Month: October 2015

Link to my latest film breakdown leading up to the Ravens vs. 49ers game on Sunday:

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/10/16/9554237/the-49ers-offense-is-powerfully-simple

Check out my latest post on Baltimore Beatdown: http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/10/9/9479719/dont-sleep-on-the-browns-offense

Here’s a link to my latest post on Baltimore Beatdown. In it, I highlight 5 runs by Justin Forsett that helped get the run game back on track.

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/10/6/9462257/return-of-the-run-game?_ga=1.166908990.1693658432.1443670277

This will be a short post. I just wanted to share a nice pass rush from Ravens rookie Za’Darius Smith against the Bengals.  He didn’t sack Dalton, but does force him to leave the pocket.

Watch how he shocks the LG with his hands, then clubs him with his right arm and finishes with a rip and dip using his left arm and shoulder.

This is a really nice move and it’s a sign that he’s working hard on his technique. It may not have produced a sack, but if this move is any indication, he’s showing the tools to become an efficient pass rusher.

All teams have certain tendencies. Personnel, formations and plays they like to run based on down, distance, or other factors such as checks based on what the offense or defense is showing.

These 2 plays, one from the Raiders game and the other from the Bengals game, might show a Ravens’ defensive tendency that those two teams took advantage of.

Before we look at the video, let’s look at the formations.

Both formations appear to be 11 personnel (1RB, 1TE & 3Wrs). Both feature a single WR to the TE side (top of the screen on both pictures) and 2 WRs on the opposite side of the formation. Both teams are in the same general part of the field, inside the Ravens 20. The Raiders are in shotgun and the Bengals are under center. Now to the video.

Notice how SS Will Hill is down in the box as if he’s going to cover the TE or RB if one of the LBs bliztes. Also notice how FS Kendrick Lewis rotates to the middle of the field (MOF). Before the snap, the WR motions closer to the line. This tight split helps him gain inside position on the corner whose playing off. Hill and the LBs are sucked in by the run fake and this creates a seem for Carr to throw the ball. The WR makes an 18 yard reception on the 1 yard line.

Now take a look at the video from the Bengals game.

Again Hill is down in the box and Lewis rotates to the MOF. This time the Ravens rush Moseley off the TE side of the formation and Hill does cover the TE. The Bengals don’t use a run fake or motion the WR, but he still gets an inside release on the CB. The TE’s flat route also clears Hill out of the throwing lane. The result is similar to the play from the Raiders’ game. Only this time it’s a 20 yard pass for a TD.

I think the Ravens might have been aware of this tendency. The CB played closer to the WR and they brought pressure, but it wasn’t enough.

Tendency, tell, just coincidence? You be the judge. Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.