Passing Preview Parts 2 and 3: Double Edelman/Triple Gronk?

mascho

Kane is Able
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In Part 1, we saw how the Colts efficient use interlocking coverage schemes to confuse opposing quarterbacks. Rolling coverages, combining concepts and mixing man and zone looks are staples of the Indianapolis defensive playbook. In Part 2, we explore how the Colts might attempt to cover Tom Brady‘s preferred target, Julian Edelman.
 
Article here.
 


Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano uses some unusual coverage schemes and is not afraid to bracket the opposition’s favorite target with a corner and safety. But how will the Colts attempt to defend the Patriots most dangerous offensive player, Rob Gronkowski, given the Colts’ struggles covering tight ends this season?
 
In Week 1, Denver’s Julius Thomas caught 7 passes for 104 yards and 3 touchdowns. Baltimore’s Owen Daniels hauled in 5 passes for 70 yards in Week 5. Pittsburgh’s Heath Miller snagged 7 for 112 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. The Giants’ Larry Donnell caught a TD in Week 9. Overall, according to Football Outsiders, the Colts are allowing 60.8 receiving yards per game to opposing TEs, and their DVOA against the position (36.2%) ranks 29th among the NFL’s 32 teams.
 
Article here.
 

Super Nomario

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I love how the Gronk article builds on your earlier pieces on the danger of giving him a free release. That's definitely going to give me something to watch in the Colts game and moving forward.
 

mascho

Kane is Able
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Thanks man.
 
Really curious to see if Indy shows something different Sunday night. As a Pats fan I hope they don't. But TEs have been killing them this year and they have to change it up, right?
 

Wilco's Last Fan

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So, at the risk of sounding like a Grade A moron, can I ask why the Colts aren't jamming at the line if they're getting burned consistently by TEs?  
 The obvious drawback seems to be "it limits your pass rush" if you're doing it with a DE.   Is the risk of doing it with a linebacker that if you don't jam effectively, the LB is now out of position?
 
It just seems like they'd shake things up a bit.
 
Edit: Also, great stuff.  This is football crack. 
 

mascho

Kane is Able
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Part of it is, at least against Denver, they stayed in their base 3-4 a lot. So when Denver used that double-TE wing look with Green on the outside the OLB to that side walks over the outermost TE. Unless they then commit an ILB over Thomas, he's getting a free release off the line. If they did shift an ILB over Thomas, then Peyton simply plays the numbers to the other side of the field. (The Giants were also using the double-TE wing look on the clip in the article).
 
The other two plays (Baltimore and Pittsburgh) in the article the OLB had other things on his mind. Against Baltimore the OLB had man coverage on the fullback, and on the Pittsburgh play he was focused on pass rush. 
 
I would really expect them to do something different Sunday night. Today's TEs, Gronk included, are matchup nightmares for LBs and most SSs in this league. So I think defenses need to help these coverage guys and be more physical with TEs off the line of scrimmage. Plus, for an offense like NE, that runs on a lot of timing, if Gronk isn't where Brady expects him to be on a route it throws the play off. Yeah, you might sacrifice a second of pass rush, but if the alternative is Gronk running free down the seam...
 
Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.
 

mascho

Kane is Able
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Silver Spring, Maryland
Also Matt Bowen (who is fantastic, and if you're going to read someone other than Football Central is the guy to read IMO) touches on Gronkowski in his Week 11 Preview:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2265442-matt-bowens-week-11-nfl-film-study
 


Cover 1 and Quarters have been a bust the last couple of games versus Gronkowski, so let’s find out if the Colts show some combo coverages to either bracket the tight end (based on down and distance) or utilize a linebacker to reroute at the line of scrimmage.
 
I just don’t see the positives in asking your safeties to check Gronkowski for four quarters. That’s a matchup advantage for New England. There has to be more.
 

RedOctober3829

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Wilco's Last Fan said:
So, at the risk of sounding like a Grade A moron, can I ask why the Colts aren't jamming at the line if they're getting burned consistently by TEs?  
 The obvious drawback seems to be "it limits your pass rush" if you're doing it with a DE.   Is the risk of doing it with a linebacker that if you don't jam effectively, the LB is now out of position?
 
It just seems like they'd shake things up a bit.
 
Edit: Also, great stuff.  This is football crack. 
They won't be able to get a consistent jam on Gronk because McD does such a good job of using formations to get him in space.