The Mathews Question

Too much hand gnashing over a Tannehill slight of hand scamper. If Cam get's off for a 40 yarder, that's a little different. 

 

I just don't see Carolina getting over on GB with the RO this weekend though. Johnathan Stewart is playing but he's pretty beat up. Any time Cam shows a read option the OLB or end is going directly at Cam, every time. 

 

If there's one undisputable law for defending the RO it's this. If there is a clear and obvious difference in running ability between QB and RB, MAKE SURE the worst runner ends up carrying the ball. In this case it's a beat up Stewart and Whittaker. You put Cam in the crosshairs (no crashing down) with the DE or OLB and make him give it to the back. Make Stewart and Whittaker beat GB. I don't think they can. 

 

 

 

 

 

Great analysis Chillijon

"Matthews' job is to make sure it's not an option at all and force the QB to keep it so every defender knows who will have the ball"

 

AKA, contain.   

 

The DB's can not abandon their coverage duties until they know 100% that it is a run.  At the outset of the RO, it could still be a pass as playaction is still a possibility.  It's a lot to ask for them to read the guards and see if they are down field while maintaining coverage.    

 

Clay needs to contain and the interior players need to plug the middle.  Simple as that.   The play is difficult to defend because the threat of the QB being the ball carrier removes 1 defender and essentially makes the play man on man in the trenches.  It takes away the numbers advantage from the D until they reach the 2nd level.

 

Matthews' job is to make sure it's not an option at all and force the QB to keep it so every defender knows who will have the ball. 

 

I think this is where the real disagreement comes.   It's my opinion that its Clays job to take the QB out of the play.  If he is threatening run,  take him out and by no means let him outside.   After achieving that goal, if you can get back into the play because the interior players have plugged up the lanes for the RB, great. 

 

With a traditional handoff out of a 4 WR set vs a Nickle defense the D still has the advantage of having 1 more defender then there is blockers.  (combination of 6 LB's and DL's vs 5 OL and 1 ball carrier)   

 

When you add the threat of the QB being a ball carrier, it becomes 6 vs 6 instead 5 vs 6.   You have to win 1 on 1 matchups or bring down a DB to gain the advantage back.   If the RO is run to the left side, the LT typically crashes down against the end while the G goes ater a LB (could be the LT that goes to 2nd level depending on where end lines up or slants) and that leaves the OLB 1 on 1 with the QB.   He can't let him outside.   He has to win HIS one on one matchup before crashing down to help. 

 

Of course there are variations, but this is how the play in the picture is / was run. 

No, it's not. Not even in high school do they run such lame, predictable defenses. Peppers has the back-side containment, Matthews forces the play, the DB (or scraping ILB) fills and contains, the ILB(s) flow and there are two other DBs to contain on a straight-up run. If the QB cuts back inside, he runs back in to Matthews and the "crowd".

You hit or harass the QB every time, no matter who it is or who the RB is. If a coach knows his QB is going to be hit every time he runs a RO play he is gonna stop calling RO plays, even if the RB is getting good yardage.

quote:

You hit or harass the QB every time, no matter who it is or who the RB is.

Although if you hit the QB after he's handed the ball off, you're going to get a penalty.

Not true. On a read option, he doesn't have the same protection as a QB who drops back in the pocket.

QB has to either back out of his run route or show the DE or OLB he's not carrying the ball. If he does neither you can light him up like a duraflame. 

 

So in this scenario, you are asking B. Jones who is getting attacked by the LG to get to the edge before the unmolested QB?   That, or, you are asking a DB to abandon coverage as soon as he see's run, which leads to big plays over the top with play action.  

 

No, they left Clay unblocked for a reason, they want him to have to commit to the QB so they get the numbers with the RB.  If he doesn't than you take the free yards with the QB.  You have to account for the QB with the unblocked man as he is the one with the ball.  

 

Essentially you are asking the unblocked man to take himself away from the ball carrier and send a blocked man to the outside to contain the ball carrier.  (QB always is the initial ball carrier).  Doesn't it make sense to eliminate him from the play first?   If you do that you have 5 on 5 in the trenches and run has been declared so DB's can now fully commit to the play.   (Save for the flea flicker)

On a standard running play that is true, in the read option he is fair game whether he has the ball or not.

No, the coaches have even said they have the OLB crash the RB, forcing the play. How hard is that for you to understand? You have an Inside Linebacker and three defensive backs who can stop the QB (though one or two are likely to be past the first down marker). That's a numbers superiority for the defense across the board.  

IMO you guys are arguing the same point.
The bottom line is if you have CMIII crash, you are leaving it up Jones to chase. Look how Jones jumps to the inside while Clay is crashing. At worst if Jones first step is inside he'd be taught if Clay has crash/RB, Jones needs to have outside shoulder free to chase.
He is absolutely NOT an ILB !!!!!
Coincidence?
I think Dolphins head coach knew exactly who he was going expose if the opportunity presented itself .... And I'm thinking it wasn't Clay.

It's spelled with two T's by the way.

New word for the day is "Otiose"

 

In a sentence: "Trump, Dedbrain and Herschel are incredibly otiose"

 

What.....What did you call me?

Itt?

Cousin?  

TiT

What does Blair Kiel have to do with this?

Separated at birth...

Matthews needs to step up and play like the superstar he is - or what he claims to be. 

Please don't pull a Ryan Braun

This thread just took a turn towards hate.

Racist

Sacks are down 21% league wide this year, and QB completion % is tracking to an all time high.

"We want offense. We hate defense" - Roger Goodell

 

 

Ummmm.....Yeah. 

 

I think Clay is ok

Agreed!! Lets see who kicks ass next week now due to the media calling them out

Clay would have had a pick-six if it weren't for Tramon's penalty. 

The pass would have been completed if Tramon hadn't hit the receiver early.

Exactly.

Clay reads x4.

NFP!

Clay absolutely responded.  He knew he needed to step it up.  Kudos to him.

Need to see him string together a few games like today. Would be perfect against the next couple opponents.

Clay played like he was pissed off today.
He was destroying their OTs on a regular basis.

He goes so hard he tends to lose 'control' at times, but the pressure he created today was outstanding. And it was all game long!

Hey Hawk you suck, suck suck.  Despite getting tossed Luke K did more in his limited action today than you've ever done in your career, and this is coming from an OSU alum.  (What, it worked for Matthews this week )

Think we're gonna need something stronger than questioning Live Radio on a message board.