Mind the Gaps
Jul 24, 2024 11:14:32 GMT -6
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Funkytown, diehardtwinsfan, and 5 more like this
Post by FSUVike on Jul 24, 2024 11:14:32 GMT -6
Is this the year that Kevin O'Connell the playcaller rises to the level of Kevin O'Connell the Head Coach?
If it is then the Rushing Attack is where the big change happens. But how? Taking a cue from his mentor McVay and several other Teams and moving to a Gap Blocking Scheme.
Kevin tried implementing Inside Zone Blocking when he got to Minnesota. While IZB is still zone-based it differs from the Shanahan/Kubiak Outside Zone Blocking in that the O-Linemen are executing double teams on the interior instead of pulling and moving East/West to create creases for cutbacks.
Minnesota still runs more Outside Zone than anything else, which fits the athletic profiles of Bradbury, Cleveland at the time, O'Neil and to an extent Risner. But Dalvin was cooked two years ago and Mattison lacked the explosiveness last year to hit the crease and go.
The IZB scheme was an utter failure in Year 1. It requires precise timing with the Center and Guard executing a double team before one of them (typically the Center) disengages and moves to the second level. But the key here is that the blockers are walling their assignments off at the LOS. In other words, they're blocking their guys towards the sidelines.
Gap schemes also have double teams but they are attempting to move their assignments down the field. So North/South instead of East/West. And it's more Man on Man with double teams instead of handling whoever comes into your zone. So less thinking involved.
But wouldn't that be a terrible fit for Garrett? There is a variation of the scheme where the Center briefly engages and goes to take out a Linebacker or doesn't even block a D-Lineman at all and goes straight to the second level. That would emphasize Bradbury's athleticism while minimizing his terrible anchor and short arms.
Ingram was the #8 rated Gap Blocker by PFF. He's big enough and strong enough to handle one on one blocks. The Coaching Staff has talked up Brandel's gains in strength all offseason. And one charting service had Chandler running the majority of his snaps in Gap.
THIS is the big change coming. Phillips hinted at it. O'Connell hinted at it. And the League is moving in that direction. Why? Because Edges are getting smaller and faster and most Teams use a lighter box because they live in Nickel or keep both Safeties high to prevent big pass plays. So why attack smaller Defenders (and less of them) with East/West Zone plays when you can run over them going North/South using Gap/Man Blocking?
That's the thinking. The Rams started doing this last year with great success and then proceeded to add serious beef to their IOL this offseason. I think Jurgens, with his excellent grip strength and strong anchor is another indication. But Brandel is the biggest clue, IMO. He's simply not going to thrive moving laterally or pulling in a Zone.
It's crucial that this works. To protect Sam, who like Mullens will throw it to the wrong jersey if he has to pass too many times. To help JJ in his development. To hopefully make the screen game more effective. To allow Flores to rest his Defense more due to less 3 & Outs.
But also because fans like see Offenses that aren't so freaking one dimensional!
I do think Cook was washed and Mattison is not a starting Running Back in the NFL. But Ingram is not an OZB fit and Bradbury is not an IZB fit. Risner is one of the worst run blockers in the League, which is why nobody else wants him. Will Bradbury flourish in Gap if he's mostly climbing to the next level instead of tangling with Clark and other mammoth IDL? Will Brandel move guys off the LOS? Does Ingram's small sample size in Gap Blocking efficiency translate to a much higher usage?
We'll see. Minnesota will still use OZB. That's the scheme GB typically runs the most, though Aaron Jones should be good in any scheme. Kevin used less IZB last year and hopefully even less this year. Let's hope that Gap Blocking is the key to unlocking the awful ground game.
If it is then the Rushing Attack is where the big change happens. But how? Taking a cue from his mentor McVay and several other Teams and moving to a Gap Blocking Scheme.
Kevin tried implementing Inside Zone Blocking when he got to Minnesota. While IZB is still zone-based it differs from the Shanahan/Kubiak Outside Zone Blocking in that the O-Linemen are executing double teams on the interior instead of pulling and moving East/West to create creases for cutbacks.
Minnesota still runs more Outside Zone than anything else, which fits the athletic profiles of Bradbury, Cleveland at the time, O'Neil and to an extent Risner. But Dalvin was cooked two years ago and Mattison lacked the explosiveness last year to hit the crease and go.
The IZB scheme was an utter failure in Year 1. It requires precise timing with the Center and Guard executing a double team before one of them (typically the Center) disengages and moves to the second level. But the key here is that the blockers are walling their assignments off at the LOS. In other words, they're blocking their guys towards the sidelines.
Gap schemes also have double teams but they are attempting to move their assignments down the field. So North/South instead of East/West. And it's more Man on Man with double teams instead of handling whoever comes into your zone. So less thinking involved.
But wouldn't that be a terrible fit for Garrett? There is a variation of the scheme where the Center briefly engages and goes to take out a Linebacker or doesn't even block a D-Lineman at all and goes straight to the second level. That would emphasize Bradbury's athleticism while minimizing his terrible anchor and short arms.
Ingram was the #8 rated Gap Blocker by PFF. He's big enough and strong enough to handle one on one blocks. The Coaching Staff has talked up Brandel's gains in strength all offseason. And one charting service had Chandler running the majority of his snaps in Gap.
THIS is the big change coming. Phillips hinted at it. O'Connell hinted at it. And the League is moving in that direction. Why? Because Edges are getting smaller and faster and most Teams use a lighter box because they live in Nickel or keep both Safeties high to prevent big pass plays. So why attack smaller Defenders (and less of them) with East/West Zone plays when you can run over them going North/South using Gap/Man Blocking?
That's the thinking. The Rams started doing this last year with great success and then proceeded to add serious beef to their IOL this offseason. I think Jurgens, with his excellent grip strength and strong anchor is another indication. But Brandel is the biggest clue, IMO. He's simply not going to thrive moving laterally or pulling in a Zone.
It's crucial that this works. To protect Sam, who like Mullens will throw it to the wrong jersey if he has to pass too many times. To help JJ in his development. To hopefully make the screen game more effective. To allow Flores to rest his Defense more due to less 3 & Outs.
But also because fans like see Offenses that aren't so freaking one dimensional!
I do think Cook was washed and Mattison is not a starting Running Back in the NFL. But Ingram is not an OZB fit and Bradbury is not an IZB fit. Risner is one of the worst run blockers in the League, which is why nobody else wants him. Will Bradbury flourish in Gap if he's mostly climbing to the next level instead of tangling with Clark and other mammoth IDL? Will Brandel move guys off the LOS? Does Ingram's small sample size in Gap Blocking efficiency translate to a much higher usage?
We'll see. Minnesota will still use OZB. That's the scheme GB typically runs the most, though Aaron Jones should be good in any scheme. Kevin used less IZB last year and hopefully even less this year. Let's hope that Gap Blocking is the key to unlocking the awful ground game.
... and neither is this Chris guy.