Weekly Mock v.2

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by xwalker

That link is wrong. Callahan has used the ZBS at his other coaching positions.

I heard him quoted in an interview during training camp where he said "I paid for my kid's college educations teaching the Zone Blocking Scheme".

He says he uses a mix of Zone and Man depending on the situation and players.

Here is an article from 2009 about Callahan's ZBS with the Jets:

Published: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 8:28 PM

They fool you on every play, baiting the overzealous, embarrassing the overaggressive and slipping through cracks you never knew existed.
When they do it just right, you look silly.

The science of zone blocking may not be overly complicated, but the latest addition to the Jets playbook has put Rex Ryan’s team on the precipice of a playoff berth.

[View Full Quote]The Jets’ top-ranked rushing attack (166.6 yards per game) has leaned on a design built on offensive linemen blocking areas rather than single defenders as running backs run parallel to the line of scrimmage before choosing a crease to slip through.

Although the Jets used inside zone-blocking runs — running backs cutting back through open lanes inside the tackles — last season, they have added another dimension that has made all the difference.

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan’s decision to expand the team’s zone-blocking repertoire this season with more outside zone plays — linemen running as wide as the tight end’s position on the field — has paid dividends in the past two months.

“In the beginning of the year, we weren’t as good at it,” right guard Brandon Moore said. “We were still getting a feel for it. As we’ve gone along, it’s become our staple.”

The evolution of outside zone runs during the season has had a tangible effect. Thomas Jones, who admittedly didn’t care for the new wrinkle early on, averaged 3.7 yards per carry in the first five games. After grasping the nuances of outside zone runs, Jones averaged 4.6 yards per carry over the next 10 games.

“It’s a transition,” said Jones, the league’s fourth-leading rusher (1,324 yards). “Once we (practiced) it and we had some success, that’s when we started to buy into it. Now we’re a zone team.”

The Jets’ run-heavy offense, which averages a league-high 36.7 attempts per game, is an anomaly in what has become a pass-first league. Eight of the 10 teams that have clinched a playoff spot rank in the Top 10 in passing. The Jets are 30th.

“As an offensive lineman, it’s a way to impose your will on another team,” Moore said. “The attitude of this team is run the ball and play defense. That’s all I ever asked for. That’s a recipe for a great team.”

Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold estimated a 50-50 split between zone-blocking and traditional man-blocking runs, but offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has gradually increased his zone calls throughout the season.

The primary difference with outside zone runs lies in a running back’s wider “landmark,” or ultimate destination, before a decision needs to be made.

Offensive linemen must be even more in sync since zone designs require more combination blocks. They need to “stay on their track” to fulfill their assignment, Moore said.

On any given play, running backs are presented with a front-side read, back-side read and “hit it right now” option that requires them to keep it simple: find immediate daylight and burst through a hole.

According to Jones, the running back moves “sideways,” or parallel to the linemen, who flow in one direction in unison. The secret to the outside-zone style’s success is to let opponents do all the heavy lifting.

“It’s an illusion,” said Jones, who on Sunday will face the Bengals’ second-ranked rush defense (87.7 ypg), which has allowed only four teams to top 100 yards this season. “Instead of making the defense come to where you want them to go and then blocking them, you let the defense take themselves out of the play and you react. If they over-run it, you cut back. If they stay back, you stay front side.”

The flexibility of zone schemes allows Jones and rookie Shonn Greene to make more reads. Fullback Tony Richardson, an integral part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominant zone-blocking system in the first half of the decade, also helped.

“There’s not a (pre-determined) hole where if they blitz it or stunt it, it’s closed,” Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca said. “The hole may be between the right guard and tackle or it could just be behind the tackle. It gives the running backs a chance to find a way.”

The scheme also exploits “really fast flowing defenses,” said Greene, who thrived in a zone-blocking scheme at Iowa.

“Get them running one way,” Greene said, “and then you can cut off that.”
Callahan plucked elements from successful zone-blocking teams of the past and showed video clips to his linemen in the offseason.

“We took little pieces from a bunch of different teams and made it into our own,” Mangold said.

Faneca spent 10 seasons in a big gap-trap, man-blocking system in Pittsburgh before learning to block more at an angle to move guys around and create running lanes rather than simply driving through them straight on. After a brief adjustment period, the unit began to gel. So, the number of zone-blocking calls increased.

“Once the proof was out there that we were starting to get it,” Faneca said, “that’s when the coaches opened the door a little bit and started getting a little more creative with those packages.”

But remember this isnt Callahans offense.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

But remember this isnt Callahans offense.

I'm not sure if you're serious. Sometimes I misread humor.

Jerry and Garrett both had a close relationship with Houck; however, Garrett wanted to implement more Zone Blocking into the scheme.

Jerry talked about it in an interview in 2011. He said the Houck was having to adjust because "they" were asking him to do some things differently (i.e. more Zone Blocking concepts).

Callahan's approach appears to be that he teaches both Zone and Man. It is then up to the play caller which type of blocking to use. They used a good bit of Zone Blocking in 2012. It appears that Callahan is going to be calling the plays and that Zone Blocking is in the playbook.

You have an Offensive Coordinator / OLine coach that is now going to be calling the plays. Since Zone Blocking is in the playbook, he has the option to call a Zone Blocking play at any time.

How often do you expect a play caller that is known as a Zone Blocking Guru, to choose to run a play that uses Zone Blocking?

In regards to the "it's Garrett offense" concept, I think that a lot of that is terminology. They don't want an OC that would force the players to learn all new terminology. It appears that Callahan's playbook will be a combination of Garrett playbook with some of Callahan's West Coast offense included with the terminology all being based on Garrett's playbook.

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I'm not sure if you're serious. Sometimes I misread humor.

Jerry and Garrett both had a close relationship with Houck; however, Garrett wanted to implement more Zone Blocking into the scheme.

Jerry talked about it in an interview in 2011. He said the Houck was having to adjust because "they" were asking him to do some things differently (i.e. more Zone Blocking concepts).

Callahan's approach appears to be that he teaches both Zone and Man. It is then up to the play caller which type of blocking to use. They used a good bit of Zone Blocking in 2012. It appears that Callahan is going to be calling the plays and that Zone Blocking is in the playbook.

You have an Offensive Coordinator / OLine coach that is now going to be calling the plays. Since Zone Blocking is in the playbook, he has the option to call a Zone Blocking play at any time.

[View Full Quote]How often do you expect a play caller that is known as a Zone Blocking Guru, to choose to run a play that uses Zone Blocking?

In regards to the "it's Garrett offense" concept, I think that a lot of that is terminology. They don't want an OC that would force the players to learn all new terminology. It appears that Callahan's playbook will be a combination of Garrett playbook with some of Callahan's West Coast offense included with the terminology all being based on Garrett's playbook.

Well i havent found anything to say Callahan intended to run zone blocking from the get go. Just what i posted and if u search google, alot use that as reference.

Im sure theyve ran both, but early they did use mostly man. that was the reason they went after bigger Guards then what they had last yr. Thats why they wanted Bernadeau at C because he was alot bigger than Costa. But he had that early surgery

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

Well i havent found anything to say Callahan intended to run zone blocking from the get go. Just what i posted and if u search google, alot use that as reference.

Im sure theyve ran both, but early they did use mostly man. that was the reason they went after bigger Guards then what they had last yr. Thats why they wanted Bernadeau at C because he was alot bigger than Costa. But he had that early surgery

Like I said, he teaches both, but it's up to the playcaller on how often he calls it. Jason Garrett was the playcaller in 2012. It appears that Callahan will be the playcaller in 2013.

Excerpts from the article that I posted:

Although the Jets used inside zone-blocking runs — running backs cutting back through open lanes inside the tackles — last season, they have added another dimension that has made all the difference.

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan’s decision to expand the team’s zone-blocking repertoire this season (Callahan's 2nd season) with more outside zone plays — linemen running as wide as the tight end’s position on the field — has paid dividends in the past two months.

“In the beginning of the year, we weren’t as good at it,” right guard Brandon Moore said. “We were still getting a feel for it. As we’ve gone along, it’s become our staple.”

Faneca spent 10 seasons in a big gap-trap, man-blocking system in Pittsburgh before learning to block more at an angle to move guys around and create running lanes rather than simply driving through them straight on. After a brief adjustment period, the unit began to gel. So, the number of zone-blocking calls increased.

“Once the proof was out there that we were starting to get it,” Faneca said, “that’s when the coaches opened the door a little bit and started getting a little more creative with those packages.”

They signed Alan Faneca the 1st year that Callahan was with the Jets. He was (6-5, 316) and had been in a man-blocking scheme his entire career. It is obvious from the article that Callahan intended to implement the ZBS with the Jets, but phased it in slowly the 1st year.

Bernadeau:
In regards, to Bernadeau being bigger than Costa, it is not true that big players can't play in the ZBS. It just depends on the quickness of the player.

The Texans drafted Brandon Brooks (6-5, 340) for their ZBS.

Here is an excerpt from an article where Kubiak references this issue:
Kubiak disagreed with the notion Brooks doesn’t fit the mold of a zone blocker “because he can move. If he was 350 and just a big, powerful guy, that would be different. But he moves around well and he can bend. He’s a new-wave kind of kid. They’re making them a little bigger nowadays. I think he’s got a real good chance of being able to help us.”

[LatinMind]

yes but its still JGs team. Its clear this team has players already thats better fit for a man blocking scheme. Especially if they keep Livings and Bernadeau at G. They just confuse themselves on stunts with that zone blocking. Its not a fit for Dallas.

Broaddus speaks about this all the time. He says you do your team a disservice by forcing your system on a team instead of going with a system that fits your players. a nd the way Jerry was talking about Livings and Mack i think theres more of a possibility of them starting in 2013 as Guards.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

yes but its still JGs team. Its clear this team has players already thats better fit for a man blocking scheme. Especially if they keep Livings and Bernadeau at G. They just confuse themselves on stunts with that zone blocking. Its not a fit for Dallas.

Broaddus speaks about this all the time. He says you do your team a disservice by forcing your system on a team instead of going with a system that fits your players. a nd the way Jerry was talking about Livings and Mack i think theres more of a possibility of them starting in 2013 as Guards.

No, it's not clear.

Despite his size, Bernadeau is probably better in a Zone scheme. The only players on roster that are questionable in the Zone scheme are Cook and Livings. Even Livings played in space a lot in Cincinnati, but he appeared to be a little slower in 2012 than he was while with the Bengals. Cook might not even make the team, leaving Livings as the only player that is not a perfect fit in the ZBS.

I don't see any players on the roster that are dominant power-man-blockers. Livings is the closest, but none of the others are bulldozers.

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by xwalker

No, it's not clear.

Despite his size, Bernadeau is probably better in a Zone scheme. The only players on roster that are questionable in the Zone scheme are Cook and Livings. Even Livings played in space a lot in Cincinnati, but he appeared to be a little slower in 2012 than he was while with the Bengals. Cook might not even make the team, leaving Livings as the only player that is not a perfect fit in the ZBS.

I don't see any players on the roster that are dominant power-man-blockers. Livings is the closest, but none of the others are bulldozers.

The way bernadeau and livings were exposed on stunts and blitzes its clear they arent right for a zone blocking scheme. I ask you to just view some of Broaddus' videos on player evaluations and u'll understand rather then just saying theyre a fit. He speaks specifically on all this. Livings especially is bad in a zone.

[Bane]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

Trade down pick up a 3rd and 7th

RD1 DJ Fluker T Bama
Big and Nasty, Something this team needs. Too many finesse type of players along the OL. They need a mauler.

RD2 Sylvester Williams DT UNC
Penetrating DT with a mean streak. Big and not affraid to mix it up inside.

RD3 Cornellius Carradine DE FSU
Disruptive and stout against the run for noles. Good fit for the strong side.

RD3 Alvin Bailey G Arkansas
New blood to the interior and could ease Bernadeau to C

RD4 TJ McDonald S USC
Still think this is a pick Kiffin could fight for. He thinks highly of him

RD5 Kenjon Barner RB Oregon
Little guy with a punch.

RD6 Michael Williams TE Bama
Big nasty TE, essential for the goaline

RD7 Zach Line FB SMU
Can run that 4th and short, catch out of the backfield and block.
[View Full Quote]
UDFA
Travis Howard CB Ohio State
Michael Mauti LB Penn State
Kapron Lewis-Moore ND
Wes Horton DE USC
Marquis Jackson DE Portlant State
John Sullen G Auburn
Reggie Dunn WR Utah

LOVE the idea of picking up Barner later in the draft, also would not be oppossed to Fluker, I believe he could fit in well here and I also like the idea of Williams and Carradine to add some talent and depth to the D-Line

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

The way bernadeau and livings were exposed on stunts and blitzes its clear they arent right for a zone blocking scheme. I ask you to just view some of Broaddus' videos on player evaluations and u'll understand rather then just saying theyre a fit. He speaks specifically on all this. Livings especially is bad in a zone.

This is the "film room" breakdown of Nate Livings.

http://prod.www.cowboys.clubs.nfl.co...4-4d5b854c20c8


Those are plays that all man-blocking teams run. This is more about Livings failing than about him in Zone or Man blocking. As I said in my previous post(s), Livings might not be good in a Zone scheme; however, even in a Man-Blocking scheme, Guards are required to pull and get 2nd level blocks which Livings was failing to do in the video.

I didn't see a breakdown of Bernadeau in Broaddus Film-Room videos.

Basically, it's down to 1 player on the roster, Livings, that might be worse in a ZBS than in a Man-blocking scheme.

I don't think that a team would make their decision based on the ability of 1 player that is a 31 year old OG that was not great in Man-Blocking and might be worse in a ZBS.

You might not like the ZBS; however, it does not change the fact that the Cowboys have and Offensive Coordinator/Play-Caller/OLine coach that has a reputation as a Zone Blocking Scheme Guru.

[jterrell]

That would qualify as a very good draft.

The trade down places Fluker in the right area and there is enough beef to satisfy any whining trenches fan.

Fluker can play. There is NOT ANY tape out there to assume he can't.

If he is a straight OG he is still the 3rd or 4th best OG prospect in the draft AT WORST.

Larry Allen was a far better man blocking OG/OT than he was a ZBS guy. Why be so silly to no draft a dominant player because of a system we may well see run all of 1 more year?

Any decent coach will tailor his system to his players. Systems do not win games, players do. There is an old saying from basketball that applies here. ::If you can't run man you can't run zone; and if you can't run zone you cant run man.

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by jterrell

That would qualify as a very good draft.

The trade down places Fluker in the right area and there is enough beef to satisfy any whining trenches fan.

Fluker can play. There is NOT ANY tape out there to assume he can't.

If he is a straight OG he is still the 3rd or 4th best OG prospect in the draft AT WORST.

Larry Allen was a far better man blocking OG/OT than he was a ZBS guy. Why be so silly to no draft a dominant player because of a system we may well see run all of 1 more year?

Any decent coach will tailor his system to his players. Systems do not win games, players do. There is an old saying from basketball that applies here. ::If you can't run man you can't run zone; and if you can't run zone you cant run man.

Exactly. And i havent read anything on scouts saying Fluker couldnt make it as a tackle. All you have to do is watch a bama game and u'll see he can be a tackle.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

Exactly. And i havent read anything on scouts saying Fluker couldnt make it as a tackle. All you have to do is watch a bama game and u'll see he can be a tackle.

Scout's Inc Scouting Report DJ Fluker:

Height-Weight-Speed
Massive right tackle prospect with ideal height. Strength and conditioning are key to NFL future, as he has 'trimmed down' to 335 pounds and a respectable 22-percent body fat. Has below average mobility.

Pass Protection
Adequate quickness in set but really has to labor. Tall with long arms and good upper body power. Difficult to get around and typically is able to make solid contact with pass rusher initially. Does a nice job of anchoring versus speed-to-power move. However, lacks ideal foot quickness and is not a natural knee bender. Frequently plays off balance and is lunging in desperation far too often versus quicker/faster edge rushers. Has limited mirror-slide ability. Gets burned versus quick double moves. Must continue to improve foot quickness and focus on playing with better balance.

Run Blocking
Adequate initial quickness and does a nice job with first step angles. Fires out quickly and usually with good leverage. Has long arms and a strong upper body. Is thick from top to bottom. Massive ROT type capable of engulfing smaller defender. Does not lose many battles if he can keep it in phone booth, but when he does lose a phone booth battle it's because he allows pads to rise. He plays too high after first few steps out of stance. Too many times on tape where he's off-balance, lunging in desperation, has head down, etc., which leads to struggles sustaining on angle blocks, zone blocks, etc.

Awareness
Can be late off the ball at times (focus?). Doesn't always seem confident in his assignments in space. But he does do a good job of adjusting on the fly. Has natural instincts when it comes to combo blocks and passing defenders off before picking up twists, delayed blitzes, etc. Still a work in progress but shows good natural instincts and can improve with more game experience and attention to detail.


Another Scouting Report on DJ Fluker:
At his size, Fluker is strictly a right tackle or perhaps even a guard prospect as he hasn't demonstrated the agility or balance necessary to handle NFL speed rushers on a consistent basis. Even as a run blocker -- his specialty -- Fluker has a tendency to drop his head and stop his feet as he makes contact, resulting in some of his more talented opponents being able to disengage.

[DFWJC]

Thanks for the effort LT.
The more the better, imo.

BTW, I think several of those guys would contribute--and maybe even start--as rookies.