A focus on our DLine and LBers. (Run defense stats)

[TEK2000]

Well, I've gone back through and watched portions of the Eagles game.

There are some things I've noticed about our problems in the DLine and Lber corp. I'm not a coach by any means... but I just put some thoughts together on what I noticed and what I THINK should be happening.

I paid most attention to what was happening on running plays because that was a REAL problem during that game obviously.

Bobby Carpenter

• I think he's going to be just fine. He doesn't get blown out when blocked by a TE or RB.
• He's a split second late on disengaging from the blocker. He waits till the ball carrier is right there before separating from the blocker. He will certainly improve on this.. its probably an issue of the NFL game being faster than what he's used to from College. He'll learn the timing much better with more playing time and practice. It might be just an issue of underestimating the speed at which the RBs move in the NFL
• He doesn't look awful in coverage. As with anyone.. needs much improvement but he should certainly be better than Bradie James in coverage.
• I think he's improving on his positioning. I didn't notice any false steps like he was making when he first started getting playing time. He's getting himself in better position to make tackles and be involved with the play.

Bradie James

• Plays too high at the point of contact. He was completely blown out on quite a few plays.
• He didn't appear to be able to get off of blockers efficiently.
• He lacked effort on some plays late in the game. 1 play in particular (early in 4th quarter) he gave some hussle in trying to scrape down the line but when the ball carrier made it past him, Watkins steps up and wraps him up. The RB was still moving forward somewhat when James slacked off... NEVER STOP UNTIL THE WHISTLE BLOWS!
• Seems to get out of position and loose track of recievers when in zone coverage. On the Matt Schobel TD, Schobel finds a hole in the zone between Roy and Bradie because Bradie lost track of him and let a seem open up where Garcia was able to fit the ball into him. (Good positioning by Schobel)

Marcus Spears

• On multiple plays, especially on double teams, he has a tendency to stop driving his legs and just try to hold his ground by standing in place. Against NFL offensive linemen, they're strong enough to stand you up if the DLineman doesn't keep driving forward and stay low.
• Gives good effort on most plays. Perhaps he just needs more attention from the DLine coach on what exactly he's doing wrong and what's causing him to get out of position. I really believe that he's got the talent and ability to be a good DE, he's just making some technique errors that cause him problems.
• Keep in mind that he was facing JOHN RUNYAN all game. Runyan impressed the hell out of me ALL GAME! The guy absolutely manhandled whoever he was blocking... even Demarcus Ware on a play or 2.

Jason Ferguson

• Gives GREAT effort. The guy doesn't quit on any play.
• In most all instances, he holds the line of scrimmage. There was 1 play where he got blown out... he got too high and the center got leverage on him.
• Holds the line, scrapes down the line to make a play, even fights through the traffic of DE/OLB's that have gotten blocked.
• Just doesn't get upfield quick enough on pass rushing.

Chris Canty

• Holds his ground VERY well. On several plays he was double teamed and still held his ground.
• Gives VERY good effort on most every play. He hustles to the point where he's even close to chasing plays down from behind when they run to the opposite side.
• Doesn't get upfield and collapse the pocket well enough and quick enough on the pass rush.
• I'm gonna keep a further eye on him in the future. After watching this game... I think Canty is a big contributor on why teams can't run to that side of the field. Canty holds his ground and Ware is just a beast at getting off of blockers to close down running lanes.

Demarcus Ware

• Everyone knows he's a freakin beast. Plays with OUTSTANDING effort on EVERY PLAY.
• Shuts down the run to his side of the field in most all cases (with good assistance from Canty). See the stats below.
• Draws a double team quite frequently. In most cases where the Eagles ran to his side, the lead blocker would often help block Ware.

Some rushing defense stats.

Right side defense (Ware/Canty side): 6 rushes for 20 yards. 3.3 yards per carry. Longest run: 6 yards (there were 2 runs for 6 yards.. all others were 3 yards or less)

Middle defense: 5 rushes for 19 yards. 3.8 yards/carry

Left side defense (Spears/Carp): 22 rushes for 108 yards. 4.9 yards/carry. Longest run: 16 yards

(some of these rush numbers might be off by a slight bit as I may have missed 1 or 2 plays skimming thru the play by play. These rushing stats do not include Jeff Garcia's scrambles)

 

[Jimz31]

The one guy that I expected more out of this year that you mentioned was Spears. He had a tough guy to go up against in Runyan though.

 

[AdamJT13]

Some rushing defense stats.

Right side defense (Ware/Canty side): 6 rushes for 20 yards. 3.3 yards per carry. Longest run: 6 yards (there were 2 runs for 6 yards.. all others were 3 yards or less)

Middle defense: 5 rushes for 19 yards. 3.8 yards/carry

Left side defense (Spears/Carp):22 rushes for 108 yards. 4.9 yards/carry. Longest run: 16 yards

(some of these rush numbers might be off by a slight bit as I may have missed 1 or 2 plays skimming thru the play by play. These rushing stats do not include Jeff Garcia's scrambles)

The Eagles' running backs combined for 35 carries for 161 yards. These were the directional stats --

Left end = 1 for 2 (2.0 ypc, 0 percent PSR)
Left tackle = 4 for 15 (3.75 ypc, 50 percent PSR)
Left guard = 2 for 4 (2.0 ypc, 100 percent PSR)
Up the middle = 6 for 32 (5.3 ypc, 33 percent PSR)
Right guard = 5 for 22 (4.4 ypc, 80 percent PSR)
Right tackle = 10 for 48 (4.8 ypc, 40 percent PSR)
Right end = 7 for 38 (5.4 ypc, 57 percent PSR)

The "up the middle" stats are deceiving, because 14 of those yards came on a third-and-26 draw. Without that, it's five carries for 18 yards (3.6 ypc).

Also, the "right tackle" and "right end" stats both would be less than 3.7 ypc without one long run apiece.

 

[TEK2000]

The Eagles' running backs combined for 35 carries for 161 yards. These were the directional stats --

Left end = 1 for 2 (2.0 ypc, 0 percent PSR)
Left tackle = 4 for 15 (3.75 ypc, 50 percent PSR)
Left guard = 2 for 4 (2.0 ypc, 100 percent PSR)
Up the middle = 6 for 32 (5.3 ypc, 33 percent PSR)
Right guard = 5 for 22 (4.4 ypc, 80 percent PSR)
Right tackle = 10 for 48 (4.8 ypc, 40 percent PSR)
Right end = 7 for 38 (5.4 ypc, 57 percent PSR)

The "up the middle" stats are deceiving, because 14 of those yards came on a third-and-26 draw. Without that, it's five carries for 18 yards (3.6 ypc).

Also, the "right tackle" and "right end" stats both would be less than 3.7 ypc without one long run apiece.

That 3rd and 26 was 1 play I was missing in my stats I think.

You're right as well.. right tackle/right end each had a run of 15/16 yards a piece.

 

[eduncan22]

Guys weren't shedding blocks at all.

They looked very lazy out there...no hustle. A lot of solo tackles.

This picture tells it all. 7 guys get pancaked on a draw play that goes for 9 yards.

Something needs to be changed on this team.

http://i89.***BLOCKED***/albums/k215/eduncan22/wegotblocked.jpg


It doesn't look good for Zimmer.

 

[AdamJT13]

7 guys get pancaked

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

 

[eduncan22]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Its an informal adjective or slang..which means "to flatten or level"

 

[theebs]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Plus that play was run on the nickel defense.

the problem all night, predictably was the spears/singleton/carpenter side.

It is no secret without ellis over there yards can be had.

That is an area ellis gets no credit for, everyone talks about his sacks but he did a good job of turning the run back inside to spears and ferguson.

I really have no idea how they correct this problem.

The irony is that last year when singleton went down, we had the same problem, teams ran on spears and fujita.

 

[sillycon]

Its an informal adjective or slang..which means "to flatten or level"

They were certainly blocked. However, they were NOT blocked so badly that they were pancaked...

 

[Bleu Star]

They were certainly blocked. However, they were NOT blocked so badly that they were pancaked...

This is correct. They look blocked but I don't see one pancaked individual at all.

 

[sbark]

Are the stats on Carp/Singleton combined? or just the number of plays Carp in..........

What percent of def plays were split between Carp and Al?

Hate to ask for more work but running yds per play Carp vrs. Al?.........

In my 50 yr old memory bank, i thought carp was firmer on the corner point of attack that AL S., but i maybe just focused on a play or 2
vrs. your excellent work

 

[MONT17]

take a look at the picture... how can u run a read a react Defense when hardly anyone is watching the BALL!!!

this happens all the time....

count how many times the Dline even gets their hands up on a passing play!!!


they all play with their heads down because we dont have any COACHES!!!

 

[theogt]

Guys weren't shedding blocks at all.

They looked very lazy out there...no hustle. A lot of solo tackles.

This picture tells it all. 7 guys get pancaked on a draw play that goes for 9 yards.

Something needs to be changed on this team.

http://i89.***BLOCKED***/albums/k215/eduncan22/wegotblocked.jpg


It doesn't look good for Zimmer.

Watch this play again. That was a really good play there by the LG. He is so quick to get to Ayodele that Ayodele isn't even able to get inside of him, and the LG simply blocks him out of the play. Just an outstanding play by the LG. Akin didn't have time to react.

Also, I rag on Bradie James a lot but Burnett should not have been in there at ILB. He doesn't have the size or strength to take on guards (particularly Andrews). Then again, they probably weren't expecting a run there and James is horrible in coverage.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Guys weren't shedding blocks at all.

They looked very lazy out there...no hustle. A lot of solo tackles.

This picture tells it all. 7 guys get pancaked on a draw play that goes for 9 yards.

Something needs to be changed on this team.

http://i89.***BLOCKED***/albums/k215/eduncan22/wegotblocked.jpg


It doesn't look good for Zimmer.

You can see a lot on this one play. The outside rushers, hatcher and I assume ware on the other side, are in bull rush and contain mode, they are responsible for outside contain. Looks like the inside tackle, don't know if that is fergie or ratliff, but he looks to be getting held at the point of attack, its the ILB that are interesting.. the one in the middle, I guess that is Burnett is just getting blown up, out matched. The other one, I guess Akin is using bad technique, he used the wrong shoulder to attack the guard. also looks like he has his head down, he can't find the runner. These still are very interesting to me, lets me break down the play.