Columbo / Same hole on 1st AND 2nd Dallas FG in 2nd Qtr

[Michael88Irvin]

I know things are different in the NFL, and I don't pretend to understand how it's done, but in high school and college, on kicks, isn't everyone taught to make yourself "big" and block towards the center? everyone, and then the wingmen outside of the TE's who are set off the line of scrimmage block anyone coming off the edge, but again, always taking the inside man first? And then if there's a speed guy rushing from outside all that, it's the kicker's job to get the ball off fast enough, right?

I've never heard of a scheme where you'd ask the tackle (Columbo) to block to his outside...who then would block a lb or back coming through the gap to his inside?

I'm more curious than anything...the idea that Witten blocked out when he should have blocked down made more sense to me than Parcells suggestion that it was Columbo who should have blocked Vincent, who rushed between Witten and the OT....certainly Vincent thought it was Witten who should have blocked him.

I'm not questioning Parcells...I'm just wondering how you block for kicks the way he seems to indicate it should have gone....anyone able to explain that to me?

I would think blocking for a FG should include blocking the person directly in front of you (or actually blocking SOMEONE) and making sure no one breaks through the line (and for sure not creating a wide lane for someone to run through). That was a GAPING HOLE he created and he truly blocked NO ONE... he only pressed up against the backside of the Dallas Lineman to his right who was already blocking his own guy and who didn't really need any help at all... if Columbo just stayed where he started - we make the FG... Vincent ran through that hole fully expecting Columbo to do what he did.

Granted... if Witten blocked to his right, he could have stopped Vincent, BUT the OUTSIDE guy would have come straight through untouched also. Vincent and the outside guy started from 2 inches apart from one another and EITHER would have made it... the only way to stop them would have been for Columbo to block Vincent.

 

[blindzebra]

I would think blocking for a FG should include blocking the person directly in front of you (or actually blocking SOMEONE) and making sure no one breaks through the line (and for sure not creating a wide lane for someone to run through). That was a GAPING HOLE he created and he truly blocked NO ONE... he only pressed up against the backside of the Dallas Lineman to his right who was already blocking his own guy and who didn't really need any help at all... if Columbo just stayed where he started - we make the FG... Vincent ran through that hole fully expecting Columbo to do what he did.

Granted... if Witten blocked to his right, he could have stopped Vincent, BUT the OUTSIDE guy would have come straight through untouched also. Vincent and the outside guy started from 2 inches apart from one another and EITHER would have made it... the only way to stop them would have been for Columbo to block Vincent.

You would think wrong.

The proper technique is too slide right and bump the guy next to you.

On the block he slid too far and Witten screwed up by not trying to lock down and he should have blocked Vincent.

The proper way to block it is to bunch up and force them wide, it's really hard to come off the end and get there in time, really easy to come up the gut and get there.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

You would think wrong.

The proper technique is too slide right and bump the guy next to you.

On the block he slid too far and Witten screwed up by not trying to lock down and he should have blocked Vincent.

The proper way to block it is to bunch up and force them wide, it's really hard to come off the end and get there in time, really easy to come up the gut and get there.

Thats interesting. Thanks

 

[Michael88Irvin]

You would think wrong.

The proper technique is too slide right and bump the guy next to you.

On the block he slid too far and Witten screwed up by not trying to lock down and he should have blocked Vincent.

The proper way to block it is to bunch up and force them wide, it's really hard to come off the end and get there in time, really easy to come up the gut and get there.

Watch the clip again... either Vincent or the outside guy would have made it no matter who Witten blocked... that is why I said that all Columbo had to do was NOTHING (not move) and we win the game... by moving and blocking no one, he opened a gaping hole that they evidently were anticipating!

 

[eduncan22]

If you go back and look at our 1st FG with 3:31 left in the 2nd Qtr to go up 9-5 AND the 2nd FG with :07 seconds left in the 2nd Qtr... you will see Columbo make the same move he did on the last FG at the end of the game and the same hole opens up.

My guess is that the Commanders spotted this MAJOR HOLE and advised the sideline coaches and Vincent (at halftime) to be prepared to run through the hole once it opens. And if you think about it, he did RUN through it rather than jump or dive as most do.

They told them to be ready on the next FG attempt... and guess what... the one the got blocked was the next FG attempt!

SO, for Parcells to say that he had never seen Columbo do that before, WE should have spotted that and corrected it!

Jeez..maybe we should have kept Rob P on our roster.

 

[AdamJT13]

Vincent didn't rush on either of the first two kicks, he stayed back to contain/cover on a botched snap.fake. On the first, Colombo had his arm out in case Vincent came, but he didn't, so Colombo blocked down. On the second, it was almost the same, but Colombo blocked down more quickly. On the third, Colombo seemed to just assume that Vincent wasn't going to rush. Unfortunately, he did.

The proper technique is too slide right and bump the guy next to you.

That's normally how it's done, but Parcells said we do it differently. Colombo was supposed to "hinge out" and block Vincent. Because his right leg was between the next lineman's legs, it would be near impossible for anyone to go between them. And if Colombo hinged out, Vincent would have to go around Colombo and over Witten's leg to get through. Instead, Colombo blocked in, leaving it open between him and Witten, which is where Vincent went.

 

[Clove]

This is unaccetable. The ST coach should have print outs to see each and ever field goal as the game goes on. If he didn't recognize this, he needs to be fired. When you need a game winning field goal, it's unaccetable to allow a single player through that line unless he comes from the furthest distance.

 

[Michael88Irvin]

That's normally how it's done, but Parcells said we do it differently.

Thanks Adam (tough tofu there blindzebra, take it up with Adam, if you 'feel lucky')... it was clear that 'blocking down' was not what the game plan was. It is just so disappointing that we wound up with a LOSS due to something so (seemingly) simple.

We have all watched a ton of field goals in our day, college and pro, and it is a RARE occassion to witness a blocked FG, and even more so one blocked that led to the opponents scoring.

Between that surreal ending and the EXTREMELY fortunate ending of the NYG/PHI game in week2, we should be tied for the lead in the NFC east, NOT 2 games behind!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Parcells said that in his conference, didn't he...man, we better hope he was just not being honest to the media. Otherwise, we have more problems with our coaching staff than some of us already think.

This is an AWFUL group of assitant coaches.

(BTW, how do I do that nifty multi-person quote again?)