Offseason All22 Film Study

4Q 3rd & 15

Cover 6 vs two verticals
Ward playing man coverage in the slot vs Jordan Matthews.


Inside leverage to funnel to the Cover 2 safety (Reid).


Good job to shadow and stay on the inside hip of the WR.

Originally posted by thl408:
Cover 3 vs Fade-Out concept
Ward as Curl/Flat defender


The QB just started his release and Ward is already breaking on the throw.


Ward did well to read the QB's throwing motion, but was beaten with a very nice throw.

Thanks for posting these thl. I can't wait to see him 100% healthy...I think these diagnosing plays will get quicker and quicker for him. If we get some consistent pressure from the front 7, we're going to see a lot of TO's this year and DB's playing much more aggressively and confidently.

Thanks thl. Love it! Keep em coming! Also if you get a chance can you take a look at DJ as well.

Week 5

Ward and Wilhoite will pattern match in the middle of the field between the slot WR and the RB.


Wilhoite is pointing with his left arm, signaling something to someone.


Wilhoite and Ward both cover the RB in the flat. Reid and Willis both take the flat on their side of the field. The Curl over the middle is left uncovered.


Pattern matching gone wrong.

After the play, Wilhoite is seen talking to Ward. Willis makes a gesture to himself. Who missed the assignment? It could be Willis, Ward, or Wilhoite. Only the players know.

Ward with man coverage on the TE Fasano.
Some odd cover 3 pattern match coverage. Everyone looks like they are zoning except Ward, who matches the TE across the field.
vs Y-Cross (Hi-low read along near sideline)


Ward starts off hip to hip with Fasano. (below) Fasano takes a slight step vertical to 'climb the staircase'. The vertical step is to get Ward leaning upfield. Fasano will then break horizontal to try and gain separation versus man coverage.


Slight separation is created. Good depth by Willis to make the QB throw over him.


Ward does well to recover and was in position to swat the upfield arm had the pass been on target.

3rd & 4
Ward follows the WR (JHemingway) across the field with pre-snap motion.
Cover1 blitz (5 pressure, man coverage) vs Trail concept


Ward aligned in soft coverage, this concept is well executed to pick up the yardage needed for a first down. Wilhoite is removed for the trailing Hemingway to be targeted. Wilhoite's eyes are also occupied by the TE coming, looking as if to run a pick play.

Not much Ward can do here. Soft alignment by design leaves the coverage vulnerable to quick crossing routes.

Cover 1 with pattern match (might be cover3). After the orange route comes underneath the red route, Ward will match orange (Fasano).
vs 4 Verticals


Fasano stems his route to the outside to get Ward backpeddling.


Fasano breaks to the inside shoulder of Ward. Ward will get crossed over (below) and slight separation is then created. Cox is playing with good depth and is in position to play both verticals into his area.






There were a handful of times this game Ward had solid coverage, using his safety help from the slot position. Was either not targeted or his WR was not looked to so I didn't cut it up. He came on one blitz, was unblocked, but the QB got rid of the ball before Ward could get a hit.

thl, there seems to be a lot of confusion about the assignments of DE in the 3-4...if you ever get a chance, could you highlight J.Smith...plays where he clearly is assigned to fire up field to help collapse the pocket, others, where he's assigned to tie up two OL (i.e. he DOESN'T fire up field at the snap), 3-point stance, standing up at the snap, stunts, dropping back in coverage, lining up inside, etc.

This may help fans also understand why we drafted AA and why it may have taken so long for Carrdine to get down all these defensive calls/assignments as they work so interdependently with the rest of the front 7.

If not, no worries at all...

Week 6
Ward had a good week on the stat sheet by giving up only 1 catch directly, and 1 catch indirectly (maybe). He again showed a good understanding for knowing where his help was when it came to man coverage. He played the first half, but only one series in the 2nd half. Not sure why Ward left, and CCook came in at LCB in the nickel as Cox slid into the slot for the rest of the 2nd half.

The catch he gave up directly.
man coverage vs Austin Pettis


Ward knows he has help to the inside with the safety (Bethea) rolling down to rob any slant/inside breaking route. (not shown) Ward will start the play by slide stepping and shading to the outside shoulder of the WR.
(shown) QB mid throwing motion. Ward breaking on the route.


Good firm tackle to prevent the WR form falling forward.

Knocked on his rear here.
1st Quarter
Ward in the slot

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