Sack Series - Back-To-Back Sacks pt. 2
In order to understand who was responsible for each of the 7 sacks that were produced against Miami, I am going to break down all 7 of the sacks (and the 1 QB hit). I will look at all aspects of the play, and give credit where credit is due. Check back this bye week for more...
The Patriots try to pick their spots when they blitz because there's nothing worse than a blitz that doesn't work. Not only does it usually result in a first down for the offense, the creative disguise gets exposed to every coach in the NFL. Belichick doesn't like to tip his hand unless he has to. He wants to have something in his back pocket if need be.
In this case, Miami is facing a 3rd and 12 (one play after a 2 yard sack by Wilfork). The Patriots line up with 6 Defensive Backs, that is, if you count #27 Tavon Wilson as a Safety. Usually, Wilson covers the opponent's best Tight End in passing situations (like this one). However, sensing the opportunity for deception, Belichick dials up a little wrinkle that has Tavon Wilson blitzing like a LB and Chandler Jones in coverage. Let's take a look:
The coverage is a pretty vanilla 2-deep look (other than the Jones-Wilson switch-up). Likewise, all the WRs need to run deep 12-15 yard routes to have a chance at a conversion, so its all pretty predictable. Tannehill's best chance is the slot WR covered by #26 Derrick Martin. Still, #28 Steve Gregory might be able to make a play on a ball thrown that way, and the traffic around Tannehill was pretty crazy. Let's check it out:
Initially, Miami has 7 blockers (5 Linemen, Bush, and Fasano) vs. 6 potential pass rushers (#99 Scott, #51 Mayo, #71 Deaderick, #94 Francis, #27 Wilson, and #95 Jones). The rush ends up being 6-on-5 because Fasano releases into a pass-pattern, to be covered loosely by Chandler Jones. After the play, it seemed like Fasano was frustrated with himself that he did not realize that Jones would cover him. The big TE should have taken his route over the middle. Perhaps the quick hit from Justin Francis affected Fasano enough to take a quick outside release.
As I said, #94 Francis gets the jam on Fasano, but he also takes up 2 blockers. The Left Guard doesn't realize that #95 Jones is going to drop into coverage, he is looking to see if Jones might loop around. Everybody seems to be fooled on the left side of the Miami offense, and this sets up 1-on-1 blocking match-ups for everybody else.
On the other side, #99 Trevor Scott beats the Right Tackle around the corner, and he gets inside the block for a sack. Really, he's just finishing what he started on the previous play. He absolutely torched his guy with the same move (speed rush from a 2-point stance) on two consecutive plays. Mayo, Deaderick, and Wilson get blocked pretty well, but there is congestion created from Reggie Bush coming across the formation to block Wilson, and the pocket-push gives Tannehill limited space to evade Trevor Scott. Don't overlook the importance of the little things.
Overall, this is just great disguise by Francis, Jones, and Wilson. Tavon Wilson is an interesting piece of the puzzle of 2012. In addition, I really like utilizing the backup DEs at DT. The idea really started with the NY Giants' NASCAR package, but The Patriots are doing it a bit differently. It started with Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich, but even Justin Francis and Trevor Scott are coming up big on the inside as DTs and on the outside as DEs. Their versatility increases the potential for disguise, and that is an encouraging thought. We've got a lot of defensive linemen that don't fit the mold, but we're not using them in the mold, so it's okay.
As I said, #94 Francis gets the jam on Fasano, but he also takes up 2 blockers. The Left Guard doesn't realize that #95 Jones is going to drop into coverage, he is looking to see if Jones might loop around. Everybody seems to be fooled on the left side of the Miami offense, and this sets up 1-on-1 blocking match-ups for everybody else.
On the other side, #99 Trevor Scott beats the Right Tackle around the corner, and he gets inside the block for a sack. Really, he's just finishing what he started on the previous play. He absolutely torched his guy with the same move (speed rush from a 2-point stance) on two consecutive plays. Mayo, Deaderick, and Wilson get blocked pretty well, but there is congestion created from Reggie Bush coming across the formation to block Wilson, and the pocket-push gives Tannehill limited space to evade Trevor Scott. Don't overlook the importance of the little things.
Overall, this is just great disguise by Francis, Jones, and Wilson. Tavon Wilson is an interesting piece of the puzzle of 2012. In addition, I really like utilizing the backup DEs at DT. The idea really started with the NY Giants' NASCAR package, but The Patriots are doing it a bit differently. It started with Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich, but even Justin Francis and Trevor Scott are coming up big on the inside as DTs and on the outside as DEs. Their versatility increases the potential for disguise, and that is an encouraging thought. We've got a lot of defensive linemen that don't fit the mold, but we're not using them in the mold, so it's okay.
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