ST players in goal line packages

[Fencer]

This week's BB/Zolak plays of the week video is shorter than most, alas.


Belichick Breakdown: Top Plays from Patriots vs. Bengals


2 of the 3 plays they did cite were in the goal line stand vs. the Bengals. In both cases, BB refers to Ebner as "setting the edge", before going into detail about the rest of the play. I also recall Izzo years ago getting an INT in that kind of situation. Slater seems to get a few offensive snaps some years in goal line or other short yardage situations.


If I'm right that ST players tend to show up in these specialized packages, reasons could include:

• These ARE specialized packages. There's no need for the ST guys to learn the whole offense or defense to contribute.
• Plays tend to be scrums, much like punt plays (at the LoS) or kickoff returns (at the wedge).

Thoughts?

 

[supafly]

I would expect it to be the latter, although an argument could be made that certain players are expected to contribute in specialized packages.

Seeing a guy like Ebner set the edge and keep his assignment is great, although it did seem as though the CIN defensive player being used on offense totally whiffed on his block on one of the plays.

 

[pdangle]

Probably too because they are bigger and more physical to jam, rush at the line. Yet any vulnerabilities of getting burned are diminished due to the limited space behind them if they do see a play-action or a pass.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I would expect it to be the latter, although an argument could be made that certain players are expected to contribute in specialized packages.

Seeing a guy like Ebner set the edge and keep his assignment is great, although it did seem as though the CIN defensive player being used on offense totally whiffed on his block on one of the plays.

But did they whiff because they're a terrible blocker, or because of Ebner's speed? We've seen this before with BB lining up DBs on the DL to rush the passer.

I think part of it may be due to the situation. Goal line, you need penetration on the OL to push them back. If it's 2nd and 10 from midfield and you give up 2 yards, you've done a good job. If it's 2nd and goal from the 2 and you give up 2 yards, you've lost the series. So there's much more of a boom or bust mentality to goal line rather than the bend-but-don't break approach you might see elsewhere on the field.

Guys like Ebner or other core STers may be able to get more burst in the backfield, either due to their speed or power or whatever advantage BB may think. Ebner has the rugby background, maybe he's got a nose for getting through the traffic. And if they lose their matchup by a lot, it isn't a significant difference in yardage. It's not the difference between a 2-yard gain or a 20-yard gain, so you take more chances knowing you need to push them backwards.

Whatever the reason may be, it's no surprise that BB is at the front of another innovative wrinkle.

 

[Fencer]

What's weird is that the field is "largest" for kick return plays and "smallest" at the goal line.

Even so, perhaps the skill of changing your direction reactively and making a sure tackle very quickly is central to both scenarios.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Just re-watching that goal line stand that BB broke down on Patriots.com and one thing that stands out is how fast Ebner gets into the backfield to set the edge. That big OL or TE ideally wants to push deeper before the edge is set, but Ebner gets there too quickly and "sets" it back further than the offense would ideally like.

Ebner's goal isn't to "win" that block and make the play, it's to get that lead blocker to engage as quickly as possible (read as deep in the backfield as possible), which doesn't let that hole develop and lets the other guys come in and make the actual plays. He probably has just enough bulk and leverage to force that lead blocker to stop and engage without running him over like if you used a smaller DB to try this.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't think there is a systematic use of special trainers in goaline.
I think we were short LBs. I also think that if the field were only 5 yards long plus the end zone event would be an all pro safety. It's just a situation his skill set fits. Being light on LBs BB again improvised.