In a departure from our normal 'news' related linkup posts, today I'm bringing you some articles that I found interesting and educational. But they're not necessarily new. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
The decline of the RB position in the NFL - Turf Show Times: "A look at how playoff teams have included the run into their offense since 2001 and what it says about the direction of NFL offensive strategy."
The decline of the RB position in the NFL, pt. 1b - Turf Show Times: "More data comparison on running backs."
The decline of the RB position in the NFL, part 2 - Turf Show Times: "The second of a three-part series looking at whether or not the best running backs, year after year, have a noticeable effect on a team's overall success."
X's & O's: Pass Protection | Cheesehead TV: "Frequent Cheesehead TV commenter "Paul Ott Carruth", a former player and coach, breaks down different aspects of the Packers and their opponents from an X's and O's standpoint. Today he breaks down the many different facets of pass protection."
What are the basic principles of dropback pass protection? | Smart Football: "Pass protection is a deep and varied subject, but at least a little can be said to understand the very high-level basics of how the pass rush/pass protection chess match plays out on a given play. Essentially, there are two types of protection schemes: (1) area or zone schemes, and (2) man schemes. Some protections blend these two approaches, either explicitly or implicitly."
Cripes! Get back to fundamentals...: Pass Pro - Chris Truax (SFA): "Proceeding Allen Rudolph at the ULL clinic, was Stephen F Austin Offensive Line Coach, Chris Truax. Truax shared his thoughts on protection in SFA's 1-back system. SFA is a 4 wide 1-back offense with 15 routes, 3 runs, 3 screens, and 3 protections bearing a strong resemblance to "air raid" (note his astute observations on formation naming). Truax spent time discussing his philosophy on protection and offensive line play fundamentals."
Aaron Rodgers: "For better pass protection, we need fewer blockers." | Smart Football: "Note too that you can have different types of pass protection — i.e. "slide" (also known as "gap") protection or man (also known as "BOB," big on big, back on backer). Slide protection is a little sturdier — the line, tight-ends, and/or runningbacks are each responsible for a gap, and just step that direction and zone or "area block" all stunts and twists, but man-protection, when done correctly, allows the line to just block the obvious rushers while the runningback can "check-release" a linebacker or safety and release into the pattern if no one rushes. Defenses have countermoves too, but in that way you can both max-protect and get five into the route if the defense only rushes four."
Football 101: The screen package - College Football - ESPN: "Why the screen? It is a necessity that every good offensive football team has a diversified screen package to combat today's attacking and blitzing defensive philosophies. Screens are an important element in successful offensive football for several seasons:"