Games people play, take or you leave em

[tsylvester]

A great tune or tunes, one by the Spinners, one by the Alan Parsons Project, both great groups. Where am I going from here, sorry to borrow a lyric or three, well, to the lines of course.

Let us start on defense first.  There are many games you can play with the front four, slants, twists, stunts. All have their success, but also limitations and weaknesses if used at the wrong time. Slant one way and have the offense run the other way, oh boy, big gainer for the offense.

But these games are simple, hop scotch simple. They are just precursors to more elaborate rushes to try and fool a blocking scheme, twart a passing attack.

From these, when used properly, you, well the front four, can actually hunt a quarterback. You can use them on one side of the line, in conjunction with a blitz from the other side and force the quarterback right into the waiting arms of a defender.

We saw this first hand last Sunday against the Colts. It is something we have not seen here in Bmore for a few defensive coordinator years. The past two, three seasons we saw straight rushes, and occasional stunt or twist, pushing the pocket, the results? Fewer and fewer sacks, players are few steps too short to prevent a big play on offense by sacking the qb.

What we saw was Hendrickson rushing deep on one side, Jones and Robinson pushing the middle forcing the qb to slide to the other side where a corner blitz came in for the sack or quick quick pressure. This was then covered by tight coverage on the relief outlet, making the tackle for no or a short gain. The result? A lot of 3 and outs, more punts, a qb who was hearing footsteps.

Minter and Weaver, the later who not only played the position, but did so here, and in a time when the Ravens front four, hunted quarterbacks, did a fabulous job getting the guys to buy in. This is why though Hendrickson didnt have gaudy stats, Minter praised him for the job he did, staying with the scheme, trusting that his stats will come.

Stay tuned, this could be a fun season on defense.