- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 15,546
- Reaction score
- 27,609
.... that occurred to me while driving today. When I was coaching, I used to get a lot of my best ideas, driving to school in the morning. Well anyway....
...I was thinking about how I'd like to deal with TO on his home field. Going back to the superbowl game and adding a few games I saw him while with the cowboys, it occurred to me that MOST of the damage that TO caused was on short and mid range crossing patterns (read pick plays) that where expanded into big plays because of the YAC. So here is what I'd do.
I tap Brandon Merriweather on the shoulder and on about 2/3rds of my coverage packages, I tell Brandon to line up on TO's nose and play physical man to man coverage....and not worry about getting beat deep.
I would then have Hobbs play a less agressive man to man on their #2 WR. But with the understanding that he would often have someone over the top in help.
With varied combinations with the rest of my DBs (Wilson, Harrison, Gay, Samuel) depending on situation where I am playing 5 or 6 DBs, I would want them playing in zone coverages looking to jump Romo's favorite patterns. Samuel, Harrison, Gay, are all big play guys who are great at reading patterns and jumping routes
Understand that this is not an every down ploy, but something you can use as a base defense. One of the keys against any young QB is never let them see the same thing twice in a row, so you can't use it all the time. You also can use this basic defense and confuse Romo by disguising it. One way would be by jumping Merriweather on TO at the last minute, or a man to man from a deeper position.
Finally I'd have AD (when he isn't rushing) locked on to Witten in passing situation. (and Rodney when AD is rushing)
A basketball analogy would be the box and one. Here its virtually a box and 2. By applying immediate pressure you take away any quick short pass options for Romo. I don't want him taking his drop and releasing in rhythm. I want to make him go to his 2nd and 3rd options and resetting.
Anyway I have to run. I'd like to go in more detail, but I have no time. When I get back I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions
...I was thinking about how I'd like to deal with TO on his home field. Going back to the superbowl game and adding a few games I saw him while with the cowboys, it occurred to me that MOST of the damage that TO caused was on short and mid range crossing patterns (read pick plays) that where expanded into big plays because of the YAC. So here is what I'd do.
I tap Brandon Merriweather on the shoulder and on about 2/3rds of my coverage packages, I tell Brandon to line up on TO's nose and play physical man to man coverage....and not worry about getting beat deep.
I would then have Hobbs play a less agressive man to man on their #2 WR. But with the understanding that he would often have someone over the top in help.
With varied combinations with the rest of my DBs (Wilson, Harrison, Gay, Samuel) depending on situation where I am playing 5 or 6 DBs, I would want them playing in zone coverages looking to jump Romo's favorite patterns. Samuel, Harrison, Gay, are all big play guys who are great at reading patterns and jumping routes
Understand that this is not an every down ploy, but something you can use as a base defense. One of the keys against any young QB is never let them see the same thing twice in a row, so you can't use it all the time. You also can use this basic defense and confuse Romo by disguising it. One way would be by jumping Merriweather on TO at the last minute, or a man to man from a deeper position.
Finally I'd have AD (when he isn't rushing) locked on to Witten in passing situation. (and Rodney when AD is rushing)
A basketball analogy would be the box and one. Here its virtually a box and 2. By applying immediate pressure you take away any quick short pass options for Romo. I don't want him taking his drop and releasing in rhythm. I want to make him go to his 2nd and 3rd options and resetting.
Anyway I have to run. I'd like to go in more detail, but I have no time. When I get back I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions