE". While it's important that the QB's choice is reasonable and doesn't create any impossible blocking angles or mismatches, the most important thing is that the blockers are all on the same page. If they all start from a common understanding of who's responsible for whom, a blown assignment is much less likely. The most frustrating thing for any OL coach is to see two or three blockers gang up on one defender, while another guy runs free at the QB.
DBs, OLBs, and stand-up ends can also be ID'ed as the Mike, based on the defense a team plays or what kind of pre-snap read they are giving.
The way it was explained to me by other posters so I could grasp it is that, at the most simplistic level, you have five OLs who can block five defenders. In addition to the four DLs there will be one other defender the OL is responsible for and that player is designated as the Mike by the QB. Other blitzers will be the responsibility of the Back or the QB/WR on a hot read. It gets much more complex of course but the concept made sense to me.
as for calling the mike it is for the protection...eli calls out the mike and the line block accordingly...for example if the mike is lined up to the right the line will slide right an dblock from there....