Zone Blitzing, how it works

[Chrisarg72]

I see a lot of people tearing apart D'onofrio for his zone blitzing who don't understand the full x and os. Below is a video, and it explains why having the cbs that far off the ball is actually good football defense strategically. It just requires great reads and executions by the players, which we all know this team isn't at a level to do yet.

[video=youtube;qciJe5yW73s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qciJe5yW73s&list=UU7U-bqADOiimblR8I-l7d1A&index=5&feature=plcp[/video]

As you can see this defense is dependent on the linebackers. Nevermind, it lives and dies with the linebackers. Remember that BC play when Perryman got that pick six by adjusting zone and then coming back to cover the short route? That's a product of this D when executed correctly. But as we've seen some LB's aren't there zone coverage wise ( i.e. Gionni Paul running with his back turned). With time, Kirby Perryman and Johnson will make these reads more consistently and begin to terrorize opposing QB's as they "change coverage" and mess up their reads. Also small DE's who can dropback and roam the field will add more confusion to reads. But it takes time, we have freshies running these complex schemes where every piece must move perfectly together.

 

[skyman]

Biggest problem with our zone defense period, not even zone blitz is guys just covering grass. We have guys soo eager to jump to cover the flats that slants are open behind them. Or guys staring at the qb but not looking for the receiver entering their zone (pattern reading essentially). Tired of seeing a receiver or TE catch a pass next to a linebacker who didnt even know he was standing next to him. I know it would've took time but 2 springs and summers if you want to run a zone defense guys shouldnt be covering dropping to spots anymore and just covering space. Might as well put stuffed dummies on the field

 

[Chrisarg72]

Biggest problem with our zone defense period, not even zone blitz is guys just covering grass. We have guys soo eager to jump to cover the flats that slants are open behind them. Or guys staring at the qb but not looking for the receiver entering their zone (pattern reading essentially). Tired of seeing a receiver or TE catch a pass next to a linebacker who didnt even know he was standing next to him. I know it would've took time but 2 springs and summers if you want to run a zone defense guys shouldnt be covering dropping to spots anymore and just covering space. Might as well put stuffed dummies on the field

The reason why I called it zone blitzing is that in a hybrid 4-3, your essentially running a 3-4 blitz all the time (from a coverage perspective, 4 are rushing).

And thank you for that good analysis, that's what Golden keeps saying, "guys are freelancing out there". These guys are too used to playing man that they think they're making the smart read but are in reality messing up. The most glaring one was Rodgers coverage on the TD over Telemaque, he had to swivel on to the guy based on the routes but he just stood around and wound up a mile behind the guy.

However I think you're too tough on the D. Remember, the linebackers are the key for this D. The cb's are doing pretty well in Mcgee and finnie and having been playing their zones well. Safety play has been on and off, but safety play doesn't really kill this D that much. The biggest problem is the lb. We keep getting destroyed on seam routes and slants because the linebackers as you said are sitting around. But lets analyze the LB core:

Perryman: smart talented kid, sophomore, probably the closest to a star LB we have. He's been the most solid in coverage and making reads. Not amazing, but not a liability. He executes properly, but he's been injured most of the season
Paul: 3 star mostly used in run support in hs. Sophomore, but his experience is in run support. Huge learning curve change, doesn't seem comfortable in zone. Ideally this is a kid we shirt and doesn't see the field till he's a Jr RS
Buchanon: Experienced, but out for the season so no effect on D
Kirby: Budding star, freshman, injured for all of the season, no effect on D yet
E Johnson: Another talented linebacker who's been making good reads, RS Fr, not exceling yet, but definitely the best linebacker after Perryman
Ambrister, Cornelius: Safeties we converted to cover well, but too much of a JAG to contribute
Jimmy Gaines: Unranked or 2 star recruit, I'm not a star *****, but still I know it isn't easy to seperate the diamonds from the coal. Surprisingly not playing awful, he's a JAG, but he's a JAG with heart, but not a guy who should be seeing the field
Fentress: Walk on, short. Probably one of the top cover LB's we have -sobs hysterically- Yes a walk on 5'8" LB is being relied on

When you compile that you get a D running on:
1 backup who became a starter over performing expectations: E. Johnson
A young kid who might be solid later on, but should be buried in a solid depth chart: Paul
A JAG with heart: Gaines
2 ****** safeties we convertied to linebacker: Ambrister, Cornelius
A 5'8 WALK ON LB : Fentress

That's a **** of a lot of below average players being asked to play the most complex role in the D, the role that the D lives and dies on.

 

[ARJB]

Biggest problem with our zone defense period, not even zone blitz is guys just covering grass. We have guys soo eager to jump to cover the flats that slants are open behind them. Or guys staring at the qb but not looking for the receiver entering their zone (pattern reading essentially). Tired of seeing a receiver or TE catch a pass next to a linebacker who didnt even know he was standing next to him. I know it would've took time but 2 springs and summers if you want to run a zone defense guys shouldnt be covering dropping to spots anymore and just covering space. Might as well put stuffed dummies on the field

The reason why I called it zone blitzing is that in a hybrid 4-3, your essentially running a 3-4 blitz all the time (from a coverage perspective, 4 are rushing).

And thank you for that good analysis, that's what Golden keeps saying, "guys are freelancing out there". These guys are too used to playing man that they think they're making the smart read but are in reality messing up. The most glaring one was Rodgers coverage on the TD over Telemaque, he had to swivel on to the guy based on the routes but he just stood around and wound up a mile behind the guy.

However I think you're too tough on the D. Remember, the linebackers are the key for this D. The cb's are doing pretty well in Mcgee and finnie and having been playing their zones well. Safety play has been on and off, but safety play doesn't really kill this D that much. The biggest problem is the lb. We keep getting destroyed on seam routes and slants because the linebackers as you said are sitting around. But lets analyze the LB core:

Perryman: smart talented kid, sophomore, probably the closest to a star LB we have. He's been the most solid in coverage and making reads. Not amazing, but not a liability. He executes properly, but he's been injured most of the season
Paul: 3 star mostly used in run support in hs. Sophomore, but his experience is in run support. Huge learning curve change, doesn't seem comfortable in zone. Ideally this is a kid we shirt and doesn't see the field till he's a Jr RS
Buchanon: Experienced, but out for the season so no effect on D
Kirby: Budding star, freshman, injured for all of the season, no effect on D yet
E Johnson: Another talented linebacker who's been making good reads, RS Fr, not exceling yet, but definitely the best linebacker after Perryman
Ambrister, Cornelius: Safeties we converted to cover well, but too much of a JAG to contribute
Jimmy Gaines: Unranked or 2 star recruit, I'm not a star *****, but still I know it isn't easy to seperate the diamonds from the coal. Surprisingly not playing awful, he's a JAG, but he's a JAG with heart, but not a guy who should be seeing the field
Fentress: Walk on, short. Probably one of the top cover LB's we have -sobs hysterically- Yes a walk on 5'8" LB is being relied on

When you compile that you get a D running on:
1 backup who became a starter over performing expectations: E. Johnson
A young kid who might be solid later on, but should be buried in a solid depth chart: Paul
A JAG with heart: Gaines
2 ****** safeties we convertied to linebacker: Ambrister, Cornelius
A 5'8 WALK ON LB : Fentress

That's a **** of a lot of below average players being asked to play the most complex role in the D, the role that the D lives and dies on.

This is fantastic. Please post more.

 

[Chrisarg72]

That kid just doesn't make the reads.
Simple curl-flat combination. We don't even blitz, which leaves Eddie to take the flat, which he plays beautifully by getting a redirect on the TE who runs a shallow cross, then gets to the flat, which leaves Kacy in PERFECT position to pick 6 the pass or at least make a play on it. Kacy stands in the middle of the field in no man's land while Glennon completes an easy curl with room for YAC.

D'Onofrio is putting guys in position to make plays and they aren't doing it.

There's another play where Kacy is playing the middle, deep 1/3, and Cornelious, gets a redirect on the seam route (although he doesn't carry him as much as he should), Kacy's responsible for the middle. If There are two seam routes, then Kacy is in a little trouble, but he wasn't even threatened. It was just one seam, so after Corenilious turns him loose, Kacy should be AT LEAST, there to lower the boom on the guy, and hopefully pick the ball. But no, Kacy was still standing 15 yards away from the spot where the guy eventually dropped the ball.

Kacy gunna Kacy. But it shows how what is a solid fundamental D that could force turnovers schematically becomes "practice dummies". The closest comparison is the NBA and rotation. If one guy messes up, the whole D falls apart. This D needs everyone doing exactly their part. Once that happens, it shuts down Offenses. The problem is the steep learning curve. Thanks for the specific examples, I don't have time to go back and rewatch games to provide detail.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

That kid just doesn't make the reads.
Simple curl-flat combination. We don't even blitz, which leaves Eddie to take the flat, which he plays beautifully by getting a redirect on the TE who runs a shallow cross, then gets to the flat, which leaves Kacy in PERFECT position to pick 6 the pass or at least make a play on it. Kacy stands in the middle of the field in no man's land while Glennon completes an easy curl with room for YAC.

D'Onofrio is putting guys in position to make plays and they aren't doing it.

There's another play where Kacy is playing the middle, deep 1/3, and Cornelious, gets a redirect on the seam route (although he doesn't carry him as much as he should), Kacy's responsible for the middle. If There are two seam routes, then Kacy is in a little trouble, but he wasn't even threatened. It was just one seam, so after Corenilious turns him loose, Kacy should be AT LEAST, there to lower the boom on the guy, and hopefully pick the ball. But no, Kacy was still standing 15 yards away from the spot where the guy eventually dropped the ball.

Kacy gunna Kacy. But it shows how what is a solid fundamental D that could force turnovers schematically becomes "practice dummies". The closest comparison is the NBA and rotation. If one guy messes up, the whole D falls apart. This D needs everyone doing exactly their part. Once that happens, it shuts down Offenses. The problem is the steep learning curve. Thanks for the specific examples, I don't have time to go back and rewatch games to provide detail.

Thank you for the insight into what Coach D is trying to accomplish. Well done.

 

[AllbouttheU]

Wow just wow this is fantastic and well thought out talk all around. Would love to see more post like this.

 

[drifters1234]

There is no such thing as zone blitzing.

 

[frostycane]

You guys are right in that these kids are not so much pattern reading but trying to find the receiver in their zones. Once they do that, they open their zones up to provide lanes for the qb to throw. Once these lbs know where to go and are able to turn and look at the qbs eyes they wont have to see the TE next to them they can react to the ball and knock it down or pick the thing! They will see the qb staring at them!

Also guys, if our a new coach coming to south florida to coach, what is there the most of? 200-225lb athletic kids. Once this thing is rolling and we have three or four classes of kids brought in to run this style of defense it will be unbelievable! Think about the athleticism of hte kids they are looking at, DP Kirby, Terry, Eddie Johnson, all in the 200-225 range out of high school who can run and hit!

 

[Duval904]

There is no such thing as zone blitzing.

there is no such thing as zone blocking either

 

[4th-and-14]

There are some great links on that youtube page as well, for some of the non X-O gurus like myself. The Cover-2 Man Under anayslis was great (basic for some of you) and touches on EXACTLY the same strengths and weaknesses of it that we saw for so many years. Cool stuff!

 

[umhurricane2511]

Good thread

 

[BigCaneAl]

Great job guys, much appreciated. Can you now explain to me why they were averaging like 9yds a carry? I was watching it honestly seemed like we didn't have anyone to touch the RB for the first 5 yards....I know there line was not dominating us that much, and it had to be something schematic we were doing. Were our LBs just playing too far off to protect against the pass?

 

[JHallCanes]

Biggest problem with our zone defense period, not even zone blitz is guys just covering grass. We have guys soo eager to jump to cover the flats that slants are open behind them. Or guys staring at the qb but not looking for the receiver entering their zone (pattern reading essentially). Tired of seeing a receiver or TE catch a pass next to a linebacker who didnt even know he was standing next to him. I know it would've took time but 2 springs and summers if you want to run a zone defense guys shouldnt be covering dropping to spots anymore and just covering space. Might as well put stuffed dummies on the field

Uh yeah, this.

 

[DeadPoets]

To run schemes like this you have to have great teachers who can break it down and make it simple (less think, more react).

That will be the question moving forward. Can Golden/D'Onofrio teach it. D'Onofrio has had a combined 6 years of experience as a DC and Golden has had 4 as DC and 6 as HC.
That's not a whole lot of experience.

And most of that was in the MAC.

 

[ARJB]

To run schemes like this you have to have great teachers who can break it down and make it simple (less think, more react).

That will be the question moving forward. Can Golden/D'Onofrio teach it. D'Onofrio has had a combined 6 years of experience as a DC and Golden has had 4 as DC and 6 as HC.
That's not a whole lot of experience.

And most of that was in the MAC.

They've obviously taught it before, why can't they teach it here? Your post makes zero sense.

 

[Chrisarg72]

To run schemes like this you have to have great teachers who can break it down and make it simple (less think, more react).

That will be the question moving forward. Can Golden/D'Onofrio teach it. D'Onofrio has had a combined 6 years of experience as a DC and Golden has had 4 as DC and 6 as HC.
That's not a whole lot of experience.

And most of that was in the MAC.

If anything, the fact they made it work actually bolsters the support that they can teach it. This is a complex defense, thus the fact they were able to teach it to inferior players bolsters the claim that they can teach it. If you're arguing the efficiency of the defense then this could be a possible point (i.e. played against weaker competition) but if you're questioning their ability to teach it, this fact is a supporting claim.

 

[arcane]

To run schemes like this you have to have great teachers who can break it down and make it simple (less think, more react).

That will be the question moving forward. Can Golden/D'Onofrio teach it. D'Onofrio has had a combined 6 years of experience as a DC and Golden has had 4 as DC and 6 as HC.
That's not a whole lot of experience.

And most of that was in the MAC.

Why would teaching these schemes in the MAC be any different from teaching them any place else?

 

[UMcanesfan420]

We'll all see when these kids Al recruited here are Juniors and Seniors. By then, kids like Deon Bush and Perryman will be masters of the system. I trust we will have some DT's by then too.

 

[canesrdynamite]

To run schemes like this you have to have great teachers who can break it down and make it simple (less think, more react).

That will be the question moving forward. Can Golden/D'Onofrio teach it. D'Onofrio has had a combined 6 years of experience as a DC and Golden has had 4 as DC and 6 as HC.
That's not a whole lot of experience.

And most of that was in the MAC.

If anything, the fact they made it work actually bolsters the support that they can teach it. This is a complex defense, thus the fact they were able to teach it to inferior players bolsters the claim that they can teach it. If you're arguing the efficiency of the defense then this could be a possible point (i.e. played against weaker competition) but if you're questioning their ability to teach it, this fact is a supporting claim.

To this point, I am interested to see how well the position coaches can teach the intricacies as well. When we have been at our best, our position coaches were outstanding (e.g. Wannstedt, Gary Stevens, Dave Campo, Butch Davis, Randy, Mike Stoops, etc etc).

For example, Fisch convinced me he was a great qb coach with the improvement we saw in Jacory with just one season. I have high hopes for Barrow, in particular. It will become apparent in just a season or two, I think.