Contrary to the ratings of recent championships (this year's NBA finals notwithstanding), defense is always more fun to watch than offense. In any of the big four sports, defense will always bring the crowd to their feet. Think about ESPN's Web Gems, The Plays of the Week, or just about any great highlights. Most, if not all, of them are going to be defense. The diving catch, the double play, the sack, the interception, the steal leading to a fast-break, the check that levels the would-be scorer.
Arguably the most entertaining play in sports is the one that takes the most time and people to set up. When it works, oh my God does it work. When it fails, it is usually just as spectacular. This time, I'm writing about the zone blitz. When a football defense lines up in their regular formation before the snap, but after the snap all hell breaks loose. You could have anyone coming in on the blitz. You could have a defensive end dropping into coverage. A defensive end? In coverage?? Imagine one of those three-hundred pound guys stepping back away from the other three-hundred pound guys and getting in the way of a pass. Or, better yet, imagine a three-hundred pound guy leveling your favorite receiver trying to catch a slant over the middle. It'd be like a ping-pong ball bouncing off a Sherman tank! (hehe).
The aforementioned scenario is actually my least favorite aspect of the zone blitz. Linemen are not supposed to drop back into coverage. If you're playing a 3-4, have all three linemen pass rush and then bring a linebacker (preferably from the quarterback's blind side) and one of the defensive backs on the blitz. Do it with a different linebacker and defensive back each time. Do it for every play for the first quarter, especially if you're getting hits on the quarterback. Then...stop. Let him see that everyone in front of him is dropping back into pass coverage. Let him rush the throw because he's thinking that if everyone he can see is dropping back, that means the linebacker is coming up behind him. Let him freak. The few times I've seen Peyton Manning rattled, this was the strategy. If you have a chance, rewatch the Saints do it to him in Super Bowl XLIV, leading to the game icing pick.
The zone blitz is the most entertaining play in sports because it takes all eleven guys to execute it correctly. If an inside linebacker blitzes, the other linebackers or, heaven forbid, a lineman must slide into his area for coverage. If a defensive back blitzes, the other three must split the field so that everyone is still covered, preferably without allowing single coverage. If the offense keeps the tight-end and one running back (assuming a two back set) back to block for a passing play, then there are seven blockers and a quarterback. If the three linemen can occupy the five offensive linemen, that leaves the tight end and running back as blockers. If the backer and defensive back are both coming from the weak side (side away from the tight end), then the running back has to block both. One is probably getting through to either hurry the QB, flush him from the pocket, or, my favorite, make him say hello to Uncle Dirtnap.
Assuming that the offense has kept its tight end and one running back in to block, as above, then that means there are only three receivers. The two wide receivers and the running back coming out of the back field. The three receivers would be covered by three defensive backs (one of the four is blitzing) and three linebackers (again, one of the four is blitzing). Even if the receivers find the seam in the zone (the edges of the coverage area where they overlap), they should be covered. With only three receivers to worry about, double coverage isn't just possible, it's virtually assured. Receivers covered, pocket collapsing, unless you're the Eagles' Michael Vick, or the old Donovan McNabb before too much Chunky soup commercials, you're quarterback is going to get chased down and some defender is getting an incentive bonus at the end of the week.
The fun part of this defense is also playing in it when it is working on all cylinders. The Sam Blitz, The Corner Blitz, Mad Dog, The 6-9 Wild Dog, or my two personal favorites from playing high school football, the 66 Up Yours and the 52 Fuckit. Get creative! Have players draw straws in the huddle, the two long straws blitz. Suddenly, the quarterback finds linebackers all in coverage and is sandwiched between cornerbacks (honestly, who sends BOTH corners??) Have contests and see which two players work best. Overload a side and send two from the same side. Switch it up and balance it, then overload a different side. An effective zone blitz a la Dick LeBeau should have quarterbacks wanting to hand the ball off to the running back. "Here ya go, dude. May the force be with you." Sacks, monster hits, and interceptions follow in its wake. And that is just fun to watch.
Hot monkey lovin', the NFL is back without missing a regular season game. Let the blitz begin.
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