MHR University - The "Show Blitz" System

I always try to give a DT a couple of years to work out. This should be Thomas’ year to shine, so I’ll be watching him a little more closely. But if Carlton does break out in his first year? Wow! That would be great.

My biggest hope is that at least one DT turns out to be a powerhouse. As I like to say a lot (though the phrase is a common coaching phrase and not my own), it really takes one star at DT to make both DTs look good. Two truly great DTs are a rarity on a team. Typicaly, one does all the work and makes the other one look good. I’m hoping that either Powell or Thomas is great (because they are young enough to be around a long time), or at least DRob. We really need a terrific DT no matter what system we run. While I really like how we approached the reloading season, I’m still just little dissapointed that we didn’t go after at least one more DT option. As weak as we were last year, we really need our DTs to do well.

If the offense is keeping the RB and TE in to block, they should keep the assignment and stay in to block. Even if the blitz doesn’t come, the TE and RB aren’t going to just take off on their own (unless they want to get chewed on by the coach). Some plays allow for a “broken play” or a safety valve, but not typically from the blockers. The blockers are the ones most likely to prevent a broken play by protecting the QB. This is what is keeping the TE and the RB in. If the play calls for them to stay in and block, that should keep them in blocking.

If the TE and the RB stay in, and the LB (or SAF) is supposed to cover them, are the LB and SAF wasted? Not at all. First, the TE and the RB are now out of the picture (in terms of scoring). Depending on the assignment given to the defensive player, he may now drop into a zone, or go in for a blitz (most teams designate a zone as the fall back assignment). In this manner, even if the TE or RB shows block, but goes into a delayed short route, the coverage is still there.

The all or nothing rule applies to the initial assignments. On a full blitz, few players are not going in. On a “show”, most players will likely be in man or zone, so the all or nothing application is still not broken.

In terms of accounting for elite TEs, it depends on what kind of SAM or SS the defense has, as well as what kind of TE we are talking about. Typically a defense will assign the SAM LB or the SS to cover the TE.

(Just don’t tell my wife) lol

A little over half of the plays in the system are “standard” plays (with little glitches thrown in to help sell the overall show). Of the remaining plays (just under half is still a lot), about 4/5s are “show”. The remaining few are all out blitzes. It remains a surprise because very few of the plays are actual blitzes. Whenever the “show” appears, the QB is just about forced to account for it and audible in extra defenders, or go to a run. If they don’t, they get sacked. When they do (audible in an extra defender to protect the QB) it takes away offensive pieces that can be used to score. It does work well over the course of a game if the coordinator is willing to make tweaks throughout the game (and the season).

With Slowik at the healm, and assuming we run the system, I think adjustments won’t be a problem. I’m confident that Slowik knows much more about the system and the coaching then I ever will, and most folks would pin poor adjusting on Coyer. So assuming that Slowik knows that, he’ll be prepared not to repeat the mistake.

A fader fan would try and talk shit that the Broncos suck seeing that the faders have won 6 games in the last 2 years when the Broncos have a down year and yet still won 7 games

That you’re a gayder fan, please explain. I generally give anyone on this site the benefit of the doubt, except when their name implies Gayder Fandom [i.e. ‘oak fo sho’ (a total homo BTW)].

Might I suggest Orange Blood.

Mr. Guru, Mr. HT, Styg…....Can we get a tempoary ban until said screen name has been changed to something more appropriate?

Thanks.

Heading to work, will reply Mon afternoon.

A key for at least one of the SAFs is the ability to backpedal quickly (I remember that much). I can’t recall what I was taught about the role of SS in the Show Blitz system entirely, and my personal bias for two deep SAFs gets in the way of my memory. It does make sense to have a good SS as you describe him, and it also makes sense to have a cover guy. I confess that I can’t recall which is prefered. When I get ahold of my old head coach I’ll let you know what I find out. I seem to think that both are usually pass coverage specialists who can cover a WR in the event a CB blitzes, or who excells in deep coverage because a lot of the rest of the team is blitzing. CBs mostly play man, but if one blitzes and one SAF covers him, I would think the other SAF has to be capable of deep zoning.

I don’t know where our SAFs will be at this year (in term of ability). Lynch isn’t practicing in nickels, so I’m wondering who our two guys will be going forward. I worry a little about the SAF positions, but at least we have depth. The DT position is a worry, and not terribly deep.

Heading out to work, so stand by for Monday afternoon.

Defensive adjustments vary greatly from team to team. Mostly the MLB calls them, but not because he is the best tactician. As the middle most player, it is easier for his team mates to hear or see him. While some teams give the MLB the responsibility of inititiating an adjustment, most teams send them in from the sideline. Adjustments that originate from the MLB are typically based on an algorithm prepared for each specific game (ie If the offense does “A” the defense will do “B” unless situations “X”, “Y”, or “Z”).

Adjustments include changing a player assignment within a play, changing the fall black play, shifting the DL, shifting the LBs, changing gap assignments or the gap assignment type. Usually the FS and the CBs are not adjusted unless it comes from the sideline. The SS may be independent, may receive direction from the sideline, or in rare cases may be directed by the MLB.

Unlike the offense, most defensive adjustments made on the field (without the coach) follow an algorithm. Rarely are players allowed to adjust other players (though some players, typically safeties, can self direct if zoned). An example of a rare player charged with adjusting other players is our own Lynch, who can be seen moving up to call an adjust, or calling an adjust from his box position.

about Lynch: when I was watching the 2007 tape in preparation for my Lynch article, there was a dynamic that occurred VERY frequently:

DJ would get the call in from the sideline and proceed to line everybody up. Moments before the snap, playing from the “4th LB” position, Lynch would run up to the line and give signals to the LBs and secondary. Other times he would physically move a player (like a DE) to another gap, and then back off into zone coverage. The speed with which he not only recognized what was about to happen, but was able to communicate an adjustment to his teammates was impressive.

The MLB needs to be able to either make adjustments that he receives from the sideline or following a set program that has been put in for the game. So he doesn’t have to be “brainy” in that respect as people might think. On the other hand, he has a very demanding job as the MLB, having many different type of assignments that the other two LBs don’t have.

I would want my smartest guys on defense to be the safeties, since they often adjust themselves out of zones. They are also in a position to read the overall play better than anyone, and to react to it.

You still want leadership in a MLB if possible, since it is helpful to have the central most figure (and most vocal) be a motivator. But it isn’t a requirement, particularly if you have other leaders on the defense.

DJ is “smart” enough to play at MLB. He’s not a vocal leader (which is ok). But the reason he likes the WILL LB position is because he can focus on one or two assignments and excell at those. The WILL has two major assignments in most systems, which are blitzes (QB blindside) and short zone. While he may do other things, he can mostly focus on the two skill sets that play to his athleticism.

Styg makes an excellent point on Lynch in the above comment, and I entirely agree with his observation.