Big Blue Huddle

Can anyone nail down the year?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3QNIW452U

Excellent summary of the combine and all of it's events

http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/draft/combine.htm

With the Combines approaching, this seemed like a good video.  It explains the test and has comments from coaches and GMs and players about the test.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2634763507442816912&q=nfl+combines&total=136&start=20&num=20&so=1&type=search&plindex=3

Pretty good stuff

http://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=277047

Here is another good video explaining and showing how the 4-3 stop the run, this time with 8 men in the box.  Note- This coach seems to switch the terms Weak and Strong linebackers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRB_asdJBUA

What do you guys think of this write up?   First off a screen play is an outside behind the scrimmage pass play.  It's designed to take advantage of aggressive defenses.  It does this by allowing D-Linemen to penatrate and then throwing outside their penatration.   The receiver can either be a running back (the traditional screen) or a wide receiver (the bubble screen).   

Here is an animation of a bubble screen

http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/football101/BubbleScreen.swf

here is an animation of a traditional screen

http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/football101/SlowScreen.swf

Now here some links to some good articles covering the screen pass.   Also I would love to get some input from some of the other Xs and Os guys

http://espn.go.com/ncf/columns/davie/1433797.html

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2007/08/06/ramblings/strategy-minicamps/5260/

Pat Kirwin does a great job explaining the use of the double inside blitz, in the Philly game.  He goes on to explain what could be done to counter it and what was done.  Plenty of good diagrams to help explain things.   

www.nfl.com/goto?id=09000d5d803c0bed

It's all about the game.  Anything to do with Xs and Os or other similar topics is welcome here.  If you have a question, post it and others will answer.  If you want to help educate others, post a thread.   If you want to talk about a topic, just post it up.

I know when I started to try and learn more about football, this was one of the first things I felt I needed to master.  You will often hear the names of various routes used by announcers, players and writers.   I will tell you that it's complicated concept.  You have what's called a passing tree.  What that is, is that routes are all listed, usually with numbers assigned to them.  Secondly you often will have a different passing tree for WRs, RBs and TEs.    Finally the names of routes are not universal and will vary from coach to coach.   I will start out with a passing tree that covers most of the positions.

Found this excellent summary of pass rushing and pass blocking techniques.

Techniques of pass blocking

1. Rider:
Blocking uses the rushers reactions and momentum to keep him out of the pocket. He relies on his balance, maneuverability and use of his hands to ward off hand grabs. He is most susceptible to the shoulder and quick drive, with a counter move off of each.

2. Pop & recoil:
This technique is used to stop the overpowering type player. It is an aggressive head block from the numbers up under the chin and recoiling back to position for a follow up, pop, cut or ride. He is susceptible to the pull and swipe. Quickness in getting by this type blocker before he can regain his recoil position is important.

3. Set & cut:
Generally employed by shorter players often used on short passes and as a change of pace for the overpowering type rusher and arm swiper. The use of the hands in pulling this blocker aside or head faking with a pull is effective. A rusher should jump or limp-leg this blocker occasionally. Always strive to get one leg over the cut block to insure maximum recoverability.

4. Aggressive:
This is a butt block used on play action passes. The fake of a run to disguise the pass holds the defender momentarily; however, the blocker generally is over extended and easily pulled or thrown off balance.

5. Quick action:
An aggressive head block through the groin designed to tie up the legs and keep the hands down on short passes. This technique is susceptible to quick pull or jumping over blocker.

Pass rush techniques

1. Shoulder drive:
Strong surge over outside shoulder of offensive lineman. It is designed to defeat the rider type blocker that lacks strength or sets inside too much. This is an all-out assault to whip your man physically, and must your first technique because it sets your man for all other escape moves.


No head fakes, pull or throw, but simply a Power thrust at the point where the QB sets up.
Force the blocker back into the QB.
Once you have been successful you have forced the blocker to commit his strength to stop you. He is ready for the fake shoulder drive and throw off-shoulder, arm and hand swipe.
It is vital that the inside shoulder is forward and under the blocker and hold your leverage and momentum throughout the drive.

2. Quick drive:
This is the speed escape designed to outrun the blocker that sets inside too much, has slow footwork or crosses over to engage the rusher. Should also be used when QB does not step back into the pocket to give blocker advantage.


It is to your advantage to widen your position slightly or drive directly upfield to avoid immediate contact with blocker. You are sprinting to a point and attempting to defeat your opponents poor footwork and quickness. The ideal time to exploit this is on an inside blitz.
Jerk blocker towards l.o.s. simultaneously stepping away from him on the side you intend to escape.
A quick head fake inside your initial move is often effective.

3. Counter:
This move is opposite the throw. You are faking a rush and pulling the blocker that sets towards you or to l.o.s. it is good against pop and recoil type, aggressive control or one who gets his head down and his weight committed forward.


Fake an inside or out rush with a strong hand grab n the shoulder pads good head fake important.
Jerk blocker towards l.o.s simultaneously stepping away form him on side you intend to escape.

4. Swim:
Charge the blockers outside and grand pull his shoulders with your outside hand. Simultaneously with this pull, reach over his shoulder with your inside arm and catapult yourself free from his block in the direction of the passer.


An inside head fake is a good combination as it is an even more effective technique if the blocker is leading away form your move.
Along with the reaching technique, the rusher should combine a quick thrust.

http://www.nflhs.com/tipsdrills/PositionIndex/dl2_06302006_jjc.asp

Excellent Xs and Os analysis of Favre's last throw of the 2007 season.  It looks like a poor throw by Favre was the real problem, not great play by Webster.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80638d16

Granted it's at the college level, but it's good reading on all sorts of technical topics

http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/

Here are a couple of good articles that cover the basics of special teams play.   Any comments or questions?

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2006/06/28/ramblings/strategy-minicamps/3981/

and

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2006/07/05/ramblings/strategy-minicamps/3995/

New York Giants Road to Super Bowl XLII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRIVrGTSSe8

In honor of this year's NFC Championship win, h... (more)
Added: January 21, 2008
In honor of this year's NFC Championship win, here's a look back at some of the greatest players ever to play for Big Blue. The music used is "Unstoppable" by the composing team ES Posthumus, the musicians responsible for the NFL on CBS theme



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p9ATW3vuWU

I am sure most of you have a rough idea what hot reads are.  This video helps to explain and better understand the concept.   It's based on the WC offense and a 5 step drop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyviJJJPEfc

Part 2 of the video explaining this concept.  It's based on a West Coast offense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8BHAzWTYbc

Anybody else here remember the 62 Championship Game
VA Jints : 9:13 am
against the Packers. I do and if my memory serves me correctly, in those days they alternated locations and it was the Giants turn to be home.

In 1961, we were beaten badly by Green Bay and we all thought it was because of the cold weather. And we thought the 1962 game would be different because in New York, the weather wouldn't be so bad.

But it was very cold and windy that day in Yankee Stadium and we lost 16-7 (?).

They didn't televise home games in those days so we had to go to my uncle's home who was able to turn his antenna around so we could watch the game.

I was 15 and heart broken. But that was the last time we faced the Packers in the Playoffs.

It is supposed to be cold this weekend in Green Bay. My wife is from that area and we travel there often to see her family. And when it is cold there, it is cold.

Hope we don't see another Ice Bowl.

http://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=267858

Tim Gardner was one of Southern Methodist University's star football players.

This series of videos (each about a minute and a half long) explains many of the advanced techniques of football.  He covers things like proper reads by the safety, how to properly catch the ball, hold, back pedal, wr route running and other topics.  It's a worth watching and I think it helps to better evaluate players.

http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/videos/advanced-football-ball-positioning.htm

Here is a sample of one of the videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ZfjlKxFGM&feature=related

Basic run defense against 1 back sets, with seven men in the box.  Plus there are live action examples.  Again I believe the Sam and Will designations are reversed by this coach.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkyMfYZqQA

Basic run defense against 2 back sets, with seven men in the box.  Again I believe the Sam and Will designations are reversed by this coach.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WykzjWAo8A

This will be a 3 part series.  The first covers the basic alignment.  Now the only thing is this coach seems to switch the names/roles of the Will and Sam backers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1e3vvBnAgM

It's also helpful to know your letter gap designation and the number alignment designations.

GAPS:



ALIGNMENTS:

Nice link covering all the franchises that have been part of the NFL

http://www.sportspool.com/football/nfl_history/nfl_football_franchise_history.php

Brought to you by Sohio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsogbQbMBjw

I think this might prove to be a good excercise for the group.  The PR has been around for many years.  During that time the game has changed significantly.  I wonder if we put our heads together we good produce a better modern one.  Anyone game?

For reference, here is the current formula

The NFL rates its passers for statistical purposes against a fixed performance standard based on statistical achievements of all qualified pro passers since 1960. The current system replaced one that rated passers in relation to their position in a total group based on various criteria.

The current system, which was adopted in 1973, removes inequities that existed in the former method and, at the same time, provides a means of comparing passing performances from one season to the next.

It is important to remember that the system is used to rate passers, not quarterbacks. Statistics do not reflect leadership, play-calling, and other intangible factors that go into making a successful professional quarterback.

Four categories are used as a basis for compiling a rating:
1. Percentage of completions per attempt
2. Average yards gained per attempt
3. Percentage of touchdown passes per attempt
4. Percentage of interceptions per attempt

The average standard, is 1.000. The bottom is .000. To earn a 2.000 rating, a passer must perform at exceptional levels, i.e., 70 percent in completions, 10 percent in touchdowns, 1.5 percent in interceptions, and 11 yards average gain per pass attempt. The maximum a passer can receive in any category is 2.375.

For example, to gain a 2.375 in completion percentage, a passer would have to complete 77.5 percent of his passes. The NFL record is 70.55 by Ken Anderson (Cincinnati, 1982).

To earn a 2.375 in percentage of touchdowns, a passer would have to achieve a percentage of 11.9. The record is 13.9 by Sid Luckman (Chicago, 1943).

To gain 2.375 in percentage of interceptions, a passer would have to go the entire season without an interception. The 2.375 figure in average yards is 12.50, compared with the NFL record of 11.17 by Tommy O'Connell (Cleveland, 1957).

In order to make the rating more understandable, the point rating is then converted into a scale of 100. In rare cases, where statistical performance has been superior, it is possible for a passer to surpass a 100 rating.

For example, take Steve Young's record-setting season in 1994 when he completed 324 of 461 passes for 3,969 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

The four calculations would be:

Percentage of Completions

What do people feel are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each?

Which do you prefer?  Why?

Here is something to kick off the board:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irNYNOtJUFU

It's always helpful to understand and be able to use the proper terms.  Here are some websites that define most of the terms used.

http://insidethepylon.com/football-term-glossary/

http://www.4malamute.com/definitions101.html

The orgin of the Gatorade dunk.  More to it than I thought.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=rovell/051014

This the CBS Sports intro and outro from The Giants-Jets game from December 18, 1988. In a game won by the Jets 27-21 costing the Giants the NFC East Division title and a playoff spot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dvqe9F4q8o