Pease and Zone Defense v Jared Goff

[rbmw263]

One thing that has been readily apparent this year, is we have run more zone d that I can ever really remember. I also feel like passes to the most open receivers have come against the zone (though confirmation bias possible). This is weird because I feel like we have the talent to man up pretty well. Am I missing something? Have our guys struggled playing man this year? Im worried what Goff will do if we sit back in zone all night. It goes completely against our MO to play this much zone. Its strange. And we’ve been giving up quite a bit of pass yardage to pretty mediocre QB’s so far. Something that really has my attention heading into this game.

What im hoping, is the coaching staff recognized that we werent going to face a true passing threat until this Cal game, and have been throwing Cal off the scent by playing heavy zone. I wouldnt put it past them really, with the way they held back before the Oregon game offensively, look for them to completely switch up the look vs Goff this weekend.

Side note, I didnt notice Corey Butler play much defense last weekend, if at all. Seemed like he was almost exclusively offense. I did like how much separation he was getting against their, albeit weak, secondary. I havent listened to much 700 in the last week. Have they talked about it much? Any insight into this from any coaches? (though I wouldnt expect them to talk about it). Seems like this hasnt been talked about much, but I thought it was a significant change.

[Hockeybeard]

Zone schemes help against the run. Pease’s first priority (out of his own mouth) is to stop the run. However, I’d argue that we are running more man looks this year vs. last. Last year, I thought Kalani bought into the hype of zone blitzes and really went wild with them – the point where Nate Orchard was asked to drop back and play in coverage (why take your best pass rusher out of the equation?).

This year, our defense is playing more straight up, less blitzes, and keeping things infront while smothering the opponents run game. This requires the opponent to rely on the pass, which allows for more mistakes (right read, right throw, right route, right catch, no defensive coverage, etc.). Its easy for offenses to move between the 30’s, even on our defense, but its damn hard to get past that and into the endzone.

[oc_ute]

is it just me or does it also look like the DL is playing a little less bull rush/quick penetration and a little more containment where they make sure nothing gets by them? for example, there was a play at O where Fitts just stood there and the play came right to him. fewer sacks in this scheme but easier to contain the run if you can simply play off the block.

[Hockeybeard]

I think that has been more a result of us playing mobile quarterbacks than anything else. Chuckie, and Adams/Lockie we wanted to make sure our run lanes and gaps were secure, and then pressure was 2ndary to that. This week, I think we’ll see more of the same, but the front guys will be able to get a good push. Add in that Dimick is hopefully 100% by Saturday, and we’re going to see a good front line D go up against a Cal OLine that has looked suspect.

[rbmw263]

One thing that has been very apparent, though, is there is room in our secondary. I agree the scheme has been solid in containment and keeping things in front of them. But im nervous about what happens when we face an elite passing game with that space back there.

Pease said his first priority is to stop the run, but now that we are facing an air raid, it will be interesting to see how his scheme adapts.

[Hockeybeard]

Agreed – I’m thinking we are going to see some less traditional blitzes, and more blitzes from the corners to put instant pressure on the QB. One thing is certain – Goff has done well with pressure in his face, but does not do so well when he is forced out of the pocket.

[Tony (admin)]

We’ve been burned deep, but due to QB inaccuracy we haven’t had to pay the price yet. That’s my worry on D.

[Hockeybeard]

QB inaccuracy, or pressure by the front seven? I see the Mich game as us gambling that our Def front would get enough pressure on Rudock to hurry the throws. Look at Rudock now, he’s a pretty good quarterback for Mich – to the tune of 4 straight wins.

[Tony (admin)]

@Hockeybeard I’ve watched three of their games now. He’s not a very good passer. They’re winning with defense and a solid rushing game.

[Damage U]

Seems fitting to put this here.

Quote from Kyle Goon via Twitter;
Dimick on D-line holding back some schemes: “It kind of sucks not being able to do everything you want, but we trust our coaches.”

[Hockeybeard]

I read this as meaning the DLine is going to focus on getting hands into passing lanes. If Cal is going to go to their quick pass game to counter-act our strong front 7, then our front 7 is going to make it hard for Goff to throw the short and intermediate routes. 5 guys with their hands up trying to muck up passing lanes is going to make a nightmare for a QB trying to get the quick slant or out route off.

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