Zone blocking scheme

just finished reading an article were its written that our OL are too big and are maulers type of OL and wont be able to learn how to zone block.. that is BS, the Cowboys now are as big as us but they are able to do..

You bring in Shanahan (Mike) and the ones that can not do zone blocking will just have to go.. we are a bunch of HUGE OL who proved last year that they may be big, but aren't that powerful.. no one is physical in our line accept Looney (IMO), so I will continue to hope that we go into that zone blocking wide stretching Terrell Davis-Edge type running game..

With Iupati gone, the only person I am genuinely concerned about on our line for ZBS is A. Davis.

Originally posted by 9moon:
just finished reading an article were its written that our OL are too big and are maulers type of OL and wont be able to learn how to zone block.. that is BS, the Cowboys now are as big as us but they are able to do..

You bring in Shanahan (Mike) and the ones that can not do zone blocking will just have to go.. we are a bunch of HUGE OL who proved last year that they may be big, but aren't that powerful.. no one is physical in our line accept Looney (IMO), so I will continue to hope that we go into that zone blocking wide stretching Terrell Davis-Edge type running game..

We have big guys, but they're all pretty athletic. Nobody has concrete feet, which is the most important thing. Osemele on Baltimore is 6'5" 330 and he functions well in the scheme. If you're a good football player and can move laterally, you can play in the scheme. Staley, Kilgore, Boone, Davis, Looney, Martin all can make the transition. I even think Iupati would find a way to be effective, but he's likely gone next year.

The zone blocking scheme requires athletic lineman. Our line over the past few years has been based on power. I think Staley and M. Martin would be able to run the zone, but I'm not sure about the rest, especially Iupati (if he stays).

I think our oline would be fine. My question Is wouldn't the ZBS mean no more Bruce miller?

Originally posted by KaeptinKrunch:
I think our oline would be fine. My question Is wouldn't the ZBS mean no more Bruce miller?

Not necessarily. Kubiak is my choice for HC and to install a ZBS. He loves to use the FB. Baltimore's FB played the 2nd most snaps in the league (2nd to Bruce Miller). Vonta Leach and James Casey also were a key part of Houston's running game when they used ZBS.

So at least we know Gary Kubiak loves to use the FB in the ZBS. Just another reason why he'd be a perfect fit here.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by KaeptinKrunch:
I think our oline would be fine. My question Is wouldn't the ZBS mean no more Bruce miller?

Not necessarily. Kubiak is my choice for HC and to install a ZBS. He loves to use the FB. Baltimore's FB played the 2nd most snaps in the league (2nd to Bruce Miller). Vonta Leach and James Casey also were a key part of Houston's running game when they used ZBS.

So at least we know Gary Kubiak loves to use the FB in the ZBS. Just another reason why he'd be a perfect fit here.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by KaeptinKrunch:

I think our oline would be fine. My question Is wouldn't the ZBS mean no more Bruce miller?

Not necessarily. Kubiak is my choice for HC and to install a ZBS. He loves to use the FB. Baltimore's FB played the 2nd most snaps in the league (2nd to Bruce Miller). Vonta Leach and James Casey also were a key part of Houston's running game when they used ZBS.

So at least we know Gary Kubiak loves to use the FB in the ZBS. Just another reason why he'd be a perfect fit here.

Originally posted by sf_nicoya:
With Iupati gone, the only person I am genuinely concerned about on our line for ZBS is A. Davis.

He played in exactly that sort of scheme at Rutgers.

Originally posted by KaeptinKrunch:

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by KaeptinKrunch:
I think our oline would be fine. My question Is wouldn't the ZBS mean no more Bruce miller?

Not necessarily. Kubiak is my choice for HC and to install a ZBS. He loves to use the FB. Baltimore's FB played the 2nd most snaps in the league (2nd to Bruce Miller). Vonta Leach and James Casey also were a key part of Houston's running game when they used ZBS.

So at least we know Gary Kubiak loves to use the FB in the ZBS. Just another reason why he'd be a perfect fit here.

Definitely on the fence with Kubiak. His offensive philosophy is sound and has a track record of offensive success. However he's overseen two major meltdowns as a HC and Im not sure he would mesh well with Kaep's style. Kubiak has had classic pocket passers for the past decade, which Kaep is the antithesis. The risk outweighs the reward with bringing in Kubiak as HC. Fangio as HC with K. Shanahan as OC makes more sense as its lower risk, higher reward. The ZBS could still be implemented with K Shanny.

Originally posted by theninermaniac:
Definitely on the fence with Kubiak. His offensive philosophy is sound and has a track record of offensive success. However he's overseen two major meltdowns as a HC and Im not sure he would mesh well with Kaep's style. Kubiak has had classic pocket passers for the past decade, which Kaep is the antithesis. The risk outweighs the reward with bringing in Kubiak as HC. Fangio as HC with K. Shanahan as OC makes more sense as its lower risk, higher reward. The ZBS could still be implemented with K Shanny.

That would work for me from a schematic standpoint. Shanahan practically runs the exact same offense as Kubiak. He coordinated for Kubiak in Houston for a few years, and Kubiak coordinated under elder Shanahan. We know Fangio is already the HC of the defense.

My problem then with Kyle Shanahan is that he's a weasel. Has yet to go in and out of a job without some sort of falling out, personality wise. That is greatly concerning. I don't want an entitled, my daddy is so-and-so, Lane Kiffin type.

Kubiak is all class. He won't clash with people. He's just a football coach, and a darn good one. He was on the verge of doing some great things in Houston. The defense was really coming around, but then Schaub inexplicably fell apart completely. Given the unbelievable job he's done this year with Baltimore, he is deserving of another HC opportunity. He won't have to start at ground zero like he did in Houston. He has a ready made team, and we'd instantly be a 12-win type team again, with no drama.

While I don't doubt that Boone and ADavis can be used in a ZBS, when talking about the strengths and weaknesses of a player, I don't think putting them in a ZBS would be playing to their strengths. It's like sending Boldin on a Go route. Can he get open? Sure he can, but a Go route wouldn't be playing to his strength as a player. ADavis has had trouble blocking speedy pass rushers his entire career. One reason for this is slow feet, which is beneficial to being a good ZBS Olineman. Boone is the one I'd be most worried about though. It's about being quick on their feet while in a standing up posture, not when exploding out of a three point stance, which I think they are fine at.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by theninermaniac:

Definitely on the fence with Kubiak. His offensive philosophy is sound and has a track record of offensive success. However he's overseen two major meltdowns as a HC and Im not sure he would mesh well with Kaep's style. Kubiak has had classic pocket passers for the past decade, which Kaep is the antithesis. The risk outweighs the reward with bringing in Kubiak as HC. Fangio as HC with K. Shanahan as OC makes more sense as its lower risk, higher reward. The ZBS could still be implemented with K Shanny.

That would work for me from a schematic standpoint. Shanahan practically runs the exact same offense as Kubiak. He coordinated for Kubiak in Houston for a few years, and Kubiak coordinated under elder Shanahan. We know Fangio is already the HC of the defense.

My problem then with Kyle Shanahan is that he's a weasel. Has yet to go in and out of a job without some sort of falling out, personality wise. That is greatly concerning. I don't want an entitled, my daddy is so-and-so, Lane Kiffin type.

Kubiak is all class. He won't clash with people. He's just a football coach, and a darn good one. He was on the verge of doing some great things in Houston. The defense was really coming around, but then Schaub inexplicably fell apart completely. Given the unbelievable job he's done this year with Baltimore, he is deserving of another HC opportunity. He won't have to start at ground zero like he did in Houston. He has a ready made team, and we'd instantly be a 12-win type team again, with no drama.

And drama is something that K. Shanahan has brought with him almost every place he's went. No friggin thanks especially if his pops isn't apart of the deal .

Originally posted by thl408:
While I don't doubt that Boone and ADavis can be used in a ZBS, when talking about the strengths and weaknesses of a player, I don't think putting them in a ZBS would be playing to their strengths. It's like sending Boldin on a Go route. Can he get open? Sure he can, but a Go route wouldn't be playing to his strength as a player. ADavis has had trouble blocking speedy pass rushers his entire career. One reason for this is slow feet, which is beneficial to being a good ZBS Olineman. Boone is the one I'd be most worried about though. It's about being quick on their feet while in a standing up posture, not when exploding out of a three point stance, which I think they are fine at.

Agree Boone might be the one to have a tough transition, but ADavis was praised for his foot speed coming out of college. I don't know if that's necessarily translated to the pro-game, but my impression of him was that he's a really good athlete for the position. Maybe his kick-slide in pass pro is vulnerable to speed, but in the run game I think he can move well enough laterally.

This is music to my ears! The OL seemed so confused this year and I think a shift to a zone blocking scheme would be a great step forward. Most of the 9er linemen could adapt and those who couldn't would be able to get by at least as well as they did this year. Boone was a train wreck most of the year so if he can't make the change...no loss. Staley, Thomas, M Martin, Kilgore, Davis, would make a really good zone blocking line...not sure about the backups--J Martin, Farrell, etc. Here ar a couple of sites that those unfamiliar with zone blocking can use to acquaint themselves with the basics.

Zone Blocking-Alex Gibbs

Fooball 201--Zone Blocking