BLACK

Along with pursuit and tackling (fundamentals) of defense, is the rather academic application of adjusting your defense to the offensive threat you face. In most defenses the player that drastically alters what the defense actually is, the strong safety.

A lot has been discussed in the last 20 years ( in the wake of the evolution of 2-high defenses) about the role, prototype, and alignment of the “strong safety”. You likely hear this ad nauseum if you are forced to listen to any NFL broadcast, about “bringing a safety down”. Great, sure sounds awesome, but what does it mean and why?

This discussion will cover the ceaseless pendulum swing between offensive and defensive attacks and counterattacks that evolves each season. Back during your “daddy’s day” when receivers were in 3-point stances, everyone played with 2 backs and sometimes 3 backs in the backfield. To even the odds against this, defenses began stuffing more and more people in the box (1-high) to stop the run-heavy attacks.


To create more breathing room, offenses found a way to adjust by removing a back, forcing the defenses to expand with them (eliminating a defender from the box).

The more offenses expanded, the more defenses had to adjust and eventually relying on 2-high defenses to remain viable against the vertical passing game. The advent of 1-back looks (made popular by Dennis Erickson in the 80’s with WSU and Miami) became the (then) “spread”, even though Erickson admittedly says the entire point of going 1-back for him, was to RUN the ball. It may sound odd, but when we take a look at WHAT 1-back looks do to a defense, it becomes apparent what the offense is looking to exploit.

The fundamental element in defense is supporting all available run-gaps that an offense presents. If there is one gap not accounted for, then an offense has an immediate path for yardage. 2-high defenses became all the rage in the late 90’s into this current generation because of this 1-back adaptation. First things first, what is the offense presenting the defense? How many backs are in the ball game? How many tight ends?

“21” (2 backs, 1 tight end) typically gives you a 2-back, pro-formation look. With 2 in the backfield, you will likely be threatened by some type of 2x1 look. The extra man in the backfield (fullback / H-back) provides an extra gap for the defense to support (just like a second tight end). With 2-back looks, you are immediately threatened with lead runs (iso, power, sweep) that will put 1+ offensive player at the point of attack.



“11” (1 back, 1 tight end) will give you a single-back look. This immediately eliminates the threat of lead runs (unless you have to contend with the new [Rodriguez-type] spread, where the QB is a rushing threat). With only 1 back, you will end up with a 3x1 or 2x2 set that can stress a defense with 2 inside verticals (passing threat), but be without that extra (run fit) gap.

Although adjusting nicely and bottling up 1-back looks, the defense, through this expansion away from the ball, was opening the middle of the field. This became a void offenses would later exploit by turning shotgun ‘spread’ formations into run-heavy attacks.

The Next Step
Now to the current trend for defenses, how do they get an ‘extra hat’ at the point of attack (and beat the offense to the punch)? As outlined by people like Nick Saban, the MOFC defense allows a defense to put more defenders in the box and allocate the most people to stop the run, inside-out (protecting the middle of the field, first). To achieve both the security of covering the immediate threats of alignment (split) and also get the benefits of shutting of the middle of the field, defenses are finding ways to show 2-high, then bring a safety down late. From here, with pattern-matching principles, the sky is the limit for defenses and the way they attack the ball. With pattern-matching, you can now actually play “man”(to-man) as well as expand to match the passing threats. This arithmetic enables a defense to also bring 5+ man pressure, drop linemen in coverage, and or anything else you can dream up.

In the following clips below, you can see how personnel groupings essentially telegraph what formations you will see on a given play. In each example, the defense is going to play a 1-high MOFC coverage and bring the safety down for run-support/cover-down. The trick is, it typically is showing a 2-high look at the snap to play the traditional coverage-matchup-with-formation game that offenses are looking to exploit.
vs 21 personnel



vs 11 personnel


Then, you can get creative and not only protect the middle of the field, but also bring pressure (1-high fire zones).


This current trend of defenses gleaning the best attributes of schemes into some quasi-natural selection process creates a deadly and effective method for accounting for fundamental principles of good football. Defenses, with the usage of proper coverage support, pattern-matching principles, and multi-talented linemen (ability to drop to cover receiving threats), are able to open a maelstrom of disguised looks. Defenses can present one look at presnap and morph its use to fit any and all offensive threats after the snap. No longer are defenses limited by walking out on displaced receivers (in man) or staying cemented within the box to stop the run. With these principles of adaptation, the chalk can be held by defensive coordinators a while longer.

I avoid the Kabuki partisan politics of America as much as possible, but I do love my guy, Col. Andrew Bacevich (check out his publications), and he delivers as usual in this recent interview.



Coupled with last week's Moyer's historical reflection on LBJ's decisions, it becomes a sobering perspective of our current situation.

Probably the single-most course of study for me this off-season is examining the intricacies of the Rodriguez/Trickett spread run game.

Starting out with the TFS-out-of-the-box run game, we struggled with consistently running the ball early. This largely had to do with our personnel at first, but we later adapted to principles that mimicked UM's spread-the-field attack. I've got a host of materials to examine Rodriguez's approach from Tulane, Clemson, and West Virginia, but haven't had the time to sit down and study all of it in-depth.

As a lagniappe, I've included the 2008 Michigan run game clips for you to peruse as well.

Can you wish for things on Thanksgiving? I dunno.

Even more awesome than this.......

23/11/09 Champions League Liverpool 1: Debrecen 0

Despite doing just enough to win their tie against Debrecen, Liverpool are out of the champions league. According to Carragher this is not a catastrophe and the Uefa Europa League will be just as much fun. I doubt the owners and fans agree.

Liverpool had most of the possession and the chances of the miracle Rafa was waiting for did increase after Ngog beat a very shaky Debrecen defence early in the match. However Juan Vargas ended the Scousers' and Rafa's dreams after half an hour when he put Fiorentina into the lead against Lyon from the penalty spot. Lyon did get close in the dying minutes of the fixture but unfortunately for the Liverpool fans there was no cigar.

It could however have been worse for Liverpool as Debrecan's Gergely Rudolf almost equalised late in the match. Lucas also got quite a lot of criticism from the Liverpool fans. Tough times for Rafa and the players ahead.

23/11/09 Champions League Arsenal 2: 0 Standard Liege

Arsenal went into this clash knowing they only needed one point to qualify, although after the defeat at Sunderland at the weekend and with Chelsea to face to Sunday, a decisive result would be a useful confidence boost.

Despite the gooners being in total control of the first half, it was far from stress free for Arsene Wenger. There is little doubt that the lead was well deserved (a clever Nasri strike and a poor keeper response to an opportunistic Denilson attempt from 30 yards), however a clash of heads which left a shell shocked Gallas with a swollen eye and Arshavin with blood oozing from his head must have got the frenchman worrying about what team he'd be able to field against Chelsea on Sunday. With the league leaders 8 points ahead, Wenger will not want any of his first team joining Van Persie on the injury list. However both players managed to get back on to the pitch before the half time whistle.

Although the Gooners did not boss the second half quite as well as they bossed the first, it was a job well done. Fabregas also demonstrated that at 23 he is a player of maturity as well as talent by not reacting to a headbutt from a frustrated Carcela-Gonzales, which led to the Liege player being shown the red card in the late stages of the game.

Premier League fixtures 25th November 2009

2 Premier League mid-week fixtures on Wednesday 25th November :

Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers, Craven Cottage 8pm
Hull City v Everton, KC Stadium 7.45pm

2 tight games I reckon. Fulham are a decent home team outfit but Big Sam has galvanised Blackburn Rovers into a tough, hard to beat side so they won't be daunted by a Wednesday evening trip to South London.

Similarly Hull City have shown signs that they will fight relegation, after their 3-3 draw with the Hammers this weekend. Phil Brown's men need to start winning their home games and Everton are a great side - a point would be a decent result for the Tigers I think.

Tottenham Hotspur 9 Wigan 1 Premier League result 22/11/09

Tottenham produced the second biggest Premier League margin today by hammering Wigan Athletic emphatically by 9 goals to 1 at White Hart Lane, chalking up Tottenham Hotspur's biggest victory in 32 years. Who did they beat then? Bristol Rovers – 9-0 in the second division.

England international Peter Crouch began the rout after 8 minutes with a close range header which was the only goal of the half.

Spurs front man Jermaine Defoe then had a crazy 7 minutes, making a breath-taking hat trick between 51 and 58 minutes. His first was fired in at close range on the edge of the Wigan 6 yard box. The second was a bit further out and struck to Chris Kirkland’s left, with the assist coming from ex Latics midfielder Wilson Palacios. At 3-1, Premier League strugglers Wigan managed to claw one back when Paul Scharner scored in the 57th minute. Defoe’s third goal came one minute after Wigan’s goal, effectively killing the game off. Not content with that, the Tottenham hero scored in the 69th minute and 87th minute totalling a 5 goal effort that he will never forget.

Sandwiched in between the Defoe goals was an Aaron Lennon goal in the 64th minute. Lennon showed the Spurs faithful and England boss Capello that he can deliver the final product to match his exhilarating pace, with 3 assists and his goal which was a folow up on a Peter Crouch header. If it hadn’t have been for Defoe’s striker master class, then Lennon’s right wing wizardry would have earned him man of the match.

Chris Kirkland added to a nightmare day at the office as he put the ball into his own net and then 4 minutes into injury time ex-Pompey midfielder Niko Kranjcar scored making the game 9-1.
Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United hold the Premier League winning margin record, when they thumped Ipswich 9-0 in 1995. Harry Redknapp will be absolutely over the moon with this result and has catapulted Spurs into a much stronger position in the 10 months that he has been managing the North London club.

Tottenham produced the second biggest Premier League margin today by hammering Wigan Athletic emphatically by 9 goals to 1 at White Hart Lane, chalking up Tottenham Hotspur's biggest victory in 32 years. Who did they beat then? Bristol Rovers – 9-0 in the second division.

England international Peter Crouch began the rout after 8 minutes with a close range header which was the only goal of the half.

Spurs front man Jermaine Defoe then had a crazy 7 minutes, making a breath-taking hat trick between 51 and 58 minutes. His first was fired in at close range on the edge of the Wigan 6 yard box. The second was a bit further out and struck to Chris Kirkland’s left, with the assist coming from ex Latics midfielder Wilson Palacios. At 3-1, Premier League strugglers Wigan managed to claw one back when Paul Scharner scored in the 57th minute. Defoe’s third goal came one minute after Wigan’s goal, effectively killing the game off. Not content with that, the Tottenham hero scored in the 69th minute and 87th minute totalling a 5 goal effort that he will never forget.

Sandwiched in between the Defoe goals was an Aaron Lennon goal in the 64th minute. Lennon showed the Spurs faithful and England boss Capello that he can deliver the final product to match his exhilarating pace, with 3 assists and his goal which was a folow up on a Peter Crouch header. If it hadn’t have been for Defoe’s striker master class, then Lennon’s right wing wizardry would have earned him man of the match.

Chris Kirkland added to a nightmare day at the office as he put the ball into his own net and then 4 minutes into injury time ex-Pompey midfielder Niko Kranjcar scored making the game 9-1.
Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United hold the Premier League winning margin record, when they thumped Ipswich 9-0 in 1995. Harry Redknapp will be absolutely over the moon with this result and has catapulted Spurs into a much stronger position in the 10 months that he has been managing the North London club.

21/11/09 Premiership result - Liverpool 2-2 Man City

Given Liverpool's near miss last season and Man City's expensive new team, both sets of fans started the season with high expectations of silverware. But after yet another draw, it is looking like both teams may hit the Christmas milestone outside the top 4 and outside the Champions League spots.

For many teams sharing the spoils at Anfield would be a result, however Mark Hughes will be very aware that this is not the return on investment that the Blues are expecting. A draw at home is also yet another blow for Rafa Benitez, whose tenure is coming under an ever increasing attack. Both managers might have been able to take some positives from the game if it had been a thrilling nail-biter, but in the end even Match of the Day struggled to find the highlights.

Nothing of much consequence happened in the first half, which begs the question for City fans why Tevez was left on the bench for the first hour. The game began in earnest after 50 minutes, when Skrtel took advantage of poor City defending to give the Reds the lead by converting a Gerrard free kick. Liverppol then appeared to sit back on their lead and paid the penalty after 69 minutes when Adebayor popped Bellamy's corner into the net. City went on to take the lead 5 minutes later with an Ireland goal. Liverpool fans could rightly question the position of Wright-Phillips when he crossed the ball to Ireland, but in the end City's lead was cancelled out shortly afterwards as Benayoun hit the target.
After the match Rafa blamed his injury list. Hughes was more upbeat and sung Tevez' praises, but both managers must be feeling the heat as they languish in 7th and 6th position respectively. The only positive both managers can really take from this weekend is that Arsenal slipped up at Sunderland.

Are Liverpool and Man City good enough for the top 4? On yesterday's performance definitely not. Spurs fans everywhere are rejoicing (just don't slip up against Wigan).

In our playoff rematch with District Champion, Haughton, we had their number.
The game was a testament to the competitiveness of our players and their dedication to improving performance.

Bearing down and committing to stopping the option with district MVP, Dak Prescott, the defense strapped in for a slugfest, forcing the junior quarterback to distribute the ball to his receivers.

Obviously, respecting the passing game we featured throughout the regular season, the Haughton defense remained 2-high all night, forcing a 5-man run box. We were able to take advantage of this with our dive and wildcat packages, unleashing 305 rushing yards on them. The success of our run game (as well as picking up the interior blitzing that plagued us in the last contest against Haughton) was due to the tremendous improvement out of seniors T.Player (#65) and K.Cash (#66) along with junior T.Player (#64).


PLAYOFFS: Tha Remix


Now, onto Quarter Finals against New Orleans' area powerhouse, Lutcher.

New brew I'll have to check out now..... Flying Dog Brewery out of Maryland.

Not only does the head brewmeister share my namesake, but they share a love of Hunter S. Thompson!

Additional readings;

http://www.flyingdogblog.com/2009/08/12/gonzofest-or-bust/
http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2009/09/meet-brewer-matt-brophy-flying-dog.html
http://www.opensourcebeerproject.com/
http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/01/interview-with-matt-brophy-flying-dog.html



Mmmm, now I'm thirsty! And this Abita swill is getting rather old....

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday week, I just wanted to make sure I express a show of gratitude and thanks on behalf of the school and myself for two individuals who have really made this season work.

Coaches Anthony McClain and Mike Bogan have displayed an admirable dedication and patience to improve a program in considerable disarray. Two great guys who have masterfully played the cards they were dealt to perfection. Though it wasn't always easy or pain-free, these two kept the best interests of the program at the forefront and pressed on to improve the product on the field.


They have made coaching this season a joy for me and I have to say it was enjoyable, educational, and entertaining to be around both these guys coaching. If you're in NWLA and you get a chance, be sure to watch for these two guys.

THE RIGA PAINTING PART 1 - NOVEMBER 14TH 2009


There were 3 jumbo screens around Riga showing the CO2 painting being painted live, projecting the above web interface from the CO2 E - Race Riga site


The Inside of the LYNX with the specially designed GPS with power to also send a satellite signal from under a bridge or inside a tunnel.


The Police Escort letting the cars go through all the red lights throughout the CO2 route.


Following the route from the LYNX, documenting and turning the GPS off and on in between the "C", "O" and "2".

The last example that we'll show is the only other concept not threatening Cover 2 with a vertical concept. The high-low ("China" or "Smash") concept merely looks to create a vertical stretch on an underneath defender, putting him in a 2-on-1 conflict. As noted in the previous posts, watch the linebacker expand to the hook (underneath) with the safety (over the top) . This concept is evidenced with a shallow #1 and a vertical #2 or a vertical #1 and a shallow #2.

Continuing on the same theme as Verticals, the "Sail" ("drop out" or "Ohio") concept relies on the same principles, but providing a deep high-low of the outside defender. This can be a difficult throw, but even more difficult to successfully defend. As detailed earlier, be sure to watch the linebacker wall and expand #2 as he vertically stems then drops out to the sideline.

As outlined in previous posts, the (all) verticals concept likely puts a 2-high defense at a disadvantage when 4 receivers go deep. Pay special attention to how the linebackers wall and carry #2 vertically into the seam, as well as how the corner sink and carry #1 vertical. Also, note how 3x1 formations cause a 2-high defense stress with #3 stemming into the deep middle hole.

The last step in this Cover 2 discussion ends with the ½ field safety. Obviously their job is to put the roof over the defense and allow all other defenders to play underneath. To do this job effectively and consistently, they must know how they relate to the pattern distribution. This will reveal how they will compensate for coverage liabilities and better support the coverage shell.

Their first response is to key and recognize the #1 receiver to their side. The position of the #1 receiver will determine the immediate threat to ‘break’ the defense by an outside and vertical throw. The safety should know who the #2 vertical threat is on any given down based on formation (2x2 or (3x1).


At the snap, the safety will key the EMOL for run/pass key. After a pass key recognition, the safety reads #1 receiver – to quarterback – to #2 receiver.

#1 Vertical - #2 To The Flat



With #2 vertical and #1 remaining shallow, the safety should expect the smash or seam concept. He will peddle back and inside read #2 as he presses into the seam. The safety should be defending the seam-to-post-corner route with inside-out leverage.

Double slant


With #2 and #1 breaking shallow inside, there isn’t much help a deep half safety can provide. He should be anticipating the slant-and-go (“sluggo”) and remain over the top of #1, leveraging inside-out.


#1 Vertical - #2 inside or hitch



Since #2 remains shallow, he is no threat to the deep half, so the safety should look to overplay the vertical by #1. With #2 shallow, he should keep inside leverage on #1and anticipate a deep, inside breaking route (dig) from #1.

The Republic of Ireland exited in drammatic style last night as ex-Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry handled the ball in his assist to William Gallas who equalised in extra time to make the match 1-1 in extra time.

Robbie Keane had put the Irish into the lead after 33 minutes and then Trapattoni's team came close on numerous occasions. In particular Damien Duff missed a one on one with the French 'keeper which would have got them to South Africa but it wasn't to be.

Are the Irish right to feel cheated? Well, yes but the rules of the game are that we have a referee who makes the calls with no assistance from tecnhology. So from time to time, teams will not get the result they believe they 'deserved' because of human error. Some of the player quotes show that the Irish boys feel a bit bitter and that is to be expected. However, the bit I can't stand is when people like Platini use these incidents to spring board new arguments for technology as opposed to encorporating viablity studies in the overall World Football strategy.

After reviewing corner responses, we'll work our way outside-in, addressing the outside and inside linebacker responses to pattern distribution in Cover 2.

Outside Linebacker (weak)
The weak side linebacker who responds to the displaced #2 receiver should be playing a "vertical hook technique". This simply means he is controlling the vertical stem of #2 into the hook zone and will treat this area as a priority. He should be thinking vertical-in-the-seam by #2 on pass key, and defend this throw first. On pass, he must relate to #2 receiver. He will peek to #1 receiver to identify the route concept he should play. As the front will vary depending on formation, we'll focus on just the pass coverage of Cover 2 for the displaced outside linebacker.

#2 Vertical - #1 Outside Vertical

If #2 presses vertically, the WLB will wall and carry #2 into the seam, peeking to see that #1 is vertical (and outside). With #1 gaining depth outside, the WLB can expect the "all vertical" and / or anticipate a deep drop out / Sail from #2 (and rob from low-shoulder leverage.

#2 Vertical - #1 Inside Vertical

As with the above situation, the WLB walls and carries #2 vertically into the seam, expecting "all verticals". With an inside/vertical stem of #1, the WLB may anticipate a deep, inside breaking route (dig).

#2 Vertical and Outside - #1 Hitch

With a vertical press by #2, and #1 remaining shallow (hitch), the WLB should anticipate the "smash" concept and push to the flat. Knowing his corner should be sinking to take the "corner" route, he should be robbing the hitch from inside-and-underneath leverage.

#2 Flat

Maybe the easiest throw to respond to for the WLB in Cover 2, once the #2 receiver quickly "shoots" to the flat, the WLB should recognize the flat-curl concept. He should expand and wall to the #1 receiver, looking to rob the inside-breaking curl.

Cover 2 Inside Linebackers

In Cover 2, the inside linebackers, both strong and weak, will be keying for run as their primary responsibility. Their gap assignment and key will vary depending on the formation and defensive front they are in. They are reading run-to-pass, and respond accordingly. For the sake of discussion, we will just concentrate on their response after getting a high-hat pass read.

The inside linebackers will match their respective threat based on alignment. This will typically put the SLB or MLB TO or AWAY from the callside based on the strength of formation. An example would be;

2x2 set

The MLB will relate to the back (#3) strong or weak, based on back flow.
The SLB/Buck become relates to #2 strong and becomes the vertical seam player him.

3x1 set

Here the defensive front would be adjusted to accommodate the passing (number) threats. The MLB now relates to #3 receiver and the SLB/Buck will relate to the back.

This is a rather simple accommodation as I hesitate to call it an "adjustment". The inside (run) linebackers are simply going to cover down their immediate passing threat. An example of matching the backs with the linebackers is shown below;

Its taken a few weeks but finally the 2 bikes i will be racing and riding in 2010 are coming together.

First is my much awaited Titanium singlespeed... to date there is only 2 of these frames in existence but with alot if interest they may see production.. build kit see's all PRO Components top end carbon toys.. the new forks are all carbon and weighing in at a svelte 600g!!!







This will be my main race bike.. it'll see alot of marathons and 12's .. hopefully the odd stage race too:)

Next bike is a bit more specialist... born out of a standard IO 2010 frame this is my 'Half Fat' bike built primarily for Arrowhead 135 in February and will then be my epic multi day bike..

On borrowed Snow cat rims.. thanks Shaggy... the bike runs matching wheels spaced at 135mm front and back, this is only made possible by the forks. Sandman in Italy supplied the fat forks which not only allow my 135mm spaced front wheel but also give near infinite clearance. Just in case anybody wondered the front and rear wheels are identical so they can be swapped in the case of a mechanical but also allow different size cogs to be used on the 2 wheels... quick release with chain tensioners allows a quicker change.

Big Thanks to Conti for their biggest tyre the Diesel 2.5

The bike is set up for comfort.. Jones bars giving alot of hand positions... or alot of different places to hold my bike while i'm pushing it through snow!

Mechanical disc brakes for the low temperatures.

Chainring made by Dan of Homebrewcomponents in America... Dan is also supplying the chainrings and cogs for all my bikes and will get some good images in a seperate blog when they arrive.

Last of all is a handmade product created in the Alpkit Factory by chief seamstress Nick... thanks Nick.. made from recycled Alpkit Gourdons it completes the bike.