Not Gap Sound

[Grizmed]

I would say the notion that the grizzlies aren’t gap sound is a little unfair as the defense is based in leverage as opposed to gaps. I’m not in the meetings with these guys obviously, but have studied and ran some similar schemes over the years.

The plus 1 issue is usually taken care of by spacing as opposed to how many people are on the LOS. For example, when O’Connel hits the B gap from an Odd front they will stunt the nose, which really gets to Over/Under Aka 4 down front. By spacing I mean 1 high vs. 2 high safeties. 1 high is typically referred to as 8 man spacing. 2 high is 9 man spacing. In post high you are a half a gap short in Qb run. The grizzlies play 1 high because they are often athletic enough to play both Qb and RB in the option/zone read game.

The wide zone that State runs negates a lot of the twisting that UM likes to do. I thought they were more stagnant in the 2nd half to offset this but I could be wrong. Also big bodies aren’t great for this. It’s almost too lateral. The one opposing argument for this is that a big nose can 2 gap the center, which actually makes an argument for an 3 man front or even a bear front using Gub or Alford.

I don’t really mean to pose any solutions other than maybe some quarters or trap into the boundary to help base fits. That and more zone coverage to keep eyes on the Qb as opposed to receivers. Just my two cents. Football is hard and the product is what matters. I think the lack of tackling was more noticeable than the lack of scheme as well.

Good stuff, thank you.

 

[Missoula223]

3-4 is a bad idea vs. 10/11 personnel teams (which most are). If you want to make a case to sub vs. 21/12 then you have a point.

Says who? I don’t know. Just curious. Pls
educate us or at least me.

Quite a few reasons. First it limits your man call menu. Only way to play man is cover 0, man an LB on a slot, or put an LB in the post. Also perimeter matchups are bad. LB have to make a play on a slot in space. You typically just match personnel. As offenses get bigger, you put more bigs on the field. As offenses get smaller, more DBs. Spread offenses force teams to have 5 DBs on the field. If that’s the case you’re forced into really 4-2-5 or 3-3-5. Nickels have to be dynamic in terms of ability to cover and to tackle. This is what you see body types like cotton and Fouch and Sandry play that.

 

[indiancoyote]

Says who? I don’t know. Just curious. Pls
educate us or at least me.

Quite a few reasons. First it limits your man call menu. Only way to play man is cover 0, man an LB on a slot, or put an LB in the post. Also perimeter matchups are bad. LB have to make a play on a slot in space. You typically just match personnel. As offenses get bigger, you put more bigs on the field. As offenses get smaller, more DBs. Spread offenses force teams to have 5 DBs on the field. If that’s the case you’re forced into really 4-2-5 or 3-3-5. Nickels have to be dynamic in terms of ability to cover and to tackle. This is what you see body types like cotton and Fouch and Sandry play that.

Reporter to EWU coach "Did they do anything that surprised you?" EWU coach, "Yes, they defended the perimeter much better than they have all year!"