Offseason All22 Film Study

Week 10

Ward had a tough game giving up three key catches. One from being left out to dry by Reid, one by being physically outmatched versus JGraham, and one from a blown assignment. Ward still had several plays where he was able to cover his assignment by properly using his help and force Brees to move off to a different read. This is a reoccurring theme, Ward using his help, but it's a key to success within Fangio's coverage scheme and critical for a slot CB.

A couple things to notice here that show up later. Ward and Cully are pattern matching versus the stacked WRs. Ward will take whichever WR goes inside, Cully takes whichever WR goes outside.

Cover 1 pattern match


It's an easy read who will cover which WR. Ward takes outside leverage on Cooks, using his deep help from the safety (Reid, blue) to the inside.


Get onto the outside hip of the WR.

Brees thinks about targeting Cooks, but checks it down instead (incomplete).

Ward against Brandin Cooks in the slot.
Cover1 versus 4 Verticals.
Cooks goes in motion and comes across the formation.


Cooks starts his route by stemming to the outside. Ward opens his hips in the wrong direction. He needs to open to the inside (middle of field) while taking outside leverage. Exactly like how he played it on the play above (post #331).


Cooks stems his route back to the inside. Ward gets turned around, but will recover. Reid is seen not gaining enough depth. He needs to be in a quick back peddle to be able to cover the middle of the field as a cover 1 safety.


Ward is stride for stride with Cooks. Reid is in no position to help the deep portion of the middle of the field. Reid needs to be at the blue X to be able to play both the inside verticals.


Reid leaves Ward out to dry, but Ward also trips over himself (or Cooks' leg). After the play, Reid is seen pointing to himself.


Ward opens up in the wrong direction, recovers, then trips. Bad technique, no safety help, good QB, touchdown.


I'll continue this game tomorrow.

Ward in the slot vs JGraham. A physical mismatch for any 6'0 CB.
Cover 1 blitz vs Drive (or Levels, not sure)


Knowing that heavy pressure is being dialed up, Ward collides with Graham and latches on. With a cover 1 safety deep, Ward properly takes outside leverage.


Graham breaks to the inside. Brees is able to extend the play by stepping up into the pocket. The slight bit of separation is all that is needed.

Ward in the slot.


The wideout that Cully is lined up across from motions towards the slot WR. The 49ers will now pattern match the stacked WRs - very similar to the play in post#312 where Ward has 'First In', and Cully has 'First Out'.


After the snap, Ward follows the quick Out route, which is Cully's assignment. This leaves the other WR wide open for an easy 4th down conversion.


Ward blows his assignment and Cully is seen showing his frustration in the direction of Ward. This is an example of how late pre-snap motion can confuse pattern matching defenders. (b&w for the big GIF)

In the OT period, NO will test Ward with the same scenario, but on the other side of the field. The WR lined up across from Cox will motion in late in the count to form a stacked formation.


They will run the same route combination.


This time, Ward does the right thing and covers the 'first In', leaving the Out route for Cox.


Learning from his mistakes.

Here's the play where Brooks got the strip sack on Brees in OT.
Ward in the slot versus Kenny Stills.
Cover 1 vs 4 Verticals


Ward properly opens his hips to face the middle of the field and takes outside leverage - using his help from the deep cover 1 safety (Reid).


Defeats the skinny post.

Now that's what I like to see...a young CB quickly learning from his mistakes...same with Reid getting deeper for support on the sack/strip play. Not much you can do about that Graham catch...just a good play by Brees/him.

LMAO...Borland with the knee-jab/trip to their RB flaring out...and then one helluva recovery!



PS: Brooks taking the high-road from the previous year...this had to feel great!

That does it for the study on Ward as he was lost to injured reserve before the next game.
Strengths:
- Getting physical at the line of scrimmage with smaller slot WRs
- Understanding where his help is and funneling WRs towards the help
- Recovery speed

Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent pattern match coverage
- 180 degree turning and running;

If his end role is that of a slot CB, then he needs to show improvement to matchup against teams that like to slide their #1 WR into the slot in 3WR sets. If his end role is that of a FS that occasionally drops down to cover the slot, then he already has what it takes to play the CB role. He never lined up at FS so that's an unknown.

His mistakes when it comes pattern matching are all mental, which is correctable once he plays more in the system, if Mangini keeps the same pattern match principles, which he most likely will. His technique in press alignment, jamming and running with the WR needs to improve if he is asked to play in that manner. In most instances, he was given safety help over the top, which he uses well. This is a scheme oriented aspect of Fangio's defense - how safeties are used to help CBs - not a knock on Ward.

Omitting the Bears game where BMarshall ate Ward for lunch, Ward had a solid year in my observation. His moments of failure were noticeable on the TV telecast, but his moments of success often resulted in the QB not targeting him. He also had zero splash plays. All of which can lead to the perception that he was having a poor season. Overall, he showed he belonged, as long as he wasn't asked to cover WRs/TEs that are 6'3+, but since he was very rarely asked to go 1v1 with no help, it's a bit hard to gauge his true cover skills as a CB.

Originally posted by thl408:
That does it for the study on Ward as he was lost to injured reserve before the next game.
Strengths:
- Getting physical at the line of scrimmage with smaller slot WRs
- Understanding where his help is and funneling WRs towards the help
- Recovery speed

Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent pattern match coverage
- 180 degree turning and running;

If his end role is that of a slot CB, then he needs to show improvement to matchup against teams that like to slide their #1 WR into the slot in 3WR sets. If his end role is that of a FS that occasionally drops down to cover the slot, then he already has what it takes to play the CB role. He never lined up at FS so that's an unknown.

His mistakes when it comes pattern matching are all mental, which is correctable once he plays more in the system, if Mangini keeps the same pattern match principles, which he most likely will. His technique in press alignment, jamming and running with the WR needs to improve if he is asked to play in that manner. In most instances, he was given safety help over the top, which he uses well. This is a scheme oriented aspect of Fangio's defense - how safeties are used to help CBs - not a knock on Ward.

Omitting the Bears game where BMarshall ate Ward for lunch, Ward had a solid year in my observation. His moments of failure were noticeable on the TV telecast, but his moments of success often resulted in the QB not targeting him. He also had zero splash plays. All of which can lead to the perception that he was having a poor season. Overall, he showed he belonged, as long as he wasn't asked to cover WRs/TEs that are 6'3+, but since he was very rarely asked to go 1v1 with no help, it's a bit hard to gauge his true cover skills as a CB.

thl...really wanted to thank you for this film work and break down.

I think any time a secondary finishes top 5 and #1 in TO's, it's got to be a very smart, disciplined defense playing as a unit/one. And a BIG part of that (esp. in a passing league) is the play of the slot CB position. It seems like this is just about what you'd expect from a developing on-the-fly rookie first rounder...being baptized in the Chicago game...some ups and downs...adjusting to a very different position with very different skill sets required (FS to slot CB)...then, learning from his mistakes (even in-game) and showing arrow-up until the injury of which, he may not have been fully healthy all year. If he recovers 100%, I would expect a nice jump in year 2 (i.e. in the leap year) as like you, I still expect much pattern matching, S help over the top, etc. from Mangini.

Originally posted by thl408:
That does it for the study on Ward as he was lost to injured reserve before the next game.
Strengths:
- Getting physical at the line of scrimmage with smaller slot WRs
- Understanding where his help is and funneling WRs towards the help
- Recovery speed

Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent pattern match coverage
- 180 degree turning and running;

If his end role is that of a slot CB, then he needs to show improvement to matchup against teams that like to slide their #1 WR into the slot in 3WR sets. If his end role is that of a FS that occasionally drops down to cover the slot, then he already has what it takes to play the CB role. He never lined up at FS so that's an unknown.

His mistakes when it comes pattern matching are all mental, which is correctable once he plays more in the system, if Mangini keeps the same pattern match principles, which he most likely will. His technique in press alignment, jamming and running with the WR needs to improve if he is asked to play in that manner. In most instances, he was given safety help over the top, which he uses well. This is a scheme oriented aspect of Fangio's defense - how safeties are used to help CBs - not a knock on Ward.

Omitting the Bears game where BMarshall ate Ward for lunch, Ward had a solid year in my observation. His moments of failure were noticeable on the TV telecast, but his moments of success often resulted in the QB not targeting him. He also had zero splash plays. All of which can lead to the perception that he was having a poor season. Overall, he showed he belonged, as long as he wasn't asked to cover WRs/TEs that are 6'3+, but since he was very rarely asked to go 1v1 with no help, it's a bit hard to gauge his true cover skills as a CB.

Thank you Thl! was very insightful and gets me excited to see what ward will do year 2. Hopefully ppeopel can stop labeling him a bust.

PS: Review Tank or dial next please!!!!!!

Originally posted by NCommand:
thl...really wanted to thank you for this film work and break down.

I think any time a secondary finishes top 5 and #1 in TO's, it's got to be a very smart, disciplined defense playing as a unit/one. And a BIG part of that (esp. in a passing league) is the play of the slot CB position. It seems like this is just about what you'd expect from a developing on-the-fly rookie first rounder...being baptized in the Chicago game...some ups and downs...adjusting to a very different position with very different skill sets required (FS to slot CB)...then, learning from his mistakes (even in-game) and showing arrow-up until the injury of which, he may not have been fully healthy all year. If he recovers 100%, I would expect a nice jump in year 2 (i.e. in the leap year) as like you, I still expect much pattern matching, S help over the top, etc. from Mangini.

All good. It was interesting to see just how Ward did when he wasn't shown on TV. All I could remember was him getting torched versus CHI, then giving up key third down conversions in the PHI and NO game. I think that not registering any splash plays like INTs, forced fumbles, big hits, or even swatting away passes, gave the impression that he was overmatched. I found this to be untrue. I can't imagine how much the Jones fracture played a role, but if it's enough to put him on IR then it must have been bad. Can't wait to see him with (half) a year under his belt and a full bill of health.

Next up is Patton. Let's see if he deserved to get playing time, or if there's something lacking to his game. The guy is good with the ball in his hands, but that's not the hard part of playing WR. The hard part is getting separation to get the ball into the hands.

Originally posted by philosoraptor:
Thank you Thl! was very insightful and gets me excited to see what ward will do year 2. Hopefully ppeopel can stop labeling him a bust.

PS: Review Tank or dial next please!!!!!!

Gotcha. I want to see Tank as well. I figure I'd hit QP next because there aren't a lot of snaps to review anyways.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:
thl...really wanted to thank you for this film work and break down.

I think any time a secondary finishes top 5 and #1 in TO's, it's got to be a very smart, disciplined defense playing as a unit/one. And a BIG part of that (esp. in a passing league) is the play of the slot CB position. It seems like this is just about what you'd expect from a developing on-the-fly rookie first rounder...being baptized in the Chicago game...some ups and downs...adjusting to a very different position with very different skill sets required (FS to slot CB)...then, learning from his mistakes (even in-game) and showing arrow-up until the injury of which, he may not have been fully healthy all year. If he recovers 100%, I would expect a nice jump in year 2 (i.e. in the leap year) as like you, I still expect much pattern matching, S help over the top, etc. from Mangini.

All good. It was interesting to see just how Ward did when he wasn't shown on TV. All I could remember was him getting torched versus CHI, then giving up key third down conversions in the PHI and NO game. I think that not registering any splash plays like INTs, forced fumbles, big hits, or even swatting away passes, gave the impression that he was overmatched. I found this to be untrue. I can't imagine how much the Jones fracture played a role, but if it's enough to put him on IR then it must have been bad. Can't wait to see him with (half) a year under his belt and a full bill of health.

Next up is Patton. Let's see if he deserved to get playing time, or if there's something lacking to his game. The guy is good with the ball in his hands, but that's not the hard part of playing WR. The hard part is getting separation to get the ball into the hands.

You continue to illustrate the importance of film study...I'm sure WRATH and I will be reviewing the OL this year (if his work permits) during pre season games. It was SO telling, even in pre season games. I felt by the end of training camp, I had a real feel for not only who should make the team (i.e. Dillon Farrell) and who wasn't ready (Iupati/Boone) or was misplaced (Looney/Boone). I'm very curious to see what this coaching staff sees in the OL now and personnel.

I'm literally a kid in the candy store right now...Patton...then Tank? Outstanding!

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by philosoraptor:
Thank you Thl! was very insightful and gets me excited to see what ward will do year 2. Hopefully ppeopel can stop labeling him a bust.

PS: Review Tank or dial next please!!!!!!

Gotcha. I want to see Tank as well. I figure I'd hit QP next because there aren't a lot of snaps to review anyways.

Thats a good one as well.

Originally posted by thl408:

Next up is Patton. Let's see if he deserved to get playing time, or if there's something lacking to his game. The guy is good with the ball in his hands, but that's not the hard part of playing WR. The hard part is getting separation to get the ball into the hands.

I also want to thank you for your excellent work in posting these "film" analyses. What you showed with Ward was reassuring - as you said, he only seemed to show up on the broadcasts of the games when he was burned in coverage.

I'm looking forward to seeing your analysis of Patton. I really like the "kid". He obviously really likes playing the game and has a lot of heart and as much "want to" as you could desire from a player for your team (always seems to be there to make deep downfield blocks). I've been wondering if the reason he hasn't gotten more playing time is because he hasn't developed (or just plain doesn't have the physical ability) to get separation, so I'm glad that you will especially be looking at that.

Thanks again.