Field Gulls: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: The Nova Blog for Villanova Fans!

Step Two: Setting the Edge

Against a 3-4, Seattle could double the opposing right defensive end a few different ways. Each has its respective strengths and weaknesses, but because we are attempting to attack the outside, I would suggest the latter two are best. Much of the decision depends on matchups and alignment.

4018006758_97778df33e_medium

In this one, the right defensive end is sealed and the left guard is allowed to pull out and attack the right inside linebacker. We assume the inside rush is Jones primary option. He will read the action of the right outside linebacker and pick his hole. The major problem with this attack is that it depends on Seattle's line to control the Cardinals defensive line and allow Jones to get through the hole without being slowed or tackled by the right defensive end or nose tackle. It's clear how easily and quickly the hole can collapse around Jones. It does, however, free Chris Spencer to concentrate and assist Max Unger.

4018006842_e979ac6838_medium

In this next one, the left tackle and left guard attempt to seal the right defensive end ‘in'. John Owens then must move out and engage the right outside linebacker, Unger and Spencer must move out the nose tackle and Spencer must pull out and engage the right inside linebacker. This is the best way to attack the outside edge, because if Seattle succeeds it will be able to rush Jones off left edge and into the second level with only the right corner and free safety to beat. It also has the most ‘moving parts', so to speak. Owens must accomplish his block or Jones is stalled. Spencer must accomplish his block or Jones is stalled. Because the left outside linebacker is free to pursue, an edge too long (the right defensive end holds his ground or is able to move offensive left) or a failed block by Spencer or Owens will allow the backside pursuit to catch up and tackle Jones from behind.

4018006792_27f2511f17_medium

The final option is high-reward, but relies on a position of weakness for Seattle. This is the long edge approach, the most 'outside' of the three options and the slowest to develop. It compensates by pulling out the left tackle and matching him against the right outside linebacker. The block on the right defensive end is weaker, but the block on the right outside linebacker is, theoretically, stronger. When this type of stretch is successful, the back uses his quickness to help nullify the right end, running away from him even if he does get good push. The edge is longer in a good way and a bad way. Jones must run longer to get to it, but should he, the left tackle should be able to seal off the outside linebacker effectively enough that Jones has a long lane into the second level.

This step fails if:

1. The right defensive end pushes the blockers back and forces Jones to bubble back his route to the outside.

2. The blocker assigned the right outside linebacker misses his block and allows the outside linebacker to tackle or at least cap the outside rush lane.

3. The line and/or linebacker dictate the flow of the play and continue to push outside left. That makes Jones route to the outside progressively longer, putting the opposing outside linebacker back into play through backside pursuit and the right corner into play by taking the rush too far outside.

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

long stretch

3-4 defenses tend to be more Man Coverage oriented when the offense is in 2 TE sets.

However, the long stretch can make man coverage easily exposed. If you have your WR motion right to draw man coverage then you can have a better chance to seal that left edge for JJ.

If the DB is not in man coverage then the QB can Audible to a different play or just stay with the same call.

John, you said it perfectly, it depends on matchups and personnel.

I ROCK out with my HAWK out, therefore I am....

by durteehawk on Oct 16, 2009 3:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, but

teams will sometimes shift their linebackers offensive left or walk their safety down when a team motions its only left wide receiver right.

by John Morgan on Oct 16, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dockett should give us problems.

He’s listed as RE, so, I see this play being regularly disrupted. We will probably opt to run the other way or find other plays that nullify his inevitable push.

Is there a way to account for a standout DE by adjusting the stretch left to accomplish a double-team on him?

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer, Sam Bradford*.

by Misfit74 on Oct 16, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Campbell's gotten that good, huh?

Or just a size difference?

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer, Sam Bradford*.

by Misfit74 on Oct 16, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've been hearing he's made a leap this year

There were a lot of doubts about him for the draft, but he was the guy I had my eye on most. I noticed he had a few good moments in their big Indy loss, but otherwise I haven’t been able to watch anything. He’s one guy I was planning on keeping an eye on this Sunday.

by jacobstevens on Oct 16, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Campbell is more of a force against the run

I think Dockett is better built to disrupt as a 4-3 tackle.

by John Morgan on Oct 16, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gotcha.

I’m afraid of Dockett’s ability to get penetration on runs as well as pass-plays. I’m not sure how we’ll get him blocked.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer, Sam Bradford*.

by Misfit74 on Oct 16, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just read that that Campbell is 6-7 290

He’s blocked 2 FG attempts this season.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer, Sam Bradford*.

by Misfit74 on Oct 16, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's a monster.

If we were set on drafting a DE during that draft I wanted either him or Phillip Merling at the time, because of value. Early projections had Campbell going first overall.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 16, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I was kind of looking for a reason to not draft him

there were doubts, and he sure fell, so I didn’t feel broken up about it.

by jacobstevens on Oct 19, 2009 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Expected an Edgerrin James pun.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 16, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Me too.

I’m a little disappointed, honestly.

by thebyron on Oct 17, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Start posting about the Seahawks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

Comcast NFL RedZone Moments from SB Nation

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

103929_0058_small
How do you feel about Spiller?
Seagal_small
Seattle makes Whitehurst offer
Nielson_small
OT: Favorite Comedians; WASHINGTON HUSKIES GO DANCING!!!
Seagal_small
Does Quinn make any sense?
Small
Demaryious Thomas GT
Small
Hulu.com's NFL Game of the week Sea @ Stl Nov 2005
Moustache_small
"Nuclear Cabbage"?
340x_small
The Prospects of Brandon Marshall
Jimi_hendrix_biography_small
Should we bring in Marlin Jackson?
Small
Projecting the comp picks

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Big Blue View
New York Giants notes: Woody's rant costly?
Turf Show Times
Rams visit with LB Na'il Diggs
Buffalo Rumblings
Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 3/16

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Photo link

Giants Win Coin Toss, Will Open New York Stadium

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (17) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons' Kroy Biermann during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) link

The Falcoholic Interviews Falcons DE Kroy Biermann

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn fires a pass in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) +4 updates

Cleveland Browns Trade Brady Quinn To Broncos For Peyton Hillis, Conditional Picks

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Image_114_small Shrug

Jj_flag_detail1_small John Morgan

Whiteken_small Scruffy Lefty

Small BrianL

Small abender20

Authors

Vp081-c_small Christian

Small Doug Farrar

Dksbtwit_small Johnny Peel (DKSB)