+- Atlanta Falcons Talk (http://atlantafalconstalk.com)
+-- Forum: Falcons Fans Message Boards (/Forum-Falcons-Fans-Message-Boards)
+--- Forum: Talk About The Falcons & So Much More (/Forum-Talk-About-The-Falcons-So-Much-More)
+--- Thread: Falcons: The Future Of Atlanta's Running Game (/Thread-Falcons-The-Future-Of-Atlanta-s-Running-Game)
The Future Of Atlanta's Running Game - FullMetalFalcon23 - 12-31-2011 10:22 PM
I have been thinking about this, and I really think if our O line is to evolve to a more proficient pass protection unit but also maintain a strong ground game we need to make greater use of the satellite or zone blocking scheme. We use it some but not in it's purest form. A good example of a efficient Zone / satellite unit is the Texans.
Currently we use our battering ram back. He is not a zone type guy. However Jaquizz is, a guy who can make multiple cuts and make his own yards that way is great. But it would be even better if we had an Oline in front of him who are playing rob that strength. Going one way then another. As you saw against Houston the zone or satellite scheme hamstrings aggressive penetration by the D line because they can get sucked in and countered. Additionally it stops the flow of linebackers being as heavy at the line as it makes it hard to read whether it is a pass or rush play due to the size of the Oline splits and the fact that the back could change direction in the backfield as planned.
This scheme forces teams to read and react to what you are doing and I believe that it should be the way the falcons play in the future to give Matt an advantage in the pocket by easing defensive pressure on the pocket through the problems that the scheme creates. Now if our linemen involved can play at a high level I believe the results with a back like Jaquizz and others and our passing game will be promising.
I have played against the exact satellite scheme used by the Broncos during their superbowls, as the full back at the time became the offensive coach of a team here in Britain. It is a fucking nightmare having to guess who is going to block you, logic would say you line up over centre the centre will block you but it could be the guard who comes for your ass or the guard goes to the second level and the opposite guard pulls hard takes your tackle out and you are blocked in by a tackle. Worse yet playing as an OLB I was blocked by the guard the tight end and the fullback in the same play.
The other upside to the zone or satellite is that it naturally lends itself to the screen game. Because the linemen this system move to where they want the run to go or a misdirection point, should a defense decide to play the system with an aggressive front or blitzing, that line is already capable of setting up quick inside screens and outside ones as well.
The scheme puts your team at an advantage before the olines physical and mental talents do, and if the linemen are putting you in a one up then it makes it easier for your skill positions to be effective.
The scheme does require athletic linemen, but our O line is going to go through a change in the next few years, new names and faces, this system may be possible. A guy like Jaquizz and these modern NFL backs will be less effective behind our current style line, and if they can't run then it puts more pressure on the passing game.
Thanks for reading.
RE: The Future Of Atlanta's Running Game - Knight of God - 01-01-2012 02:09 AM
Good post +1
RE: The Future Of Atlanta's Running Game - JDaveG - 01-01-2012 09:22 AM
My recollection is when we used to use that scheme as our base, our run game was awesome and our pass protection was garbage. That MIGHT have been Vick holding the football too long, but I'm not sure I'm ready to risk that.
I do confess, though, watching Houston run all over us with our D-linemen flat on their face helpless to do anything about it and our LBs being cleared out into the next level so the RB only had to make 1 cut and turn it straight downhill was awful. I'd prefer to be on the other end of the "awful/awesome" scale.