MMQB's Andy Benoit's Film Breakdown: Rams vs. Pittsburgh

[RamBill]

Tweets listed in reverse order: Read from the bottom up


Andy Benoit ‏@Andy_Benoit
https://twitter.com/Andy_Benoit

Film: final drive, after giving up few voids in zone #Steelers switched to man with 2 free defenders. Wanted to challenge #Rams, it worked.

#Rams Film: Allen INT was also a first down shot play but with no play action element. Unusual for Rams.

#Rams #Steelers Film: Allen INT was a disguised Tampa 2. LB Timmons ran down the hole with Kendricks. Allen read QB and reacted to ball.

Film: #Rams pass pro was solid overall. RT Havenstein looked better. Scheme really helped them at times.

#Steelers Film: Jarvis Jones very good backside chase speed. A guy you want to get at least some form of contact on regardless of design.

Film: #Rams multiple runs where #Steelers simply had numbers/tactical advantage.

Film: #Rams very few spread concepts. Even their “11” personnel had a base package feel to it.

Film: #Steelers front 8 played with discipline, particularly vs. outside zone concepts.

Film: #Rams OL was unable to create perimeter runs out of zone game.

Film #Rams unable to sustain drives against #Steelers. Offense not built to win on 3rd down. Damage must come through scheme on 1st/2nd down

#Rams Film: Foles very impressive deep-window PA zone throw on Britt 26 yds. #Steelers underneath defenders had good, throw just beat them.

#Steelers Film: Moats sack unblocked off edge,# Rams full OL slide away from him but also faked inside handoff, so RB could not pick him up.

Film: The Kendricks PA deep shot was off the shallow cross rollout action – #Rams had been setting it up all game.

#Rams Film: Kendricks 2 bad drops: one on 3rd-2, another on PA shot play with well designed “over” route to attack #Steelers Cover 3 base.

#Steelers #Rams Film: Britt 15 yds on hook route function of OLB Dupree not widening enough in zone responsibility. Inexperience in tough D.

Film: #Steelers were very basic in their standard matchup zone concepts, function of #Rams playing very basic offense.

Film: #Rams a tendency to throw to backside of zone run direction. Off PA or the occasional dropback.
1 retweet 2 favorites

Film: #Rams almost all zone blocking concepts. Mason and Gurley both looked to cut inside on backside off it.

Film: #Rams also featured zone PA rollouts with multiple crossing route runner to Foles’s right.

Film: #Rams a lot of “22” or “13” personnel. Austin was often the lone WR. Had successful PA concepts out of it but did not capitalize.

#Rams Film: Foles twice checked down quickly with Cook wide open in middle of field off PA. Second time Cook lost temper.

Film: #Rams a faster, more diverse and more assertive D across the board in the second half. The multiple concepts energized them.

Film: #Steelers a lot of condensed and heavy sets with Vick on early downs. Antithetical approach to what they did with Roethlisberger.

#Steelers Film: Vick did not look prepared. Errant play fake, fled clean pocket and predetermined+stared down a throw that was nearly picked

#Steelers Film: Beachum and Foster play with an uncannily wide split in pass sets. Something for defenses to exploit?

#Rams #Steelers Film: Quinn sack-fumble he beat Foster inside. Vick misran the play fake but that wouldn’t have factored.

#Steelers #Rams Film: Bell 20 yds was as plus-split WR fade 1 on 1 vs. Ogletree. Good adjustment on so-so Vick ball.

#Steelers Film: Ben injury play was same #Rams blitz as Ogletree sack earlier. No RB this time, so Barron unblocked. Ben did not process it.

Film: #Rams very diverse and athletic out of their 3-3-6 dime package. Diverse in rush and coverage concepts.

#Rams Film: Donald has been best DT in NFL so far this year and whoever is second best is not even visible in his rear view.

Film: #Rams to their credit made Steelers earn their yards. #Steelers moved ball steadily but not in chunks. That’s how you must defend them

Film: Barron more snaps as game progressed, an adjustment #Rams made in becoming more multiple. Matched up to RB Bell in coverage at times.

#Rams Film: Donald some of his usual splash plays in run game. Penetration and lateral movement through trash.

#Rams #Steelers Film: Ogletree sack was blitz, he was one of 3 defenders aligned outside of LT. Idea was to get Barron rushing vs. RB 1 on 1

#Steelers #Rams Film: Antonio Brown was too much for Jenkins – almost no CB can handle him on island.

Film: #Rams went to more coverage disguises and rotations late in second half after their somewhat static zones had been picked apart.

#Rams Film: DE Quinn flashed with second-effort moves and ability to split pass blocks inside.

#Rams #Steelers Film: Jenkins INT was very poor double-move route by Wheaton. Roethlisberger poor decision, too, throwing deep vs bailed CB.

#Steelers Film: Bell tremendous short-area lateral agility. Saw it on his 1-yd TD and on a short-yardage conversion few plays before.

#Steelers Film: Always precarious to drop a pass rusher into an 8-man coverage vs. Roethlisberger, a comfortable play-extender.

#Steelers #Rams Film: Bell 9 yds was a three-man route vs. eight-man zone in red zone.

#Steelers Film: Brown 19-yarder was same play as 16-yarder: post on back side as WR screen.

#Steelers Film: Brown 16-yd post was a WR screen for Heyward-Bey on other side. Roethlisberger recognized opportunity and took advantage.

Film: #Rams a lot of Cover 2 vs. super spread sets. Played into #Steelers hands.

Film: #Steelers quick strike pass game made #Rams rushers, especially blitzers, look timid. Defense almost seemed befuddled with what to do.

#Steelers Film: Wallace excellent short-area pull on 19 yds. Super wide split between LT Beachum and LG Foster was presnap tip of POA.

#Rams #Steelers Film: Brockers 3rd-2 run stop excellent job working of Wallace’s block from NT.

Film: #Steelers first several plays went super wide split empty sets. Spreading the defense out, throwing before pass rush can factor.

 

[Rainram]

Film: #Steelers were very basic in their standard matchup zone concepts, function of #Rams playing very basic offense.

Everyone knows this ain't a Mike Martz Offense. So two points... One, Brian Quick better not be having difficulty mentally! Our offense isn't rocket science. Two, the Coaches need to get this Offense Rolling!

Film #Rams unable to sustain drives against #Steelers. Offense not built to win on 3rd down. Damage must come through scheme on 1st/2nd down

Much to the point above. Clearly we're more built to run the ball and create 3rd and shorts. Why, through 3 weeks, have we failed so miserable since this is the core concept of our offense. Better fix it this week.

Film: #Rams almost all zone blocking concepts. Mason and Gurley both looked to cut inside on backside off it.

I noticed Mason and Gurley both doing it (Mason to a lesser extent the week before)...almost as if they're wanting the backside more than reading what's there. They're clearly trying to execute things a very specific way. Ehhh...it's early. Adjustments will be made.

Film: #Steelers a lot of condensed and heavy sets with Vick on early downs. Antithetical approach to what they did with Roethlisberger.

No shit Sherlock...all they were trying to do was hold on to the game.

Film: #Rams very diverse and athletic out of their 3-3-6 dime package. Diverse in rush and coverage concepts.

I LOVE this package! Just gotta be able to stop the run out of it. It would work well against the Cards IMO...but you gotta stop the run first.

#Rams Film: Donald has been best DT in NFL so far this year and whoever is second best is not even visible in his rear view.

Gold Jacket!

Film: #Steelers first several plays went super wide split empty sets. Spreading the defense out, throwing before pass rush can factor.

Duh. That's the blueprint for beating us in the passing game. Fitz has an excellent history of destroying us this way. Especially since he's so much bigger and stronger than our DBs. Please, please, please prepare for that this week. I know, by design, we're still gonna give this to 'em. But it would be nice to get creative once or twice and steal a pick or two.

 

[Athos]

Film: #Rams almost all zone blocking concepts. Mason and Gurley both looked to cut inside on backside off it.

As @jrry32 would say, toss that shit in the garbage and just go to power blocking already.

 

[Faceplant]

Benoit is always a good read. That withstanding, you could have read almost identical observations by the knowledgeable members of this board over the last three weeks. If he can see that the ZBS isn't working...and WE can see that the ZBS isn't working....why can't THE RAMS COACHES see that the ZBS ISN'T WORKING!!!??? I swear, so much of what we see in these reviews confirms what our own eyes are already telling us. It really does make me question the intelligence of a coaching staff that I should have absolutely no business questioning. I hope they have a long view that I just can't see yet.....

 

[DR RAM]

Film: #Rams multiple runs where #Steelers simply had numbers/tactical advantage.

Film: #Rams very few spread concepts. Even their “11” personnel had a base package feel to it.

Film #Rams unable to sustain drives against #Steelers. Offense not built to win on 3rd down. Damage must come through scheme on 1st/2nd down.

These things bothered me.

Film: The Kendricks PA deep shot was off the shallow cross rollout action – #Rams had been setting it up all game.

Especially, because these things worked.

#Rams Film: Foles twice checked down quickly with Cook wide open in middle of field off PA. Second time Cook lost temper.

Cook!!!! Just make plays , dude.

In our defense, if we can't find a rhythm, we won't be able set things up for big plays, we will need to just make plays, and extend drives. We have to find that balance. We have to make in-game adjustments better.

Every team is going to try what Ben, and Kirk did. The book on us...get rid of the ball quick. Donald has helped us, in that area. Our other lineman, need to take two steps, on short passing downs, and put their arms up in the air. We could get some deflections that way.

If we can stop the run, they will have to pass, and that will put it in the hands of our DL, who are still getting sacks even with the short drops, and quick releases.

We have to be more creative, and take more early chances in our offense, and PA, as we all know, should be our bread and butter to make big plays, even little ones.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I really don't know a ton about offensive lines and the difference between zone blocking versus power blocking. I am annoyed that we are pushing the zone blocking so much when it is obvious that we drafted and built a line around guys who are known power scheme blockers.

My question is; Does running a zone blocking scheme versus a 3-4 have any kind of advantage? (it's obvious it isn't working for us) I just wonder if there is something to running it so much the last couple of weeks.

 

[DR RAM]

I really don't know a ton about offensive lines and the difference between zone blocking versus power blocking. I am annoyed that we are pushing the zone blocking so much when it is obvious that we drafted and built a line around guys who are known power scheme blockers.

My question is; Does running a zone blocking scheme versus a 3-4 have any kind of advantage? (it's obvious it isn't working for us) I just wonder if there is something to running it so much the last couple of weeks.

Biggest difference is blocking an assigned person, versus blocking anyone in an area.

They are just different philosophies, and yes, you can be successful with either one, but people will argue that it takes specific player types, to play optimal in each system.

Some players, can play in both, and some thrive, or dive, in one or the other.

 

[Prime Time]

Rams very diverse and athletic out of their 3-3-6 dime package.

12 players on the field? :eek:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...kage-emerging-as-nfls-hottest-defensive-trend

Big nickel package emerging as NFL's hottest defensive trend
By Bucky Brooks/NFL Media analyst

The best defensive coordinators in the NFL are willing to step outside of the box to develop effective strategies for defending the hottest offensive trends. From crafting exotic zone-blitz schemes to using a variety of unique personnel packages to neutralize the opponent's No. 1 weapon, astute defensive play-callers aren't afraid to deploy unorthodox tactics to put their teams in the best position to win.

During my time as a defensive back with the Green Bay Packers, I had the opportunity to watch defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur work his magic on the blackboard each week, designing clever schemes to slow down the opponent. One of the ideas that he used to help the Packers field the NFL's top-ranked defense in 1996 was a unique nickel defense that featured three safeties (Eugene Robinson, Mike Prior and LeRoy Butler) on the field simultaneously.

Although it wasn't unusual to use five defensive backs on obvious passing downs, Shurmur's willingness to play Butler -- Green Bay's starting strong safety -- as a nickel back allowed him to deploy his best defensive back in coverage on tight ends and slot receivers, while also using him on blitzes off the edge.

The strategy helped the '96 Packers hold opponents to just 13.1 points per game and total 26 interceptions against only 12 touchdown passes allowed.

Fast forward to 2014. Defensive coordinators searching for effective solutions against the spread-formation run game and the hybrid tight ends dominating the NFL are resorting to big nickel tactics that mimic Shurmur's ingenious scheme from the mid-'90s.

From Perry Fewell using the package to help the New York Giants match up against their NFC East rivals, to Rob Ryan unveiling a three-safety defense to take advantage of burgeoning superstar Kenny Vaccaro, the big nickel package is en vogue and will be a major part of defensive game plans this fall.

Given some time to reflect on what I know about the scheme and what I've gleaned from studying the All-22 Coaches Film from the 2013 season, here are a few thoughts on one of the hottest defensive trends heading into the new season:

What is the big nickel package?

Every team in the NFL utilizes a traditional nickel package (five defensive backs instead of the four featured in base defenses) as a way to better defend against the pass. Typically, an extra corner will come on to replace a linebacker and will align in the slot to match up with a receiver or tight end.

In a big nickel package, the defensive coordinator will instead bring on an extra safety who acts as a hybrid linebacker/cornerback. While the nickel safety is also assigned to cover tight ends and receivers in the slot, he is a more effective run defender and possesses the size, strength and length to match up with the league's increasing number of big-bodied, pass-catching tight ends.

Thus, the coordinator has a better option for defending opponents who prefer to play "12" personnel (one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers) as their primary offense. See examples below:

Ace-open formation/Ace-wing formation:

From a schematic perspective, the use of big nickel allows defensive coordinators to add a variety of wrinkles to their exotic sub-package schemes. Teams will use the traditional 4-2-5 (four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs) or 3-3-5 alignments and personnel packages, while also mixing in some 2-4-5 and 1-5-5 tactics to befuddle quarterbacks at the line of scrimmage.

With three safeties on the field, it becomes tougher for the quarterback to identify potential rushers from the second level. The constant movement and deking creates confusion at the line of scrimmage, leading to blown protection calls and misreads in the passing game.

The big nickel package is also effective against the run, due to the presence of better athletes near the line of scrimmage. The overall speed and quickness of the defense improves with more defensive backs on the field, and safeties -- more so than most cornerbacks -- are comfortable playing in the box and taking on blockers due to their role in eight-man fronts on early (running) downs.

As a result, this defensive package is more effective overall against certain formations, making it a worthwhile gamble for defensive coordinators.

Why are more teams expected to play big nickel this season?

The pass-centric nature of the NFL is leading more defensive coordinators to put their best 11 athletes on the field. Thus, teams are removing a lumbering linebacker (middle linebacker) and replacing him with a dynamic safety who is effective against the run, but a better defender in coverage.

Looking at some of the most-explosive offenses in football, the presence of a dominant hybrid tight end is critical to their success. Teams like the Denver Broncos (Julius Thomas), New England Patriots (Rob Gronkowski), Eagles (Brent Celek and Zach Ertz) and Saints (Jimmy Graham) feature versatile, big-bodied athletes at Y (tight end) or H (H-back/"move" tight end) in spread and empty formations, creating a list of problems for the defense.

Allow me to provide a few examples of how crafty offensive coordinators are positioning these dynamic pass-catchers ...

Given the challenges of defending hybrid tight ends, defensive coordinators are better served pitting an athletic safety with corner-like cover skills against a big-bodied pass catcher. Safeties are quick enough to run with these types of tight ends down the seam, while also possessing the athleticism to battle on post-ups and 50-50 balls in the red zone.

Most importantly, the presence of a hybrid safety on the field gives a defensive coordinator the freedom to use man or zone coverage without tipping his hand prior to the snap, which is a huge win for the defense.

What are the core characteristics of a hybrid safety?

The ideal hybrid safety for this package is a hard-hitting defender with corner-like cover skills. He needs to possess the agility and quickness to shadow slot receivers, while also displaying the strength to battle big-bodied tight ends between the hashes. It's not a coincidence that many of the top hybrid safeties played cornerback in college or early in their pro careers before transitioning to safety.

Who are some of the ideal big nickel safeties in the league?

I recently ranked the most dynamic safeties in the NFL, and, as one might expect, many of those defenders possess the unique skill set to play the big nickel position.

After revisiting that list, I believe Aaron Williams, Tyrann Mathieu, Kenny Vaccaro, Antrel Rolle and Eric Berry are ideal candidates to perform as designated playmakers in big nickel schemes. They all have terrific coverage skills, as well as the instincts, toughness and awareness to be factors against the run. In addition, they are effective pass rushers capable of blitzing from the second level.

The recent run on hybrid safeties early in the draft points toward the increased importance of the position. Teams recognize the value in having a versatile nickel defender on the roster to play a variety of roles in sub-packages. Rookie safeties like Lamarcus Joyner, Jimmie Ward and Terrence Brooks were drafted specifically to play as nickel defenders; don't be surprised if their respective teams deploy more big nickel packages this season.

Final Thoughts

Although teams routinely have attempted to use the traditional nickel package to slow down the basketball-like athletes thriving between the hashes, the size disparity between tight ends and slot cornerbacks has given the offense a significant advantage in the passing game. Thus, defensive coordinators increasingly will rely on three-safety defenses in order to pit long, rangy defenders over the slot.

Additionally, placing safeties near the box has helped defenses slow down the shotgun running game that teams like thePhiladelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills featured with outstanding success last season. With spread and empty-back sets becoming a mainstay of numerous offenses, expect to see defenses turn to their big nickel packages more often this fall.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

 

[Mikey Ram]

3-3-6...How does that set up ??

 

[WvuIN02]

Sneaking in that extra man should make it pretty effective

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

3-3-6...How does that set up ??

LOL I guess the Rams like to sneak in an extra guy.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

3-3-6...How does that set up ??

I believe he meant 3-3(2LBs,1 safety)-5