The coaches talked about their coverage variations so I had a look at the coaches film for a short time (I wasn't able to spend too much time on it). I noticed a few things though. 1. Blitz/coverage. Some would have noticed this too. When Coyle wants to put pressure in nickel and dime he would bring Burnett and dansby at the line of scrimmage and line them up between the defensive linemen. Both LBers would show blitz but would only send one,none or both. This would confuse the interior offensive linemen making them guess which one is coming and thus which direction the protection should slide too. Often one guard would hesitate and that is all a DE needs to go one on one against a tackle. Also what usually happens is that a guard had to quickly block a LB and either Starks or Soliai can get some pressure on on one. The same also occurs in conjuction on the edge when Jones lines up outside of the TE and shows blitz but then drops back into man coverage. Sometimes the OL, TEs and blocking backs have a tough time figuring out if one or both LBs are coming while guessing if the safety is also coming. If one or both LBs do not blitz but drop back in man or zone coverage the QB needs to recognize it quickly or a receiver coming over the middle may not look as open. 2. I have noticed on occasion an outside CB switching coverage with the nickel CB after the ball is snaped. What this does is make the slot receiver look like he is getting a mis-match until the outside CB comes defending it. Also, when the outside corner shows a deep cushion the QB thinks he has an easy quick throw to the WR until the nickel CB actually drifts to the outside and cuts it off underneath. 3. Jimmy Wilson is improving. Sean Smith is playing at a pro bowl level and Carrol is coming along well and has become solid. They are getting better and better being on WRs hip pocket. Wilson is getting there too and slowly becoming and good NFL nickel CB with Richard Marshall out. Wilson is not getting lost by receivers like he usually does and he is locating the ball in the air better. He's is becoming a fine DB. 4. I'm still a little worried about the LBs covering TEs though. It's just not quite where it needs to be.
Love the point about the slot CB switching with the outside CB, and undercutting the outside WR's route while duping the QB by showing a big cushion at the snap. Man that could lead to some INTs for our slot corner. And those tend to be pick sixes. I wonder if Coule would play dummy zones too with an LB faking a drop to a middle zone area for two steps then cutting into the short sideline zone... Maybe that's too far to travel before those short routes are complete thoug. Love the crafty defense. Re: TEs and LBs. we have to accept that TEs are better athletes than LBs on many teams in today's game. I think it's a lot like a number one receiver. You can't hold him catchless. You just want to hold a TE to 50 or less yards and zero TDs.
What did Coyle say? He got this from Zimmer. Sugaring the A-gaps to show double A-gap blitz and then pull out so the protection is screwed up. Forces the 3 interior OL to block two guys, creating one on one matchups on the outsides with no help. Regarding the nickel corner dropping off, against Cincy it was a Cover 2 Man Trap. Ideally, the QB on the 3-step throws it straight to the nickel dropper.
How do you counter/attack this D as an offense? I have some ideas, but you are more studied and I'm curious what you'd expect from a good Offensive Co-ordinator?
