Film analysis

Originally posted by jonnydel:
I think it's because they run a combo coverage where it starts as cover 3, but then they switch to man if the receiver goes vertical through their zone, I've seen that in some playbooks. Cause you'll see a lot of that, where it'll be zone underneath but looks like man on the backend.

Yeah, the 49ers actually rarely run a straight zone coverage. When starting off in zone, they seem to always pattern match and switch to man coverage as the play unfolds. This results in a 49er defender never seen covering a patch of grass all by his lonesome. I still have not found them in cover2 Zone and they never call Tampa2.

Originally posted by jonnydel:

Originally posted by SFFanSince72:

Jonnydel, do any teams use linemen getting low in run blocking to better sell play action? If the linemen can blow the DL off the ball anyway, why isnt run blocking used consistently despite run or pass?

they kind of can - or they try. The NFL rulebook states that a lineman cannot go beyond 1 yard past the LOS on a pass play or it is an illegal man downfield. So, if they fire out, they have to be really careful, also, firing out can be very risky, if the D-lineman chuck the O-lineman(like Justin Smith did in my other post) it's not a big deal on a run play where you're the backside lineman because the DT usually has taken himself out of the play, but on a pass play, that means you have a free runner at the QB. Pass pro is really hard if you don't have a square base and set hips. So, if a line slants and a defender isn't where a lineman thinks he will be after the snap and he ends up even 3 1/2 feet off the ball, it's a penalty, or if he's beat it's a sack. So, they will try and sell it as best they can, but good NFL defenders are able to identify those things.

To piggyback off Jonny. This is what makes teams that use a zone blocking run scheme so deadly at playaction (SEA). A zone blocking run play can look very much like pass pro the moment after the snap of the ball because a zone blocking run play has the Olinemen stepping sideways, not firing upfield. This causes a split second longer for defenders to read "run or pass".

The 49ers, a power running team, will help sell playaction by pulling a guard to fool the front 7 defenders.

Originally posted by thl408:
To piggyback off Jonny. This is what makes teams that use a zone blocking run scheme so deadly at playaction (SEA). A zone blocking run play can look very much like pass pro the moment after the snap of the ball because a zone blocking run play has the Olinemen stepping sideways, not firing upfield. This causes a split second longer for defenders to read "run or pass".

The 49ers, a power running team, will help sell playaction by pulling a guard to fool the front 7 defenders.

Thanks both Jonny and thl.

But someone (I think it was Jonny) mentioned earlier that the helmet level (high for pass pro vs low for run blocking) is the indicator. Does the helmet level indicator change when it is a zone blocking scheme?

Originally posted by SFFanSince72:

Originally posted by thl408:
To piggyback off Jonny. This is what makes teams that use a zone blocking run scheme so deadly at playaction (SEA). A zone blocking run play can look very much like pass pro the moment after the snap of the ball because a zone blocking run play has the Olinemen stepping sideways, not firing upfield. This causes a split second longer for defenders to read "run or pass".

The 49ers, a power running team, will help sell playaction by pulling a guard to fool the front 7 defenders.

Thanks both Jonny and thl.

But someone (I think it was Jonny) mentioned earlier that the helmet level (high for pass pro vs low for run blocking) is the indicator. Does the helmet level indicator change when it is a zone blocking scheme?

It's more of a figure of speech in how they fire out. Like, do you see the crown of their helmet coming forward, or their facemask pull back - crown forward is usually run. But, again, it's not 100%. I know some of the old school D-lineman used to look at the knuckles of the O-lineman, if they were white, it was a run because that meant the guy's weight was forward putting pressure on his fingers indicating he was firing out, if it was normal, his weight was back, for a pass pro.

Overall, it's about carefully reading the triangle. But, like Thl said, it's really tough with zone blocking teams because the lineman are usually moving laterally, blocking space so it's hard to get a read on pass or run. But, the zone blocking schemes do have their disadvantages as well.

This thread cannot be un-merged. Sorry. However, we can do separate threads in the future.

Seeing that curl-go-curl portion of the SJ slant play, I gotta agree that the vert really does seem to be a space clearing route. I had just noticed the triangle type of appearance when a go is placed between two curls and thought it was pretty interesting.

I do love though, how they injected a vertical component into a horizontal stretch type concept.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by jonnydel:
I think it's because they run a combo coverage where it starts as cover 3, but then they switch to man if the receiver goes vertical through their zone, I've seen that in some playbooks. Cause you'll see a lot of that, where it'll be zone underneath but looks like man on the backend.

Yeah, the 49ers actually rarely run a straight zone coverage. When starting off in zone, they seem to always pattern match and switch to man coverage as the play unfolds. This results in a 49er defender never seen covering a patch of grass all by his lonesome. I still have not found them in cover2 Zone and they never call Tampa2.

me neither. They've run a cover 2 zone maybe a few times last season.

Originally posted by NineFourNiner:
This thread cannot be un-merged. Sorry. However, we can do separate threads in the future.

Not a problem at all - I honestly don't care who's thread it is, I just love posting this stuff.

Originally posted by jonnydel:

Originally posted by NineFourNiner:
This thread cannot be un-merged. Sorry. However, we can do separate threads in the future.

Not a problem at all - I honestly don't care who's thread it is, I just love posting this stuff.

All good. We'll (jonnydel) create a different thread for the next game. Each game is its own story.

When I asked to merge threads I meant my all22 @DAL thread with jonnydel's (@DAL) coaches film thread. The "All22: Coverages and Concepts" thread was meant as a 'glossary' of sorts.

Best thread ever posted on these forums, love the input from everyone and how you feed off each other!

Originally posted by jonnydel:
This play is stinkin awesome all around - gets me excited! This is the 20 yarder to Stevie Johnson



Here Dallas is going to "sugar" the "A" gaps. Meaning, they bring both their LB's up to the gaps between the center and guards. This puts a lot of pressure on the O-line, hard on the QB because you don't know if both, 1 or none are coming. Dallas gave this look a lot. We have trips right and we're going to run Davis on a streak, Boldin on a short out, and Johnson on a deep curl.



Dallas is trying to run a type of zone out of this with the backside corner taking a man coverage. One of the LB's covering the "A" gap backs out and looks straight for Davis.



The flat defender sees Boldin and drops down to take him away in his "flat" responsibility. The Corner on the bottom(#39) keeps his eyes on Davis worrying about a "corner" route and the LB keeps his eyes on Davis for the "Post" route and the safety keeps his eyes on Davis for the "streak" route. This leaves 3 defenders watching one guy, leaving Johnson unwatched/uncovered.


Meanwhile, this is what happened at the LOS. You see how the LB's have "sugared" the "A" gaps. Then CK talks to his O-line to make sure they've made the proper adjustment.


What Dallas does is actually pretty complex - they back off the LB out of the weakside "A" gap, and then stunt the strong side DE into that hole.



They're trying to show an overload to the strong side so that the RB will take a LB on that side for blitz pickup, however, the line and Gore make the right adjustment and Gore steps up in pass pro. Although, this puts a DE on a RB in pass pro - usually a win for any defense.



Gore absolutely rocks the DE - this was so awesome - I love Gore! He stepped up against a guy who's got at least 65 lbs on him and stands him up.



Because of the O-line - and a huge part by Gore, CK has a nice, clean pocket to throw from.


Meanwhile, at the bat cave....JK, You see the 3 defenders cluing on Davis which will open up Johnson's curl route.



You see how Johnson was able to be open, how CK was able to have a clean pocket to throw from. He gets the ball to Johnson who uses his athletic ability to get yards after the catch - that's an awesome play!

Love the blitz pickup from Gore. One of the best RBs in the business at blitz pickup.

Just wanted to add a screenshot to highlight how Kap threw with anticipation. Kap is mid windup and SJ has yet to turn around. Combine this with how Kap rocketed the ball into SJ's hands and it helps SJ have room for RAC yards.

**Originally posted by NCommand:Positive:2Q (12:59) – Looney's pull from right-to-left springs Gore for 21 yards.
http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/179447-film-analysis/page11/

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Nice display that Gore still has the vision and short range agility to squeeze through holes when running between the tackles.

The 49ers originally line up in a traditional offensive line set. Then they shift JMartin over to LT. VD is now lined up where a right tackle would be.

2Q 12:59 (1st & 10)
Guard (Looney) Lead through the B gap (yellow block). Iupati (red) will combo block the DT, then move to the second level.




Gore showing he's still got the moves in tight spaces.

The Cox INT was a good display of awareness and how a defender needs to look for work when there is no immediate threat in the defender's area. A defender covering a patch of grass is a useless defender.

49ers: Cover 6 (details about Quarters in post #12)
Cox and Bethea are playing Quarters, Reid is the cover2 safety


#2 and #3 stay in to block.


Because #2 and #3 stay in to block, both Cox and Bethea can turn their attention to #1.


Just because #1 goes inside and is now Bethea's responsibility, Cox isn't done. He needs to be active and find something to do.


The only threat is DBryant on the other side of the field. Good enough for Cox to gain depth in case Bryant breaks inside, Reid will need the help.


Cox is heads up and earns himself an INT.


Thanks, DeUh for posting this:

We're the 49ers willing to allow Dallas to run and more concerned about the pass? Or was it poor technique by players? Thanks for your hard work Johnydel, th1408 and Nolan command

Originally posted by SoCold:

Originally posted by jonnydel:
The first sack that Smith got on Romo was actually pretty funny, because it wasn't supposed to be a pass play.



Here Dallas is at the 2 yard line. They've called a run, but like our first play from scrimmage, Romo has the option of the pass - which he takes.



You see the lineman fire out in run blocking and they actually have a little bit of a lane, but Romo pulls the ball up and tries to look for the fade. Smith though, absolutely dominates his guy and is in the backfield right away.


Smith then makes Romo pay for trying to be cute on the play.

perfect example of how trying to do too much hurts
coach calls a good run play that prob scores a TD but Romo gonna Romo

the worries me about our defense....



not every team is going to romo....