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I found this an interesting article at ESPN.
Former Ram, Matt Bowen, does a nice job with the technical description in this article.
In addition... I tend to agree with Matt in the video; you want to run the guy? We'll put a hat on him and knock him out of the game!
[espn]9345923[/espn]
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9413045/nfl-how-stop-robert-griffin-iii" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... riffin-iii</a>
You want to shut down Robert Griffin III and Kyle Shanahan's offense in Washington? Then get ready to put in some extra hours in the film room (and on the practice field) to prep for one of the more dynamic systems I saw on tape during the 2012 season.
Griffin is an electric talent at the quarterback position in a scheme that caters to his skill set when we break down the Redskins' playbook. But with an entire offseason to study the Skins, will opposing defenses finally catch up to the read-option, movement passes and the play-action that led to big numbers (3,200 yards passing, 815 yards rushing) from Griffin in 2012?
The past couple of weeks, I have taken a game plan approach to stopping Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Now it's time to come up with a script to limit Griffin as he recovers from a torn ACL.
What makes Griffin unique?
The former No. 2 overall pick has the arm strength to push the ball down the field and he also displays touch on his passes when asked to throw between the numbers in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
However, Griffin's ability to run the read-option and showcase his elite straight-line speed (4.41 40 time) makes him a true dual-threat player at the position. And while Griffin doesn't possess the same change-of-direction ability as a Michael Vick or Cam Newton, his speed on the edge can put stress on the defensive back seven to play with discipline.
Take a false step (or hesitate) versus Griffin when he keeps the ball in the read-option and you will be in panic mode as he turns up field for an explosive gain.
Catering to Griffin's skill set
Here are three schemes that led to Griffin's breakout rookie season in Washington:
1. Read-option: The Redskins will run the option scheme from a variety of alignments (Pistol, weak gun, etc.) and no one in the league hides the ball through the mesh point (quarterback-running back exchange) better than Griffin. However, for as many issues as the option causes for edge defenders (defensive ends, outside linebackers) in the run game, it is the play-action that has exposed NFL defenses with middle-of-the-field routes that take advantage of poor eye discipline. There were plenty of opportunities last season for Griffin to target wide-open receivers off the read-option backfield action.
2. Boot/Swap boot: The boot schemes go back to Mike Shanahan's days as the head coach in Denver. He sets up the play-action by running the zone (or stretch) scheme and getting the quarterback to the edge of the defense with a run/pass option. Griffin will have a two-level read and can also test the top of the defense by throwing the backside post.
3. Sprint concepts: The top two route combinations you will see in the NFL off of sprint action are the Flat-curl and the Flat-7 (corner). Run to a slot formation (offset back to slot side is a pre-snap alert), the Redskins will allow Griffin to extend the pocket and attack the secondary in both third-down and red zone situations.
Limiting the read-option
Let's take a quick look at a couple of techniques/schemes to slow down the Redskins' offense.
"Scrape exchange" technique: You must install/practice option responsibilities throughout the week when you prep for Griffin. One of those techniques is the "scrape exchange," where the edge defender (defensive end in 4-3 front, outside linebacker in 3-4 front) crashes on the dive when the tackle blocks down (Redskins use zone blocking in their option scheme). This allows the second-level linebacker to "scrape" to the quarterback.
You don't want hesitation from your edge defenders (opens up running lanes for the dive). Crash down the line of scrimmage, eliminate the dive, get your linebackers over the top to play the quarterback and remind your free safety to run the alley to clean it up.
Edge pressure: After talking with defensive coaches this offseason, I do think we will see more edge pressure versus the Redskins in 2013. The idea here is to speed up the actual "read" process for the quarterback. By sending a strong safety off the edge, you can eliminate the time spent in the mesh point and force the quarterback to give the ball up -- or take a helmet under the chin.
It's important to blitz early and blitz often. And remind Griffin that if he keeps the ball you are going to light him up all afternoon.
Defending read-option play-action
Keep your eyes on your work. I know that sounds like high school talk, but it applies to the play-action opportunities Griffin and the Redskins created with the read-option based on my tape study.
Let's look at three coverages that can limit the play-action opportunities for the Redskins.
1. Cover 1: The first defense installed in minicamp, Cover 1 (man-free) is the best option versus any pass play (regardless of formation or personnel) if your defensive backs can read their run-pass keys at the snap. There is no need to stare into the backfield when the tight end takes a vertical release or if the open-side offensive tackle takes a pass set (high-hat read) at the snap. Play with outside leverage and funnel the receivers to your free safety help (middle third defender).
2. Cover 6: Basic "quarter-quarter-half" with Cover 4 to the closed (strong) side of the formation and a "cloud" technique (Cover 2) to the open (weak) side of the formation. The strong safety will read the release of No. 2 (tight end) with the open-side "cloud" cornerback disrupting the release of the backside X receiver. Eliminate the inside seam with the strong safety and take away the dig (square-in) to the back side with the deep-half safety help over the top.
3. Zero pressure: I talked about using pressure versus the read-option to speed up the process for the quarterback in the run game and it also applies to play-action situations. In "zero pressure," (seven-man pressure), there is no free safety help in the middle of the field and defensive backs are taught to play with an inside shade (inside eye of the receiver) at the snap. Take away inside-breaking routes with your initial alignment and send edge pressure (contain responsibilities) to go put Griffin on the ground.
Preparation is the core key
Think back to Week 17 of last season when the Cowboys visited the Redskins. The Dallas game plan focused on eliminating Griffin in the read-option. The result? Alfred Morris ran wild as DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys' outside linebackers played with hesitation on the edge all night and opened up a clear running lane for the dive.
Remember, the read-option isn't the Wildcat (no pass option) and I'm not going to call it a "gadget" when so many offenses are incorporating the scheme into their playbooks. It is a proven concept that the Redskins will once again lean on in 2013 until defenses start using the proper techniques and coverages.
Do I think Griffin will recover from the ACL injury? Of course -- and he will come back stronger because of the rehab process. In order to limit his production, defenses must get back to the basics or Griffin will fill up the box score once again.
Former Ram, Matt Bowen, does a nice job with the technical description in this article.
In addition... I tend to agree with Matt in the video; you want to run the guy? We'll put a hat on him and knock him out of the game!
[espn]9345923[/espn]
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9413045/nfl-how-stop-robert-griffin-iii" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... riffin-iii</a>
You want to shut down Robert Griffin III and Kyle Shanahan's offense in Washington? Then get ready to put in some extra hours in the film room (and on the practice field) to prep for one of the more dynamic systems I saw on tape during the 2012 season.
Griffin is an electric talent at the quarterback position in a scheme that caters to his skill set when we break down the Redskins' playbook. But with an entire offseason to study the Skins, will opposing defenses finally catch up to the read-option, movement passes and the play-action that led to big numbers (3,200 yards passing, 815 yards rushing) from Griffin in 2012?
The past couple of weeks, I have taken a game plan approach to stopping Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Now it's time to come up with a script to limit Griffin as he recovers from a torn ACL.
What makes Griffin unique?
The former No. 2 overall pick has the arm strength to push the ball down the field and he also displays touch on his passes when asked to throw between the numbers in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
However, Griffin's ability to run the read-option and showcase his elite straight-line speed (4.41 40 time) makes him a true dual-threat player at the position. And while Griffin doesn't possess the same change-of-direction ability as a Michael Vick or Cam Newton, his speed on the edge can put stress on the defensive back seven to play with discipline.
Take a false step (or hesitate) versus Griffin when he keeps the ball in the read-option and you will be in panic mode as he turns up field for an explosive gain.
Catering to Griffin's skill set
Here are three schemes that led to Griffin's breakout rookie season in Washington:
1. Read-option: The Redskins will run the option scheme from a variety of alignments (Pistol, weak gun, etc.) and no one in the league hides the ball through the mesh point (quarterback-running back exchange) better than Griffin. However, for as many issues as the option causes for edge defenders (defensive ends, outside linebackers) in the run game, it is the play-action that has exposed NFL defenses with middle-of-the-field routes that take advantage of poor eye discipline. There were plenty of opportunities last season for Griffin to target wide-open receivers off the read-option backfield action.
2. Boot/Swap boot: The boot schemes go back to Mike Shanahan's days as the head coach in Denver. He sets up the play-action by running the zone (or stretch) scheme and getting the quarterback to the edge of the defense with a run/pass option. Griffin will have a two-level read and can also test the top of the defense by throwing the backside post.
3. Sprint concepts: The top two route combinations you will see in the NFL off of sprint action are the Flat-curl and the Flat-7 (corner). Run to a slot formation (offset back to slot side is a pre-snap alert), the Redskins will allow Griffin to extend the pocket and attack the secondary in both third-down and red zone situations.
Limiting the read-option
Let's take a quick look at a couple of techniques/schemes to slow down the Redskins' offense.
"Scrape exchange" technique: You must install/practice option responsibilities throughout the week when you prep for Griffin. One of those techniques is the "scrape exchange," where the edge defender (defensive end in 4-3 front, outside linebacker in 3-4 front) crashes on the dive when the tackle blocks down (Redskins use zone blocking in their option scheme). This allows the second-level linebacker to "scrape" to the quarterback.
You don't want hesitation from your edge defenders (opens up running lanes for the dive). Crash down the line of scrimmage, eliminate the dive, get your linebackers over the top to play the quarterback and remind your free safety to run the alley to clean it up.
Edge pressure: After talking with defensive coaches this offseason, I do think we will see more edge pressure versus the Redskins in 2013. The idea here is to speed up the actual "read" process for the quarterback. By sending a strong safety off the edge, you can eliminate the time spent in the mesh point and force the quarterback to give the ball up -- or take a helmet under the chin.
It's important to blitz early and blitz often. And remind Griffin that if he keeps the ball you are going to light him up all afternoon.
Defending read-option play-action
Keep your eyes on your work. I know that sounds like high school talk, but it applies to the play-action opportunities Griffin and the Redskins created with the read-option based on my tape study.
Let's look at three coverages that can limit the play-action opportunities for the Redskins.
1. Cover 1: The first defense installed in minicamp, Cover 1 (man-free) is the best option versus any pass play (regardless of formation or personnel) if your defensive backs can read their run-pass keys at the snap. There is no need to stare into the backfield when the tight end takes a vertical release or if the open-side offensive tackle takes a pass set (high-hat read) at the snap. Play with outside leverage and funnel the receivers to your free safety help (middle third defender).
2. Cover 6: Basic "quarter-quarter-half" with Cover 4 to the closed (strong) side of the formation and a "cloud" technique (Cover 2) to the open (weak) side of the formation. The strong safety will read the release of No. 2 (tight end) with the open-side "cloud" cornerback disrupting the release of the backside X receiver. Eliminate the inside seam with the strong safety and take away the dig (square-in) to the back side with the deep-half safety help over the top.
3. Zero pressure: I talked about using pressure versus the read-option to speed up the process for the quarterback in the run game and it also applies to play-action situations. In "zero pressure," (seven-man pressure), there is no free safety help in the middle of the field and defensive backs are taught to play with an inside shade (inside eye of the receiver) at the snap. Take away inside-breaking routes with your initial alignment and send edge pressure (contain responsibilities) to go put Griffin on the ground.
Preparation is the core key
Think back to Week 17 of last season when the Cowboys visited the Redskins. The Dallas game plan focused on eliminating Griffin in the read-option. The result? Alfred Morris ran wild as DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys' outside linebackers played with hesitation on the edge all night and opened up a clear running lane for the dive.
Remember, the read-option isn't the Wildcat (no pass option) and I'm not going to call it a "gadget" when so many offenses are incorporating the scheme into their playbooks. It is a proven concept that the Redskins will once again lean on in 2013 until defenses start using the proper techniques and coverages.
Do I think Griffin will recover from the ACL injury? Of course -- and he will come back stronger because of the rehab process. In order to limit his production, defenses must get back to the basics or Griffin will fill up the box score once again.
