Playbook - Zone Blitz
The versatility of Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich started to show up against The Rams last Sunday. There were instances where both players dropped into coverage, and to my eye, both held up pretty well. On this play, Ninkovich sits in a 3-point stance until just before the snap to disguise his intention to drop into coverage against a TE. On the other side, Jones' speed rush (combined with Wilfork's size) opens up a seam for Mayo to blitz through. Bradford is forced to hit his checkdown receiver on a 3rd and 15, leaving no chance for a conversion.
This play actually ends as an incomplete pass, but it was "a football move" away from being a fumble. Despite the overturned ruling on the field, this was one of the better plays by The Patriots Defense all game. First of all, they did well to force a 3rd and 15, but they finished it off with a bang. Its also nice to see a creative pressure from Belichick because when he does call them, they seem to work.
Basically, The Patriots are in Dime Defense with #29 Sterling Moore, #23 Marquise Cole, and #37 Alfonzo Dennard lined up over the 3 WRs of The Rams. #43 Nate Ebner plays Money S/LB, with Safeties #27 Tavon Wilson and #32 Devin McCourty back deep. At first glance, it looks as if Cole and Moore will take their respective WRs, and Ebner will help McCourty with the inside man (a TE). However, Rob Ninkovich bluffs his pass rush and takes the TE in coverage. Ebner then takes the middle zone in place of the blitzing #51 Jerod Mayo
#51 Jerod Mayo gets a free run at the QB because #75 Vince Wilfork starts inside, and engages the RG before peeling off to the left. Mayo stays close to Jones, and he helps to drive the DE backwards into the RB before peeling off to knock Bradford to the ground. Mayo does well to avoid Jackson's block by staying close to Jones so that Jackson doesn't know whether he's going inside or outside.
Really, this play is all about having guys rotate into roles that are unexpected, but not a liability to the team. Jermaine Cunningham keeps contain like a DE (because he is one) so his versatility plays a role in making this work as well. Ninkovich can keep up in coverage as long as McCourty can help him over the top. Likewise, Mayo can blitz very well as long as the middle of the field is in good hands.
Also, this play is about protecting the weaknesses of your players. Tavon Wilson, who struggles against the deep ball is asked to sit on the 10-15 yard in routes rather than help on Dennard's vertical. Also, Marquise Cole is primarily a special teams player, so asking him to play a short zone is better than having him man-up. Cole actually ends up making the play on the outside WR because he doesn't move. Then, he does what he does on special teams: he rips at the football.
Before I say great play all around, I have to give a special shout-out to CBs Dennard and Moore. Seriously, they had pretty decent coverage in 1-on-1 situations. Although Bradford didn't have time to test them, this was a great job on the back end. Excellent complimentary football though, you've got to love seeing "creative pressures" that get the job done.
This play actually ends as an incomplete pass, but it was "a football move" away from being a fumble. Despite the overturned ruling on the field, this was one of the better plays by The Patriots Defense all game. First of all, they did well to force a 3rd and 15, but they finished it off with a bang. Its also nice to see a creative pressure from Belichick because when he does call them, they seem to work.
Basically, The Patriots are in Dime Defense with #29 Sterling Moore, #23 Marquise Cole, and #37 Alfonzo Dennard lined up over the 3 WRs of The Rams. #43 Nate Ebner plays Money S/LB, with Safeties #27 Tavon Wilson and #32 Devin McCourty back deep. At first glance, it looks as if Cole and Moore will take their respective WRs, and Ebner will help McCourty with the inside man (a TE). However, Rob Ninkovich bluffs his pass rush and takes the TE in coverage. Ebner then takes the middle zone in place of the blitzing #51 Jerod Mayo
#51 Jerod Mayo gets a free run at the QB because #75 Vince Wilfork starts inside, and engages the RG before peeling off to the left. Mayo stays close to Jones, and he helps to drive the DE backwards into the RB before peeling off to knock Bradford to the ground. Mayo does well to avoid Jackson's block by staying close to Jones so that Jackson doesn't know whether he's going inside or outside.
Really, this play is all about having guys rotate into roles that are unexpected, but not a liability to the team. Jermaine Cunningham keeps contain like a DE (because he is one) so his versatility plays a role in making this work as well. Ninkovich can keep up in coverage as long as McCourty can help him over the top. Likewise, Mayo can blitz very well as long as the middle of the field is in good hands.
Also, this play is about protecting the weaknesses of your players. Tavon Wilson, who struggles against the deep ball is asked to sit on the 10-15 yard in routes rather than help on Dennard's vertical. Also, Marquise Cole is primarily a special teams player, so asking him to play a short zone is better than having him man-up. Cole actually ends up making the play on the outside WR because he doesn't move. Then, he does what he does on special teams: he rips at the football.
Before I say great play all around, I have to give a special shout-out to CBs Dennard and Moore. Seriously, they had pretty decent coverage in 1-on-1 situations. Although Bradford didn't have time to test them, this was a great job on the back end. Excellent complimentary football though, you've got to love seeing "creative pressures" that get the job done.
I like the analysis! I broke down a few of the blitzes the Pats ran Sunday for my blog, linked below:
ReplyDeletehttp://davebreaksdownfilm.blogspot.com/2012/11/secondary-analysis-week-8-vs-st-louis.html
I looked at this play, too. Interesting options with Ninkovich able to play DE or OLB (Hightower gives similar versatility, but wasn't in on this play).
pretty nice article man. Obviously you are pretty invested in your blog, but maybe we could join forces? Would you be interested in posting some breakdowns here (1 or 2 per week)? I could also just host a duplicate article here with a link to your site. What do you think?
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