Should we become Arizona East?

Yes they were able to put together a great string of plays resulting in ball movement and points. Yes they were able to block a very good D-line for an extended period of time in a crucial part of the same game. Yes there were able to do both without penalties.

HOWEVER, if we’re going to go with the cards (get it?) we were dealt, we must keep in mind that we have BA. I’m not sure who called the no-huddle but it was a great decision and when those are made offensively by the Steelers, I don’t immediately think of BA. I think we should look at widening our O-lines stances and hope that we’re able to create some seams for Willie and Wendy (pun intended) to push through. Give the opposition the look of pass and pray that they win a few one-on-one battles.

Willie is scared to get hurt in his contract year, Wendy is scared he’ll become the next Kinjina Carter and based on first impressions, Frank looks like the late Big Pun without Fat Joe. All of the RB’s except MeMo get three weeks to get it together. Then, Frank goes on the waiver wire and we call up Redman. Chicago is beatable w/o Troy, as is Cincy… SD, I don’t know just yet.

Our offense looked a lot like Arizona’s in the Super Bowl. We had a ton of success passing once we got it going (well, once Ben stopped over or underthrowing his WR’s), and the running game just looked like a waste of time. Good thing we focused on the running game after running downfield with the no huddle spread attack.

Ben would be the best damn QB in league if we had a decent OC with the courage to point us in a direction.

BB Gun…. LOL

Well, right now (and it’s been this way against decent defenses since 2006) the running game is only contributing to getting us off the field quicker, while Ben was able to put together some clock killing “hurry up” (note quotes) drives. Effective offense is what keeps the defense off the field, not running the ball. What does is matter if we go 3 and out trying to run the ball or have an occasional series of 3 incompletions?

By the way, two of the most high powered passing offenses in the past 10 years (2001 Rams and 2007 Patriots) had very respectable defenses, largely because they were playing with a lead most of the time.

The difference is better shown than explained. Here’s an idea though. Zone blocking for pass is tought on all levels of football. Zone blocking for running isn’t. Ok let me check that because there are some crazy brave coaches that try it. It is extremely difficult to teach to pee wee football players.

There is an unspoken assumption in what I am about to say. If a coach that teaches zone run blocking doesn’t have a firm grasp on the principles he’s preaching. It will make the blockers look like they are lost.

May be an assumption in this too. When a player is not use to zone run blocking and they are just learning it: if the coach teaching it doesn’t make his scheme crystal clear, veteran line men (ashdkFANECAasjsh) will fight you tooth and nail.

All NFL pass blocking that I’m aware of is “zone” blocking. When a blitzer comes up the middle, the center comes off his double team to pick him up. When DL’s stunt (switch places) the OL’s are supposed to pick up the guy who is coming into their zone, instead of following “their guy” (ie the guard picks up the DE instead of following the DT to the outside). You need to be strong in order to pass block, but it’s better to be athletic, have good balance, and be very aware of your surroundings; you need to see where the pressure is coming from, and have the ability to get into proper position so you can block whoever is coming and maintain good leverage. Good leverage always beats raw strength. That’s why a guy like Kemo or Hartwig ends up in the backfield some of the time; they have to lunge and play with poor technique because they make mental mistakes or can’t get into position in time.

In the running game, there are two predominant blocking schemes: zone and man. Zone blocking works pretty much like pass blocking and uses the same skill set: some strength, but mostly awareness, athleticism, balance, and technique. That’s why a lot of passing teams use zone blocking; good pass blockers are typically good zone run blockers. The OL makes sure everyone is blocked, and the running back has the freedom to pick the hole he likes best (often referred to as his “one cut” as he starts in a direction and cuts through a gap).

Man blocking involves opening one hole in a specific place, often leaving non-play side defenders unblocked or underblocked (ie a TE or WR on a DE). That’s the traditional Cowher scheme. Alan Faneca runs to the other side of the line (or “pulls”) and cracks a LB, the FB gets another LB, and there’s a gaping hole for FWP to run for a 75 yard TD. Mobility is somewhat important, but you know where you’re going and who you’re going to block, so you need less awareness and balance. Usually man blockers are stronger and a little less athletic, often described as “maulers”.

It’s rare that a guy is a great pass protecter and man blocker. Teams like the Titans and Giants have lines that can do both, but they’re rare and expensive. It’s more common to see teams who want good protection for their passing game (like the Colts and a lot of college programs) use zone blocking as a way to have a moderately effective change of pace running game. Usually “run first” teams use a man blocking scheme, but there are some exceptions. The Shanahan Broncos and their imitators used an ethically questionable version of the zone blocking running game that involved diving at the defenders’ knees (legal if they aren’t otherwise engaged), which tends to open larger holes (such as those in opposing players’ ACL’s) than more conventional zone blocking running games.