X's & O's Vrabel Defense vs. BB 2-Gap

[mayoclinic]

PP2 mentioned this in the Pats-Browns post-game thread, but I thought it deserved it's own thread:

After Further Review: Breaking Down Patriots QB Drake Maye, LT Will Campbell and the Run Defense in Win Over Browns

Great analysis by Lazar, but this is the part I thought deserved a separate discussion:

On Sunday, the Patriots became the first defense to go eight games without allowing a 50-plus yard rusher since 1950, holding Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins to 19 yards on nine attempts. As a team, Cleveland only had a 29% success rate on the ground (22nd percentile), with a 31-yard jet sweep propping up their averages. Heading into Week 8, Judkins ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards after contact (420) and had produced 21 forced missed tackles (tied for eighth among RBs). By taking out the run game, rookie QB Dillon Gabriel was forced to drop back 37 times, which wasn't a winning formula for Cleveland.

Schematically, the fun part is how the Patriots are fitting the run in their new system under head coach Mike Vrabel. New England used to run a two-gapping system that prioritized setting or "boxing" the edges, meaning the edge defenders funneled the ball back inside to the run-stuffers. The old mantra was "no edge, no chance."

Under Vrabel, the Patriots have different front mechanics, where they want to "spill" the ball to the outside rather than force it back inside. New England often uses "lever-spill-lever" run fits. In these schemes, the edges actually crash down inside, as does the play-side linebacker to "splatter" the second puller, while the safety is the "force" who sets the edge of the defense, allowing the MIKE to fly free to the ball carrier.

In this example, the Browns are running GF counter with two pullers. So, edge-rusher Anfernee Jennings crashes down to the first puller, LB Jack Gibbens splatters the second puller, and S Jaylinn Hawkins is the force setting the edge, which allows LB Robert Spillane to overlap and pace out the runner for a two-yard loss. By keeping Spillane clean, he can read-and-react to the ball carrier, which is the Pats captain's specialty.

Along with the 50-plus yard rusher stat, the Patriots defense ranks fifth in rush EPA and sixth in rush success rate (pending MNF). The results from their new run defense have been fantastic, while the attacking mindset has led to more negative runs than their old "build a wall" mentality in a two-gapping system. In the first eight weeks, the Patriots run defense has been a thing of beauty with the stats to back it up.

 

[signbabybrady]

My eyes are still getting used to the new system. This breakdown was really helpful I look forward to watching this Sunday with this in mind.

 

[mayoclinic]

That's an eye-opener, and no mistake.

I always used to wonder how teams with smaller EDGE players could have strong run defenses. Because you're not building a wall, you're creating disruption with contain provided by the second level. It's a really interesting approach.

 

[patchick]

My eyes are still getting used to the new system. This breakdown was really helpful I look forward to watching this Sunday with this in mind.

It’s definitely an adjustment watching after so many years! I appreciate the explanation of why I keep thinking “uh-oh” at the start of a run play, then watch it turn into a two-yard loss.

 

[mayoclinic]

Disruption = production.

 

[VrabelJr]

I hope we are all lucky enough to run a GF counter with two pullers some time in our lives.

 

[Nikolai]

It’s definitely an adjustment watching after so many years! I appreciate the explanation of why I keep thinking “uh-oh” at the start of a run play, then watch it turn into a two-yard loss.

Very much this. I got so used to watching the two-gap system, that this approach looks like a breakdown at first.

I can also see this approach being at least somewhat effective against RPO.

But is it susceptible to a bootleg play with a mobile QB?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

According to Kays the run d is doing this despite using the 8th highest light box rate in the nfl. If true thats pretty damn impressive

 

[Hugepatsfan]

It's impressive how Vrabel played pretty much his entire career here under BB but then was able to come up with his own scheme and philosophies outside of that. Shows an openness to change and adaptability that should bode well for him over the years. It also shows a true passion for the game and how it evolves vs. coaching just being a "well I'm done playing and IDK what else to do" kind of job for him.

 

[signbabybrady]

Very much this. I got so used to watching the two-gap system, that this approach looks like a breakdown at first.

I can also see this approach being at least somewhat effective against RPO.

But is it susceptible to a bootleg play with a mobile QB?

Most teams probably don't have the personnel for it but I could see our biggest problem being a team with a really good OL that's willing to grind out a physical 4+ yard rush attack up the middle as causing some issues. Philly could be tough.

But that's also where Barmore, Milton, and Tonga come into play. There was obvious intent behind these solid DTs.

And yes I think QB options, counters, and play actions are probably key for the other team. Anything to get us to make the wrong first move and exploit it in the other direction but that's kind of the premise of these types of offensive plays regardless of the system anyway.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I'm adjusting to the spill concept versus containing the edge.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It's impressive how Vrabel played pretty much his entire career here under BB but then was able to come up with his own scheme and philosophies outside of that. Shows an openness to change and adaptability that should bode well for him over the years. It also shows a true passion for the game and how it evolves vs. coaching just being a "well I'm done playing and IDK what else to do" kind of job for him.

A head coach who is unwilling to adapt generally is not a head coach for long.

 

[ViperGTS]

I think Tonga has been a huge part of this. Guy just eats up space on the inside and is very tough to move off his spot. Very underrated pickup.

 

[Uptown]

Tonga is super underrated & deserves an extension. Durden & Farmer have been flying under the radar as well. Impressive performances by our fatties.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I never thought we’d see a run defense that was better statistically than the 2003 team.

 

[Patsfan1645]

It's impressive how Vrabel played pretty much his entire career here under BB but then was able to come up with his own scheme and philosophies outside of that. Shows an openness to change and adaptability that should bode well for him over the years. It also shows a true passion for the game and how it evolves vs. coaching just being a "well I'm done playing and IDK what else to do" kind of job for him.

I think folks are quickly realizing Vrabel is not BB 2.0. We see some similarities but not as much as what was expected. I mean he played for three teams and has coached on three different NFL teams and one college team before coming back to Foxborough. He brought a lot of experience with him and he is a smart dude who took bits and pieces from all of his experiences to make his brand of football.

 

[patfanken]

I hope you all realize that this run defense scheme, like EVERY scheme is studied and offensive responses are devised to respond to it. Of the top of my head, play action passes, counter traps, speed sweeps with crack blocking come to mind. But understand this, if Lazar can break it down, so are our future opponents and will be working on responses for weeks before our game. So, I hope WE are doing the same and are trying to anticipate those offensive responses with our own counter measures.

That's the beauty of the game of football; there is never just ONE way to do it. When offenses make a leap forward, defenses eventually respond and vice versa. In 85 the Ryan's 46 D shut down offenses like never before. 2 years later, the Bears were out of the playoffs for a decade. Whatever you do in football, you ALWAYS have to have a counter when your opponent's respond.

Going forward and on Sunday, it will be interesting to see if Atlanta responds, or are they simply going to do something like using trying to get Robinson some room by using him as a passing threat on screen, wheels, and check downs, and try to give him some room that way.

 

[Vindicate]

I've also seen that the Patriots are in zone far more often this year, only employing man coverage about 30% with nearly 70% zone. They also blitz lower than a decent amount of teams, at around 22.3%, placing them right into the bottom third just about.

This is where my knowledge runs dry but I believe BB ran way more man coverage, especially towards the end, no?

 

[rochrist]

I've also seen that the Patriots are in zone far more often this year, only employing man coverage about 30% with nearly 70% zone. They also blitz lower than a decent amount of teams, at around 22.3%, placing them right into the bottom third just about.

This is where my knowledge runs dry but I believe BB ran way more man coverage, especially towards the end, no?

I think they'll be running more man as the season progresses. I think they've been ramping up slowly as Gonzo gets back up to speed.

 

[patfanken]

I think they'll be running more man as the season progresses. I think they've been ramping up slowly as Gonzo gets back up to speed.

Well, this might be the game you get your wish. London is the perfect match up. He's a guy who gets a lot of targets and their #1 and is a tall guy. The problem is their TE is their #2, who do match up on him, or do you put Gonzo on an island and play some kind of match up zone with the rest of the secondary