Defending the Down G Play from Under Defense: One Example
First, EMU was lining up against us in a 2-TE/wing set like so:
The reason for this was to run away from Martin and Graham. In under defense, Martin, Graham, Brown and Ezeh line up to strength. Since there are an equal number of receivers on each side, strength is determined (in our defense) by the greater passing threat, which is the wideout side. With an H-back at wing, the offense now has a numbers and size advantage to run the ball "weak." (Note: In the defense I coached, we aligned the front to run strength and the secondary to pass strength. I did this in order to avoid opposing offensive coaches doing this sort of thing to me. Of course, all they'd have to do is motion the wing, but....)
The Down G play is so-named b/c the playside OL down blocks except for the Guard, who pulls to kick out the DE. The key is where the DE aligns over the TE. If the DE is outside the TE in a 9 technique, the TE will inside release and seal the playside ILB. If the DE is inside the TE in a 7 technique, the TE will release outside and kickout the first defender outside him, in this case the corner. This outside release will influence the DE outside, setting up the kick-out block by the Guard. It looks a little something like this:
In this defense, Jonas Mouton has the D gap, so on run to him he will be downhill toward that gap. Obi has run away, and is responsible for the strong side A gap, so he will shuffle and check that gap before he scrapes to the ball. This allows the combo block of the center and backside guard to reach him (unless Martin eats it up, which he does well). With Mouton down in the D gap, Ezeh cut off, Roh influenced and kicked out, and Van Bergen down blocked on by a 300+ lb. OT, the RB has a nice hole to run through.
This is why individual defensive technique is critical. Craig Roh must see the TE outside release and immediately get his eyes on the OT. Upon seeing the OT down block, Roh must squeeze back inside and spill the pulling guard, causing the ball carrier to bounce outside to the unblocked free hitter, Mouton, like so:
Of course, it is imperative that Mike Williams and Boubacar Cissoko play physical and squeeze their blockers as close to the box as possible so the ball carrier has less space with which to juke Mouton. This is easier said then done when it's likely two 250 lb. TE types blocking 180 lb. and 170 lb. DBs with ankle and shoulder injuries. As a result, Mouton must be a great tackler here.
The reason for this was to run away from Martin and Graham. In under defense, Martin, Graham, Brown and Ezeh line up to strength. Since there are an equal number of receivers on each side, strength is determined (in our defense) by the greater passing threat, which is the wideout side. With an H-back at wing, the offense now has a numbers and size advantage to run the ball "weak." (Note: In the defense I coached, we aligned the front to run strength and the secondary to pass strength. I did this in order to avoid opposing offensive coaches doing this sort of thing to me. Of course, all they'd have to do is motion the wing, but....)
The Down G play is so-named b/c the playside OL down blocks except for the Guard, who pulls to kick out the DE. The key is where the DE aligns over the TE. If the DE is outside the TE in a 9 technique, the TE will inside release and seal the playside ILB. If the DE is inside the TE in a 7 technique, the TE will release outside and kickout the first defender outside him, in this case the corner. This outside release will influence the DE outside, setting up the kick-out block by the Guard. It looks a little something like this:
In this defense, Jonas Mouton has the D gap, so on run to him he will be downhill toward that gap. Obi has run away, and is responsible for the strong side A gap, so he will shuffle and check that gap before he scrapes to the ball. This allows the combo block of the center and backside guard to reach him (unless Martin eats it up, which he does well). With Mouton down in the D gap, Ezeh cut off, Roh influenced and kicked out, and Van Bergen down blocked on by a 300+ lb. OT, the RB has a nice hole to run through.
This is why individual defensive technique is critical. Craig Roh must see the TE outside release and immediately get his eyes on the OT. Upon seeing the OT down block, Roh must squeeze back inside and spill the pulling guard, causing the ball carrier to bounce outside to the unblocked free hitter, Mouton, like so:
Of course, it is imperative that Mike Williams and Boubacar Cissoko play physical and squeeze their blockers as close to the box as possible so the ball carrier has less space with which to juke Mouton. This is easier said then done when it's likely two 250 lb. TE types blocking 180 lb. and 170 lb. DBs with ankle and shoulder injuries. As a result, Mouton must be a great tackler here.
Unless you saw film differently... I think the tackle has the near side linebacker (JM) on this play, not the cornerback. Craig Roh (think this is actually a 6 tech given it is inside shoulder) needs to spill or "wrong shoulder" the guard trap/kickout block so he gets his helmet and body across to collapse the 4 hole.
Given the tackle will block JM, whose responsibility is now to aggresively fill the d gap, taking on the tackle in the gap with his right shoulder, the play needs to be made by Obi Ezeh. Since this is a gap defense and Martin is in a 1 technique on the center, Mike Martin needs to sense the play is going to the left, and work across the center's face. There is no way a 300lb center or left guard should be able to beat Obi Ezeh to that play unless he is slow by 1 step. If Martin gets across there, then the left guard has to reach the linebacker, and that is a very tough block even if they combo block Martin and OE.
We are covered for counter because BG (in a 5 technique) is in the hip pocket of the backside tackle heading out for the safety and likely coming hard down the line w/ SB covering the boot.
Interesting how the defensive lineman blows up the play, and the linebacker gets the glory. Nonetheless, the team, the team, the team. Good breakdown.
... that they would not teach me of in college.
Or maybe so?
Thank you very much for posting this (and all of your other posts). Very informative and interesting for us fans that lack this type of fundamental knowledge. Keep 'em coming!
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Phenomenal stuff. Thanks
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Robinson puts BG and MM on the same side of the ball? And how long do you think the RVB as DT experiment will last?
The point of putting Graham and Martin both on the same side of the ball is that they can then overload the opposite side to "balance out" the defense. You have two guys who could easily command double-teams on one side, and on the other side you have more numbers.
In this play, you have a balanced formation offensively.
To the right of the ball: Warren, Brown, Graham, Martin, Ezeh.
To the left of the ball: Cissoko, Roh, Williams, Van Bergen, Mouton
However, both Martin and Ezeh are lined up in the strongside A-gap, meaning they can each have an effect on a play to the weakside as well.
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It's better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
Why is RVB not the deathbacker in the first place and a DT? Was it just b/c of our numbers coming in? I always assumed that Renaldo and Will would at least be competent at the DT position.
The "backer" portion of the "Deathbacker" name implies that the position will require some pass drops, perhaps occasional man coverage, etc. Do you want a 260-pounder who was bred to be a strongside defensive end (think Michael Strahan) playing in space, or would you prefer a 238-pound weakside end type in pass coverage?
Also, if you put RVB at "Deathbacker," you'd then have Sagesse and Martin play defensive tackle . . . which is fine until you consider that Martin's backup would be a true freshman and then . . . uhhh . . . no one.
In other words: it was probably numbers AND skill sets.
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It's better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
"Are you suprised Robinson puts BG and MM on the same side of the ball?"
No, I'd do the same. You know teams will run at the other side.
"And how long do you think the RVB as DT experiment will last?"
RichRod has always said we're still a work in progress. RVB is a sophomore at a new position. I don't think this is an experiment, and I think he'll play there for 3 years. Now, maybe we recruit a couple more BG's and then RVB will be an excellent backup, but I'm guessing RVB will be at the very least a serviceable Big 10 player over the next few years.
"Why is RVB not the deathbacker in the first place and a DT?" I don't think he's quite athletic enough, especially to do some of the coverage things they might want to do at some point.
"I always assumed that Renaldo and Will would at least be competent at the DT position."
Yes, however, remember that the DT also has to play 5 technique DE in the 30 fronts and that's something that Renaldo and Will can't do. The goal is to not have to substitute. And that's fine, it just puts a heavier emphasis on recruiting b/c you have to play freaks at the Sam, Quick, Tackle, and Weak Safety positions.
is to make them somewhat predictable...but that doesn't seem to be helping all that much.