NY Giants coaches film analysis

Here's an example of how having both Aldon and Lynch in the game helps out our coverage unit. Culliver gets the pick, but it's setup by the rush.

9:48 4th QTR


Here, we run a straight man-coverage(pattern match on the bunch side) with 2 middle zone defenders. Wilhoite in the shallow middle and Reid in the deep middle. I put a question mark over the lowest receivers route, because, I'm not sure what route he was running through the play. It's either a deep hook, or DIG. Not sure.


After the snap Cully uses his cushion to read the receivers route. Wilhiote and Bethea have the TE double covered and Cox jams his guy a little before dropping off to pick up the outside breaking route.


Cully is still able to keep his cushion and read the receiver and the QB. The rush has completely beat the pass pro and Eli's got 2 guys coming right for him.


The receiver initiates the contact and turns just as eli is getting hit as he throws.


The ball's thrown way inside the receiver and Cully makes a great play on the ball.


The receiver has a, "what?? Why?!?!" look back to Eli.


Here, because NY spreads us out in formation, they also spread themselves out. This leaves their Tackles on islands against our guys.


Our guys do a great job of coordinating their rush. Aldon goes more upfield and Lynch more shallow, this keeps them from running into each other and leaves the QB with nowhere to go.


Lynch beats his guy almost immediately. Eli's still in his backdrop.


The very next step, Smith beats his guy, Eli's Effed.


That's not a pleasant picture for any QB haha.


Which leads to receiver sad face.....

^^

Originally posted by thl408:
^^

YES!

Originally posted by jonnydel:
Here's an example of how having both Aldon and Lynch in the game helps out our coverage unit. Culliver gets the pick, but it's setup by the rush.

9:48 4th QTR


Here, we run a straight man-coverage(pattern match on the bunch side) with 2 middle zone defenders. Wilhoite in the shallow middle and Reid in the deep middle. I put a question mark over the lowest receivers route, because, I'm not sure what route he was running through the play. It's either a deep hook, or DIG. Not sure.


After the snap Cully uses his cushion to read the receivers route. Wilhiote and Bethea have the TE double covered and Cox jams his guy a little before dropping off to pick up the outside breaking route.


Cully is still able to keep his cushion and read the receiver and the QB. The rush has completely beat the pass pro and Eli's got 2 guys coming right for him.


The receiver initiates the contact and turns just as eli is getting hit as he throws.


The ball's thrown way inside the receiver and Cully makes a great play on the ball.


The receiver has a, "what?? Why?!?!" look back to Eli.


Here, because NY spreads us out in formation, they also spread themselves out. This leaves their Tackles on islands against our guys.


Our guys do a great job of coordinating their rush. Aldon goes more upfield and Lynch more shallow, this keeps them from running into each other and leaves the QB with nowhere to go.


Lynch beats his guy almost immediately. Eli's still in his backdrop.


The very next step, Smith beats his guy, Eli's Effed.


That's not a pleasant picture for any QB haha.


Which leads to receiver sad face.....

Regarding the bolded. This is a problem I have when the 49ers go spread formation - especially with an empty backfield. It screams "Pass!" and it allows the DL to tee off on the Oline in the pass rush. On top of that, the 49ers rarely run out of spread formations so it's just too easy for the defense to know a pass is coming. This puts too much stress on an Oline that struggles to pass protect.

The 49ers do take account for this (going spread). Kap is usually trying to throw on rhythm and getting rid of the ball. By spreading the formation, he can make easier 1v1 reads as he chooses a favorable matchup presnap. The routes are quick to develop as well. Get rid of the ball before the rush comes. Still, there are times where Kap's initial read loses and now the Oline is stressed trying to block a DLine coming with a full on pass rush.

I'm not sure how to divide this up so I'll just go chronologically and describe the plays until there is one that is worth GIFing. This series will discuss what the 49ers are doing on 1st downs where they rank a piss poor 30th in the league.

The number seen (for example, #3) denotes the first down play in the game.

Plays on 1st Down
1Q (1st drive of game)

#1 - Zone left -- Gore for +14 (post#337)


#2 - Incomplete to Crabs on a quick WR bubble screen. The CB read the play and jumped it, coming close to INTing it. The 49ers always start the game off with simple throw(s) for Kap. This is a trend I see and a trend that the NYG saw. The 49ers would end up moving the chains for a new set of downs.

#3 - Read/Option -- Gore +2
Anticipating the read/option, NYG blitzes the slot CB.


While Kap is reading the unblocked key DE, (I think) he sees the slot CB coming and gives to Gore. The DE that Kap reads does a good job slow playing the read option knowing he has the slot CB to cover the QB keeper. The DT lined up across from Boone slants and minimizes the gain (+2). The 49ers would end up moving the chains on this set of downs.


#4 - Counter right -- Gore +3


Nice play by the weak side LB (blue) to track the play (+3). The 49ers would end up moving the chains on this set of downs.


#5 - Gore/Kap have a bad handoff exchange. Lost fumble. End drive.

Damn....either Lynch is a elite rusher, or the guy guarding him sucks major balls

Originally posted by jonnydel:
But if you review the majority of the negative or non-gain plays on 1st down it's Kap being sacked on 1st down, incomplete pass on first down or he's run for a negative gain. I don't see a 3 yard run on 1st down as a bad thing; if you get 3 yards on 1st down, 3 yards on 2nd down, you have a 3rd and 4 - we'll convert that 80% of the time. So, we had 4 run plays for less than 3 yards out of 19 first downs. That means you have 7 negative plays on 1st down coming from your QB or passing game - that's why I've said, I think it comes down to Kap's and the passing game's development. He has to do a better job from under center on first down. His numbers go up on 3rd down because he's usually back to more of the shotgun spread where the defense is easier to read. But, he has to get better at attacking a defense and at least gaining positive yards on 1st down.

Agreed! That said, 4+ yards is considered a success by the stataticians and I agree as it allows you to be much less predictable on 2nd downs (i.e. opens up the playbook and keeps the defense guessing more). Like I said in previous posts, when we start to look at this trend on a micro level, I think you are going to see a myriad of reasons why we're failing including inaccurate short touch passes by CK, sacks and pressures d/t a defense already stacking the box and run blitzing with no viable receiving options and CK trying to make something out of nothing with his athletic ability, an OL outnumered and overwhlemed, defenses blitzing more to put us behind the 8-ball, penalties, poor designs, predictable play calling and trendings, etc. I think you'll see it all. I also think you'll see CK and the individual talent make something out of nothing as well...CK's athletic ability saving the play, ad lib plays, etc. That said, after 10 straight games, clearly, it still comes down to (and starts with) coaching if these issues remain THIS consistent from game to game.

Originally posted by thl408:
I am intrigued enough by these 1st down failures that I will look into analysis of each 1st down in this game. I don't know if I just bit off more than I can chew, but I will try. If it requires a cut up I'll do that. If it's easily explainable by text, I will just do that. No idea when this will be done.

That's epic and will really help shine a light on a very consistent trend for 10 straight games now. And fortunately, it's only 20 total first downs (some will be penalties, etc.). Text, stills/gifs, etc. Whatever you feel is best to paint the picture for us. Perhaps you can spot another peripheral trend I've been noting. When you watch each first down, ask yourself this one question each time: "Can I tell what's coming?" I say this not b/c of down-and-distance or even our run-up-the-middle on first downs trend but even in the passing game (most shorter targets IIRC), it "seems" like either the formation, design or personnel packages are tipping off the defenses and they are just all over these plays the mass majority of the plays. Watch the way the LB's are leaning forward, outnumbering us, communicating pre-snap, rushing up to play press, blitzing more, etc.. It just seems like the book has been well established on us for whatever reason but there has to be tips/trends. It's like your astute observation that when we go to the spread with an empty backfield, it screams "Pass!" That's a heck of a lot easier to defend against!

Originally posted by thl408:
That's a horrible way to start a set of downs. The only good game was ARI and they still lost that one. Good stats.

Yeah, that was a lot of work so, thank you! I figured someone other than you and jonnydel should step up in this thread on the quest for answers!

Plays on 1st Down

1Q (2nd drive of the game)

#6 - Read/Option (inside zone) -- Gore +5
The 49ers would end up moving the chains on this set of downs.


#7 - Counter Right -- Gore for +17 (post#338)

#8 - Looks like a designed run because VD holds his block downfield. VD is to the right most player in the formation. Both guards pull right. I think Boone should have blocked the free rushing defender. If not, then Iupati. Although Iupati has no chance of getting there in time. Sack for -8. On the next play, Crabs draws a defensive pass interference (35 yard penalty). The chains are moved.


#9 - Outside zone right -- Hyde +3
The DLman across from Iupati does a good job stalling Iupati from getting to the second level. The LB that Iupati would have blocked, had he gotten cleanly to the second level, makes the play. The 49ers would end up moving the chains for a new set of downs.


#10 - Read Option. Kap for -7
There are a couple questionable blocks, Staley and SJ (the WR in motion). Staley lets the defender across from him go, then decides he should block him. SJ complete misses his blocking assignment. This play looks similar to the play Kap scored versus CAR in the playoffs (button up Superman shirt). On that play, Patton nailed his block. I don't think this play nets much had those two blocks (Staley, SJ) been made, but it surely wouldn't have gone for -7. The 49ers would kick a FG to end this drive.

Plays on First Down

2Q (3rd drive of the game)

#11 - Gore catch for +8 (post#291)
The 49ers would end up moving the chains for a new set of downs.

#12 - Gore run for +16 (post#339)

#13 - Kap run for +9. The WR at the bottom of screen (Crabs) is blocking all the way - designed run. After a Hyde -1 run (2nd down), then an SJ holding call on what was a converted 3rd down (VD run), the 49ers would end up moving the chains for a new set of downs by converting 3rd down on this play (post#46).


#14 - Counter left. Gore for -1.
The DL across from Staley (blue arrow) gets penetration and blows up Miller in the backfield. The 49ers will end up with a FG to end the drive.

Originally posted by verb1der:
Damn....either Lynch is a elite rusher, or the guy guarding him sucks major balls

The RT sucks major balls. It was the backup Right tackle.

Complete mental breakdown by Staley. I think that his error is the greater part of the reason why Johnson misses his man so badly.

Imagine Staley blocks the defensive end, that wouldn't allow the outside linebacker to take that angle towards kaepernick and it wouldn't force Kaepernick to actually run backwards and not even parallel to the los, which would naturally lead the olb more to the outside where Johnson is running and expecting him. I think on that play it's really Staley who is to blame.

Plays on First Down

2Q (4th drive of the game). 49ers get the ball in good field position after Borland's INT.

#15 - Read/Option (inside zone) - Gore for +3.

There seems to be some confusion on ADavis' part. He starts off with a zone step as if he's executing an outside zone left. Then he goes and blocks the blue defender who is actually VD's assignment. All the while orange is unblocked and makes the play. I think if ADavis thinks 'Inside Zone' from the start of the play, he's moving to the second level and targets orange.


At the end of the play, you can see ADavis throw his hands up like 'oh oops'. 2nd down and 3rd down are two incomplete passes. FG attempt is good.

Great stuff as usual guys. Please keep doing what you're doing and don't be shy with your opinion, whether its harsh against a player or coach. Its a joke when others come on here and laugh at it with no visual evidence like these two present. If you don't like their opinion, you don't have to agree. Criticizing Kap for having a sub par game doesn't mean it has to turn into a Kap bashfest. Roman is the easy whipping boy at this point

Plays on First Down

2Q (5th Drive of the game)

#16 - Inside zone, maybe read/option. Kap fumbles the snap, picks it up, and runs for +2. The 49ers would end up moving the chains (on the play in post#197) for a new set of downs.


#17 - Inside Zone -- Gore for -1. The unblocked DE plays this fast. A poor snap causes there to be no mesh point (when the ball is in the QB's hands but is in the RB's stomach) where uncertainty in the defenders can be caused from having to wait to see who has the ball, the RB or the QB. Tough play for Miller (offset FB) as he lets two defenders by. The 49ers would have straight incompletions and punt to end the drive.


All the failed 3rd down conversions for this game are covered earlier in this thread. The failed 3rd down conversion on this drive is this play (post#137).

I think so far, the trend is the 49ers will run the ball on first down. So far, we have 17 First Down plays and there have been a total of 2 pass plays - a busted WR screen (#2) and the play where Kap checkdown to Gore (#11).

Plays on First Down

2Q (6th drive of the game)
#18
Kap kneels down to end the 1st half. End drive.