

Redskins Blocking Scheme

Discussion in 'Fan Zone' started by mahoneybill, Jan 7, 2013.

  1. mahoneybill

    mahoneybill Active Member

    625 Messages
    152 Likes Received
    Any insights as to why they are effective ?

    They seem to be able to move their opponent sideways, and never get
    called for holding while doing it...

    ABQCOWBOY Moderator Staff Member

    34,125 Messages
    1,286 Likes Received
    Well, Shannahan has historically had one of the very best Zone Blocking Schemes in Football. The problem is that it is hard to determine what you call moving the Defense "sideways by holding" and "Sliding" which is what you call the technique employed by a zone blocking scheme.

    In that scheme, you look for OLs who have very good feet, very good mobility and have the ability to implement Reach Block techniques. This is known as sliding. The idea is to create space by creating movement in the front seven and disrupt gap responsibility. This is why cutback runners do so well in this kind of scheme. This scheme is also famous for cut blocks. I don't love this scheme and I think it's dangerous but it's legal and very effective.
  3. CATCH17

    CATCH17 1st Round Pick

    27,134 Messages
    1,313 Likes Received
    As a defender you don't want an Olinemen to beat you to the outside and get you blocked.

    In a zone blocking scheme the defender can't make the right play. If he stays outside then the runner will try to cut under him. If he goes inside then the runner will try to stay outside.

    Demarco Murray is excellent in a zone scheme. It fits his strength as a runner. Hopefully our coaches will start playing him to his strengths.
  4. mahoneybill

    mahoneybill Active Member

    625 Messages
    152 Likes Received
    Thanks very comprehensive answer , especially the sliding part and reach
  5. mahoneybill

    mahoneybill Active Member

    625 Messages
    152 Likes Received
    Murray does seem to have that quick cut back ability. The more we can mix
    up our attack the better.

    Appreciate the insight on dilemma for defender.

    Seems to me the skins will use this going forward, and I'm trying to understand it better not having watched many Shanahan coached teams closely before
  6. mahoneybill

    mahoneybill Active Member

    625 Messages
    152 Likes Received
  7. superpunk

    superpunk Benched

    26,328 Messages
    73 Likes Received
    It's what Shanahan does.

    He came in from day 1 and said this is the plan, and went about building it. It took three years to get the right players in place but it's done and they'll be one of the better running teams in the league while he's there. Zone blocking is easy and unique and you can get away with not having blue chippers to do it. Just get on your man's hip and ride him to the sideline.

    OTOH, Jason Garrett has been here for six years running the offense. We've screwed around with the offensive line, invested resources in it before deciding in year 5 that we're bringing in Callahan, swapping our tackles and running some zone blocking ourselves.

    One coaching staff had a vision, and focused on implementing that vision.

    The other chases it's tail in futility. I can't wait to see what next year's "Hey what if we tried this?" idea is.
  8. Supercowboy1986

    Supercowboy1986 Active Member

    972 Messages
    97 Likes Received
    does houston use the same kind of blocking scheme? foster always has clean holes and alley ways to run through. Also kind of an off topic question but is Foster a "good" RB? or is he just a product of a good Oline like Alfred Morris ?
  9. Doomsday101

    Doomsday101 Well-Known Member

    74,832 Messages
    1,478 Likes Received
    Yes pretty much the same type of zone blocking used when Kubaik was in Denver.

    I think Foster and Morris are both good RB, they run with power and have decent speed. You will seldom see them go down with an arm tackle.

    I think the system is a big help to both RB but I also think they are quality players in their own right.
  10. mahoneybill

    mahoneybill Active Member

    625 Messages
    152 Likes Received
    Good to know this is a Denver carryover. Will watch the Houston game more closely with this in mind
  11. Aven8

    Aven8 Well-Known Member

    4,113 Messages
    737 Likes Received
    I've always said Felix would be a 1000 yd rusher every year in this type of scheme.
  12. Apollo Creed

    Apollo Creed Stackin and Processin, Well

    8,534 Messages
    391 Likes Received
    Good post, will get ignored.
  13. SkinsandTerps

    SkinsandTerps Redskins Forever

    7,384 Messages
    17 Likes Received
    To add to ABQ,

    The scheme is designed for the runner to have to have enough vision to make one cut to find the hole, and run "downhill".

    It stretches out the defensive line and also holds up linebackers. Putting the secondary on an island at times. Forces the defense to be more reactive than proactive.
  14. InmanRoshi

    InmanRoshi Zone Scribe

    18,334 Messages
    79 Likes Received

    We stuck with Hudson Houck for 5 years, which is pretty much the opposite of chasing your tail. If Garrett and the Cowboys think the franchise is better off going long term to a zone blocking scheme (and I think it's the wave of the future in the NFL), I'm glad they bit the bullet and did it. To stick with something for no other reason than we've been doing it in the past would be unimaginative and unadaptive and stagnant, would it not?

    And even if you're right, it's a crying over spilled argument. What's the pragmatic solution today? Change coaches and schemes again and wait another 3 years, the way Shanny needed 3 years to implement his scheme in Washington? Or let Callahan follow through without running him out of town mid-transition? Wouldn't that be chasing your tail?
  15. InmanRoshi

    InmanRoshi Zone Scribe

    18,334 Messages
    79 Likes Received
    There is no way Felix is staying healthy enough to be a 1000 yard rusher in any scheme. And he's certainly not doing it at this point in his career with what appears to be degenerative knees.
  16. Idgit

    Idgit Ice up, son. Ice up! Staff Member

    27,757 Messages
    3,742 Likes Received
    It's half a good post. Shanahan is a good coach. He's obviously got a scheme that delivers an effective running game. That's not a reflection on Garrett at all.

    The Skins aren't farther along than we are in the process. The front-loaded their talent acquisition, and they've got a good team that's capable of competing. So do we. Our plan in the offseason was a good one. It didn't pan out, but not because it wasn't thought out.

Share This Page