Article on TB- Steeler game

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Sorry tape but there is no way anybody gets into the passing lane on the bottom WR in that shot. He can just stand there, get the pass and it's an easy 1st down.

The scheme wants them to make that throw. If the WR stands there, the CB is supposed to read that and come up to make the play. The CB should be able to close the distance while the ball is in the air and make the tackle.

Every defense has a hole somewhere. It is not possible to cover every area of the field. The Cover 3 is weak in the middle and they give those short quick throws.

Seattle plays mostly cover 3. The difference is their CBs are much better than the steelers so they can play with less cushion and they have a pass rush.

 

[Vader]

The scheme wants them to make that throw. If the WR stands there, the CB is supposed to read that and come up to make the play. The CB should be able to close the distance while the ball is in the air and make the tackle.

Every defense has a hole somewhere. It is not possible to cover every area of the field. The Cover 3 is weak in the middle and they give those short quick throws.

Seattle plays mostly cover 3. The difference is their CBs are much better than the steelers so they can play with less cushion and they have a pass rush.

Tell me the last time you saw a Steeler CB come up from 10+ yards away on a 3rd and short and make the play. If that throw is made it's an easy first down and probably a lot more if the CB misses the tackle. It's very difficult to break down a WR when you are running full speed from that distance.

 

[Steeltime]

you keep thinking of it in terms of man cover. Obviously an OLB or DE can't run out to the WR in time but that's not necessary. A DE or OLB doesn't have to "cover" the outside WR to take away the throw, he just has to get in the throwing lane. That's the concept. You are giving those short throws but trying to make it a tough throw so hopefully your help can arrive and make the tackle for short gain,

No, I am not thinking that the DE or OLB is going to cover the WR in man coverage. But look at the pictures - and look at the zone that the DE or OLB would be responsible for covering.

It is simply impossible to get into the throwing lane or into any relevant zone for zone coverage in time to prevent 2 or more yards. It just isn't. I base this on simple physics and the ground that any DE or OLB'er would need to cover to get to the throwing lane or (more improbably) the zone where the receiver is going to catch the ball. I also watch it based on how these players perform.

When is the last time you saw a DE or OLB positioned at the LOS with 5 seconds left on the play clock, and then move at least 10 yards (more like 20, but what the hell, I'll call it 10) to get into the passing lane or zone to cover a WR - not a slot receiver, mind you, but the WR - and prevent a 3-yard gain?

I don't understand your point on Gay. I said Gay messed up. He knew he had help from Troy inside so when Jackson fakes the in cut, he never should have bit on it because he knew he had to cover on the out or the corner. You're right, Troy had no chance to cover outside. They had Jackson bracketed. Gay was in great position to play the out or the fade but then he bit inside and Jackson cut out and got the separation for the catch. The coverage should have worked or at least forced a tough throw and catch.

But what you are acknowledging is that in fact for any fade or corner route, Gay is providing man coverage. He is a decent DB, but can you provide any rationale for having Gay isolated on the 6'3" WR for any pattern to the corner of the end zone? The Buccaneers are sending 4 receivers on the play, and the Steelers have 7 in coverage. There is no excuse for expecting Gay to cover 20% of the end zone by himself, against a much bigger receiver.