A Tale of Two blitzes, The Bills and the Jets, co-starring Aaron Maybin
by jonramz on Oct 25, 2011 10:28 PM EDT
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PrintHi Bills fans,
Today I thought I would look at the Bills pass rush and how it is super basic and when they blitz it is easy to pick up because of the lack of confusion it creates. I decided on this topic because it is disturbing to me that someone like Aaron Maybin can have 3 sacks already for the Jets, not really because he's done anything special (except hustle) but because his coach has come with ways to put his pass rushers in places to succeed. Now, trust me I tried to find a creative blitz against the Giants, and this was about as good as it got.
It's early in the 1st quarter, Giants are facing a 3rd down with 4 yards to go.
The Bills have 7 possible pass rushers near the line of scrimmage, 3 DL's Moats (3), Barnett (6), Scott(1) and the McGee (2) in the Slot
They decide to blitz Scott from the top of the screen and have Moats loop around inside. The other DB's are in man coverage and Barnett has Bradshaw, who stays into block. Barnett sees this and drops back into coverage.
The Giants pick this blitz up with ease, Bradshaw comes across Manning and picks up Scott, the OL gets the other 4 rushers and Eli stands in the pocket and throws a strike to Cruz for the 1st down against the man coverage. Really nothing super special about the play... but it illustrates the lack of creativity on the defensive side of the ball.
Now for the Jets... Rex Ryan is a defensive genius, he puts his players in position to make plays. Take a look at this defensive play call.
It's early in the 1st quarter, 3rd and 7 for the Chargers, they are up 7-3 at this point. Jets show man coverage with the motion man being followed across the formation and a single high safety, nothing too unusual.
Here's the look from the endzone view. 8 possible pass rushers, with Maybin in the red circle. The Chargers look to be well capable of blocking whatever the Jets bring at them in this situation
But here's the great thing about Rex Ryan, he rarely sells out for a blitz, in fact in this situation he only rushes 4 guys (1 less than the Bills)! What he is so great at is, disguising who is actually coming.
In the diagram below, red arrows are pass rushers, blue arrows are guys that dropped into zones, brown arrows are players in man coverage and the yellow is where the blockers went. The left DT before dropping into his zone, makes contact with the LG occupying him as a blocker. While the LB the C-RG gap actually takes a couple steps back like he is dropping into coverage before looping around. Little things like this cause havoc for OL as they can't figure out who is coming and who is going.
As far as the pass play.... The left DT drops under the quick in pattern that Rivers wants to throw to because he sees pressure, even though it turns out to be only a 4 man rush. So that is covered (Revis had him blanketed as well). The other bottom receiver can barely get off of Cromartie's jam at the line, so that's no good either. The other zone coverage player originally has the back out of the back field, but drops into coverage (right under the curl) b/c the RB has to come over and "block" Maybin because there is a "blitz" The center and LG basically have nobody to block while the RG, RT and RB are all 1 on 1 against their pass rushers. The Chargers had to keep 6 into block only 4 pass rushing defenders and that includes Ryan Matthews on Maybin. Maybin ends up getting the sack (doing his only pass move, running around the outside) after a poor cut block by Matthews and Rivers having to hold onto the football for a second too long.
Seeing Maybin with 3 sacks and our whole defense with only 4 total, just really bothers me because I know he's not very good, but what I can also say is that our pass rush schemes don't seem to be that imaginative either. Yet another indicator about how important coaching is in the NFL.
Hope you all liked this post, comments, thoughts and questions always welcomed.
-Jon
Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.
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It’s definitely a lot about the scheme. Our defenses generally look very vanilla and easy to read, especially the blitzes. My faith in George Edwards has been consistently trending down every game. I know it isn’t happening anytime soon, but I say give the Stache the reigns.
"WE PROTECT AND LIVE FOR THE HONOR OF RIDING IN THE WAGON BLASTER" -abayarde
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Oct 25, 2011 10:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
i disagree ...
Maybin was a horrible first round pick so defense is short at OLB on both sides leaving no pass rush . Give someone like Eli Manning time to do the Mamba and even he can pick you apart .
Nice write up
also it makes my photos look like caveman drawings >.<
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 25, 2011 10:54 PM EDT reply actions
You see....
So that is covered (Revis had him blanketed as well). The other bottom receiver can barely get off of Cromartie’s jam at the line, so that’s no good either.
It’s not just the blizes. Two of Maybin’s sacks are coverage sacks. The bottom line is that our defensive players can’t do what the Jets’ can do – especially their corners.
Valid point.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Oct 25, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Our DB's need to get closer and jam the WR's...
Right now our guys are being coach not to allow the deep ball. That’s working well!!!??? Get our DB’s in there face and jam them at the line and give our rushers a second more to knock the snot out of the QB. It’s so damn frustrating seeing our guys 8-10 yrds off of the receiver and allowing them into their routes. This must change in order for us to get sacks. Unfortunately, we have McKelvin who only has the speed and that’s it, Florence is too arragant and inconsistant, and McGee, who had an excellent game against NY is in my opinion our best CB is injury prone. Age is also a factor with these guys as well. Next season, two more CB’s will be necessary for our Pass Defense to Improve enough for a long term push for the playoffs. Via the Draft and FA. Williams is a good start and hope to see him back soon.
totally agree… their corners are better than ours.
I was trying more illustrating how the jets are able to confuse the opposing offense.
By having confidence in their rush schemes, their DB’s are able to play the short routes much more aggressively.
It could be Joe Blow off the street getting these sacks, I guess that’s the point I was trying to make. It’s not the players rushing the passer, it is the scheme
Joe Blow was Ryan Matthews on this play. He’s the biggest reason the sack happened – combined with good initial coverage. Other than Maybin eventually beating the crap chop block by Mathews, the Jets have nothing else going on this play.
You do a good job of detailing what happens but the bottom line here is the running back doesn’t neutralize LB and receivers are covered – SACK.
The Jets have 7 guys to cover 4 receivers, you can basically double cover every guy. That’s why the coverage is so good.
My main point is how even though there are 6 guys kept into block, there are still 3 1 on 1 matchups on the right side, including a bad blocking RB on a DE/OLB (whatever you want to call Maybin)
That is excellent scheming and is what I wanted to illustrate in this post.
If you run left side against this blitz, isn’t it a 20 yard gain? Just wondering if there is also a bit of a gambling mentality here that we are unwilling to take given our history against the run and wanting to stay gap sound.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 26, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, by left side, I mean A/B gap.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 26, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish we could go over the tapes and illustrate how many times our linebackers failed to crack the RB on a blitz. You’re starting to convince me that Maybin is better than what we have – and that’s not even your intention. :)
My point is: It’s not that the Bills don’t get one on one matchups. it’s that we don’t win them. You may very well be right about the scheme being too vanilla, but with our collective talent on defense that may be a moot point. The Jets blitz safeties and corners a lot because they have the talent, and schemes, to do that. We do not – this year. That ability helps keep QB’s and OC’s guessing.
Rivers could have audibled into a better play, but he wanted to connect on the double move at the bottom of the screen(slugo) – however, somebody crapped the bed on their block. If Mathews hits that block, then maybe the double move at the bottom is a home run because there is no safety help. Instead, the block is missed, the double move has no time, and the other three guys running short routes hardly seem to be trying – not that it mattered much since Rivers didn’t even look at them.
I totally understand what you are saying by our talent levels being different. There is definitely a difference at the cornerback position. But besides that I think you could say that the talent levels are pretty similar.
My issue is that how come I see Maybin getting a free rush off the LOS, and 2 of their 5 OL, blocking air? While when we blitz it is diagnosed so easily. Why isn’t Moats coming off the edge free, getting to take on a RB?
I guess that was my main goal in writing this post
I really wish we’d try corner blitzes more. Even Perry Fewell knew about those.
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 26, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with your point that our defense needs a bit more variety in types of looks and blitz packages. However, I think personnel is an important part of the puzzle, too. – I’m not a race fan, but I guess we can make the analogy that to win a race, both a good car(scheme) and driver(players) are needed.
Essentially, we both have valid points, I guess.
You mean like our Maybin can't do what the Jets' Maybin can?
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
So that is covered (Revis had him blanketed as well). The other bottom receiver can barely get off of Cromartie’s jam at the line, so that’s no good either.
Yep, this is what I’ve been saying for the past two weeks.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!
by thefourwinds on Oct 26, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
That is, that’s the biggest reason behind Maybin’s sack numbers.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!
by thefourwinds on Oct 26, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't Florence supposed to be our physical corner?
Maybe the jamming is something that Aaron Williams will grow into just because of his size…
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by CircleTheWagonsTees on Oct 28, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice write up AGAIN, Jon! Rec'd
Are you bucking for a job on here or something? ;o)
"Teams that don't deserve to win.... Usually don’t. Today is no exception." -- Mr Huge Pecs
"Nick Barnett is everywhere. He is behind you right now." -- Munchausen
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Oct 25, 2011 11:30 PM EDT reply actions
ABOUT MAYBIN
I know he dint do crap with the Bills, but the kid is only 24yrs old, we should of held on to him for another year and gave him more opportunities, look at him now hes got almost as many saks as our whole D,,that move came back to bite us in the butt. and if he gets a sack against us , and the jets end up winning the game guess who gets the last laugh!!!!!
the guy is still growing and developing look at camoron wake, he was a bust out of penn state had to go play in the CFL and now hes a beast similar ability than maybin… i think we made a mistake…
i agree with you
and i don’t care if wasn’t Nix who drafted him, our Bills spend a 1st round pick on him, give the guy a chance! Merriman had his chance based on his plays of 5 years ago! Give the young guy more time, it’s a position we are very short. Don’t hurt if we have Mybin now, only another young guy who could help rushing the passer. He never was lazy, the effort is here, why not give him all chances to succeed?
by Fernando brazil on Oct 26, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the Bears preseason game did him in.
When Maybin got buried by Marion Barber, I think the staff (and many of us here at BR) decided it was time for him to go. That play was flat out embarrassing.
"Teams that don't deserve to win.... Usually don’t. Today is no exception." -- Mr Huge Pecs
"Nick Barnett is everywhere. He is behind you right now." -- Munchausen
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Oct 26, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
His sacks have been garbage and he plays only.when he is not a liability to the team. The bills had no place on the team for an undersized pass rusher who can not play against the run. No natter what he did not fit this team at all.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Oct 26, 2011 9:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Great write up
A sack is a sack, whether in garbage time or because the RB missed a block or the QB held the ball too long. No coach wants his QB, first or second, sacked because of the potential harm it can cause. So to get a sack means the Defense won that matchup.
Good for Maybin, I’m happy for him.
With so much invested in the front seven, I just don’t understand why we aren’t collapsing the pockets, even with a basic 4 man rush.
What matchup did he win on that Miami sack?
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 26, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't say Maybin
I said the Defense won the matchup. So as a coach and fan, a sack, garbage or not, ends the play.
great post
i have been intending to write a post although with not as much detail as yours…. but i want to go further and make the point that by luck or what, we have a creative coach in the offense…. that translates to turning even the 7th rounders and undrafted productive….
on the other hand, we have a D-coord who is uncreative…. he wants only prototypical bodies and still is not successful… i am highly disturbed by that…. he has a role to play in constantly switching moats inside and outside because he has no clue… he also doesnt want to use moats because he is not prototypical size… if it was ryan, moats would have been a star by now….
i think we have to fire our D-coord because of his lack of creativity… the worst thing is, instead of getting a fresh guy with lots of ideas we already have wanndstedt here…. dave was there when they cut maybin… dave is there when this team still has only 4 sacks… i dont know what he will do if he becomes the D-coord … he was the hot thing in 1994, 2 decades ago…. i dont think he is good today as evidenced by any improvement already
It’s hilarious how suddenly forgiving about giving Maybin more time people are NOW.
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You speak the truth.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Oct 26, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Not me. He is playing better on a defense that has much more talent than the Bills’ defense.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!
by thefourwinds on Oct 26, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I fear
George Edwards believes it’s still the preseason and doesn’t want to give too much about his defense away. :sigh:
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Oct 26, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm curious to see
what kind of numbers a George Edwards approval poll would show.
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 26, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good points, but...
This is no earth-shattering revelation. Our blitzes are such that it appears our rushers are all looking for blockers to engage.
Colin Brown...Pancreas Yellow...
Maybin never wanted to be a Bill
not sad he is gone…
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
In the charger game
Maybin got to Rivers 3-4 times besides the sack, and the last play of the game was tackled by a linemen I would say he has looked good at what he does in limited snaps.
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