Question re: pass coverage on a few plays vs. Jets & Chiefs

[BradyManny]

I haven't taken a closer look at the Jets game at all yet, but I had a few Q's that perhaps the more football savvy members of the board might be able to take a stab at.

I'm wondering what the responsibilities were for the defensive players in 2 different plays that have occurred this season, they happen to be two of the very few instances in which the Patriots secondary and pass coverage didn't look so good:

1) 2nd and 16 at KC 27 (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Huard pass deep right to D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (D.O'Neal) [R.Harrison]:

Looking at this play again, it looks like either a) Meriweather freezes while looking at Huard and should have continued to cover Darling b) Meriweather is expecting to pass Darling off to Sanders' zone. Either way, Sanders made one of his few poor plays of an otherwise well played game and took a bad route to tackle Darling. But for the actual completion itself, who was more at fault, Sanders or Meriweather?

2) 3rd and 4 at NE 32 (11:10) B.Favre pass short right to L.Washington to NE 19 for 13 yards (D.O'Neal, R.Harrison): Honestly, I may have the wrong play here, I'll have to go back and look at the tape, but I'll describe it anyway. I think this was it, b/c on 3rd and short, they didn't have their nickel package in, Bruschi was on the field with Mayo. The RB coming out of the backfield ran right by Bruschi AND Mayo uncontested and no one followed, Favre hit him in an empty zone and he scurried along for some more yardage...who's responsibility was he in this instance? When Bruschi came off the field in passing situation, Mayo was most often responsible for the RB out of the backfield, but with Bruschi on the field, how does coverage change?

 

[DW Toys]

I haven't taken a closer look at the Jets game at all yet, but I had a few Q's that perhaps the more football savvy members of the board might be able to take a stab at.

I'm wondering what the responsibilities were for the defensive players in 2 different plays that have occurred this season, they happen to be two of the very few instances in which the Patriots secondary and pass coverage didn't look so good:

1) 2nd and 16 at KC 27 (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Huard pass deep right to D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (D.O'Neal) [R.Harrison]:

Looking at this play again, it looks like either a) Meriweather freezes while looking at Huard and should have continued to cover Darling b) Meriweather is expecting to pass Darling off to Sanders' zone. Either way, Sanders made one of his few poor plays of an otherwise well played game and took a bad route to tackle Darling. But for the actual completion itself, who was more at fault, Sanders or Meriweather?

2) 3rd and 4 at NE 32 (11:10) B.Favre pass short right to L.Washington to NE 19 for 13 yards (D.O'Neal, R.Harrison): Honestly, I may have the wrong play here, I'll have to go back and look at the tape, but I'll describe it anyway. I think this was it, b/c on 3rd and short, they didn't have their nickel package in, Bruschi was on the field with Mayo. The RB coming out of the backfield ran right by Bruschi AND Mayo uncontested and no one followed, Favre hit him in an empty zone and he scurried along for some more yardage...who's responsibility was he in this instance? When Bruschi came off the field in passing situation, Mayo was most often responsible for the RB out of the backfield, but with Bruschi on the field, how does coverage change?

"Sanders made one of his few poor plays of an otherwise well played game and took a bad route to tackle Darling". You are kidding right? He got pushed all over the place too. He was no bargain in the Jets game either. More missed assignments and weak support.
He needs to get better or sit down. He is without a doubt a liability in coverage and weak on the run. Yes, Lynch is faster and much better in my opinion (which means neither are) but I would love to have Lynch back there on passes because at least he will hit someone.
DW Toys

 

[BradyManny]

"Sanders made one of his few poor plays of an otherwise well played game and took a bad route to tackle Darling". You are kidding right? He got pushed all over the place too. He was no bargain in the Jets game either. More missed assignments and weak support.
He needs to get better or sit down. He is without a doubt a liability in coverage and weak on the run. Yes, Lynch is faster and much better in my opinion (which means neither are) but I would love to have Lynch back there on passes because at least he will hit someone.
DW Toys

We'll agree to disagree. I thought Sanders has played well both games so far and has been a sound tackler.

Rodney on the other hand has missed a couple of key tackles, which is quite uncharacteristic. He's played well otherwise, but hopefully he'll shore that up.

 

[Metaphors]

My take:

1) 2nd and 16 at KC 27 (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Huard pass deep right to D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (D.O'Neal) [R.Harrison]:

You have to include a couple of other factors as well: the pressure and the throw. There was good pressure up front so the DBs were likely not expecting the QB to have time for a deeper pass. That is why I think you saw Meriweather covering a shorter zone. The pass from Huard against that pressure was pretty impressive. Downfield and right in stride. Gotta give him credit for the completion. Sanders had the deep zone and just pulled a "Mister Magoo" on the play. He may not have been able to prevent the completion but he should have drilled Darling soon after.

2) 3rd and 4 at NE 32 (11:10) B.Favre pass short right to L.Washington to NE 19 for 13 yards (D.O'Neal, R.Harrison):

This looked like a blown coverage to me. Washington came out completely uncovered and I don't think that was by design. No way to know for sure who gacked on their responsibility but you may be right about Mayo/Bruschi getting crossed up on the play.

 

[BradyManny]

My take:



You have to include a couple of other factors as well: the pressure and the throw. There was good pressure up front so the DBs were likely not expecting the QB to have time for a deeper pass. That is why I think you saw Meriweather covering a shorter zone. The pass from Huard against that pressure was pretty impressive. Downfield and right in stride. Gotta give him credit for the completion. Sanders had the deep zone and just pulled a "Mister Magoo" on the play. He may not have been able to prevent the completion but he should have drilled Darling soon after.


This looked like a blown coverage to me. Washington came out completely uncovered and I don't think that was by design. No way to know for sure who gacked on their responsibility but you may be right about Mayo/Bruschi getting crossed up on the play.

Great stuff, thanks for the reply. Good point re: Sanders in catch 1.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I would also like to add that fault of a catch being made lies on the OFFENSE. There are "designed" areas of the D that are "weak"(in between zones) and proper execution by the offense will beat proper execution of the D most of the time. What Sanders,IMHO, does is he doesnt play the passing lanes correctly. I think this would account for his lack of INTs and the fact that he is ALWAYS chasing and doesnt hit the guy from the front(IE punish the reciever). I think James is joining Geno next year.

 

[BradyManny]

Please note that the 2nd passing play I refer to in my original post is not the correct one, though I think Metaphors and others may have figured out the play I was referring to, which was an earlier pass play in which Cotchery ran over the middle uncontested.

 

[BradyManny]

I haven't taken a closer look at the Jets game at all yet, but I had a few Q's that perhaps the more football savvy members of the board might be able to take a stab at.

I'm wondering what the responsibilities were for the defensive players in 2 different plays that have occurred this season, they happen to be two of the very few instances in which the Patriots secondary and pass coverage didn't look so good:

1) 2nd and 16 at KC 27 (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Huard pass deep right to D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (D.O'Neal) [R.Harrison]:

Looking at this play again, it looks like either a) Meriweather freezes while looking at Huard and should have continued to cover Darling b) Meriweather is expecting to pass Darling off to Sanders' zone. Either way, Sanders made one of his few poor plays of an otherwise well played game and took a bad route to tackle Darling. But for the actual completion itself, who was more at fault, Sanders or Meriweather?

2) 3rd and 4 at NE 32 (11:10) B.Favre pass short right to L.Washington to NE 19 for 13 yards (D.O'Neal, R.Harrison): Honestly, I may have the wrong play here, I'll have to go back and look at the tape, but I'll describe it anyway. I think this was it, b/c on 3rd and short, they didn't have their nickel package in, Bruschi was on the field with Mayo. The RB coming out of the backfield ran right by Bruschi AND Mayo uncontested and no one followed, Favre hit him in an empty zone and he scurried along for some more yardage...who's responsibility was he in this instance? When Bruschi came off the field in passing situation, Mayo was most often responsible for the RB out of the backfield, but with Bruschi on the field, how does coverage change?

EDIT: NOTE THAT #2 SHOULD BE AN EARLIER 3rd AND 4 PLAY THAT WENT TO COTCHERY OVER THE MIDDLE.