If you read the intro in the Miami vs Zona thread, skip ahead to the play illustrations. With more mobile & athletic QBs entering the league and faring well, spread offenses & the quick passing game being more prevalent, and the introduction of the read-option, I thought it'd be a great time to revisit a chunk of our 2012 games to see what adjustments can be made along the defensive line as a counter measure. I focused on: QBs using their mobility to extend plays the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of our interior pass rush read-option quick passes that offer a chance to be batted down screens and the ability to stop playmakers in space I'm in the process of reviewing every pass attempt and read option run to see where we could've had greater success had we had more athleticism along the line, better pass rush from the interior, better ball-swatting ability, and better pursuit ability to stop running backs in space and prevent QBs from extending plays with their feet (especially when Wake gets pressure turning the turner and there's no one there to capitalize on QBs who are forced to move). So far it seems there's room for significant improvement if we go after it. From what I gather, our interior pass rush is lacking. The overall athleticism and pursuit ability just isn't there to capitalize on plays where either coverage is good, protection breaks down, or Wake gets pressure around the corner forcing the QB to move in the pocket (or out of it). I lost track of how many times the pressure came from running the arc and QBs had plenty of space to step up and avoid the rush, and with one or two pass rushers running the arc it leaves more open passing/running lanes. A mobile QB vs two 300+ pound defensive tackles is a mismatch, as we'll frequently lose that battle. It's a shame how often Wake applies pressure only to see it go for nothing. IMO it should be a priority to bring in a few players who can take advantage of the chaos he creates while he's still at the top of his game. A guy like Ziggy Ansah would be ideal IMO. Sheldon Richardson should be looked at, as well as another pure pass rusher like Cornellius Carradine or Corey Lemonier to give Cam a breather, play opposite him in nickel, and groom as Cam's future heir. In Free Agency the 2 interior pass rushers who come to mind are Wallace Gilberry & Jason Jones. 1st Drive of Game (ends in missed FG) Indy #1 -16 yard pass to Avery -rushing 5 -pressure by Wake who's held and spun like a top -Lucks steps up a few yards with no one in his face Indy #2 -22 yard completion (on 3rd & 12) -pressure by Wake -congested inside; at one point the entire dline is stacked vertically -Luck moves up and to his left Indy #3 -7 yard screen to Brown -Starks slow in pursuit -Odrick can't get off block in space -Misi slow to react; indecisive
Indy #4 -13 yard quick slat -Starks misses the swat Drive 2 (results in TD) Indy #5 -8 yard quick pass to Wayne -Wake misses batted pass opportunity while in passing lane Indy #6 -9 yards (on 3rd & 3) -missed sack Indy #7 -25 yards to Hilton (on 3rd & 14) -Odrick a hair too slow in pursuit up the middle Drive 5 (2 minute drill; results in FG) Indy #8 -13 yard completion -Wake & Odrick ridden deep -Luck steps up -Starks is a step behind/slow in the middle; misses a potential batted pass opportunity
Indy #9 -Luck scrambles for 5 yards -Starks too slow in pursuit (Ziggy Ansah likely tracks this play and others down for a sack) Indy #10 -6 yard completion -Luck scrambles to left -3 on 3 inside -congested middle; poor pursuit Indy #11 -20 yard completion -rushed 5 (5 on 5) -lineman on the ground; no inside pressure; open lanes galore
Drive 7 (results in TD) Indy #12 -15 yard completion (on 3rd & 6) -tight coverage downfield -Luck evades Odrick and rolls left. (the athleticism of a Ziggy Ansah type likely turns this into a sack) -Starks too late; doesn't get his hands up (whereas Ansah has the ability to finish this play) Indy #13 -19 yards (on 3rd & 16) -Wake & Odrick ridden deep -Luck steps up; no one in his face; clear throwing lane
Indy #14 -36 yard TD -Luck has time, slides to his left -Odrick just a step too slow; Shelby lacked the burst to close. Drive 8 (ends in game winning FG) Indy #15 -20 yards (on 3rd & 11) -pressure around corners -Odrick reaches but doesn't have quite enough athleticism to convert the strip (IN THE ENDZONE) -Luck slides up a few yards -open lanes; no pressure in his face Indy #16 -20 yard quick slant (Wake misses swat attempt)
Indy #18 -Luck turns a should be sack into a 2 yard completion and puts/keeps Indy in FG range -Luck evades outside pressure (Shelby can't close on the sack opportunity) -Luck steps up with no one inside to pressure him
#19- SSmith is playing quarters but has no one in his zone. As he should, he fades deep to look for the backside post, Luck doesn't see him and throws a lob down the middle. SS is in perfect position but he's caught between playing the ball and the WR, gets lost and doesn't make the play. TD Colts.
This... is phenomenal. Excellent excellent work. Also the sheer audacity at some of the holds that went uncalled, holy hell.
It's excellent work, but it depresses the hell out of me..the holding calls imo were the least of our concern..not being able to track the great elusive Qb is everyone's problem.. That elite escapability while being focused downfield is very dangerous.I coveted that quality so much, that precise Qb athleticism to execute an offense fundamentally, and to escape and make plays when the defense wins against those fundamentals..deadly sh$&.
Wake must lead the league in forcing uncalled holds. It's sickening what the refs allow blockers to do to him.
We should take page from the Giants and use DEs as DTs on passing downs. Looking at our current DL corps, I would think a nickel line of Wake, Shelby, Vernon and Misi would be better. It would add some speed and quickness to the mix. Your ideas of signing Gilberry or Jason Jones, and drafting Ansah would definitely help I think.
Here's a guy who, IMO, highlights in the clips below how we can capitalize on all these missed opportunities, especially the ones Cam creates. <Ziggy Ansah> All the videos are timestamped for convenience. I'm not saying a guy with Ansah's ability would convert all the highlighted Indy plays but he would've prevented some of them, which could've been enough to make a difference. 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h9h5CJFMlt8#t=325s 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Aya0wRxQklU#t=189s 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=z-JxQlaxBHU#t=213s 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MFYELG3ItAk#t=59s 5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Aya0wRxQklU#t=101s 6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Aya0wRxQklU#t=207s 7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HpiOSwicEkk#t=70s 8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h9h5CJFMlt8#t=266s 9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h9h5CJFMlt8#t=283s (and the replay) 10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h9h5CJFMlt8#t=325s 11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HpiOSwicEkk#t=179s 12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8O4NawUsjtc#t=62s 13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=GEe0b0bqmAI#t=68s 14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=z-JxQlaxBHU#t=234s
Gilberry would probably be cheaper as he cost Cincy only 700k last year for a one year deal, where as Jones was 4+ million. IIRC, Gilberry's pressure to snap ratio is quite high. Wake - Ansah - Gilberry - Misi/Vernon would be a big upgrade to what we have now IMO..... and definitely more athletic and more capable of preventing the big play when things break down.
