Defending Texans Play Action - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

76Texan · 12-08-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PP2

This is an interesting thing to discuss, and I think it will be a great game too and can't wait to watch it on Monday night. Very exciting.

The problem with the zone blocking scheme is that you block whoever shows up in front of you, not a specific player. My thought on that is Spikes will cause some big headaches with this. If you have seen him, you know he has an uncanny ability to time the snap count. My believe is that in addition to focusing on stopping the run, Spikes will be one-gapping along with one or two more linemen who will try to shoot through the zones.

With the bootleg, as you described it, is not a play-action (at least not to my knowledge). I think the same principle as above would threaten. The concept of "contain" rushing would serve to seal the edge on any bootleg/naked bootleg, and you would still have the one-gapping backer or lineman crashing at an angle to minimize the vertical gain of the bootleg.

Most of our bootlegs are from the play action. When the backside DE or OLB tries to contain the bootleg (ie. keying on the QB), he takes himself out of a possible run play.

When The RB cut back to his side, he left a small crease that the RB can work through for a decent-to-good gain.

That is why the scheme is hard to defend.
Shanaban and Kubiak have been making a living out of this for years and years.
Yes, it can be defended, but it has never been easy.

PP2 · 12-08-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Obviously a LB shooting through the gap would work too, but if they come from the second level, it won't be as effective (too far of a distance).
But if one can blow up our Hybrid FB/Te Casey, it will be hard for us to gain yard as well; and Casey can never be compared to Vonta Leach as a blocking machine.

In fact, this is where our inside zone run becomes ineffective.
And the Pats certainly have the LBs to do that.

If you have seen Spikes, you will know that when he one-gaps he is invariably never more than two steps off the LOS, and often plays reduced. Also his excellent timing of the snap just about ensures that he is through his gap before the zone blocking can even get off the ground. I will be watching him closely as I believe he will be the key to any defensive success we may have as far as disrupting the bootleg or play-action.

TexasTradition · 12-08-2012, 05:37 PM

It really is amazing how well we run the play action. I honestly feel you will have to get out to an early lead to limit this part of our game.

everlong · 12-08-2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PP2

Chung hasn't been playing in base. He only comes on in nickel as the 3rd safety. That's how far down the depth chart he is.

Yes I know I was more speculating that if he was getting out of the dog house this might be the time if ever.