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07:45 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 26, 2005
[size=-1]By MATT MOSLEY / ***BANNED-URL***
[/size]
Editor’s note: In this week's edition of Game Inside the Game, we take a look at blitzing from a linebacker's perspective. Linebackers Ryan Fowler and Scott Shanle talked at length about what their responsibilities are and what it takes to be an effective blitzer. Have a suggestion for a future installment? E-mail Matt.
How many blitz packages do the Cowboys have out of their 3-4 defense? The Cowboys have about 10 different blitzes that they've worked on this season, but they usually don't take more than four into a game.
How do you decide when to blitz? Each team has its own philosophy when it comes to calling a blitz. Some defenses will wait and see how many receivers line up on each side. If three receivers line up on one side, some teams like to blitz to that side of the scheme. Other teams blitz to the opposite side of where the most receivers line up.
What makes a linebacker an effective blitzer? For outside linebackers, it's important to be able to knock away the hands of blockers. That's something that defensive end Greg Ellis does an excellent job of. Shanle and Fowler agree that Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter does an excellent job of taking blockers head on. As we've mentioned before, Trotter attempts to destroy the center. Fowler said Trotter makes a "dent" in the protection, allowing his teammates to make plays. Inside linebackers such as Fowler and Shanle say it's almost like busting up a wedge on some plays.
Why do the blitz packages change from week to week? A lot of it depends on which quarterback you're playing. The Giants' Eli Manning likes to stay in the pocket, so the Cowboys tried to make him move side to side. With someone like Donovan McNabb, the Cowboys have to maintain good "rush-lane integrity," according to Fowler.
How does a blitz get called? Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will signal in the defensive front, the coverage and the blitz if there is one. The middle linebacker, Bradie James, then calls out the play in the huddle.
Guarding against tipping the offense off: Offensive players look for clues that might tip them off to a possible blitz. Linebackers have to make sure they disguise what they're doing. Young players have a tendency to stand up on their toes or inch forward just before the snap. Shanle said he has to remember not to let his eyes get big before blitzing from his "jack" linebacker spot. "They can pick up on that stuff immediately," Shanle said.
When do blitzes work best? When the offensive scheme isn't set up to stop it. Sometimes Shanle will line up at linebacker and hear a team call out his number. That means the protection is angled toward him. When a guard squares up on an inside linebacker, it's almost impossible to get through on a blitz.
Why is the blitz working better this year? "Having cornerbacks that can cover receivers one-on-one is huge," Shanle said. Strong play by the secondary has allowed the blitz to be more successful this season.
Who are some of the guys who are good at blitzing from the secondary? Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber and the Eagles' Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis all do a superb job. And the fact that Cowboys safety Roy Williams is built like a linebacker allows him to be disruptive in the blitz. For a cornerback or safety, it's all about timing. If you're running full speed when the ball is snapped you have a better chance of slipping through. Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman has really made strides in this area.
E-mail mmosley@***BANNED-URL***
http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/102705cpgameinside.a91426b.html
[size=-1]By MATT MOSLEY / ***BANNED-URL***
[/size]
Editor’s note: In this week's edition of Game Inside the Game, we take a look at blitzing from a linebacker's perspective. Linebackers Ryan Fowler and Scott Shanle talked at length about what their responsibilities are and what it takes to be an effective blitzer. Have a suggestion for a future installment? E-mail Matt.
How many blitz packages do the Cowboys have out of their 3-4 defense? The Cowboys have about 10 different blitzes that they've worked on this season, but they usually don't take more than four into a game.
How do you decide when to blitz? Each team has its own philosophy when it comes to calling a blitz. Some defenses will wait and see how many receivers line up on each side. If three receivers line up on one side, some teams like to blitz to that side of the scheme. Other teams blitz to the opposite side of where the most receivers line up.
What makes a linebacker an effective blitzer? For outside linebackers, it's important to be able to knock away the hands of blockers. That's something that defensive end Greg Ellis does an excellent job of. Shanle and Fowler agree that Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter does an excellent job of taking blockers head on. As we've mentioned before, Trotter attempts to destroy the center. Fowler said Trotter makes a "dent" in the protection, allowing his teammates to make plays. Inside linebackers such as Fowler and Shanle say it's almost like busting up a wedge on some plays.
Why do the blitz packages change from week to week? A lot of it depends on which quarterback you're playing. The Giants' Eli Manning likes to stay in the pocket, so the Cowboys tried to make him move side to side. With someone like Donovan McNabb, the Cowboys have to maintain good "rush-lane integrity," according to Fowler.
How does a blitz get called? Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will signal in the defensive front, the coverage and the blitz if there is one. The middle linebacker, Bradie James, then calls out the play in the huddle.
Guarding against tipping the offense off: Offensive players look for clues that might tip them off to a possible blitz. Linebackers have to make sure they disguise what they're doing. Young players have a tendency to stand up on their toes or inch forward just before the snap. Shanle said he has to remember not to let his eyes get big before blitzing from his "jack" linebacker spot. "They can pick up on that stuff immediately," Shanle said.
When do blitzes work best? When the offensive scheme isn't set up to stop it. Sometimes Shanle will line up at linebacker and hear a team call out his number. That means the protection is angled toward him. When a guard squares up on an inside linebacker, it's almost impossible to get through on a blitz.
Why is the blitz working better this year? "Having cornerbacks that can cover receivers one-on-one is huge," Shanle said. Strong play by the secondary has allowed the blitz to be more successful this season.
Who are some of the guys who are good at blitzing from the secondary? Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber and the Eagles' Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis all do a superb job. And the fact that Cowboys safety Roy Williams is built like a linebacker allows him to be disruptive in the blitz. For a cornerback or safety, it's all about timing. If you're running full speed when the ball is snapped you have a better chance of slipping through. Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman has really made strides in this area.
E-mail mmosley@***BANNED-URL***
http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/102705cpgameinside.a91426b.html