Yearly Archives: 2014

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Rookie Recap: Trent Murphy - 2.5 sacks, 6 hits, 15 hurries

Trent Murphy was chosen by the Redskins with the 47th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. With Ryan Kerrigan and the recently franchise-tagged Brian Orakpo on the roster, many thought this pick should have been used on a position of greater need. The Redskins needed a right tackle, guard, inside linebacker, cornerback and safety going into the 2014 season. Even though this was seen as a luxury pick, Murphy’s addition to the defensive unit has been positive as he is already one of the Redskins’ best run defenders while showing flashes of pass rushing ability.

According to scouting reports, the Stanford prospect fit well in a 3-4 outside linebacker position as a quality run defender with a repetoire of pass rushing moves. He was also a hard worker with excellent strength and a strong motor. In 2013 Murphy led the NCAA in sacks, but it was his lack of speed and explosiveness that dropped him out of first round consideration.

For the Redskins, Murphy started the season as a situational pass rusher in the Redskins’ 3rd down pass rushing package where the Redskins lined up Orakpo, Hatcher, Murphy and Kerrigan on the same defensive line. After Brian Orakpo was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle in Week 7 versus the Titans, Murphy was thrust into the starting right outside linebacker position opposite of Redskins’ Ryan Kerrigan. For this breakdown, Trent Murphy’s role in pass rush, run defense and pass coverage will be analyzed to show his effectiveness and areas that need to be improved over the off-season.… Article continues here




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Tony Romo vs the Colts - 18/20, 218 yards, 4 TDs

Tony Romo’s performance versus the Colts was very impressive completing 90% of his passes and four touchdowns. This post will analyze his performance.

Stats
Romo - 18/20, 218 yards, 10.9 ypa, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 3 rushes for 28 yards, 1 sack for 11 yards

Play 1
Situation: 2nd and 8 at DAL 22
Description: Q1 - (14:25) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short middle to D.Bryant to DAL 31 for 9 yards (D.Butler). Pass complete on a “crossing” pattern.
All-22 View


Endzone View

Offense Formation: Shotgun Trips Right Far
Offensive Grouping: 11
Defense Formation: Cover 1, 2 underneath zones, man-coverage by CBs

Romo has WR88 Bryant in the center of the trips right grouping running a crossing/in-route over the middle of the field. Romo snaps the ball and hits Bryant right in the numbers to start the game with a quick and accurate pass.

Bryant makes a quick cut in front of CB20 Butler in off-man coverage to create the separation necessary for the catch.

Play 7
Situation: 2nd and 6 at IND 22
Description: Q1 - (8:11) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short middle to J.Witten to IND 5 for 17 yards (L.Landry). Pass complete on a “skinny” post.
All-22 View


Endzone View

Offense Formation: Empty-set Shotgun
Offensive Grouping: 02
Defense Formation: Cover 1, man-coverage across the board

Romo has TE82 Witten in the left slot runs a skinny-post over the middle. SS30 Landry is in off-man coverage playing outside-technique so Romo finds him quickly for the strike up the middle of the field.… Article continues here




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Jimmy Clausen vs. the Lions (23/39, 188 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Jimmy Clausen was a highly touted QB prospect when he began his college career at Notre Dame, but fell short of expectations and also fell in the draft, going 48th overall to Carolina in 2010. In his first season as a QB, when went 1-9 as a starter, and the Panthers then took Cam Newton with the #1 overall pick, relegating Clausen to the bench. During the 2014 offseason, he signed with the Bears and beat out Jordan Palmer to back up Jay Cutler. With the Bears reeling and Marc Trestman benching Cutler for week 16, Clausen got the nod to start for the first time in almost four years. This article will break down every dropback Clausen had in his start for the Bears.

I personally was very critical of the move to bench Cutler and start Clausen, and while I still think Cutler is a better player, Clausen actually performed reasonably well against the Lions. He dropped back to pass 44 times, and went 23/39 for 181 yards with 2 TDs and an INT. He was sacked twice and scrambled 3 times for 9 yards.

While Clausen’s raw numbers are not impressive, that a function of two main things. First, the Bears were extremely conservative, throwing a multitude of screens and other short passes. Clausen only threw three passes on deep routes (7, 8, or 9 routes), and while he went just 1/3 on those passes, that completion was a 20 yard TD, one was just a hair too far (and had great coverage) and the third was a desperation pass at the end of the game.… Article continues here




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Week 16’s Longest Runs - Kaepernick, Hill, Lynch, Todman, Gore

Week 16 featured some incredible plays on the ground. I wanted to analyze how these plays were produced. This post will break down the runs by Kaepernick, Hill, Lynch, Todman, and Gore.

Play 1
Situation: 2nd and 3 at PHI 40
Description: Q3 - (2:40) (Shotgun) C.Kaepernick scrambles right end for 90 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on SD-M.Gilchrist, Illegal Contact, declined. P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Nelson, Holder-A.Lee.
All-22 View


Endzone View

Offensive Formation: Pistol Twins Right
Offensive Grouping: 12
Defensive Formation: Cover 1, man-to-man coverage on WRs and TEs

Kaepernick goes through his reads starting on the right side of the field watching TE45 Cleveland running a hitch route. Cleveland gets pushed to the ground illegally by SS38 Gilchrist since this contact was 5 yards past the line of scrimmage.

DT98 Lissemore throws C66 Martin out of the way on a bull-jerk from the 1-tech position. Kaepernick scrambles around him through the open hole between the center and the right guard.

Kaepernick then runs out of the pocket looking downfield setting up his running lanes.

Finally, FS32 Weddle is directly in front of Kaepernick attempting to make the open field tackle, but Kaepernick jukes him to the right completely avoiding the tackle.

As you can see, this play was the product of great running ability by Kaepernick with his juke move on Weddle and good downfield blocking by TE85 Davis who set the edge after Kaepernick decided to scramble.

Play 2
Situation: 2nd and 3 at PHI 40
Description: Q1 - (10:25) (Shotgun) J.Hill right tackle for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.… Article continues here




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RG3 Redeemed; Film Breakdown of His Passes versus the Eagles

RG3 showed very positive signs of improvement during his Week 16 match-up versus the Eagles. In this game, RG3 showed a better grasp of fundamental quarterbacking that he hasn’t shown all season. If RG3 continues to show these signs of progress, the Redskins should be confident in naming him their quarterback of the future.

Stats
RG3 - 16/23 for 220 yards (9.6 ypa), 0 TDs, 1 INTs, 1 fumbled snap, 2 sacks for 15 yards, and two-50+ yard bombs to DeSean Jackson

Offensive groupings are denoted as a two digit number, where the first digit represents the number of runnings backs, and the second number represents the number of tight ends in the set.
For example, “12” offensive grouping refers to 1 RB, 2 TE and 2 WRs.

Play 1
Situation: 2nd and 3 at PHI 40
Description: Q1 - (11:05) R.Griffin pass short left to D.Jackson pushed ob at PHI 33 for 7 yards (C.Williams).
All-22 View


Endzone View

Formation: Singleback Big
Offensive Grouping: 12

RG3 has Jackson and Garcon as his wide outs. Jackson runs a quick out underneath off-man coverage for a gain of 7 yards on the play.

Jackson makes a quick cut on the out-route and RG3 places the ball in stride. Quick, accurate throw to start the game.

Play 2
Situation: 2nd and 9 at PHI 32
Description: Q1 - (9:56) (Shotgun) R.Griffin pass short right to C.Thompson to PHI 30 for 2 yards (M.Kendricks).
All-22 View


Endzone View

Formation: Empty-set Shotgun
Offensive Grouping: 01

RG3 throws a quick WR screen pass to RB37 Thompson who lines up wide right.… Article continues here




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Ryan Kerrigan and the Double Swipe - 13.5 Sacks

The former Purdue standout, Ryan Kerrigan has put together an impressive season collecting a team-high 13.5 sacks in 15 games. This post will breakdown how he used a variety of pass rushing moves to record sacks, with the double-swipe as his most notable pass rushing move.

Stats - 13.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, 47 QB Hurries, #3 overall 3-4 outside linebacker in pass rushing productivity according to ProFootballFocus with +12.9 score

Play 1
Situation: 1st and 10 at JAX 43
Description: Q2 - (7:04) (No Huddle) C.Henne sacked at JAX 36 for -7 yards (R. Kerrigan). Penalty on JAX, Illegal Formation, declined.

Henne in singleback formation runs play-action bootleg to the right. Redskins rush four pass rushers with Kerrigan lining up as the left outside linebacker.

Kerrigan reads the handoff and only momentarilly gets pulled inside on the fake.

He then angles his pursuit to prevent QB Henne from running further outside of the pocket collecting the sack.

Play 2
Situation: 2nd and 10 at JAX 20
Description: Q3 - (8:24) C.Henne sacked at JAX 15 for -5 yards (R. Kerrigan).

The Redskins rush five pass rushers against Henne in I-formation. Kerrigan lines up wide left on the line of scrimmage.

Kerrigan takes three steps up the field. RT78 Bradfield steps outside in an attempt to block him on a speed rush around the edge, but Kerrigan wisely cuts inside on his third step taking advantage of the off-balancd Bradfield attempting to seal the edge from a speed rush.

RT Bradfield attempts to hook Kerrigan with his left arm, but Kerrigan shoves him off.… Article continues here




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Eddie Lacy Shines in Loss vs. Buffalo - 15 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD

Eddie Lacy faced a tough Bill’s defensive front featuring Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes and Marcell Dareus. In 16 touches, Lacy was able to muster 97 yards and a touchdown. He used hard cutting ability, and explosiveness through the holes provided by his interior offensive lineman. Extra credit goes to Packers’ center Linsley. These plays will breakdown his performance.

Stats - 15 carries, 97 yards (6.5 ypc), 1 TD

Play 1
Situation: 1st and 10 at GB 20
Description: Q1 - (15:00) E.Lacy left tackle to GB 32 for 12 yards (D.Williams, A.Williams).

Lacy is in offset-I formation running an HB Lead Dive between LG71 Sitton and C63 Linsley.

TE81 Quarless is the lead blocker and does a great job of blocking out LB53 Spikes.

Lacy shows his ability to set up his blocks by shifting to the right before he enters the hole to allow Quarless take a better angle at Spikes.

DT99 Dareus has been a run-stopping force for the Bills for years so the pulling of the center to allow LG71 Sitton a running start at the block was a good play design to negate the powerful nose tackle.

C63 Linsley does an excellent job blocking out LB53 Bradham.

Play 2
Situation: 1st and 10 at GB 32
Description: Q1 - (14:34) (Shotgun) E.Lacy left tackle to GB 35 for 3 yards (S.Gilmore, J.Hughes). BUF-S.Gilmore was injured during the play. S.Gilmore walks off.

Lacy in the pistol pro formation runs off-tackle to the left.

Immediately after the handoff, Lacy reads the interior hole between C63 Linsley and RG70 Lang.… Article continues here




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Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Redskins - 12 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TDs

Odell Beckham Jr. has taken the league by storm totaling 53 receptions, 757 yards and 5 TDs in the 8 weeks leading up to the Redskins game. Needless to say, Beckham represented a major challenge for the inept Redskins’ secondary. On the defensive side, Bashaud Breeland has shown a lot of promise as a starter as well, and this post will analyze their match-up as well as Beckham’s other receptions.

Stats:
Beckham (Total) - 12 receptions on 15 targets, 143 yards, 3 TDs
Beckham vs. Breeland - 3 catches allowed on 6 targets, 33 yards, 1 pass deflection
Beckham vs. Amerson - 5 catches allowed on 5 targets, 38 yards, 1 TD
Beckham vs. Biggers - 3 catches allowed on 3 targets, 51 yards, 2 TDs allowed

Right as soon as the game started and even before the first pass was thrown Breeland and Beckham get into a shoving match seen here:

This is the first of Breeland’s four penalties on the afternoon.

Play 1
Situation: 3rd and 2 at NYG 49
Description: Q1 - (13:16) (Shotgun) E.Manning pass incomplete short right to O.Beckham.

Beckham motions from the outside left to the outside right wide receiver position. After the snap, Beckham runs a quick out route underneath Breeland’s off-man coverage. Breeland closes in on Beckham to prevent him from staying in-bounds.

A quick out route is a good route underneath off-man coverage that the Redskins love to run. Good coverage by Breeland to prevent the gain on the play.

Play 2
Situation: 1st and 10 at NYG 44
Description: Q1 - (6:38) (Shotgun) E.Manning pass incomplete short right to O.Beckham (B.Breeland).… Article continues here




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Colt McCoy to IR; RG3 Passes vs Giants - 18/27, 236 yards, 1 TD

Colt McCoy reaggravated his neck versus the Giants in the first quarter, so RG3 stepped back in as the Redskins starter. RG3 performed well on the ground, but still struggled with decision-making in the pocket as a traditional quarterback. This breakdown will explain his plays.

Stats - 18/27, 236 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 5 rushes for 46 yards, 7 sacks for 47 yards, 3 Fumbles (1 lost)

Play 1
Situation: 2nd and 9 at WSH 34
Description: Q2 - (15:00) (Shotgun) R.Griffin pass short left to P.Garcon to WAS 39 for 5 yards (C.Brown).
Sideline View


Endzone View

RG3 in shotgun motions TE84 Paul from the right to the left side of the formation. Paul runs to the flat, while WR88 Garcon runs a quick out route.

This a very simple play to give the Redskins a more manageable 3rd down. Also, it forces RG3 to release the ball early to avoid the pressure by the Giants’ defensive line. Since RG3 hasn’t played a full game in three weeks this was probably also used as a confidence booster.

RG3 throws an accurate pass to pick up five yards on the play after reading that his first read Paul is covered.

Play 2
Situation: 3rd and 4 at WSH 39
Description: Q2 - (14:20) (Shotgun) R.Griffin sacked at WAS 31 for -8 yards (C.Jenkins).
Sideline View


Endzone View

Sack alert! RG3 in shotgun has trips bunch on his right with WR11 Jackson the lone WR on his left. RG3 snaps the ball and the pocket starts to close from the two edge rushers.… Article continues here




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Fletcher Cox: A Force on the Eagles’ Defensive Line - 11 tackles vs. Seahawks

Fletcher Cox has been an absolute force for the Eagles’ defensive line in their 2014 campaign. Against the Seahawks, Cox recorded 11 tackles and three quarterback hurries earning him a ProFootballFocus grade of +6.4 of which 6.2 came from his run defense score. These plays will break down Cox’s trench control and ability to shed blocks in pursuit of the Seahawks’ runningbacks.

Here is a breakdown of defensive techniques that will be used for this analysis:

Play 11
Situation: 2nd and 10 at PHI 31
Description: Q2 - (3:58) R.Turbin left end to PHI 32 for -1 yards (F.Cox).
Endzone View

Cox lines up in the 1-tech position. His run responsibility is the right A-gap between the center and the left guard. The Seahawks are in I-formation running a RB Dive, which is a running play where the RB follows the FB through the hole between the C and the LG.

Immdediately after the snap, Cox bullrushes the center and gets penetration into the backfield. Turbin sees Cox and bounces outside, but Cox and ROLB55 Graham chase him down for the 1 yard loss.

Great play by Cox. The center needs to be quicker on his feet to get better body positioning on Cox in order to block this in the future.

Play 16
Situation: 1st and 10 at SEA 30
Description: Q3 - (5:54) M.Lynch right tackle to SEA 30 for no gain (F.Cox).
Endzone View

Cox lines up in the 5-tech position. The Eagles have 8 men in the box, expecting a run on 1st and 10.… Article continues here




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