X&O Analysis: Run Defense

[xwalker]

It would be nice if we could discuss X & O issues in this thread.

There are already dozens of threads about how much so & so on the Cowboys sucks.

The solution to run defense on inside runs is to remove a defender from the inside...

It is obviously counter-intuitive to have 1 less defender in the middle to improve inside run defense but that is how the Patriots stopped the Rams run game in the Super Bowl.

The image below is from a play in the 4th quarter of the Cowboys-Packers game that has been mentioned several times because the 3-tech DT takes himself out of the middle area and the Packers RB cuts back inside for an 11 yard gain.

The issue is that the Cowboys all flow play-side when they see an outside zone run and then are out of position when the RB cuts back inside. This was by far the #1 issue in the playoff game against the Rams and it was an issue in the Packers game.

Note: The Packers only had 3 inside runs that gain more than 5 yards.

I'll show the solution in the 2nd post of this thread.

 

[xwalker]

The image below is from the Super Bowl.

• Notice the difference in where the LBs are aligned as compared to the Cowboys?
• The Pats moved the OLBs outside the DEs and up on the line.
• On outside zone runs the DL didn't need to immediately flow to the play-side because there was a LB out there already.
• The Pats had their DEs squeeze the inside to offset having the LBs outside.
• This is possible because the LBs now have outside contain instead of the DEs.
• The result is that the DL has not significantly moved to the play-side and remain in the middle area when the RB cuts back inside.

 

[Praxit]

..good one Walker, interesting. Hate to justify some peeps on the boards, on instances know more than the coaches. Patriots D this year is even better I think, then last year.

 

[NEODOG]

You're asking for adjustments on scheme

This coaching staff knows nothing of the sort

 

[charron]

Look how spread out our DL are. there are 2 packers OL between each of our defensive linemen.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

It would be nice if we could discuss X & O issues in this thread.

There are already dozens of threads about how much so & so on the Cowboys sucks.

The solution to run defense on inside runs is to remove a defender from the inside...

It is obviously counter-intuitive to have 1 less defender in the middle to improve inside run defense but that is how the Patriots stopped the Rams run game in the Super Bowl.

The image below is from a play in the 4th quarter of the Cowboys-Packers game that has been mentioned several times because the 3-tech DT takes himself out of the middle area and the Packers RB cuts back inside for an 11 yard gain.

The issue is that the Cowboys all flow play-side when they see an outside zone run and then are out of position when the RB cuts back inside. This was by far the #1 issue in the playoff game against the Rams and it was an issue in the Packers game.

Note: The Packers only had 3 inside runs that gain more than 5 yards.

I'll show the solution in the 2nd post of this thread.

Yada yada yada yada can you tell us what our offense was doing while the Packers took us to the house 31-3?

 

[xwalker]

Yada yada yada yada can you tell us what our offense was doing while the Packers took us to the house 31-3?

I could, but you would not understand the analysis if I posted it.

 

[calicowboy54]

Look how spread out our DL are. there are 2 packers OL between each of our defensive linemen.

that is what i noticed as well... in that Alignment looks like we are running Wide 9 defense which will get gashed on Runs for sure.

 

[quickccc]

Admirable analysis, X.

I hope to find an video analysis on how the Saints vaunted run defense, like the Pats .. also was able to limit the same Rams run attack that utterly ran wildly amok on Cowboys run defense for a record breaking single playoff game rushing total. (just 77 rushing yds and both RBs held under 3.0 yards per avg.)

And that was with Rankins already out for the year (Achilles).. and before the Saints signed up FA Malcolm Brown in the offseason.

 

[Runwildboys]

I could, but you would not understand the analysis if I posted it.

Ouch

 

[Pantone282C]

The image below is from the Super Bowl.

• Notice the difference in where the LBs are aligned as compared to the Cowboys?
• The Pats moved the OLBs outside the DEs and up on the line.
• On outside zone runs the DL didn't need to immediately flow to the play-side because there was a LB out there already.
• The Pats had their DEs squeeze the inside to offset having the LBs outside.
• This is possible because the LBs now have outside contain instead of the DEs.
• The result is that the DL has not significantly moved to the play-side and remain in the middle area when the RB cuts back inside.

Always like your posts. Very insightful.

 

[CCBoy]

The image below is from the Super Bowl.

• Notice the difference in where the LBs are aligned as compared to the Cowboys?
• The Pats moved the OLBs outside the DEs and up on the line.
• On outside zone runs the DL didn't need to immediately flow to the play-side because there was a LB out there already.
• The Pats had their DEs squeeze the inside to offset having the LBs outside.
• This is possible because the LBs now have outside contain instead of the DEs.
• The result is that the DL has not significantly moved to the play-side and remain in the middle area when the RB cuts back inside.

Outside contain was a big problem against Green Bay and a good read back.

 

[lostar2009]

Look how spread out our DL are. there are 2 packers OL between each of our defensive linemen.

To be honest look like that was playing a wide 9 technique. When they say they was using the Cowboys aggression against themselves.

 

[CCBoy]

Yada yada yada yada can you tell us what our offense was doing while the Packers took us to the house 31-3?

Up front, give X a break...remember when chewing gum was invented? Come back with a disrespectful comment full of agenda...as you couldn't chew on the original OP. Or really talk about anything with the crutch of a negative '*****.' (The word rhymes with itch...)

 

[Pantone282C]

To be honest look like that was playing a wide 9 technique. When they say they was using the Cowboys aggression against themselves.

Containment assignments - where are they?

 

[CCBoy]

Containment assignments - where are they?

I'll be watching Brown and his coverages/run support.

 

[gmoney112]

Yeah, the Patriots shaded the DL tighter because they wanted to control runs up the middle, which was afforded because of the LBs in more outside contain + occupying blockers.

On run downs, they basically played a 6 man DL this way. They also had Hightower basically stay put in the middle of the field, only flowing in a for sure run, to counter play action and to play the inside run.

Their goal was to clog the middle of the field, reduce play action effectiveness (which LBs are more prone to be exposed to) so DL on run downs grouped tighter with LBs or S/LB hybrid Chung grouped outside for the Tackles and contain.

On more passing downs, they'd create matchups and blitzed pretty successfully. Bringing 5-6 man pressure more.

 

[charron]

It would be nice if we could discuss X & O issues in this thread.

There are already dozens of threads about how much so & so on the Cowboys sucks.

The solution to run defense on inside runs is to remove a defender from the inside...

It is obviously counter-intuitive to have 1 less defender in the middle to improve inside run defense but that is how the Patriots stopped the Rams run game in the Super Bowl.

The image below is from a play in the 4th quarter of the Cowboys-Packers game that has been mentioned several times because the 3-tech DT takes himself out of the middle area and the Packers RB cuts back inside for an 11 yard gain.

The issue is that the Cowboys all flow play-side when they see an outside zone run and then are out of position when the RB cuts back inside. This was by far the #1 issue in the playoff game against the Rams and it was an issue in the Packers game.

Note: The Packers only had 3 inside runs that gain more than 5 yards.

I'll show the solution in the 2nd post of this thread.

Looks like they have Woods coming in to rush while Lee covering the TE? Wouldn't it be better to have Smith rush, Lee back at MLB and woods on the TE? I thought smith's been doing ok rushing as of late.

 

[lostar2009]

Containment assignments - where are they?

From my understanding wide 9 is pretty much for rushing. I'm no expert but that's what it look like.

 

[Parcells4Life]

I wish we could have a pure X’s and O’s Zone to leave all the generic moaning and complaining about changing coaches to everyone else that thinks the game is as simple as madden