St. Louis Rams week 9 coaches film analysis

The flat is a longer throw than the quick slant. It doesn't appear he was looking at the flat because he could have made that throw. His mistake was he was looking at for Crabs for the bigger play.
Considering both LB's were blitzing from the right, he should have hit Johnson quickly.

Originally posted by thl408:
JoeCool, ^^ this is the entire post of that play. I think that looking to his right was the correct place to look. It was not a long developing route combination imo. It doesn't get much faster than a flat/In combo. Check out how far back the CB lined up over Crabs bails - someone was open. Kap just didn't pull the trigger since he doesn't have to actually wait until Crabs actually cuts towards the inside on his route (anticipate). If he throws it to SJ on the drag route, SJ gets his clock cleaned by the DT that dropped into the middle of the field. Still better than a sack though, I suppose.

He was correct in looking where he looked, but he was hesitant and indecisive. This (below) is the key frame to me. Kap had hit the top of his dropback and was already looking towards this route combination. It was an extremely tight window between getting off a good throw and preparing to take a huge lick.

This one is a huge mistake on Johnson. He should have known to look right away rather than try to drive the defender who was already back.

Originally posted by Joecool:
Cover 0 and Kap thinks he is going to have enough time to throw a deep out to Lloyd? Really? All this when it was obvious the edge defenders from coming unblocked.

Kap should look at the shortest route and get ready to get out of there!

Please look at the entire post. He never looked to Lloyd (his right). He looked to his left. I get that you are looking to blast Kap at any chance you get, but do it correctly.

Below is the cut up. The third pic has him looking to Boldin/Crabs.

Originally posted by thl408:
Kap Sacked #4

STL: cover 0


7 man blitz versus 7 man protection.


Kap takes the snap and looks to his left. Iupati gives up some pressure, but it's #55 that will come unblocked.


Same time as pic above. I think there may be an anticipation throw to be made to Crabs. The defender over Crabs is leaning the wrong way. However, I think Kap is looking to Boldin who is double covered.






Punt.

Originally posted by thl408:
Kap Sacked #7

49ers: To Kap's left, Hi (Boldin) - Low (Miller) to attack the curl/flat defender. Levels concept (VD + Crabs) to attack the hook/curl defender to Kap's right.
STL: cover3


Kap takes the snap and looks left to the Hi-Low. Iupati briefly gives help to Martin on #99 then moves over to help Staley. Martin was not in control of his block.


Same time as pic above. Blue is the curl/flat defender and is Kap's key. If blue plays close to Miller, the passing lane to Boldin is available on the Out route. If blue gains depth, there is no passing lane to Boldin, but Miller is open.


Blue does not gain depth and Boldin is about to break on his route. Kap would be in his windup, but he has pressure in his face.


Loss of -9 sets up 2nd & 19. Set of downs results in a punt.

Wow... awesome breakdowns of all the sacks! Great job!

It is very obvious that our problems stem from the fact that our interior OL sucks balls in pass protection. There were maybe two sacks that couldn't be fully placed on the interior OL. Boone and Iupati got beat left and right. Martin had some mental errors.... which is somewhat understandable given that he is a rookie and this is his 1st start.

Boone and Iupati's problems are inexcusable. Simply disgusting play by these two guys. It's been happening all season too.

I blame coaching too. We aren't coming with game plans that play to our strengths. We are trying to run a spread type of offense with a power OL. You gotta give Looney a chance to start over Iupati or Boone. Should have attempted to trade for an OG. Nothing.

Getting a habit of always looking to his right. Almost seems like he goes with his right and then thinks he can scramble for the escape if that side isn't open.

Originally posted by Joecool:
This one is a huge mistake on Johnson. He should have known to look right away rather than try to drive the defender who was already back.

I hated this playcall. 2nd & 1. Kap has already been sacked 4 times at this point, in the half. "Gee, let's go empty backfield so that the STL pass rushers can go all out pass rush". Even if the play worked I hate it. Should have used that chance to get the run game going. If it fails on 2nd down, run it again on 3rd and short.

Originally posted by blm7754:
Wow... awesome breakdowns of all the sacks! Great job!

It is very obvious that our problems stem from the fact that our interior OL sucks balls in pass protection. There were maybe two sacks that couldn't be fully placed on the interior OL. Boone and Iupati got beat left and right. Martin had some mental errors.... which is somewhat understandable given that he is a rookie and this is his 1st start.

Boone and Iupati's problems are inexcusable. Simply disgusting play by these two guys. It's been happening all season too.

I blame coaching too. We aren't coming with game plans that play to our strengths. We are trying to run a spread type of offense with a power OL. You gotta give Looney a chance to start over Iupati or Boone. Should have attempted to trade for an OG. Nothing.

Agreed on all fronts. Jerry Rice covers some of these exact issues as well esp. at the end re: play designs and QBing. For you WCO guys like myself, you'll "get it."

http://www.49erswebzone.com/news/75884-jerry-rice-analyzing-49ers-woes/

So I covered a bunch of good things from Borland in this game. That was my version of a disclaimer before I cut this play up, because I thought he had a hell of a game. Here are Borland's comments regarding this play:

"They ran vertical routes to my right and a drag to my left, and I thought I had help, but I should have known I didn't (have help) to the outside," said Borland, who explains the Xs and Os of his assignments unlike many players and coaches in the NFL. "So the drag, I should have covered it." source article

2Q 2nd & 12

STL: Shallow Cross concept.
49ers: 5 man pressure (Wilhoite blitz) with some sort of pattern matching from cover1. It's a cover2 look only at presnap. Bethea and Cox may be playing Quarters.

Color coded are the two routes that end up causing the confusion for Borland. Britt's yellow drag and the RB's gray check release. Notice the two vertical routes being defended by Cully and Ward. The term "vertical" is a loose term used in pattern matching. It can mean anything over 7-10 yards, depending on how the coverage is taught to the players.


This is the moment in time where Borland could have recognized the Drag route was his and matched it. With Cully and Ward being taken vertical, there is no one else to cover anything on that side of the field. Not that Borland could have known Cully and Ward were being taken vertical, but he should have known that Bethea was behind Borland to pick up any remaining route, in this case, the RB. Understanding where help is located is vital to properly pattern matching. How many WRs can you let go by you until you must follow the next WR? In this case, for Borland, it is zero.


Bethea has no interest in following the WR that is running by him. That is Cox's assignment. Borland hesitates because from his point of view there are two routes coming at him. The Drag (yellow) and the RB leaking out (gray).


The drag becomes wide open.


You can see Borland take one step to his left, towards the RB's check release. He needed to match the more immediate danger - the drag. I'm not sure if Cox/Bethea should have given the 'Under' call to help Borland. If that actually took place, or if it should have taken place.

Originally posted by thl408:
So I covered a bunch of good things from Borland in this game. That was my version of a disclaimer before I cut this play up, because I thought he had a hell of a game. Here are Borland's comments regarding this play:

"They ran vertical routes to my right and a drag to my left, and I thought I had help, but I should have known I didn't (have help) to the outside," said Borland, who explains the Xs and Os of his assignments unlike many players and coaches in the NFL. "So the drag, I should have covered it." source article

2Q 2nd & 12

STL: Shallow Cross concept.
49ers: 5 man pressure (Wilhoite blitz) with some sort of pattern matching from cover1. It's a cover2 look only at presnap. Bethea and Cox may be playing Quarters.

Color coded are the two routes that end up causing the confusion for Borland. Britt's yellow drag and the RB's gray check release. Notice the two vertical routes being defended by Cully and Ward. The term "vertical" is a loose term used in pattern matching. It can mean anything over 7-10 yards, depending on how the coverage is taught to the players.


This is the moment in time where Borland could have recognized the Drag route was his and matched it. With Cully and Ward being taken vertical, there is no one else to cover anything on that side of the field. Not that Borland could have known Cully and Ward were being taken vertical, but he should have known that Bethea was behind Borland to pick up any remaining route, in this case, the RB. Understanding where help is located is vital to properly pattern matching. How many WRs can you let go by you until you must follow the next WR? In this case, for Borland, it is zero.


Bethea has no interest in following the WR that is running by him. That is Cox's assignment. Borland hesitates because from his point of view there are two routes coming at him. The Drag (yellow) and the RB leaking out (gray).


The drag becomes wide open.


You can see Borland take one step to his left, towards the RB's check release. He needed to match the more immediate danger - the drag. I'm not sure if Cox/Bethea should have given the 'Under' call to help Borland. If that actually took place, or if it should have taken place.

I actually had no issue with this play. Had he even seen him earlier, what is he going to do? There is no way a ILB (not even Willis or Bowman) is going to keep up with a clean, full-sprinting Britt here across the field and down the sideline from a stand-still postion. Also notice how perfect the timing of the play is called and the specific design itself...both Ward and Cully have their backs to the QB the entire time so Borland, for lack of a better term, could not "pass" Britt off to another defender once he crossed over to the sidelines. The top WR clears out the edge as well as Davis almost laughs when he's throwing this easy 7-yard pass for a TD...it was just a perfect call and the perfect time and well designed. Britt didn't even have to use the ref as a blocker! LOL.

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

Originally posted by NCommand:

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

keep on wishing

Originally posted by znk916:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

keep on wishing

Haha

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by znk916:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

keep on wishing

Haha

We did it in the first ram game. I to wish we would do it more, my favorite cross has always been the "drive" concept.

Originally posted by jonnydel:

Here's a great play made by CK - he climbs the pocket and finds the receiver.


Here, it's early in the game and St. Louis is showing their "blob" like defense. Because the safety is down over Miller - it reveals a blitz in man-coverage. They also use the MLB, #55, as a "spy".

as best as I can figure, the alignment of Miller as a TE confused the LB over VD and he's not sure which side is the "strong" side. So, they're blitz call gets mixed up and he blitzes. He should be in coverage on VD. This puts the corner in a tough spot. He's now stuck between choosing to cover VD or Boldin on the backend. He tries to pick a middle ground and so it looks like he's in zone coverage - but, based off everything else, I think he's just reacting to the blown assignment in front of him.


The safety over Miller see's Miller stay in to block so he comes on a blitz - some teams with play it that way. If you're man stays in to block - you blitz. We tend to drop our guys into zone if their man stays in to block. Because the MLB is "spying" on CK he isn't aware of the two receivers behind him. The corner is stuck between a rock and a hard place.


Miller then releases out of his block so the MLB has to now bail on his "spy" and cover Miller. This opens up the middle for Boldin.

Boldin is wide open and Ck is able to get him the ball.

From here you see the front St. Louis used.


The line does a great job with their 1-1 blocks and Gore saves the day with his blitz pickup. He comes across the formation to pickup the safety.


Here CK had the choice to bail out of the pocket or climb the pocket. He does a good job of climbing the pocket to extend the play.


He climbs the pocket and makes a solid throw to Boldin who picks up 28 on the play. Too bad McDonald fumbled another big pass play on the next play after this.

Originally posted by Niners816:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by znk916:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

keep on wishing

Haha

We did it in the first ram game. I to wish we would do it more, my favorite cross has always been the "drive" concept.

Originally posted by jonnydel:

Here's a great play made by CK - he climbs the pocket and finds the receiver.


Here, it's early in the game and St. Louis is showing their "blob" like defense. Because the safety is down over Miller - it reveals a blitz in man-coverage. They also use the MLB, #55, as a "spy".

as best as I can figure, the alignment of Miller as a TE confused the LB over VD and he's not sure which side is the "strong" side. So, they're blitz call gets mixed up and he blitzes. He should be in coverage on VD. This puts the corner in a tough spot. He's now stuck between choosing to cover VD or Boldin on the backend. He tries to pick a middle ground and so it looks like he's in zone coverage - but, based off everything else, I think he's just reacting to the blown assignment in front of him.


The safety over Miller see's Miller stay in to block so he comes on a blitz - some teams with play it that way. If you're man stays in to block - you blitz. We tend to drop our guys into zone if their man stays in to block. Because the MLB is "spying" on CK he isn't aware of the two receivers behind him. The corner is stuck between a rock and a hard place.


Miller then releases out of his block so the MLB has to now bail on his "spy" and cover Miller. This opens up the middle for Boldin.

Boldin is wide open and Ck is able to get him the ball.

From here you see the front St. Louis used.


The line does a great job with their 1-1 blocks and Gore saves the day with his blitz pickup. He comes across the formation to pickup the safety.


Here CK had the choice to bail out of the pocket or climb the pocket. He does a good job of climbing the pocket to extend the play.


He climbs the pocket and makes a solid throw to Boldin who picks up 28 on the play. Too bad McDonald fumbled another big pass play on the next play after this.

Totally. All day long...with this personnel!

Originally posted by NCommand:

Totally. All day long...with this personnel!

I love this personnel group, but honestly "drive" is my favorite WCO concept and I would wrap it up in endless amounts of groupings. Thats the beauty of it you can run it 6-7 times a game and with personnel and formation you give nothing away.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I actually had no issue with this play. Had he even seen him earlier, what is he going to do? There is no way a ILB (not even Willis or Bowman) is going to keep up with a clean, full-sprinting Britt here across the field and down the sideline from a stand-still postion. Also notice how perfect the timing of the play is called and the specific design itself...both Ward and Cully have their backs to the QB the entire time so Borland, for lack of a better term, could not "pass" Britt off to another defender once he crossed over to the sidelines. The top WR clears out the edge as well as Davis almost laughs when he's throwing this easy 7-yard pass for a TD...it was just a perfect call and the perfect time and well designed. Britt didn't even have to use the ref as a blocker! LOL.

I wish we would run more underneath designs like this. So simple, yet effective....get a LB on isolation on Boldin, Crabtree, Johnson, VD, etc. running full speed across the field? f*getaboutit!

This was just a great design and call altogether. Either way, if Borland anticipated the drag correctly and jumped to for the cover and no throw, Bathae was in a bind himself to cover the middle curl or the RB into the flat. Strong gain for STL either way.