Knapp's Offense: Failure to Stretch Right

by John Morgan on Sep 8, 2009 2:06 PM PDT

1-10-SEA 41 (14:25) 44-T.Duckett right tackle to SEA 43 for 2 yards (54-A.Davis).

Seattle adjusts its formation slightly but not its personnel type. T.J. Houshmandzadeh subs for Deion Branch, but the Seahawks are still 2 WR, TE, I formation.

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Seattle is running a stretch right. The right side of its line is handling the simple chore of bulling Denver right. The left side handles the pull blocking. Sean Locklear ignores the left outside linebacker (Elvis Dumervil) and slides underneath towards the left "A" gap. Rob Sims knocks back the right defensive end off the snap and then sheds to engage the left inside linebacker (D.J. Williams). He fails to engage.

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Owen Schmitt and T.J. Duckett run up and then horizontal towards the right flat. Both are aiming for the right edge, off tight end John Carlson. Locklear pulls through the left "A" gap but misses a block on the right inside linebacker (Davis). Duckett doesn't show sufficient speed to get to the edge and is tackled from behind by Davis. Williams hits him from the front preventing a more effective fall forward.

Essential Details: Seattle's right side works collectively to stretch the defense right.

Seattle's left side blocks in space.

Locklear does not block Davis.

Sims does not block Williams.

Duckett does not pass the line of scrimmage before Davis has tracked him down from behind.

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Comments

Two key blocks missed?

No chance Duckett gets anything from that play.

by Strictnine on Sep 8, 2009 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

Ugh, Duckett on a sweep?

And caught from behind? Big surprise.

by djafrot on Sep 8, 2009 3:31 PM PDT reply actions

A prime example of the perils of zone blocking

And the necessity of one-cut running. That second level blocking needs to be improved if the running game is going be potent (otherwise there’ll be a lot of one and two yard runs). There were a lot of missed blocks in the preseason which led directly to the unblocked player making the tackle.

It seemed to me that the second-level blocking was getting better as the preseason progressed, but given the quality of opponents and level of play, it’s hard to be sure.

Still, there’s something to be said for being in the right place at the right time, versus totally whiffing on your block or stumbling out of position.

by Groundhog on Sep 8, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions

I like this series of posts - Good job, John!

I just wish there was a “Next” button I could use to go directly to the next one in the series, instead of having to go back to the homepage each time.

by Mr Fish on Sep 8, 2009 8:02 PM PDT reply actions