"No, the blitz isn’t going to work every single time it's called. But to his credit, Spagnuolo doesn’t seem as a willing to abandon the concept ... What’s more, Spagnuolo has been working with his defense—we’re talking hands-on coaching—demonstrating various techniques to help the players master how to disguise the blitz." — Bleacher Report
PF was about middle of the pack in blitzes called but near dead last in them getting home. Many have suggested that it's lack of good blitzing players. I've disagreed. Most players can blitz if taught properly and the blitz is well designed. This is because blitzes aren't predicated on talent beating talent, but on the blitz design overwhelming or surprising an opponent's blocking scheme to create schematic breakdowns more than physical mismatches. (The opposite is true of the standard DE rush or OLB Rush backer "blitz" which is heavily talent dependent).
I've felt for a long time that the problem with our blitzes under PF has been a threefold mess of timing, design and disguise. If a blitz isn't timed-up properly when guys fire or is designed poorly and players not drilled heavily in it, it is much less likely to succeed — as a DC reluctant to blitz, I've doubted how much PF drilled his players and committed to it during training. BUT most in particular, if the blitz isn't disguised, the OLine will see it, will adjust, and will easily pick it up. If I, as an armchair QB, could see our blitzes a mile away (and I could), I'm darn sure opposing teams have been seeing them too. I think this, as much as anything has contributed to the failure of our blitzes.
I'm excited to read that Spags is actively teaching our players how to disguise them. With few changes in players, I think we will see much better results when blitzes are called this year.
That is the type of thing, design of the blitz, where we will be much better.
Your absolutely right he wasted at least one year of Eli's prime by deciding to stick by Fewell.
Not defending per se, just asking..
Not defending per se, just asking..
Isn't that sort of a silly thing to ask though? There is always someone better out there. Its not a question we should need to answer. If a change needs to be made then its up to Coughlin and the front office to find the answer. There are always options. Maybe not known ones to us fans, but they are out there among the rank and file.
The other commands a knack for outmaneuvering the enemy on a battlefield in real time once the bullets start flying. Disguising his real intentions and adapting as the situation requires.
To be an elite defensive coordinator you need both traits. Perry Fewell didn't have the second ability.
Game day coaching is all about recognizing quickly what's happening, analyzing that data, coming up with a solution and then putting it into action. And, it's got to be done quickly and efficiently. You can have prepared game plans A, B & C and it's possible none of them fit the situation, so you have to scramble effectively.
I don't think most coaches would have let Fewell go until Coughlin did. YHe showed good things in 2010. The defense sucked in 2011 and 2012, but also came alive late in 2011 and played a big role in getting a Super Bowl win.
2013 was actually a huge accomplishment for him because he pulled a top 10 performance out of a defense that got no help from a terrible offense. Not only was that defense on the field for a very long time, but they were constantly put in a bad position because of all the turnovers.
In hindsight, Fewell should have been kicked to the curb after 2011, but who fires a coach right after he's helped the team win a Super Bowl?
I really believe that this skill just wasn't taught here. The only guy I saw that was seemed to know how to it correctly was the young LB, Kennard. It's something that needs to be learned and practiced.
Disguising it is great...provided the player already knows how to execute it.
It's very important for the defense to be more aggressive now, blitzing when possible, and hammering away at opposing QB's, especially Romo.
Not defending per se, just asking..
Not defending per se, just asking..
Spags was available both times.