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Zone Blocking

Ever wondered what it really was and how it was implemented across the entire unit of an offensive line?

Our own cgolden over at Revenge of the Birds has taken an admirable first stab at dissecting the differences between man and zone blocking schemes in the running game. His analysis, of course, is molded to the Arizona Cardinals personnel situation, but it's a worthwhile read if you have a few minutes regardless.

For one, many of us, myself included, only vaguely understood what zone blocking was in the run blocking. Obviously, as sports fans, most of us understand the general principles of zone coverage, be it in basketball or in pass coverage in football. Thus, the concept made general sense as it related to the running game in the NFL. But I didn't know much, and I picked up a few things I didn't know before.

Secondly, the offensive coordinator of the Cardinals is one Kenneth Whisenhunt. And the O-Line coach is one Russel Grimm. It's interesting to see them change gears after such success coordinating successful rushing attacks throughout their respective careers. Good for them, and here's hoping, for their sake and for cgolden's, that the Cards dethrone Seattle in the NFC West this year.

If you enjoy and appreciate all the fine stuff cgolden does for our haven here, throw a dawg a bone every once in awhile and check out what he, Whiz, Grimm, et. al are up to in the Desert.

1 recs  |  Comment 15 comments

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Cool article

I always wondered what the difference was other than the cut blocking sob’s.

by BadMaafala on Aug 6, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

thanks

It was cool for me b/c I went in having absolutely no idea what the differences were either.

by cgolden on Aug 6, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So is this Zone Blocking better for a mobile quarterback like Big Ben?

As far as Arizona is concerned, I’m tempted to root for them in their division…

But I’m not a big fan of Matt Leinart; although I am a big fan of Kurt Warner because he is a born again christian like me.

by lightningrod on Aug 6, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the zone blocking

mostly regards to their run blocking schemes. in pass protection most teams switch between man to man (i.e. you are assigned a guy and you block him), and between a “zone” where they just pick up whoever is rushing at them in their area, depending on their opponent and what kind of blitzes/stunts/slants/twists they run.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 6, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

correct

As MVT said, zone blocking is basically a run blocking system.

by cgolden on Aug 6, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about in play action pass, when you fake the run?

The option, or whatever you call it…

?

by lightningrod on Aug 6, 2008 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good one...

Thanks for that. Have to admit I just thought the same about cheap cut blocks…Good to know the root of the idea.

But, reading that, and imagining that Arizona has had a few good draft picks in the last decade or so ;) – sounds like they need to let some of those poor, big-old stand still and maul the guy in front of you to make the hole you want to guys go so they can make way for the lighter, faster boogy woogy linemen.

by SCSteeler on Aug 6, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

whoops...

...as I was saying…

I can think of a good place for a few powerful man-blocking high draft linemen. Trade you a mahan for some of those big guys – he’s probably perfect for that system right?

by SCSteeler on Aug 6, 2008 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lutui for Mahan

That was exactly what I thought when I read that article. We have a smaller guy that’s not a very big or powerful blocker. Let’s trade him to the Cards for Lutui!

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ehh

I didn’t think about it before but Mahan might be better suited for a zone but I still wouldn’t trade for him. Then again what do I know.

by cgolden on Aug 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Zone blocking

won’t help him when he gets knocked on his ass in pass protection.

by BadMaafala on Aug 7, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He’d probably be a better zone blocking guard than a man blocking center. Besides, we want to talk him up to the other teams. ;)

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 7, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey don't mess up a good thing!

He’d be great in the zone! Yeah that’s it! He’s a guard/center -he’s a swiss army lineman!

Any takers?

by SCSteeler on Aug 7, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what I'm talking about!

I just think the Cards have got enough of our FAs and coaches….I call them Steelers West now (sorry cgolden!) . We should get a few good guys in return right?

by SCSteeler on Aug 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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