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Around SBN: The Pros and Cons of an 18-game NFL Schedule

NFL Playoffs Open Thread

Talk NFL here.  I know this is an FSU site, but if you see anything we should do, fire away.

AFC Preview: http://footballoutsiders.com/game-previews/2009/2009-afc-divisional-preview

NFC preview http://footballoutsiders.com/game-previews/2009/2009-nfc-divisional-preview

X & O's  NFL Films guy:  http://footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-momentum (blitz schemes)

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I love watching the Ravens D play

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions  

FSUnC - What is over/under on number of field goals this game?

There is a reason they call it the NFGL.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions  

Cool numbers.. we will do this next year (get everyone to watch tape and chart)

As for the passing game, Joe Flacco is not going to struggle as much as you might think on Saturday. The reason why has to do with the Titans’ tendencies on defense: specifically, the fact that they almost never blitz. Tennessee sent five or more rushers on only 17 percent of pass attempts this season, the second-lowest total in football. That is good news for Flacco, whose biggest weakness remains his struggles with successfully identifying blitz schemes pre-snap and adjusting his pass protection accordingly. With the Titans only sending the front four most of the time, Dr. Flacco won’t have to do much on-the-fly diagnosing. While Tennessee will dial up the occasional blitz, run many a twist, and move their four linemen around to try and isolate advantageous matchups, it’ll be far easier for Flacco to handle than the sort of blitzes he could expect from his own defense. It’ll be interesting to see if Schwartz comes out of his comfort zone and blitzes more frequently. According to our game charters, he’ll need to send a big blitz: Flacco actually has reasonable numbers against five pass rushers, but he averaged just 4.2 yards per play against six pass rushers, with only seven of 29 plays meeting our basic standard for success. Meanwhile you can expect to see the Ravens cut blocking on the outside — and maybe also against Haynesworth, who’s recovering from a sprained MCL.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions  

what is the over/under

i think there will be a lot of 3 and outs

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions  

ravens have 2 HOF playing rite now

reed and lewis would be in the HOF if their careers ended today (knock on wood)

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 4:48 PM EST reply actions  

Tannen on the Center situation

The other big concern for the Titans on the offensive line is the absence of center Kevin Mawae, who’s been ruled out for the game with an elbow injury. Second-year man Leroy Harris will take his place; Harris is one of the league’s stronger centers, but he’s not particularly agile. Expect the Ravens to come at him with blitzes through the A-gaps on either side of him, while nose tackle Justin Bannan will attempt to use his superior athleticism to get by the inexperienced center. The Titans will likely counter this with screens to Chris Johnson, while the Ravens will counter-act that by pushing Ed Reed closer to the line … it’s a vicious, gorgeous cycle of football.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I love it...great analysis.

You’re center has to be able to move and have great feet.

by TrueCubbie on Jan 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions  

rolle??

come on man!! rep FSU just kidding

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions  

Lendall hasn't had a TD run over like 4 yards

in his WHOLE CAREER

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions  

he is nice!!!

get rid of fatass and sign this kid up for a long time

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 4:53 PM EST reply actions  

Already a touchdown

the first quarter hasn’t even ended yet!!

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:53 PM EST reply actions  

hahahahah look at that offsides

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions  

man I hope AC balls out

and the Chargers lose

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 4:57 PM EST reply actions  

From the 3rd link: Ravens Blitz #1


Figure 1 shows the Ravens blitz which caused the interception Ed Reed returned for a touchdown. It’s 3rd-and-long, so the Ravens only use two down linemen: Haloti Ngata (92) and Trevor Pryce (90). Their pre-snap alignment suggests an overload blitz, with Terrell Suggs (55) and Bart Scott (57) threatening the offensive right side, but the Dolphins cannot take any chances with Ray Lewis aligned on the left. Both Ronnie Brown and Anthony Fasano stay in to block on this play. Unfortunately, even seven-man protection isn’t adequate.
Ngata is a containment defender on this play. He crosses the left guard’s face and loops around the left tackle; his goal is to occupy blockers, not to generate a rush. Pryce and Suggs attack the inside shoulders of the right guard and tackle. They are also trying to eat up offensive linemen. The real pressure comes from three defenders attacking the offensive right: Scott, linebacker Jameel McClain (53), and safety Jim Leonhard (36). Their blitz is well coordinated, with McClain taking a direct angle toward Chad Pennington while Scott and Leonhard work wide. Even with Fasano and Brown sliding right, the Dolphins don’t have enough bodies to handle this overload blitz.
What’s interesting is that it’s hard to determine which Ravens player has man coverage responsibility on Fasano. Lewis is assigned to Brown, and he lingers in the middle of the field on clean-up duty once he sees Brown stay in to block. The corners man up on the wide receivers (not shown), while Corey Ivy covers split H-back Patrick Cobbs. Leonhard or Scott could have been assigned to Fasano, but neither hesitates on his blitz, so it doesn’t seem that either is worried about the tight end running a pass route. There are several possibilities: 1) Scott or Leonhard picked something up pre-snap, then charged in; 2) Reed has Fasano, though it sure looks like he’s playing center field; or 3) Rex Ryan knew the Dolphins tendencies so well that he didn’t feel the need to cover Fasano in the backfield on 3rd-and-long. In any case, the coverage matched the situation perfectly, leaving Pennington with too few blockers and too few receivers.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions  

Delaware?? are you serious??

how this kid did not get recruited big time??

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions  

I think Delaware gets a lot of D-I transfers

In 2003 they won the FCS title (D I-AA at the time). They had quite a number of ex-D I’ers and rolled through everyone. All the guys wanted to play immediately after transfer I suppose and Delaware picked them up. Their QB, Andy Hall (formerly GTech), was drafted in the 4th round by the Eagles and fizzled out to Arena Ball. They had another DE (formerly Duke or UNC) that was just whipping around the undersized lines in the playoffs.

by NOLEinTX on Jan 10, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions  

any soccer fans here??

or is that a dumb question on a football board??

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions  

Dear Mickey Andrews
In a well-designed blitz, each player has a clear role.

I’d love to see us have better designed blitzes

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions  

A blitz I wish we would have used for Myron Rolle...

Figure 2 shows a blitz the Eagles used to force a fumble in the third quarter against the Vikings. There are two interesting things about the Eagles personnel package. First, Brian Dawkins is essentially playing as the Sam (strong side) linebacker. Second, the Eagles have four defensive ends on the field: Trent Cole (58), Darren Howard (90), Juqua Parker (75) and Chris Clemons (91). Howard officially lists as a tackle this year, but he was an end early in his career, so this package is similar to the Four Aces line the Giants used last year. It gives the Eagles exceptional athleticism on the defensive line, making Jimmy Johnson’s blitzes even more effective.

In a well-designed blitz, each player has a clear role. Here, Cole and Clemons take the tackles wide to create room and take away Tarvaris Jackson’s ability to roll right or left. Parker is a clean-up defender, on the prowl for a scramble, screen, or draw. Linebacker Akeem Jordan (56) is a sacrificial lamb; he slams directly into the left guard to keep him busy. This blitz is designed to give Dawkins a free shot at the quarterback.

Dawkins does come free, but there’s an added bonus. Howard’s assignment is to attack Matt Birk’s inside shoulder so the Vikings cannot slide protection to that side. Howard beats Birk off the snap, and thanks to Jordan, there’s no guard on the left side to help the center. Howard and Dawkins arrive at about the same time to strip Jackson, who pounces on the football for a significant loss.

Clemons has been a major factor for the Eagles in the final weeks of the season. When they use this four-end package against the Giants, they’ll be giving the champs a taste of their own medicine.

Myron could have subbed for Dawkins here.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions  

Football Outsiders + Smart Football

FSUnC, maybe add them to suggested reading?

Smart Football is GREAT now he is posting a lot (for him).

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions  

I hate how whenever we blitz we show it and just rush with a lot of 1 on 1s

We don’t disguise it at all. And we never back out.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:24 PM EST reply actions  

1-1 matchups are nice. Andrews needs to put in more time studying film, however, so that he can find 1 on 0 matchups.

Unfortunately, his stated goal is to get 1-1 matchups. Ugh.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Like the second quote in my sig?

MA also states “Simplicity is the key to execution.”

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Nice job by the FB holding on to that.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:31 PM EST reply actions  

I strongly disagree

You find this game better than, say, Texas-Texas Tech? Alabama-Florida?

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions  

From a scheme standpoint, yes

gameplay — no

IMO

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions  

As far as scheme, what about watching team like WV or Florida or TT who use ununsual offenses

And seeing how defenses try to defend them.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Those are fun as well,

but college schemes tend to be based on the premise that college defenders simply aren’t good enough to consistently stop elite athletes. They just get the 1-1 matchups and win ’em. Particularly when you have a running QB you need to defend.

NFL defenders WIN 1-1 matchups, so the scheming is much more important.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions  

What did the Titans do wrong?

Ed Reed was trying to break Johnson in half.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:33 PM EST reply actions  

If you can't beat'em, hurt'em

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:33 PM EST reply actions  

Not one person in Tennessee (outside of Nashville) cares about the Titans.

Of course, they are Titans fans, but they love them some UT football

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:36 PM EST reply actions  

Collins had someone wide open short on that

No need to throw it up on a 1 on 2.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions  

Well, I guess it wasn't wide open

But the in route was somewhat open.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Rolle

is Greg Reid watching? i hope so

by ChileanNole on Jan 10, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions  

Samari Rolle

rep FSU

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions  

Anyone have any ideas for the "new rules of FSU defense"?

Since we have a year to do the DC wishlist series, we need to have a set of requirements.

One of Mine:

We will not allow you to throw slants in goal-to-go situations. You most throw outs or fades. We will deny the slant and then pursue the fades.

Why? College teams don’t throw these very well.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions  

CORNERBACK LEVERAGE, PLEASE

PATTERN READING

MIXED GAP ASSIGNMENTS

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Stealing from Saban...

we will defend the middle of the field at all costs. We will not allow you to run the of throw the ball between the hashes. We will force everything outside and pursue.

_ LSU Playbook, 2001

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Saban is such a defensive genius, it isn't even funny

All caps in earlier post was for emphasis (I wasn’t yelling).

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Saban
"[Our] philosophy on first and second down is to stop the run and play good zone pass defense. We will occasionally play man-to-man and blitz in this situation. On third down, we will primarily play man-to-man and mix-in some zone and blitzes. We will rush four or more players versus the pass about ninety-percent of the time.

"In all situations, we will defend the inside or middle of the field first – defend inside to outside. Against the run, we will not allow the ball to be run inside. We want to force the ball outside. Against the pass, we will not allow the ball to be thrown deep down the middle or inside. We want to force the ball to be thrown short and/or outside.

"… Finally, our job is to take the ball away from the opponents’ offense and score or set up good field position for our offense. We must knock the ball loose, force mistakes, and cause turnovers. Turnovers and making big plays win games. We will be alert and aggressive and take advantage of every opportunity to come up with the ball . . . . The trademark of our defense will be effort, toughness, and no mental mistakes regarding score or situation in any game."

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Fun Fact

Saban declares 6 yards from the LOS between the hashes as a “no defend zone” His guys do not guard it.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I think the fade route in goal line situations is a terrible play

Unless you have a great guy for catching those, they are almost always incomplete. Sometimes there is a flag, but running the ball or throwing a quick hitch is just much more effective.

It always makes me scratch my heads when teams run this play on 3rd and goal or on a 2-point conversion.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions  

We will play man cover 2 with very aggressive corners

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions  

. . . .IF we have the appropiate personal

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax --- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions  

I think I've asked this before, but doesn't this suit our personnel?

To beat us deep you need to beat 2 defenders, so we minimize the times we are in 1 on 1 coverage deep. Also, it’s easier for the corners who don’t have to worry about playing zone, and less pressure on the safeties as well. I guess we need our defensive line to do a better job vs the run… but we could always bring a safety up to about 7 yards off the LOS to make an 8th man in the box, before dropping back.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Off-topic... the warchant headline right now is "poor performance" in reference to

The b-ball game.

I wouldn’t say poor performance, I thought we played alright. Defense was great, and rebounding was pretty good I thought. I don’t see how an 8 point loss to the #2 team in the nation could be considered “poor”

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions  

Eh, they let up big time and were playing prevent.

They were up 48-21 at one point. Put it on cruise control. We played more like a 15 point loss. Duke really just went into prevent.

The problem I have with their article, is… WE KNEW THIS TEAM HAD THE WORST ACC OFFENSE FOR THE ENTIRE NON-CONFERENCE SEASON. It’s as if the light bulb just went off.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought we did OK (for Duke)

It reminded me of the Northwestern game, a hug gap of no offense and turnovers that put the game out of reasonable reach early in the second half. But I liked the fight to get back in the game, the hustle, LH’s teams here don’t get blown out very often anymore. Just, once again, the turnovers …

by hopnole23 on Jan 10, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Anyone who watched the SEC championship (I was gone the whole day)

Did Oklahoma do many of the same things (scheme wise) that Florida did?

I was impressed with the way OU’s defense played (especially in the first half). They seemed to win first down. (again, especially in the first half). The only bad defensive stat they had was third downs.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:15 PM EST reply actions  

ON OU's 1st Int,

they showed a blitz look and beautifully checked to a cover-3.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions  

On the 2nd pick they did an amazing job of dropping both DT in coverage

And still getting great pressure on the QB, then Tebow did them a favor by throwing right between the 9 and the 3 on McCoy’s jersey.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions  

They just showed Andre DeBose

Sitting with Meyer and Tebow at the UF-MIssissippi basketball game.
Didn’t know if anyone would care….

by Zach_Nole on Jan 10, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions  

Is this his official visit?

Is he done with recruiting? I remember hearing about how he would look at FSU even after committing at the UA game, but I haven’t heard anything since then.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions  

It's over for Debose

Meyer would sell his own grandmother to keep him.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I've confirmed that Reid and Charles were at the game, that we did do a Charles chant.

Coach Coley was sitting with Orsons Dad, talking to him throughout the whole first half and half time. Orson Charles had on a gold FSU hoodie and his sister had on a garnet FSU wind breaker suit and Orsons father and mother both had on gold shirts. E.J. Manuel was sitting with Orson Charles the whole game. Both of them actually got up and left about half way through the 2nd half to go hang out together. Do not underestimate the connection between a super touted young black QB and a guy like Orson.

Ried came with his family. Apparently his mom stayed after Reid left and she chatted with Jimbo for a long time. She went nuts when the team did well. Guess who also came? Gerald Demps, his teammate.

Jimbo Fisher, Chuch Amato, Mickey Andrews, Coach Coley, Lawerence Dawsey and coach Heggins were all sitting with the recruits families. Bobby Bowden was NOT spotted at the game with the recruits. Maybe he was napping?

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Coach Coley was sitting with Orsons Dad, talking to him throughout the whole first half and half time. Orson Charles had on a gold FSU hoodie and his sister had on a garnet FSU wind breaker suit and Orsons father and mother both had on gold shirts. E.J. Manuel was sitting with Orson Charles the whole game. Both of them actually got up and left about half way through the 2nd half to go hang out together. Do not underestimate the connection between a super touted young black QB and a guy like Orson.

Ried came with his family. Apparently his mom stayed after Reid left and she chatted with Jimbo for a long time. She went nuts when the team did well. Guess who also came? Gerald Demps, his teammate.

Jimbo Fisher, Chuch Amato, Mickey Andrews, Coach Coley, Lawerence Dawsey and coach Heggins were all sitting with the recruits families. Bobby Bowden was NOT spotted at the game with the recruits. Maybe he was napping?

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Win over the mom, Jimbo

Do work

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks... I'll have to check these out

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions  

WOW, thanks

ZEUS is a beast

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions  

After reading up on the subject I can't watch football games with large groups of people anymore.

It’s too hard to explain why I scream “go for it” every time there’s a 4th down inside the 40.

by MattDNole on Jan 10, 2009 8:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed 100%

Glad I have a kindred spirit out there.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jan 10, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions  

It always amazes me when NFL teams make ridiculous decisions like

Throwing a 5 yard pass with 40 seconds left and 1 timeout at your own ~35 when you need a FG.

They shouldn’t have thrown anything over the middle shorter than 20 yards.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 8:05 PM EST reply actions  

Yea I dont understand that either

No reason to throw short over the middle. If you throw short in that situation it has to be to the sideline.

by fsunole23 on Jan 10, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions  

Imagine how good they would be

if they didn’t botch two top 10 picks (Young and Pac-Man)

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jan 10, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions  

titans late round drafting is great

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 11, 2009 8:09 AM EST up reply actions  

Sorry for talking about Cromartie so much

but he has the potential to be a cornerback like Ed Reed is a safety. Does that make sense?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions  

ie best cornerback in the NFL the last decade

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions  

AC rookie year = best CB of last decade. He has enormous potential.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree, but he is just not consistent enough right now

He takes chances and gets beat a lot.
i think Brandon Marshall had 17 catches in one game early in the year, matched up on AC.

Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Cromartie.

By the way, Nmadi Ashmouga (Sp) is the best CB in the last decade. Teams don’t even throw his way…seriously/
In 2007, QB’s only threw to his man 31 times and just 10 competions ALL YEAR
In 2008, QB’s only threw to his man 27 times and just 8 completions ALL YEAR

He is far and away the best cover corner, and pretty good in run support as well.

by Zach_Nole on Jan 10, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Finnegan maybe not even the best corner on his own team
The Ravens spent most of their time throwing at cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who spent most of the day matched up against the Ravens’ Derrick Mason. Although Finnegan’s seen his league-wide reputation skyrocket this year, that’s not backed up by his numbers in our Game Charting Project. Last year, Finnegan did well in our numbers, but this year he comes out as inferior to opposite corner Nick Harper. Finnegan’s had a Success Rate of 53 percent while allowing 6.9 yards per attempt, while Harper’s had a 68 percent Success Rate while giving up only 5.0 yards per throw. While Finnegan was selected to the All-Pro team earlier today, it’s entirely possible that he might not have been the best cornerback on his team.

From 1st link

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Rogers-Cro did to the Panthers what Alphonso Smith did to us.

Very similar to the first play of the Wake game.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions  

Did anyone see Arizona run that!

KGUn fake run action, fake bubble to outside man, and they had a switch on with their TE and WR!!

That’s a heck of a play. I am going to write fisher about that. It happened somewhere between 8:15 and 7:00 of the 2nd quarter, long pass to Fitsgerald

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

haha, you do that too?

I thought I was the only one.

I have a whole notebook of plays I drew up.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an ax -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I have a notebook of a playbook that I have worked on

I’ve gotten tired of working on it, but I liked the basic premise. The formations are based out of a QB in the pistol with a RB to each side and a RB behind him, and this creates all sorts of confusion for the defense. I figured out a “quadruple option” play out of it… I had a long list of reasons why this offense would be effective, but I think only having 2 guys in a practical position to catch a downfield pass and only 4 gaps to cover on defense makes it too easy to cover.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions  

you should see my pro style offense. . . .

Spurrier (prime) + Petrino = ridiculous combo routes.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 10:52 PM EST up reply actions  

This sounds like treason (in fact it is)

but I really admired Spurrier’s offense (at UF).

I went crazy when I found his playbook. Like stumbling onto a gold mine.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I have a book called "offensive football strategies" and it has a bunch of essays from teams summer manuels

Spurrier’s section is probably the best thing I could find in the book. It isn’t exactly all about the “modern” offense… there were pieces from about 50 coaches and not one had a play out of the shotgun. Joe Hamilton was on the cover and I think the most recent articles were from about 2000.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I have his 1989 Duke offense as well.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

One of my top 5 pass plays

Can’t get an image in here so I’ll try to describe it.

Formation: Trips (X, Z B on same side, IN THAT ORDER) with Y as TE on other side.

X runs slant at 4-6 yds.
Z runs hitch at 4 yds.
B runs slant at 4-6 yds.
Y blocks. (if split wide could run slant)

If you don’t get that, from left to right the routes are slant, hitch, slant, block).

Goal is to get the safety to bite on hitch and for QB to hit slant over top. This is nasty inside the 10. Spurrier runs the heck out of this. Mike could also be a key. Good vs Cov. 0 or Cov. 1.

This play also works with the routes run deeper (ie 15-18 yds).

Also, does anyone else test their plays in Madden?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 11, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions  

My PS3 ia apparently broken

and living in Tuscaloosa Alabama, I can’t figure out where to fix it.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions  

That reminds me

I meant to ask you earlier about Petrino…I don’t know anything about him in terms of being an actual football coach. What type of offense does he run? What makes it work so well? And how long before he gets the Hogs to 10-win status?

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jan 10, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Almost always 1RB. Then either 3rd 1TE, or 2wr 2te. Some gun, not much.

He really gives his QB nice progressions.

I e-mailed you his book

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought of it as a pistol flexbone with the wing backs deeper

I thought of how FSU could use it. I think every once in a while it could confuse someone, kind of like using the wildcat can work a bit, though you can’t use it any time.

If FSU ran it in 2009 we could try…

WR – Easterling
WR – Fortson
RB – Thomas
WB – Pressley/Jones
WB – Parker

You could motion the WB into the slot to turn it into a 4 WR look, so the defense can’t just put all their run stopping personnel in.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I meant "you can't use it every time", not "any time"

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Wow, that seems pretty nuts.

The problem I see is that you have to devote a ton of time to running good option, and this is so complex that you’d have to switch permanently.

I’d love to see some small college do it.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 10, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

This is how the quadruple option works

QB takes the direct snap, if things look better to the right he fakes a handoff to the WB who is to his right and proceeds to run an option with the RB, as he runs right. If things look better to the left he gives it to the WB who is running left, who can then run an option with the left WB.

You probably have no idea what I am trying to say… I guess you can say the QB does the zone read play with one of the WB, and whoever has the ball after the handoff/fakehandoff then is the qb in an option.

You’d probably fumble the ball a bunch doing this, but if you worked on it hard I think it could work.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Before the snap?

None.

Though I guess lining up with it as 4 WR and moving to the RB trio formation (best name I could think of) would be a nice touch to mess with the D.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Holy Crap, anyone seen Mizell's new highlights?

Looks bigger than Furlong already. Kid’s a beast. Runs like a deer.

He’ll do great in our “intensity and execution” scheme.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions  

Wanna hear something ridiculous?

I was on the rivals mainboard, and saw a post entitled something like “CJ Mizell senior highlights,” posted by an fsu guy, I clicked it… and it said the post had been deleted!

So NO, I have NOT seen the Mizell highlights because the mainboard mod deleted one of the few posts related to football while they keep threads about how hot their “wives” are.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Wow, what is going on...

I saw the game was 7-0 Panthers, I had to do something else… 30-7 Cardinals? I saw this team lose ~48-7 just a month ago. Wow.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions  

Mizell

I think the he should be a 5 star. He is fast as hell, and he is very instinctive. The only reason he isn’t rated higher imo is because of that incident he had with his coach.

by fsunole23 on Jan 10, 2009 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

hmm

so we really have four 5 star guys?

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I think we have 1 for sure and 3 borderline guys

McAllister, Mizell and Downs could all be 5 stars.

Greg Reid too, actually.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions  

reid?

i didn’t think we had reid

I 4got on downs. I was thining jacobbi, mc calister, thompson, mizell

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions  

I meant if we get Reid he could be a 5th

I also forgot about Downs for a second, I was wondering who your 4th was.

I like Thompson A LOT, but I don’t think he can be considered a 5 star guy. He’s not going to be much of a between the tackles runner, and he’ll never be a guy who gets more than 10 touches. I think we should use him a lot in the return game, and with passes out of the backfield. I don’t think he’ll ever start for us, he’ll be used kind of like Reggie Bush was at USC (remember, Lendale White “started” over Bush).

I guess saying that he isn’t a 5 star guy and comparing him to Reggie Bush in the same paragraph doesn’t make much sense, but I think you get what I’m trying to say.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions  

wow really?

I swore i heard some dude from FL varsity say the only reason thompson isn’t 5 stars is because of his size.

Will be interesting to see him. I would consider downs 5 also tho, just sucks on his qualifying question marks.

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions  

eh

some small rbs can run between the tackles. Thompson and dunn similar?

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't want him taking that punishment.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

You could say that Jeff Demps runs well between the tackles

But if there isn’t a hole he isn’t going to do much. Anyone can run well up the middle when there is a big hole, but the question is if a guy like Thompson can drive forward and still get some yards if the blocking isn’t great.

We have plenty of RB, I don’t think we’d redshirt Thompson so he’d be behind Jones and Thomas and maybe Pryor as the “feature back” his whole career, but I think he could still get a bunch of touches elsewhere.

UF knows how to get their guys the ball, I hope we can do this with Thompson. Harvin didn’t catch a ball downfield all game yet he had like 14 touches.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions  

i know what u are saying

in NFL

bush sucks and can’t run between the tackles.

warrick dunn can. I think bush might be bigger also?

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Dunn is a much better runner than Bush

Dunn is just trying to get yardage, and he isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and plow forward for a few.

Bush on the other hand has the Ted Ginn approach of “touchdown or bust” instead of driving forward and knowing that he will hit the ground after a few yards he jukes around looking for a hole. In college it worked because he could shake defenders, in the NFL hes just another quick RB. As someone said to me earlier today, in college coaches try to get 1 on 1s on offense to exploit the defense. In the NFL, defenses try to get those 1 on 1s, because NFL defenders win those battles.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions  

not with a good rb

Chris johnson dominated in 1 on 1 today as would most good rbs and wrs. Westbrook from my eagles is one of the best 1 on 1 guys. Average players defense wins often, i agree.

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Westbrook can break a tackle though

Bush just tries to run around people… NFL defenders might get juked out of their shoes if they don’t know what the ballcarrier is going to do, but with Bush they know he is going to make some sort of a cut and he is NOT going to run through them, so they are prepared.

They can win a 1 on 1 just about every time when they know what is coming.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:30 PM EST up reply actions  

for sure

i’ve ripped bush for the longest time. Was comical seeing people get sad when mario williams was drafted over bush. Look how that turned out :)

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 11:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Keep in mind that these are just Highlight videos

I appreciate his speed and how he destroys people, but I hope he has consistent instincts and plays smart as well.

by Zach_Nole on Jan 10, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions  

That's my problem with highlight videos

Everyone looks great in them. Look at all the 2 star QBs or 2 star WRs you can find on rivals, and it will show you the QB’s throwing strikes 30 yards downfield and the WRs outrunning the entire defense, but the question is how do they do on those other plays.

You could put together a sick highlight tape of FSU defensive backs this past year, D’Vontrey Richarddson passes, Christian Ponder passes and Corey Surrency catches, but that doesn’t mean any of those 4 were good this year.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions  

agreed

i like using the AA games as a pretty good indicator of how a player is , since they are against the best competition. Highlight videos they might be vs all bums and look like a superstar

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions  

FVsports has him at #30 in the nation

That sounds pretty good.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions  

AZ O Coordinator

Was his gameplan the best in the playoffs by far? All those different formations and positions he had Fitz line up in to get open seemed masterful to me. With bolding out, i’m pretty sure carolina knew it was all fitz….

by Cee on Jan 10, 2009 11:09 PM EST reply actions  

Ace Sanders

FSU is the only school listed in his rivals profile. I saw a youtube video of his sophomore year… he looked kind of slow and very small. There was a guy in the comments section who said he ran a 4.57 or something.

Again, that was his sophomore year and rivals said he was one of the top WR at the combine along with Dunkley and Johnson.

Anyway… is this guy gonna be big time? Is FSU a leader?

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 10, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions  

Someone said he juked out a whole defense with Dawsey in attendence.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 10, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Jake Delhomme

he parlayed one good half in a SuperBowl and convinced everyone that he’s a good QB…he’s really not.

Delhomme looks great because Steve Smith is amazing…

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jan 11, 2009 12:03 AM EST reply actions  

I've always thought

Delhomme was overrated. Steve Smith is one of the best in the league and makes him look way better than he really is.

by fsunole23 on Jan 11, 2009 12:08 AM EST reply actions  

Yep

If Steve Smith was a Bear, Kyle Orton would be a Pro-Bowler.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Jan 11, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Don't they have like 6 losses?

Is that bad luck or something else?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 11, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes you are crazy

Receivers can’t get seperation, outsid of DeSean sometimes
Tackles are old and succeptible to getting beat
Terrible in the Red Zone

by Zach_Nole on Jan 11, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Coaching Rule

tell defenders to hold when opposing team has 25 or less seconds, no timeouts, is in field goal range, and game is in the 1st half (td prevention)

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 2:35 PM EST reply actions  

WOW

Did you see big Robbins run. He breaks one more tackle, that might be the longest run ever by a man that size…

by Miaminole on Jan 11, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions  

Assuming I don't get a medal for leading after the 3rd quarter and

the goal is still to have more points than the other guy at the end of the GAME, then yes I totally go. My guess is that is probably a 2% or 3% error (% chance that I will win).

Interestingly, Coughlin (I assuming thats who flubbed this), is one of the worst at handling these situations. Goes to show you how talented last year’s squad was.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions  

For anyone who plays fantasy

At tight end, drop machine L.J. Smith will return from injury for Philadelphia but has lost his job to a much better receiver, Brent Celek. Smith this season had a -15.4% DVOA, 35th among tight ends, with a catch rate of 58 percent. Celek had 21.9% DVOA, eighth among tight ends, with a catch rate of 71 percent – - but barely played in the two regular-season games against New York, with only one pass thrown his way.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions  

Eagles just ran the "Drive" concept

Remember when we used to do that every play?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 11, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions  

Makes me sick how much talent we wasted in 2005

I know we “won” the ACC that year, but that team had sick talent.
Just thought about it when they showed Bunkley. He was a terror.

by Zach_Nole on Jan 11, 2009 3:53 PM EST reply actions  

Bunkley is a beast!!

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 11, 2009 3:57 PM EST reply actions  

not really

Makes it a 2 TD game.

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2

by tdchrisdavis on Jan 11, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions  

100 agree.

You go. When a team takes the ball inside their own 5, the team without the ball is the team more likely to score next.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Look, if the defense stops you on a goal to go situation, they are already considering it a win for them.

If they can get you to take three points then I would agree with them.

So you weigh your options. On one hand, you have the momentum boost you give a team if you go for it on 4th and goal and don’t get it.

On the other hand, you have the momentum boost you give a team if they force you to go for a field goal. You also have the additional risk of missing the kick.

Studies suggest teams convert a 4th and goal about 3/7 of the time, so the starting expected point values are pretty even. If you subtract the chances of missing the kick and the added momentum from the possibility of converting the TD I’d say go for it.

There’s another reason to go for it. Field position. I’d rather have the other need to drive 70 yards for an attempted field goal (that could be missed) or 90 yards for a TD than to have the other team needing to drive 45 yards for a FG and 70 yards for a TD.

Given that the Eagles don’t follow Mickey Andrews’ 2 minute drill philosophy, I’d take my chances on them driving from the shadow of their own endzone.

by MattDNole on Jan 11, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Our 4th down expert, MattD
Studies suggest teams convert a 4th and goal about 3/7 of the time, so the starting expected point values are pretty even. If you subtract the chances of missing the kick and the added momentum from the possibility of converting the TD I’d say go for it.

Is this for 4th and goal from the 1 or just 4th and goal? I would think 4th and goal from the 1 would be higher.

99 yards, in the wind, with no shot of a kick return for TD is tough. I agree to go.

by Bud Elliott on Jan 11, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions  

. . . especially with the way Eli was throwing the ball today.

I don’t think they would have gotten past the 50.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

Kill a fly with an axe -- Mickey Andrews

by FSUSOM on Jan 11, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions  

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