Here goes.
You guys are kinda missing the message here. If you go back to my last year's bullrush right after the Bucs canned Bates and before the next game one of the things I predicted was that Black would be used more in under defense. One of my latest articles also talks about how using him in under defense will help us over all and how the way Bates used him last year was, to put it nicely, ridiculous.
So maybe the problem is you guys aren't up on what an under defense is. Since I haven't done another Bull Rush lately (mostly cuz there ain't much material out there to talk about and I'm a terrible bullshitter) I'll explain it to you.
In our normal base defense with four defensive linemen we normally line up in whats called an "Over" Alignment. What that means is when there is one tight end the defensive end to that side (what we call the under tackle)lines up head up over the tight end. The defensive tackle on the tight end side (the call side) lines up in a 3 technique on the outside shoulder of the guard on that side of the center. The defensive tackle away from the tight end (away from the call) lines up in a cocked alignment between the center and guard with his hand on the outside foot of the center. The defensive end away from the tightend (away from the call) lines up in a five with his hand on the outside foot of the offensive tackle.
This is an excellent alignment for pass rush because the strong side defensive end, undertackle and backside end all end up with what amounts to basically one on one matchups at least initially, providing the tightend goes out to block. However its not always the greatest run blocking scheme as its easy to double both inside guys and base block the end with a tight end to get movement.
For Black its also harder on him in passing situations because he is off the line and in space and that's not really where he is most comfortable.
In an under defense however things are kind of shifted the opposite way and the Sam linebacker is on the line of scrimmage.
So its the Sam linebacker on the outside edge of the tightend. The defensive end to the tight end side is in a five with his hand outside the tackle's outside foot. The interior linemen switch and now the nosetackle is to the tight end side still in a cocked alignment. The undertackle is away from the tight end, still in a 3 technique and the defensive end is away from the tightend in a wide five. Now its a little harder for the defensive end on the tight end side to get a rush but the run defense is shored up a bit.
But I think that there is a misconception that Black blitzes every play in this defense. He doesnt. On passing plays unless a blitz is specifically called Black still drops back in coverage. It actually gives him and our defense an advantage at times in that by being on the line he can jack up the tight end a make it hard for him to get out on a route. In our division with Shockey and Gonzales thats huge. And we can still play cover 2 out of an under shell so being physical with the tightend also helps our middle linebacker who often times will have to cover them deep down the seam.
The truth is also however that under defense lends itself to a lot of effective blitzing and when we send him Black can be a difference maker off the edge against TEs or RBs. That Bates never used under defense was one of the biggest indictments against him. Quncy Black has always been more of a rush LB than a coverage LB but Bates never used his strengths last year
You shouldnt expect double digit sacks but Id bet good money on a at least 5 or 6 from Black this year. And that's going to be winning football for the Buccaneers.
Hope that made sense. If not just leave a question in the comments section.
Another fantasticly informative post by Mr. White. Thanks for taking the time to write pieces like this, I really appreciate it as a fan who never actually played the game.
ReplyDeleteThe post could use some cleaning up, but that's just the grammar nazi in me, don't take it personally.
ReplyDeleteI actually found it really enlightening as well. As a casual fan who just loves football but doesn't know the X's and O's, articles like this are really intriguing. I like the way you lay down the terminology, it's easy to understand. I would love to read more posts like this, especially in the offseason when we're starved for news! Teach us Mr. White :)
I always ran this defense coaching with the ss filling the weak side and the ws rolling over the top. In yours it is the opposite. What is the advantage of this despite the obvious you can man your fs with a good receiving back. Thanks,also I see it frees up the ss for interesting blitz combos but i would like your input thanks again
ReplyDelete@brent
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't my diagram but instead one I found from google. For me Id rather have my SS in the box just like you because they are more used to being there. The only reason I could see for rolling the FS down would be if the SS normally lines up to the tight end and as a way to be consistent and hide the 8 man front you just keep it the same way and use the FS instead.
brent
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't my diagram but instead one I found from google. For me Id rather have my SS in the box just like you because they are more used to being there. The only reason I could see for rolling the FS down would be if the SS normally lines up to the tight end and as a way to be consistent and hide the 8 man front you just keep it the same way and use the FS instead.