Manny Diaz: Building the New Texas Defense
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 7:16 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns and Other Football
Email
PrintAs you know we've been talking a lot of offense this summer. And while there is still a lot of discussion worth having on the offensive side of the ball, it's time we turned our attention to what Manny Diaz is building on the defensive end. If we're going to do this right it's going to be lengthy but let's start with the core concepts that Diaz is putting into our defense and then build from there. Philosophically, our defense breaks into two basic trees: middle of the field safety and split safeties with middle of the field being our bread and butter and split coverage being our change up. Let's investigate each tree with some examples from the Spring Game.
Middle of the Field Safety Coverages
Manny Diaz's base defense is a pattern match Cover 3 that is derived from the Saban school of thought. If you are interested in a more technical approach Brophy Football has some beautiful posts on the pattern match Cover 3. Spend some time there, you won't be disappointed. Essentially, I'm repackaging his insights and attempting to relate them to what we saw in the Spring Game, but I highly recommend reading what he has to offer if you have the time and interest. The pattern match Cover 3 is the heart of Diaz's defense because the understanding of position maintenance that his players develop in this defense feeds into their technique in every other part of this coverage tree. Here's the basic concept of a Cover 3 zone:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff30/BarkingCarnival/Barking%20Carnival%20III/d0652733.jpg
As you can see it's a 3-deep 4-under coverage. But it's important to understand that the Texas defense will not be a traditional zone defense with the defenders dropping to landmarks and simply reading the quarterback. This is a much more sophisticated approach that is adaptive to alignment threats and timing from the offense. In a pattern matching the defenders are taught how to dynamically identify the offensive threats and their coverage works to deny the routes available to the offensive players rather than to defend a portion of the field. It's a philosophy that teaches players to understand the field from their opponent's point of view and then deny that opponent the leverage and spacing they want.
The offense's passing game operates differently on 3-step and 5-7 step passing so Diaz's defense will as well. The 3-step (Quick) passing game is designed to give the offense high percentage plays and spread the defense thin with shallow timing routes. To take away the quick game, the defense has to be able to defend the flats which is precisely where traditional Cover 3 zone is weakest. The 5-7 step game is designed to threaten the defense deep and unless your defense is better athlete for athlete across the board, you need help on the vertical threats presented on a longer play. At that point, you would lean toward a Cover 2 Man Under(sometimes called Cover 5). But with the proliferation of the running game out of spread sets and the challenges posed by the extra threat of running Quarterbacks, the defense needs to be able to bring a safety down to keep the offense from having a consistent numbers advantage in the running game and that means you are down to playing a lot of Cover 1. If you have the athletes to play Cover 1 man consistently, great. But against top shelf competition there are going to be a number of 1-on-1 match ups that are not in your favor and building your defense on a principle that isn't going to deliver in crunch time seems like a recipe for mediocrity.
Pattern Match Cover 3
Saban's (and Diaz's) answer to this conundrum? The pattern match Cover 3. it offers a response to the quick game, it gives the defense the benefit of 3 deep zone coverage, and it allows him to get 8 in the box against the run if they want to. In order to accomplish this, the defense has to approach the play just like the offense does: in timing phases.
Alignment
There are far too many iterations of alignment to go through all of them. But let's just touch on the basic ideas about spacing and leverage. Each defender is responsible for the threats to his portion of the field. Consider the corner in the Cover 3 and the 1/3 of the field he is responsible for. If you divide this portion of the field in half and think of the line that runs through the middle of it, this is the key to spacing and leverage that the corner must use to position himself correctly in response to the receiver. If the receiver aligns outside this line, the corner is being threatened by inside breaking routes. If the receiver aligns inside this line then the corner is threatened by routes that break to the outside. This fundamental will be the key to the corner's decision making about his positioning throughout the play as he stays over the top of the receiver. Brophy has a great series of posts that go into more detail: here and here.
Against the Quick Game
Here's an initial alignment from a Cover 3 defense (notice that it presents as a split safety coverage, more on this later).
The offense is presenting 4 receiving threats to the wide side and 1 threat to the short side. After checking run/pass with an initial read off the offensive line, the corners are going to begin getting depth while they read the quarterback's drop.
Notice (above) how the defenders have all positioned themselves in this initial phase in relation to the offensive players. Since the back is still in the protection, the #3 threat is being bracketed by the linebacker and the strong safety. As the quarterback sets his feet and the receivers stem their routes the defense is alerted to the quick throw and begins to break reading the quarterback's aiming point.
By the time the ball is completed on the quick out, the defense is in great position. You probably remember what this play looked like at full speed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwo8QPDQz8I
Against the 5-Step Drop
Same thing here. The defense gains initial depth and reads the drop of the QB.
This time it's not a 3-step so the defense now adjusts to the stemming routes from the receivers. One general thing to note about this initial phase is the positioning of the strong safety (above). One of the crucial elements to the success of the Cover 3 is that the underneath defenders don't allow both seams to be exploited at the same time as this puts the Free Safety in conflict deep. Since the strong seam is the furthest from him, the strong safety is going to try to attack and reroute any route from the #2 receiver on his side (#2 route in from the sideline) first, and then he is going to adjust to the pattern distribution on the strong side (usually by defending any threats to the flat). Notice the dilemma for the Quarterback: his outside receivers have their vertical routes capped by the corners, the slot's route is outleveraged by the Sam under and the Mike over, the backside flat route is being broken on by the Will. Just about the only route with a shot is the flat release to the running back but the strong safety is en route. Let's see if anything opens up:
Everything is well covered and the pocket has broken down. Great job of recognition and pattern matching from the defense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcFJIrBz6d8
Against Vertical Seams
In a 4 wide look the offense can quickly threaten the seams with the slot receivers.
We revisit the play again as the receivers stem (above). At this point the threat to both seams has emerged. A few things need to happen for the defense, first the weakside corner should use his depth to squeeze the seam and gain leverage on the slot receivers route. Second, the strong safety needs to come through here and reroute the strong side seam threat to buy time for the free safety. Third, the free safety needs to continue to backpedal and then read the QB and break on the ball. Let's see how things play out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r34ma2jeG9w
None of the 3 things developed as they should have: the strong safety didn't reroute effectively, the free safety overcommitted and had to 180, and the corner didn't use his positioning to clamp down on the seam route. Learning to defend the seams effectively will be an important theme for this defense. Saban has some built in calls in his Cover 3 that help him deal with the challenges posed by 4 verticals in 4-Wide 2x2 and Floods in 4-Wide Trips called Rip/Liz and Mable, respectively. Both calls essentially allow the defense to play man rules if 2 vertical threats present on the same side of the field and cover 3 rules otherwise. I believe that Diaz has the same build ins as they provide an essential bridge between the Cover 3 pattern match and the Cover 1.
Incorporating Cover 1
The positioning lessons that the Cover 3 teaches will help the defense understand man coverage positioning much better because they will understand how each receiver's positioning relates to the route possibilities. The main difference between the two coverages is the vertical space. In Cover 3 the defenders are trying to keep the receiver in front of them and break on the play, in Cover 1 they want to pressure the route and then trail it, denying the pass and relying on the deep safety for help over the top. Both coverages offer the defense a number of pressure options, but the Cover 1 offers the benefit of really clamping down on the Hot Routes for the QB. Perhaps most importantly the Cover 1 allows the corners to play really tight coverage and this takes away the quick screen game. Let's take a look at some man defense in the Spring Game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsy1Gj37oro
Cover 1 defense is something that Texas fans should be pretty familiar with. Out of all of the iterations of the Texas defense in the last 13 years one constant has been Akina's ability to develop great footwork and mechanics in man defenders. I originally had concerns about the Diaz/Akina mix primarily because I didn't know if Akina would flourish in a defense that was focused on zone coverage. Having spent more time getting to know what Diaz is trying to accomplish, I think the new scheme is going to play right into Akina's strengths because the pattern matching concepts are only going to enhance our ability in man coverage and Akina's physical work is going to help our secondary get more out of their athleticism in this scheme. Corner had been the position I was most concerned about on this side of the ball but now I think it will become a source of strength very quickly in this defense. The nagging concern is that we don't seem to have a true center fielder that the cover 1 needs to be a staple.
Split Safety Coverage
As I said in the intro, Diaz will base out of middle of the field concepts and change up with split safety concepts. The reason is simple, the split safeties coverages are strong where the MOF safety coverages are weak.
So sometimes we will align in Cover 2 and stay in Cover 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltIgFTXOwsc
But very often Diaz will disguise his coverages. One of the advantages of having speed at the corner position is that is allows you to get close alignment pre-snap but still bail deep for the deep zone on Cover 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LkcHN4fS3Y
We also showed quite a bit of Cover 2 Man and Cover 4 (Quarters) in the Spring Game which are variations on the split safeties coverage. In this case the progression probably starts with the defense learning to pattern match effectively in Quarters and then going down through Cover 2 pattern match and into Cover 2 man. The pattern matching principles will be different for these coverages compared to Cover 3 because the deep support structure is different, but the learning arc is the same… the better the defense gets at decision making the tighter they can play their coverage effectively. Split safeties are strong against the seams and shallow flats but are susceptible to deep outside routes and deep middle routes. And this is exactly why Diaz wants to create confusion between the two branches each is strong where the other is weak, so the offense has a hard time targeting his defense with coverage calls.
Fire Zones
You may have already heard a lot about Manny Diaz and Fire Zones. Here I'm going to build on some great articles that are already out there. In this article, again from Brophy Football, the intent and specific jobs in Diaz's fire zones are laid out. The basic idea of a fire zone is to bring 5 man pressure, confuse the assignments for the offensive line, and keep the offense in front of the defense with 3 deep coverage. In a lot of ways it's a conservative call because it forces the offense's hand early and to underneath routes: making it a natural 3rd and long call.
We spent a lot of the first quarter of the Spring Game practicing different versions of the fire zones from 4-3, 3-4, and 3-3 looks. To gain a better understanding of Diaz's different flavors of fire zone, I highly recommend this gem from Coach Hoover's site (another great spot for football). One of the little perks of bringing in great coaching talent is that it also cultivates interest from great football minds.
As the article explains, Diaz defines his Fire Zone Scrape looks by which direction the Scrape goes: to the Field (the wide side) or to the Bench (the short side). Note that a "scrape" is just a technique where a linebacker comes over the top of another defender basically exchanging responsibilities with each other and confusing the assignments for the linemen. The beauty of these calls (as Coach Hoover touches on) is that they are fairly simple for the defense to pick up on and modify but they present a serious headache for opposing offenses. All Diaz has to define is the grouping, the direction of the scrape, and the coverage. The front automatically slants opposite the scrape which creates conflict for the offensive line, the slant influencing them one direction and opening up lanes for the scraper. From these few basic components Diaz easily develops a ton of looks and confusion. Let's take a look at a few examples from the Spring Game:
The defense is going to bring a cross stunt on this fire zone. The idea of the criss crossing pressure is to open up a straight shot to the quarterback. Notice that again the defense is presenting itself as an even coverage pre-snap and it will transition to an odd coverage after the snap.
Here you can see the zone responsibilities as they are playing out. "Hot 2" to the field is responsible for a hot read to the #2 receiver on his side. "Hot 3" is responsible for the middle of the field and is reading the QB. "Hot 2" to the boundary is dropping and then protecting the flat. In this case the #2 receiver on his side is coming out of the backfield and he'll attack that route.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHqOC7hj2Ec
We ran quite a few Fire Zones toward the beginning of the Spring Game. Here's a cutup of some of what we ran:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EHWVZEtgXk
You have to be excited about the possibilities here with Vaccaro and our linebacking personnel. In the Spring Game, our offensive line actually did an overall good job on protections considering that the defense came out guns blazing. We've heard that the team has been running some 11-on-11 work this summer and you can bet that the main idea was to work on fire zones for the defense and protections for the offense.
Cover 2 Traps
The final core piece in Diaz's defense is the Cover 2 Trap Fire Zone. Just as he has the change up in his base defense, he also has a complement in his Fire Zones. The Cover 2 presents as an odd cover and then a safety comes down and a corner drops back to give a 2 deep coverage. The key is really in disruption of the hot reads. The coverage in the trap is designed to make the offense read Cover 3 and end up throwing into the strength of Cover 2.
As the play (above) progresses the cornerback to the boundary side is going to drop deep toward the seam and the free safety (not pictured) is going to drop toward the other seam, they are the 2 deep defenders. However, to the QBs initial read this looks almost exactly the same as a corner and safety dropping in Cover 3. That's why the other corner is called the "Trap" defender in this call. He drops shallow but its supposed to look like a busted coverage, luring the QB to make an ill advise throw over him but right into the Free Safety's deep coverage. That doesn't happen on this particular play but you will notice that the routes being run by the wide receivers are right into the teeth of this coverage… the 1's are running short routes right into the shallow zones and the 2's are running seam routes right into the deep coverage. To add to the problem, the QB has incorrectly surmised that the most immediate threat to the protection is from his right side and he motioned the running back to that side. That leaves the QB with a lot of pressure and no outlets: McCoy's throw away was ugly coming out and absolutely the correct read (that was a theme for him in the Spring Game).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieqgemtW7c8
Building a Defense
When you look at what Diaz installed in a very short period of time, you have to be impressed. And here's the key: these core elements are exactly what we will be doing a ton of all year long: Pattern Matched Zone, Man, Fire Zones with Traps, and Man Coverage Blitzes. All of these elements play off of each other through disguised fronts and coverages but the overall theme in this defense is really one of fundamental football: penetrate up front, keep the play in front of the defense, read, close, and tackle. I was impressed with our ability to keep the plays in front of us and close on the ball in the Spring Game and I was also impressed that we got basic execution on so much conceptually after just 4 weeks of practice. The upside for this defense is high… particularly as the decision trees in the pattern matching start to click for them and they embrace the pass rushing concepts that Diaz is teaching: I think the potential for turnover production goes way up. However, the most important factor is tackling from the linebackers and safeties: it's an absolute must as a baseline for the defense to play at a high level. I think the style of defense they are playing, with the play developing in front of them allowing them to attack it downhill, is going to help them progress quickly in that regard. Overall, I had my doubts about Diaz's scheme from a superficial level but the more I've investigated what he's doing, the more impressed I am. There are a lot a reasons to be encouraged on both sides of the football. Until next time, enjoy.
54 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Scott, you may be looking at a new career. This is seriously good shit. Thanks, man.
by Tex Long on Jul 26, 2011 7:29 AM CDT reply actions
Some of the graphic in the pictures are tough to see at this size. If you right click them you should be able to view them in a separate Tab and read everything. I blame Wordpress and the fixed width Nazi’s.
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 7:30 AM CDT reply actions
I’d read the Brophy – particularly the Fire Zone stuff back around the beginning of the year, when I (along with many other Horns) was wondering WTF is a Manny Diaz? Your elucidation here has in fact cleared up several things for me – m,aybe it’s just having pix of our own guys… thanks, again.
by Tex Long on Jul 26, 2011 8:04 AM CDT reply actions
Love it. Where do I send my money? I’d watch this show on the Longhorn Network between HS football games.
by bevosbackside on Jul 26, 2011 8:26 AM CDT reply actions
Some of the graphic in the pictures are tough to see at this size
heh- at first i was trying to figure out what new teal-themed company was putting its markings on the field.
Great stuff as usual.
by Arriviste on Jul 26, 2011 8:48 AM CDT reply actions
I vote Longhorn Scott for new king of the Longhorn Interwebs.
by jinx on Jul 26, 2011 9:08 AM CDT reply actions
Amazing read, LS. I feel the need to digest it again outside of work to properly perform the knowledge transition.
In reading Michael Bean’s and Nickel Rover’s pieces in the BON Annual about Diaz and his schemes, I really like:
1) The relative simplicity for the defense to understand assignments, and
2) The Diaz philosophy of “attack, not react” that puts the defense on the offensive.
I’m obviously vastly intrigued at having a more robust (or, well, any) offensive scheme with the new Harsinwhite offense, but I think the new Diaz defense will be just as exciting to watch. They times, they are a changin’.
by jc25 on Jul 26, 2011 9:13 AM CDT reply actions
So with Gideon as FS (obviously Vaccaro as our SS) is this a good thing for our pattern match Cover 3? Oddly, it seems like it could be. Especially with all of the speed that we have at LB (Uno Ocho, Keenan, Hicks, & Cobbs).
by Magnitude on Jul 26, 2011 9:28 AM CDT reply actions
I think covering that middle 1/3 is going to be a better situation in this scheme, there will also be plenty of Cover 3 Cloud looks with the safeties taking two of the deep zones. The safeties will definitely need to be able to play both roles so that we can roll our coverages and adjust to strength changes. Our linebacking unit is a huge part of our upside… we have the athleticism and decision makers there that will eventually allow us to stoutly deny the quick stuff, stay active in the passing windows, and force the offense to settle for pass attempts to the flats.
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 9:46 AM CDT reply actions
LonghornScott is the first official winner of the BC satin cape. This is a very rare gift and well earned, imo.
by Vasherized on Jul 26, 2011 9:47 AM CDT reply actions
Sometimes I feel rather football smart. Now is not one of those times.
by lowery on Jul 26, 2011 9:51 AM CDT reply actions
I feel better that LHS feels better about our corners. Trotting out a starting tandem of Carrington Byndon and AJ White doesn’t exactly convey the same sense of confidence we got used to with Vasher, Jammer, Babers, Griffin, Ross, etc.
The big question for me is how Diaz deploys Diggs. I could see him moving between corner and nickel depending on the matchups and even creeping up to the line on blitz packages. He brings a physicality to the position that none of the other guys have.
NEED MOAR ADRIAN PHILLIPS.
by Vasherized on Jul 26, 2011 10:01 AM CDT reply actions
Vash I would hope that Phillips and Byndom are the starting corners.
by nordberg on Jul 26, 2011 10:04 AM CDT reply actions
Thanks, LHS. As a relatively ignorant football fan, your optimistic outlook for our defense was great to read. Picking up the pattern matching fundamentals in the 4 weeks before the spring game is encouraging. Knowing we can build on that to develop a robust set of defenses that leverage the same techniques has me revisiting my expectations for this season. The front 7 is strong already. If Diaz can usher in some of the talent in the secondary quickly, this year’s defense could be a lot of fun to watch.
by hoyahorn on Jul 26, 2011 10:34 AM CDT reply actions
The big question for me is how Diaz deploys Diggs
I have confidence that Diaz will align him so as to create a quandry for opposing quarterbacks.
by Arriviste on Jul 26, 2011 10:47 AM CDT reply actions
Vash, I agree. I too am not really sure how Quandre makes the field. Especially when you look at all of the advantages to the pattern match cover 3 that LHS outlined. Then when we add the fact that we have extremely fast outside LBs, I’m even more discouraged about Quandre’s chances. Maybe he’ll come in (like when you said) for nickel or quarter packages. Or maybe sub out the corners…
LHS, I hope you’re right. I really like our LB’s making the tackles instead of our safeties. Plus, it’ll give us the opportunity to utilize one of our safety’s strengths… decision making.
by Magnitude on Jul 26, 2011 10:55 AM CDT reply actions
LHS, as always thanks for these great posts!
by Magnitude on Jul 26, 2011 10:55 AM CDT reply actions
I have been wondering more about the defense than the offense for some time.
I’ve been sure that the offense has nowhere to go but up and will be MUCH better, maybe even pretty good this year.
The defense was the question for me. I am excited now to see what it can do in games.
It will be different from Muschamp’s, but if Diaz’s scheme can increase turnover acquisition, that can only be an improvement.
Of course, the whole attitude thing will make a huge difference all around this year. I’m a dunce about X’s and O’s, but I CAN understand attitude and effort. That aspect has me excited. The players seem really fired up and eager.
by lurkerinthedark on Jul 26, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions
This is a tremendous piece – great work LHS! While the defense is in no way having to ascend from the same depths as the offense after last season, it should be just as fun (and occasionally heartburn-inducing) to watch the young kids grow and adapt in this scheme. Akina’s challenges in implementing an effective zone defense are well chronicled, but hopefully Diaz will be the catalyst to finally bring that beast to life on the 40.
I’m not sure whether Adrian Phillips will be lining up at corner or safety this year (if someone has a definitive sense please let me know) but I hope he gets some snaps in the centerfield role against Rice to see how it goes. I’d love to see a guy with true range in that spot.
by nobis60 on Jul 26, 2011 1:04 PM CDT reply actions
LHS -
This stuff is gold and why I’ll be referring to it heavily when I break down our DBs in a few days time. Assessing talent player by player isn’t as important as assessing what they do in the scheme. The Aggies are a good demonstration of this under Tim DeRuyter.
Diaz’s scheme has a lot of assignment based carve outs – palatable bite-sized pieces of responsibility that are a lot easier to swallow than pointing at a receiver and saying,“You got him.” Though there is an element of that, too. That written, the early learning stages of a zone-man mix defense with pattern matching can be ugly. It’s a little like a basketball defense – one guy not being on the right page sends everything into the shitter.
And, as with any scheme, if the offense consistently blocks you and the opposing QB can make the throws, there’s not much you can do but get ’em next play.
by Scipio Tex on Jul 26, 2011 1:20 PM CDT reply actions
Scott, This is great! A couple questions:
i) What is the main difference between Diaz’s defensive scheme and Muschamp’s?
and
ii) We hear a lot about Diaz’s defenses requiring the tackles to shoot the gaps and rely on the LBs for run support more. Is this accurate?
by horndude on Jul 26, 2011 1:26 PM CDT reply actions
The difficult thing for the defense is going to be integrating these core packages into near seamless and fluid execution on the field. It’s one thing to have the traps and the change up coverages, but if they aren’t deployed and executed at the correct time it’ll be difficult to watch. I see us still having a big transition period early and some difficulties in the early schedule with giving up big plays when we go change to cover 1 principles especially. IMO I just want to see steady improvement in these areas throughout the season and notice a defense that’s diagnosing routes and drops quicker every game. The one caveat here is in the event we do a good job in stopping runs and the front 4 consistently beats their OL counterparts and causes pressure. If that happens it’ll be possible to succeed even while the DBs and LBs aren’t quite up to the level in execution they will need to be. This is where Coach Wylie’s fingerprints may be noticed the most: increased physicality and stamina can get is in those positions.
by Paulie on Jul 26, 2011 1:39 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio,
“Diaz’s scheme has a lot of assignment based carve outs – palatable bite-sized pieces of responsibility that are a lot easier to swallow than pointing at a receiver and saying,"You got him." Though there is an element of that, too. That written, the early learning stages of a zone-man mix defense with pattern matching can be ugly.”
No doubt. There will be a learning curve. The thing that I like is that the jobs aren’t completely independent… learning a job in the cover 3 pattern matching helps you in cover 1 helps you in fire zones, etc. The scheme isn’t really going to take off until those route trees and positioning become second nature to the players and that take a lot of repetition. That’s why getting all the core stuff in before summer was a boon, we needed those 7-on-7 reps just as a function of developing new muscle memory.
horndude,
i) in my opinion Muschamp had a whole lot more in his defense period and ultimately he hung his hat on man coverage. In 09 that worked out pretty well with the personnel we had. Another major difference is that Muschamp’s defense is very assignment based while Diaz’s is role based… a subtle difference but I would say that Diaz’s defense is more unified conceptually while Muschamp’s is more multiple.
ii) well I would say that Diaz will utilize more strategy against the run while Muschamp was most focused on technique and gap responsibility. Diaz wants to make a mess of you assignments but he may end up with a bad matchup every once in a while. Muschamp wanted to control each matchup in the front. Any way you slice it though, you still have to account for all the gaps with your front so the obligation of the tackles and linebackers will be just as great. Once difference in the run fits is that this scheme does allow the linebackers to attack the run in a greater downhill fashion because they are transitioning into their fills from a greater depth. It cuts both ways though because it also means that the offense has a better chance to generate a blocking angle on them or they could run themselves into the wrong gap.
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 1:45 PM CDT reply actions
Paulie,
I think those thoughts are pretty dead on. If we can pressure with 4 then it adds a lot to the effectiveness of the coverage. Time is the killer of any coverage concept. Almost certainly we need to be able to run some Cover 1 with a Spy/Rat role in conjunction with Fire Zone looks against an opponent like Baylor.
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 1:52 PM CDT reply actions
Does anyone else think that it was a huge slight to Kheeston that he wasn’t brought to Big 12 media days? After all it is a contract year, and the guy is the best DT in the conference, and unlike Gideon he is very likely to get drafted. I now Kheeston is a very humble guy, and he probably didn’t mind (in fact he probably wanted more time to lift and practice), but am I wrong? I know that media days is not that integral to furthering a kids draft status, but is a little instrumental. Shouldn’t have Kheeston been given that courtesy?
by Magnitude on Jul 26, 2011 2:49 PM CDT reply actions
Longhorn Scott,
Where do you watch your games at? You would make a fantastic addition to any game watching party/tailgate
by mstrat on Jul 26, 2011 2:52 PM CDT reply actions
mstrat -
Wherever you find Death Cab For Cutie on a loop, you will find LHS.
by Scipio Tex on Jul 26, 2011 2:55 PM CDT reply actions
He’s actually a roadie for Bon Iver. He only posts when they’re not touring but we take what we can get.
by Vasherized on Jul 26, 2011 3:11 PM CDT reply actions
He’s actually a roadie for Bon Iver. He only posts when they’re not touring but we take what we can get.
LOL
by Magnitude on Jul 26, 2011 3:59 PM CDT reply actions
LHS certainly has a way with football words. Me not have way.
by spider on Jul 26, 2011 4:06 PM CDT reply actions
Wow. My friend is actually touring as part of Bon Iver right now. Apparently I am that guy.
by LonghornScott on Jul 26, 2011 5:08 PM CDT reply actions
You’re not that guy.
These write-ups have made you THE FUCKING MAN.
by Scipio Tex on Jul 26, 2011 5:24 PM CDT reply actions
THE FUCKING MAN.
Is that anything like THE SMOKING MAN (albeit with a different protuberance)?
by Tex Long on Jul 27, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
I really wish I understood more of this article. Having never played football, and not having anyone to really explain the more technical stuff to me, I get lost after the basics. So I’m taking applications for anyone that wants to watch a few games with me and go over this stuff.
At any rate, I’m so ready for the season to start. I just got a brand new pair of kick-butt, burnt orange, 4-inch heels. Gotta support the team in style.
by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on Jul 27, 2011 7:02 PM CDT reply actions
I just got a brand new pair of kick-butt, burnt orange, 4-inch heels. Gotta support the team in style.
TTIWWP – and – Not sure I want my bitt kicked with 4-inch heels, orange or otherwise, but will wait on pics for final decision.
RELENTLESS ATTACK!!by Tex Long on Jul 27, 2011 8:32 PM CDT reply actions
Sasha, if you’re sporting 4 inch burnt orange heels, you’ll find some guys to watch games with you.
by Scipio Tex on Jul 27, 2011 9:30 PM CDT reply actions
Sasha – two steps
Step 1 – log onto EDSBS and post your request.
Step 2 – choose between several hundred offers.
No need to thank me. Happy to be of service.
by Longhorn in Canada on Jul 27, 2011 10:07 PM CDT reply actions
Shoes!:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/jessica-simpson-easten-pump/3207343?origin=category&resultback=365
And because I am about 5’10, these make me about 6’2. Intimidation factor should not be underestimated. The first outfit I am pairing them with is a pair of dark skinny jeans and a super cute Texas shirt I bought at the Co-Op today!
And fashion lesson over. Back to football.
by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on Jul 28, 2011 1:09 AM CDT reply actions
Intimidation factor should not be underestimated.
Tex goes about 6’5" without the heels, and is not intimidated. First ex-wife got a coupla inches on you, but temperament rather than height was her intimidation factor… well, that and the Browning.
by Tex Long on Jul 28, 2011 3:49 PM CDT reply actions
further enlightenment from Brophy. Really excellent: http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/unbreakable-fire-zone.html
by LonghornScott on Jul 29, 2011 12:22 AM CDT reply actions
Scott, after you reiterated Brophy at the top, I added him to my “every morning/evening” checklist, and saw this piece.
One of the things that I noticed is the mention – yet again – of a term that I’ve come to know and love in both HarsinWhite and Diaz schemes: ROLE. Of course, it’s not entirely a new concept, but I think it hasn’t been stressed enough… both sides of the ball, what matters is not how and where a player lines up, shifts to, or motions to, it’s what he does AFTER the snap… not his position, but his role.
HarsinWhite and Diaz give me great expectations that a pretty good number of the players we’ve seen trying – with only modest success, if that – to fill positions for the last couple of seasons, will now find much greater success as they are given roles instead.
by Tex Long on Jul 29, 2011 9:59 AM CDT reply actions
I always see pattern-matching and pattern-reading used interchangeably, my thought would be that pattern-reading=playing zone that adjusts to the route combos and pattern-matching=you will eventually end up in man coverage on whichever route enters your assignment.
I had the impression that what we would be doing with Diaz would be better described as “Pattern reading” which all zone teams have to do to make sure that 4 verticals, smash, etc don’t eat their lunch.
Awesome write up, I love it when there are photos and video to watch. Really appreciate the effort to include those.
by Nickel Rover on Jul 29, 2011 7:06 PM CDT reply actions
Seems Brophy is monitoring where his traffic is coming from; he’s got another post about the Diaz fire zone up. Complete with gif of Tenacious D defeating Satan.
hxxp://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/
by Dagga Roosta on Jul 29, 2011 7:59 PM CDT reply actions
Nickel Rover,
I think it depends on the offensive presentation. In a 2×2 or 3×1 the defense is likely has some man adjustments as brophy details. The way I view it is as a 3 phase defense man assignments against the quick (during the inital drop), zone through the stems (the “read” phase), back to man assignments after stems (the “match” phase). The better we get in the scheme the tighter that zone hugs the routes. I don’t know if that’s how Diaz teaches it but that’s how I mentally organized it.
Also, you need to start writing more again. I always enjoy your contributions.
by LonghornScott on Jul 29, 2011 8:30 PM CDT reply actions
Nickel Rover – to elaborate on LHS’s comment, Brophy says that in Saban’s system the offensive alignment can change the assignments themselves, so it’s not just a matter of going man on players who enter pre-assigned zones. In 2X2 for example, the safety will make a “Rip/Liz” call in which they tell the rest of the defense to change their assignments to allow straight man coverage with inside leverage from the snap on one of the #2 receivers threatening the seam, so that the deep MOF doesn’t have to provide inside leverage on both deep seams simultaneously. At least, that’s the innovation that Saban credits with making his Cover 3 hard to exploit with 4 verts and whatnot.
But once those adjustments are made, I think LHS’s explanation – man in quick, zone in read, man in match – is a very elegant way of summing up the rest. Each player has a couple of simple rules to determine who they initially cover and whether they switch assignments during the read phase. Those rules are based on the relative position of receivers to one another and what types of routes they run rather than what zone they enter; the effect should be very similar on film to the basic “pattern matching” you describe, but without the potential confusion caused by Trips alignments, floods, etc. When the kids make good and quick decisions it’s a very hard nut for an offensive coordinator to crack as opposed to a standard Cover 3.
by Dagga Roosta on Jul 30, 2011 12:39 AM CDT reply actions
Dagga Roosta,
Great contribution there. I believe that the way Diaz teaches his pattern match is actually a set of “routes” that his defenders run. I’ve heard him refer to that terminology several times now. So if you’ve got 2 receiving threats to a side and #2 runs a vertical and #1 stems inside, that prescribes a pattern of routes for the defenders on that side in response that will match the offensive threats. The deal is that at first its a matter of running those defensive “routes”, but a good route is actually going to hug the offensive route like man coverage… the better we get at running our routes, the more oppressive the coverage.
by LonghornScott on Jul 30, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
Thanks LS, I thought Brophy quoted Diaz in his first article as saying that he actually teaches pretty simple drops to the underneath defenders rather than complicated matching. Not sure though.
by Nickel Rover on Jul 31, 2011 7:39 PM CDT reply actions
Really good, interesting stuff. Love the breakdowns.
One thing I noticed — it looks like the corners are turning their hips pretty quickly instead of staying in backpedals. I assume that’s by design and/or coaching, but if I’m an opposing OC, I’m throwing a lot of quick outs early in games (should be there for the taking, not to mention a fair amount of YAC), and then incorporating routes with double moves as the game progresses. Something to watch for.
by CalHorn on Aug 2, 2011 4:15 PM CDT reply actions
CalHorn,
Yep. Initially we are going to focus on getting that depth on our drops, especially with young CBs in a new scheme. Take away the verticals first… then as we get more comfortable you will see us shuffle more and be able to more effectively limit the quick game. The good news is that we are fast at CB and at our Curl to Flat positions and that should allow us to close quick on those completions. Again the more comfortable we get mentally and physically, the tighter this coverage will become. It’s most likely going to take the better part of the season before the cover 3 gets to an oppressive state. Don’t worry though we will be mixing in plenty of man coverage to discourage the quick game.
by LonghornScott on Aug 2, 2011 7:01 PM CDT reply actions
I remember watching Mississippi State in their bowl and admiring their constant, shifting fronts, and wishing we could get their defensive coordinator, whoever he was. Guess great minds think alike, huh, Mack?
by A musing P1 on Aug 11, 2011 2:26 PM CDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Barking Carnival
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
