Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Official Bishop Sankey - Best RB in the 2014 Draft (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Brewtown
- Start date
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
[SIZE=10pt]Bishop Sankey snaps and stats by game:[/SIZE]
TAM 23 38.3% 12 rushing attempts 74 yards 6.17ypc 1TD 3 targets 2 receptions 12 yards 1TD
CLE 32 40.0% 12 rushing attempts 42 yards 3.50ypc 0TD 2 targets 0 receptions
IND 19 23.5% 5 rushing attempts 10 yards 2.00ypc 0TD 2 targets 2 receptions 31 yards
BUF 23 33.3% 7 rushing attempts 20 yards 2.86ypc 0TD 3 targets 3 receptions 23 yards
MIA 18 26.1% 3 rushing attempts 13 yards 4.33ypc 0TD 3 targets 1 reception 7 yards
ATL 2 3.7%
HOU 2 3.1%
CAR 3 6.5% 2 rushing attempts 7 yards 3.5ypc
OAK 1 1.6%
JAX 3 4.3% 1 target 0 receptions
NYJ 0 0.0%
TAM 23 38.3% 12 rushing attempts 74 yards 6.17ypc 1TD 3 targets 2 receptions 12 yards 1TD
CLE 32 40.0% 12 rushing attempts 42 yards 3.50ypc 0TD 2 targets 0 receptions
IND 19 23.5% 5 rushing attempts 10 yards 2.00ypc 0TD 2 targets 2 receptions 31 yards
BUF 23 33.3% 7 rushing attempts 20 yards 2.86ypc 0TD 3 targets 3 receptions 23 yards
MIA 18 26.1% 3 rushing attempts 13 yards 4.33ypc 0TD 3 targets 1 reception 7 yards
ATL 2 3.7%
HOU 2 3.1%
CAR 3 6.5% 2 rushing attempts 7 yards 3.5ypc
OAK 1 1.6%
JAX 3 4.3% 1 target 0 receptions
NYJ 0 0.0%
Last edited by a moderator:
All summer they used the FB(three FBs and occasionally Andrews as FB even)
Whisenhunt had this dopey obsession (which Mularkey agrees with and continued) to use a single back set with either two or three TEs.
He (and Cobb) can't run without a FB.
Often times, he ran into a wall.
He had a handful of runs where he is right at the hole and then stops and does this tip toe dance.
He did it last year and it infuriated Whis. He seemed to be out of this bad nervous habit, but once the season started he did it again.
He gets pulled and new guy West doesn't have a clue where he's going but hits it hard.
That was everything Whis wanted from Sankey, a whole I told ya so with Leon in 2014 and we're onto week 3.
Andrews (who had an amazing camp becoming depth at numerous positions to make him coach's pet) returns. He's not looked at as the featured back but the get'r done guy.
Now look at Sankey's numbers- 5 for 10, 7 for 20, 3 for 13. They're not very good at all.
Amidst this-
West fumbled a couple times and Whis turned into Don Shula, not playing him and thus ending his time in TEN.
Sankey did his dance moves and had at least two gimmes dropped and whiffed on a block which twitter blew up about.
Poutasi and Warmack allowed a slew of sacks, their C got hurt and it was a definite frustrating high point.
Not a good line. Not a quality line where you can have normal expectations.
Andrews hits the hole and/or makes his own. He catches everything and picks up the blitz best of all. At this point he is about awarded the starting spot for NOT being a problem for Whis.
Mariota got hurt bringing Mett on. They switched the OL around, poorly. They picked up a FA C, who no team wanted, and played him right away.
Whis' head is on the chopping block.
There was no way he was going to the RB that can't hit the hole.
*****************
Hindsight-
Battle was very good to excellent and he barely played.
When Fowler is in, the backs average roughly 5 ypc which would be nearly 6 if not for TDs wrecking the average.
Neighbors was nicknamed Tank. What's not to like about a FB nicknamed tank?
Boren was a fine pickup
Klug is a DT that can lead the way.
Andrews learned this spot in 2014 just to help make the team.
In hindsight, Whis is a not nice word for not recognizing an exceptional wealth at FB and forcing them to run the single back set.
Their line was so terrible in 2014 that he would show no confidence in them whatsoever despite a makeover and feel the need to have EIGHT on the line with the 3 TE set.
It's garbage and surely one reason why he's not coaching.
Watch Cobb- he doesn't do the happy feet move but otherwise he's Sankey's twin and lost without a FB. Mularkey and OC Michael continue with 3 TE set, limit his touches, and give them to a 3rd down scat back type.
*******
Because I'm ranting...Fowler was a fairly highly rated RB that didn't want to fight a crowd at RB at Alabama so he played FB. He got carries this summer. He is an excellent receiver that lined up in the slot. All this made people react like ohhhhh that's why they drafted him so highly. He plays like 9 plays a game.
*********
If they made Sankey the starter and gave him 30 carries the next few weeks. He would still stink because they won't give him a FB and he can't roll in the single-back set.
If they had any reasonable OC they'd use a FB. They don't.
If they had a creative OC, they'd use Sankey and Fowler/Andrews at FB and force the D to account for two threats. They don't.
You guys are wanting a square peg round hole here. And week one where he did well....Fowler had 45 snaps
cstu
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Bri you make an interesting observation regarding the use of a FB.
What is a bit strange to me about this is that Sankey was used almost exclusively as a single back out of a spread system in college. So he didn't need a FB to be successful before. Why now?
What is a bit strange to me about this is that Sankey was used almost exclusively as a single back out of a spread system in college. So he didn't need a FB to be successful before. Why now?
Eight OL because their line stinks.cstu said:
Remember week 3 or 4? They had a last second play from roughly the 2 or 3.
They put in their jumbo package which was Klug leading for Fowler.
Bell(at LG) and Lewan got oWned. Klug took out 1 of 3 defenders but that left two. Fowler put on the brakes and ran backwards trying to make something. Ultimately he flipped it to Mariota maybe 20-30 yards back and it was an ugly ugly play.
In a normal scenario it would have been the ugliest run ever so everyone jumped all over it hypercritical and ignoring there was no time left. At the point where he turned around he was a couple yards behind the LOS and the C and RG had just been beaten by their DL so it was he against 4.
This was about the time Whis about had it with Sankey and Andrews came back and the first time the OL was switched all up.
They also used the 3 TEs more after this and Mularkey was the TE coach like leaning on his boys more.
I figure it was an overreaction, he said something that lumped them in with the others and kept carrying it thru.
AFAIK only one other attempt with Klug as lead blocker had been unsuccessful in two years including preseason. 18 of 20? guess...ya don't bench that!
Regardless of all of this, Mularkey should be seeing stats or game tape that shows how well they run with him. It seems like regardless if it's some guy on a MB, twitter, or a site ya know they're always around 5-6 ypc.
What I consider Titans football the way Whis and fans wanted occurred a couple weeks ago. Andrews had a 10-15 yard run and then a 22 yard run, took hits, hit defenders and a whole rumbling angry at the ground type run all the while Stevens nailed his DL and ran with him to block. I'd take just about any back in football if Fowler and Stevens are leading the way in the open field.
Because Michael is so clueless about Andrews having a hot hand even though he coached at WKU, they stopped and went to forcing it to Douglas and Walker.
3rd or 4th time I saw something like that. It does seem Andrews might need to start it so...who cares. I feel like I can guarantee if they kept doing that Cobb, Sankey, and McCluster could have subbed in and benefited. The line could have got some confidence and maybe Warmack starts to show his amazing talent. Stevens has always been a gem if you get his motor going. Really such a shame. It was there and they had momentum but every single time they messed it up.
You said this another time and are the only one that says so.Biabreakable said:
When I see him on youtube he either has FB or a TE shifts a step back and becomes the h-back lead back.
I don't have access to full games but if I'm going by youtube highlights...there's more evidence he's a gem with a FB.
I think Fluellen gets in sooner than later.
Maybe Sankey gets a week here.
Yannick, Tavai, Turzilli, Spain, and McBride have done pretty well in recent weeks. Why not put another camp high effort guy in?
Also fits the same line as Andrews, playing him late for his efforts on the PS all year.
He can play KR, FB, or RB so he could be a "just put me in coach" guy
Maybe Sankey gets a week here.
Yannick, Tavai, Turzilli, Spain, and McBride have done pretty well in recent weeks. Why not put another camp high effort guy in?
Also fits the same line as Andrews, playing him late for his efforts on the PS all year.
He can play KR, FB, or RB so he could be a "just put me in coach" guy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Here are the draft break down cut ups of Sankey that I have watched Bri
Your comments have me watching these clips again now however what I recall is Sankey was used in the pistol and single back for most of his plays. Watching the Boise state game and they are running Sankey out of the pistol even at the goal line.
Your comments have me watching these clips again now however what I recall is Sankey was used in the pistol and single back for most of his plays. Watching the Boise state game and they are running Sankey out of the pistol even at the goal line.
Last edited by a moderator:
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Bri I was thinking about your comments regarding the use of a FB and other comments about Sankey perhaps being a better RB in a power or man blocking scheme. So I watched these draft breakdown clips again with these things in mind, trying to focus on the offensive line and how they block these plays as well as the formations being used and how often guards pull or other players pull. Also if they use a FB or not. The Huskies according to what I have read and also observed run a zone blocking system out of a spread pistol formation. They are more of a running team than a passing team, the spread is used to help identify the defense with some presnap motion. They threaten to run with the QB as well with some zone read concepts that work well with their normal running plays.
I watched Boise 2013 and pretty much all of Sankeys runs were out of the pistol formation, either an inside or outside zone run with one instance of a pulling guard.
Then I watched the Illinois game which was pretty much the same, Sankey runs out of the pistol formation, there were 2 plays where they ran power pulling a guard to the outside, one of them was a pretty good run by Sankey but certainly not his best run of the game which happened on inside or outside zone runs.
Then I watched the game against Oregon state 2013 on Sankey’s second run there is a H back who motions before the snap (Pistol w a QB who runs sometimes) and seals a LB to the outside on Sankey’s run. The play looks like zone blocking to me and the LB who the H back seals to the outside was playing outside contain anyways, so I don’t think he would have gotten to the hole quick enough that Sankey’s run back inside would have allowed him to make the play. The TD is an inside zone run here. 3 more inside zone runs (one he scores again on. All of these plays are out of the pistol formation. One of those three there was a H back lined up in the backfield, but he motions to the outside before the snap and the run goes the other direction. There are a lot of times where they are faking the end around with a WR before they run with Sankey.
On 2nd and 10 they run Sankey out of an offset I with the QB still in the pistol and the run is not very successful. His next run the offense is backed up 2 yards from their own goal line. Pistol with a FB who Sankey follows for no gain. 2nd and 10 the QB is in the shotgun with Sankey and a Hback on either side, the play is an inside zone run with the FB blocking the LB in the hole which allows Sankey to side step them and gain 9 yards. 3rd and 1 2 WR 1TE 1 FB the FB motions to the play side before the snap and the left guard pulls to the right the FB makes a key block in the hole before the guard can get there, the free defender fails to tackle Sankey and he is gone for a big run. A couple more inside zone runs then they run a play with 3 WR (one is a TE or Hback) in a bunch on the left side before the play, the Hback (Joshua Perkins btw) and the LG pull to the right side. The guard misses his block but Perkins seals the outside defender in the backfield giving Sankey enough room to get around the LB who the guard missed and get the 1st down.
1st and 10 in scoring range they use Perkins in the backfield like a FB and they have him block the RDE on what I would think would be the backside of the play, yes the play is an inside zone run to the right with players blocking down the line to the right. The right guard gets pushed into the backfield by the NT which is why Sankey tries to cut to the backside of the play. The FB barely slows the end with a cut block yet Sankey tries to run there anyways because he cant run through his guard and the NT no gain. Sankey has a nice run on an inside zone. Sankey plays FB for his QB getting a nice block on the LB for a designed QB run. 3rd and 1 Pistol formation 82 comes in motion to the right before the snap, he is at a level closer to the line than the QB is. The play is an off tackle run to the right. 82 makes a nice block on the outside defender allowing Sankey to hit this run where the hole is supposed to be for a 1st down. Run left out of the pistol where the LG pulls and ends up blocking the RDE, I think this is an inside zone because the center peels off once he sees that the NT is blocked. Sankey out runs the center who didn’t get on either of the 2 defenders in front of him 7 yards. 2nd and 3 the Huskies pull their LG and the Center to the left who pick up defenders around the LOS and Sankey has to cut the play back inside. He uses a spin move to make the first defender miss, but only gets another yard or two out of this. 1st and 10 pistol with 82 as a FB. Who motions to the left before the snap The run is an outside zone to the left but 82 to gets met at the LOS and Sankey ends up cutting the play back to the right for 7 yards.
On a 3rd and long the play ends up a dump off pass to Sankey in the right flat but he drops the ball.
1st and 10 the Huskies are winning this game 27 to 0 in the 3rd quarter now. The play is a run to the right with the center and the right guard pulling out to the right. One of the defenders pushes ASJ back into the two pulling linemen disrupting the play and Sankey gets 2 yards out of this. 2nd and 8 they pull the left guard to the right side who blocks a defender in the backfield and Sankey gets seven yards out of this somewhat broken play. 3rd and 1 pistol inside zone run for 3 yards and the 1st down. 2nd and 5 they pull the LT to the right who blocks a defender back to the outside, Sankey runs straight forward behind the line then sneaks out to the right and then just runs fast enough to beat the LB at the hole for the TD.
Sorry the 3rd game I watched description got so long. This was the first game where I thought they used some power man blocking and/or a FB enough to be worth mentioning. I would say that game had an even split between zone blocking and man and there was a bit more use of a FB than the other two games.
I watched Boise 2013 and pretty much all of Sankeys runs were out of the pistol formation, either an inside or outside zone run with one instance of a pulling guard.
Then I watched the Illinois game which was pretty much the same, Sankey runs out of the pistol formation, there were 2 plays where they ran power pulling a guard to the outside, one of them was a pretty good run by Sankey but certainly not his best run of the game which happened on inside or outside zone runs.
Then I watched the game against Oregon state 2013 on Sankey’s second run there is a H back who motions before the snap (Pistol w a QB who runs sometimes) and seals a LB to the outside on Sankey’s run. The play looks like zone blocking to me and the LB who the H back seals to the outside was playing outside contain anyways, so I don’t think he would have gotten to the hole quick enough that Sankey’s run back inside would have allowed him to make the play. The TD is an inside zone run here. 3 more inside zone runs (one he scores again on. All of these plays are out of the pistol formation. One of those three there was a H back lined up in the backfield, but he motions to the outside before the snap and the run goes the other direction. There are a lot of times where they are faking the end around with a WR before they run with Sankey.
On 2nd and 10 they run Sankey out of an offset I with the QB still in the pistol and the run is not very successful. His next run the offense is backed up 2 yards from their own goal line. Pistol with a FB who Sankey follows for no gain. 2nd and 10 the QB is in the shotgun with Sankey and a Hback on either side, the play is an inside zone run with the FB blocking the LB in the hole which allows Sankey to side step them and gain 9 yards. 3rd and 1 2 WR 1TE 1 FB the FB motions to the play side before the snap and the left guard pulls to the right the FB makes a key block in the hole before the guard can get there, the free defender fails to tackle Sankey and he is gone for a big run. A couple more inside zone runs then they run a play with 3 WR (one is a TE or Hback) in a bunch on the left side before the play, the Hback (Joshua Perkins btw) and the LG pull to the right side. The guard misses his block but Perkins seals the outside defender in the backfield giving Sankey enough room to get around the LB who the guard missed and get the 1st down.
1st and 10 in scoring range they use Perkins in the backfield like a FB and they have him block the RDE on what I would think would be the backside of the play, yes the play is an inside zone run to the right with players blocking down the line to the right. The right guard gets pushed into the backfield by the NT which is why Sankey tries to cut to the backside of the play. The FB barely slows the end with a cut block yet Sankey tries to run there anyways because he cant run through his guard and the NT no gain. Sankey has a nice run on an inside zone. Sankey plays FB for his QB getting a nice block on the LB for a designed QB run. 3rd and 1 Pistol formation 82 comes in motion to the right before the snap, he is at a level closer to the line than the QB is. The play is an off tackle run to the right. 82 makes a nice block on the outside defender allowing Sankey to hit this run where the hole is supposed to be for a 1st down. Run left out of the pistol where the LG pulls and ends up blocking the RDE, I think this is an inside zone because the center peels off once he sees that the NT is blocked. Sankey out runs the center who didn’t get on either of the 2 defenders in front of him 7 yards. 2nd and 3 the Huskies pull their LG and the Center to the left who pick up defenders around the LOS and Sankey has to cut the play back inside. He uses a spin move to make the first defender miss, but only gets another yard or two out of this. 1st and 10 pistol with 82 as a FB. Who motions to the left before the snap The run is an outside zone to the left but 82 to gets met at the LOS and Sankey ends up cutting the play back to the right for 7 yards.
On a 3rd and long the play ends up a dump off pass to Sankey in the right flat but he drops the ball.
1st and 10 the Huskies are winning this game 27 to 0 in the 3rd quarter now. The play is a run to the right with the center and the right guard pulling out to the right. One of the defenders pushes ASJ back into the two pulling linemen disrupting the play and Sankey gets 2 yards out of this. 2nd and 8 they pull the left guard to the right side who blocks a defender in the backfield and Sankey gets seven yards out of this somewhat broken play. 3rd and 1 pistol inside zone run for 3 yards and the 1st down. 2nd and 5 they pull the LT to the right who blocks a defender back to the outside, Sankey runs straight forward behind the line then sneaks out to the right and then just runs fast enough to beat the LB at the hole for the TD.
Sorry the 3rd game I watched description got so long. This was the first game where I thought they used some power man blocking and/or a FB enough to be worth mentioning. I would say that game had an even split between zone blocking and man and there was a bit more use of a FB than the other two games.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Thank you for all that Bia.
Pulling G or H-back or FB there still is a lead blocker in a lot of what you wrote. Not as often as I thought but still there.
If I'm not mistaken this was also Rashard Mendenhall's problem too.
Not long ago, Detroit had a super quick back that was lightning in a bottle but geesh did he dance at the LOS and go nowhere. One of the best looking talents to ever be completely useless.
Old Mike Anderson switched back to FB then late in his career, he got some rejuvenated FF life in him when their starting RB couldn't do the single back set that they preferred in the red zone.
Cobb's got this dopey nervous habit of running so upright it look uncomfy. He does same thing with nervous blitz pickup. They do now seem sick of it, but essentially they point it out and he puts his head down and it's been a work in progress thing all year.
A year before Sankey, CJ highlights would look like a cartoon if you played em' without the huddle. CJ runs into a wall-splat, runs into a wall-splat, CJ is off to the races.
Sankey's tip toeing and general uncertainty...idk if you can fix that by coaching. All I've got to suggest is confidence might do it. It truly is peewee-esque type issue. You hit that hole hard and trust the blockers will do their part.
I honestly wish Mularkey would simply say no 3 TE offense the next few weeks, at most you can have two. Michael would have no choice but to devise a halfway normal gameplan.
Sankey knowing the wideout spots was significant but with TZ in, he is not needed there.
I've said it a number of times- he would be a very good 3rd down back. He has the speed and hands, he is far bigger than most 3rd down backs, AND he put the work in and dramatically improved at blitz protection.
I would very much like to see him get 3 catches for 20-30 yards and then get one of their dopey carries when it's 3rd and 15. He'd have some confidence. He'd have some open field. I wanna see it. And if he runs for 18 on 3rd and 15, how about you give him a carry on first right up the gut. This is exactly what they do with McCluster and he broke a nice 40 yarder up the middle.
McCluster was out for a couple weeks, just a few weeks ago and Mularkey said Sankey would be 3rd down back. He didn't play him as such but he said it. Now he has said it again with McCluster out this coming Sunday.
Confidence...(aside from the FB) it's all I've got for a suggestion for that guy to hit the hole and not dance. Croom has been a RB coach for 100,000 years and we all know he's yelling for Sankey to hit it.
I'd like to see Andrews get 20-25 carries and get a better evaluation of him too.
I don't think we get squat for answers in the next few weeks. They will enter the offseason with intentions of getting a back and we'll wonder if Cobb or Sankey are gone. If Sankey is on a new team, my thoughts will be entirely based upon whether they use a FB or not
Pulling G or H-back or FB there still is a lead blocker in a lot of what you wrote. Not as often as I thought but still there.
If I'm not mistaken this was also Rashard Mendenhall's problem too.
Not long ago, Detroit had a super quick back that was lightning in a bottle but geesh did he dance at the LOS and go nowhere. One of the best looking talents to ever be completely useless.
Old Mike Anderson switched back to FB then late in his career, he got some rejuvenated FF life in him when their starting RB couldn't do the single back set that they preferred in the red zone.
Cobb's got this dopey nervous habit of running so upright it look uncomfy. He does same thing with nervous blitz pickup. They do now seem sick of it, but essentially they point it out and he puts his head down and it's been a work in progress thing all year.
A year before Sankey, CJ highlights would look like a cartoon if you played em' without the huddle. CJ runs into a wall-splat, runs into a wall-splat, CJ is off to the races.
Sankey's tip toeing and general uncertainty...idk if you can fix that by coaching. All I've got to suggest is confidence might do it. It truly is peewee-esque type issue. You hit that hole hard and trust the blockers will do their part.
I honestly wish Mularkey would simply say no 3 TE offense the next few weeks, at most you can have two. Michael would have no choice but to devise a halfway normal gameplan.
Sankey knowing the wideout spots was significant but with TZ in, he is not needed there.
I've said it a number of times- he would be a very good 3rd down back. He has the speed and hands, he is far bigger than most 3rd down backs, AND he put the work in and dramatically improved at blitz protection.
I would very much like to see him get 3 catches for 20-30 yards and then get one of their dopey carries when it's 3rd and 15. He'd have some confidence. He'd have some open field. I wanna see it. And if he runs for 18 on 3rd and 15, how about you give him a carry on first right up the gut. This is exactly what they do with McCluster and he broke a nice 40 yarder up the middle.
McCluster was out for a couple weeks, just a few weeks ago and Mularkey said Sankey would be 3rd down back. He didn't play him as such but he said it. Now he has said it again with McCluster out this coming Sunday.
Confidence...(aside from the FB) it's all I've got for a suggestion for that guy to hit the hole and not dance. Croom has been a RB coach for 100,000 years and we all know he's yelling for Sankey to hit it.
I'd like to see Andrews get 20-25 carries and get a better evaluation of him too.
I don't think we get squat for answers in the next few weeks. They will enter the offseason with intentions of getting a back and we'll wonder if Cobb or Sankey are gone. If Sankey is on a new team, my thoughts will be entirely based upon whether they use a FB or not
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I only got around to watching 3 of the games on draft breakdown above. There are several more games than that which I watched prior to Sankey being drafted.
It might seem like in the game that I described in more detail there was a lot of power running schemes using a lead blocker, however it was still less than the number of plays Sankey ran behind zone blocking. I would also say that Sankey had better plays overall on zone blocked plays compared to man or power blocking with the pulling linemen. The other two games where I don't comment much is because they were all plays using zone blocking.
If you watch all of the clips you will find that zone blocking out of the pistol with out a lead blocker is the most common way that Sankey is used and Sankey was very successful in that scheme.
I think it is interesting because of your recent comments that perhaps Sankey would be more successful with a FB in front of him. That observations matches what Matt Waldman was saying, that perhaps Sankey would be more successful running behind a power or man blocking scheme.
While Matt and everyone else may be correct that Sankey is not good enough to be a starter at the NFL level. What I would like is to be able to identify a reason WHY Sankey was so successful as a college RB but not suited for the pro game. If we could collectively come to a conclusion about that then perhaps it is something we could all look for when watching college RB in the future.
I could take Matt's comments about the man blocking to possibly mean that Sankey does not have good vision. This is an important ability for all RB to have. It is also difficult to identify. To be able to identify where opportunities and gaps in the defense are or will be, and to be able to time the flow of the play so that they are hitting those openings at the right time to maximize possible yardage on the run. If the criticism is poor vision I would prefer if Matt (or whoever) would just be clear and say they think Sankey has poor vision, instead of more cryptically saying perhaps he would do better running behind man blocking.
In watching Sankey play I see him identify good cut back lanes on zone blocking plays frequently. Although I think it is hard to identify what the player on the field sees and what decisions he is making, I see him find that sweet spot in the defense over and over again on zone runs. He makes plays even when all the gaps are well defended with subtle cut back moves and elusiveness before being tackled. I do not think a lack of vision is a problem for Sankey.
So if your observation or Matts is not about Sankeys vision and feel for the zone blocking scheme, then what is it?
To say that Sankey does not run well in the ZBS when this is the main type of blocking he most commonly ran behind is like saying his 1870 rushing yards in 2013 was not good.
It might seem like in the game that I described in more detail there was a lot of power running schemes using a lead blocker, however it was still less than the number of plays Sankey ran behind zone blocking. I would also say that Sankey had better plays overall on zone blocked plays compared to man or power blocking with the pulling linemen. The other two games where I don't comment much is because they were all plays using zone blocking.
If you watch all of the clips you will find that zone blocking out of the pistol with out a lead blocker is the most common way that Sankey is used and Sankey was very successful in that scheme.
I think it is interesting because of your recent comments that perhaps Sankey would be more successful with a FB in front of him. That observations matches what Matt Waldman was saying, that perhaps Sankey would be more successful running behind a power or man blocking scheme.
While Matt and everyone else may be correct that Sankey is not good enough to be a starter at the NFL level. What I would like is to be able to identify a reason WHY Sankey was so successful as a college RB but not suited for the pro game. If we could collectively come to a conclusion about that then perhaps it is something we could all look for when watching college RB in the future.
I could take Matt's comments about the man blocking to possibly mean that Sankey does not have good vision. This is an important ability for all RB to have. It is also difficult to identify. To be able to identify where opportunities and gaps in the defense are or will be, and to be able to time the flow of the play so that they are hitting those openings at the right time to maximize possible yardage on the run. If the criticism is poor vision I would prefer if Matt (or whoever) would just be clear and say they think Sankey has poor vision, instead of more cryptically saying perhaps he would do better running behind man blocking.
In watching Sankey play I see him identify good cut back lanes on zone blocking plays frequently. Although I think it is hard to identify what the player on the field sees and what decisions he is making, I see him find that sweet spot in the defense over and over again on zone runs. He makes plays even when all the gaps are well defended with subtle cut back moves and elusiveness before being tackled. I do not think a lack of vision is a problem for Sankey.
So if your observation or Matts is not about Sankeys vision and feel for the zone blocking scheme, then what is it?
To say that Sankey does not run well in the ZBS when this is the main type of blocking he most commonly ran behind is like saying his 1870 rushing yards in 2013 was not good.
Most of all I think confidence.
He had the world at his fingertips in college then showed up late to camp for good reason(tests and school).
Whisenhunt didn't seem to like him missing time regardless of reason
He struggled to pickup things while UDFA Andrews didn't, Battle, Leon etc no one else did. Whis got on him and that never really went away and if so, not for long....
He had one coach. Mularkey has said several times he's been good in practice and high effort but he has played like 5 snaps for him.
All he's had is a coach that doesn't think he runs tough enough and behind arguably the worst OL in NFL history.
I don't in anyway think he's done.
I do think he must finish this year strong if he's going to ever have success with the Titans.
If elsewhere, how he finishes means less.
By the time next season comes, it'd sure be nice to NOT say he has two years of poor play that wrecked his confidence. 90% of all pro sports players are useless without confidence.
If he could bust one, maybe have a couple nice catches, maybe a few 10-15 yard runs...then he'd have something positive ringing in his head all offseason.
The last thing he needs is to go three games with 12 carries for 12 yards.
He had the world at his fingertips in college then showed up late to camp for good reason(tests and school).
Whisenhunt didn't seem to like him missing time regardless of reason
He struggled to pickup things while UDFA Andrews didn't, Battle, Leon etc no one else did. Whis got on him and that never really went away and if so, not for long....
He had one coach. Mularkey has said several times he's been good in practice and high effort but he has played like 5 snaps for him.
All he's had is a coach that doesn't think he runs tough enough and behind arguably the worst OL in NFL history.
I don't in anyway think he's done.
I do think he must finish this year strong if he's going to ever have success with the Titans.
If elsewhere, how he finishes means less.
By the time next season comes, it'd sure be nice to NOT say he has two years of poor play that wrecked his confidence. 90% of all pro sports players are useless without confidence.
If he could bust one, maybe have a couple nice catches, maybe a few 10-15 yard runs...then he'd have something positive ringing in his head all offseason.
The last thing he needs is to go three games with 12 carries for 12 yards.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I was looking at Sankey's twitter feed and I guess the Huskies won a bowl game or something? So that is notable. However his whole twitter feed is about college football. He does not seem to be talking about his pro career at all.
Not that there is much for him or anyone to say about his pro career right now. But looking at that had me thinking Sankey is still living in the past.
Not that there is much for him or anyone to say about his pro career right now. But looking at that had me thinking Sankey is still living in the past.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Bri based on your observations what type of blocking scheme do the Titan use the most? Zone or Man blocking? How often do they pull guards or tackles on their running plays?
Andrews got in some trouble at WKU for twitter and Mett acted up with Watt. There were many players that about stopped tweeting.
They don't move anyone, they don't do squat.
This guy tried to describe how Whis wanted to vary it but if you look at his paragraph starting with "if you did your homework" you'd note the pulling guard and how ummm the Titans Gs are quite immobile.
Capable? Yes. Do they? No
It's like a 7th grade OL. You block down left.
It is the single greatest let down of an OL in NFL History when you consider the rhythm Munchak had with his group. 20 years of good to excellent just gone for a new coach to clean house.
I'm sure they PLAN to do things but they don't. Again, we're talking either 7 or 8(2 or 3 TE) against 4 DL and almost every team has a LB or two come a half second after the snap.
They are an OL that makes defensive lineman smile
What they did after Munchak left, and HOF Bruce Matthews wasn't renewed, was hire Tampa's assistant OL coach because he was a part of something unspecial
Last edited by a moderator:
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
Holy crap, this is a boatload of effort spent on at best a CoP RB.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Was he a change of pace RB in college? What is the basis of your assumption about Bishop Sankeys abilities that limit him to a COP role?
Bronco Billy
Footballguy
In case you haven't noticed, he's not in college any longer. He has a record of performance in the pros. RBs a lot more prolific in college than Sankey have failed to perform at the pro level. Why you would want to reach back to what are now meaningless stats in predicting his future only demonstrates how weak your position is.Biabreakable said:
Biabreakable
Footballguy
He has been in the league for two years and has not done anything. It is most likely he does not get the opportunity to be a starter again in the NFL or even a COP based on him being a healthy inactive player.
There is the possibility that poor coaching is part of the reason for Sankeys lack of opportunity. Sankey is 23 years old. I would expect most if not all RB to prove they are at least worthy of a time share by their second season in the NFL and Sankey has not done so the chances of him getting a second opportunity seem small. It has happened with other RB before though, although most of those had early careers affected by injury or because there was a really good RB ahead of them on the depth chart. Antonio Andrews is a quality RB and all of the RB in the NFL have talent and ability to perform if given the opportunity, so Sankey is very replaceable. At the same time I think he could function very well in a pistol spread offense with Mariota should coaching changes cause Sankey to get more opportunity next season.
While it is possible they only had a COP role in mind when drafting him 54th overall in 2014 because the coach seemed to prefer a RBBC Sankey did show the ability to be a featured RB if the next coaching staff prefers that approach.
There are ways to learn from past evaluation and that is my primary interest for this discussion and I think that is worth the effort because anything I can learn from this will help me in future evaluations.
There is the possibility that poor coaching is part of the reason for Sankeys lack of opportunity. Sankey is 23 years old. I would expect most if not all RB to prove they are at least worthy of a time share by their second season in the NFL and Sankey has not done so the chances of him getting a second opportunity seem small. It has happened with other RB before though, although most of those had early careers affected by injury or because there was a really good RB ahead of them on the depth chart. Antonio Andrews is a quality RB and all of the RB in the NFL have talent and ability to perform if given the opportunity, so Sankey is very replaceable. At the same time I think he could function very well in a pistol spread offense with Mariota should coaching changes cause Sankey to get more opportunity next season.
While it is possible they only had a COP role in mind when drafting him 54th overall in 2014 because the coach seemed to prefer a RBBC Sankey did show the ability to be a featured RB if the next coaching staff prefers that approach.
There are ways to learn from past evaluation and that is my primary interest for this discussion and I think that is worth the effort because anything I can learn from this will help me in future evaluations.
Told ya told ya...
Fowler voted onto PFF Pro Bowl team (rating by staff)
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/12/16/pro-pff-pro-bowl-team/
Fowler voted onto PFF Pro Bowl team (rating by staff)
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/12/16/pro-pff-pro-bowl-team/
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Nothing spectacular here. He does a nice job of making the first tackler miss on his second reception and then he gets low while running into a pack of defenders. He uses his hand to keep his knee from hitting the ground but he somewhat tackles himself, seems like he was expecting contact. He does get tackled after kind of rolling over after he lost his footing. There was a pack of defenders there, not saying he could have gotten much more, but it would be nice to see him at least try to keep the play alive instead of tripping on the turf. Maybe this is what Wis meant about footwork?
I am all for getting low and making it harder for defenders to tackle you, but you still need to keep your head up and try to navigate your way through traffic.
The 3rd and 5 where Walker scored the short TD Sankey ran a pretty good route and was another option on that play besides Walker.
Andrews does a good job of hitting the hole and he had some decent runs after the Patriots were focused on stopping the pass. He had another good run when Jones was going for the strip instead of wrapping up on him.
The play where Mariota is injured it seemed like the LG fault. No one blocks 91 who is standing up but very near the LOS. Mariota looks to his right after the snap and does not seem aware that he might have a free rusher coming from his blind side. The two inside defenders run a stunt and the LG follows his guy around the center picking the pass rusher up near the RG. Andrews also helps combination block on this stunting defender on the right side of the center.
It is a terribly bad missed assignment. No one made any effort whatsoever to slow the pass rusher on this play. It is bad coaching and player awareness.
This is a stupid play they do almost every week if not every week and has never worked-not once!
The DT in front of the LG is supposed to be the RBs responsibility. Who draws that up?
You have a 2 and 3 TE O and you need the RBs manning up to block a DT?
On this play, this time, there were 3 WRs and Walker so it wasn't a 2 or 3 TE set but usually is.
BB rushed 4 DL and one LB was standing up a couple feet back so really five.
That's five OL on five DL.
Spain shifts right to help Gaillick(who would get benched) on the NT.
The LB blitzing runs right there too. Generally that added LB IS a RBs responsibility, so Andrews hit him.
So the guy right in front of Spain to start, yeah he's free N clear to hit Mariota.
Dopey dopey dopey play. You should see McCluster try and block Mercilus. He got 2-3 sacks last game and Watt (who is free to roam) moved into his spot to get one himself. They are almost literally twice McCluster's size.
Sadly it was an improvement that it was Andrews and not Cobb or McCluster-at least he chose a better blocker to mess it up.
Their O plan, their thinking, is sooo far gone with the 2 and 3 TE sets and non-FB usage. They've lost it.
Spain is 6-6 345 pounds and in pass protection you want a guy that big moving out of the way?
McCluster and Andrews are excellent receivers. Why not have them catch a dump pass?
Geesh I wish their pass protection scheme was "just take a step back" like in peewee.
Mularkey called out Andrews after the game, Mariota had to come to his defense, and then the next day Mularkey is halfway changing his tune about Andrews. Never once discussed the way the play is drawn up is all wrong.
On the radio, someone said the only way a RB does something like that is if the QB is rolling away from it. OK Fine I can buy that but Mariota just stepped backward and I'd use a FB if so.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
If they are faking the run I could almost see it being a useful fake once in awhile. But there is no play action on that play where Mariota gets hurt.Andrews is lined up on Mariotas left in the pistol slightly behind him. This shading helps him support the LT if there is a blitz to the outside. Without run action it does not make sense to fake that the guard is pulling across. This play was 3rd down and 8 however and they do not pull the LG across.
It does seem like the RB is responsible for picking up on this play and Andrews misses his assignment. That sounds terrible if they have been asking McCluster to pick up DTs in pass protection. That is a bad match up. Why in the world would you put your players in a situation to fail like this?
Watching it from the end zone view I can see Mariota communicating a protection to the center before the snap. The Patriots are showing 6 potential pass rushers. 93 stunts inside getting sandwiched by the center and right guard, Andrews also helps so they are triple teaming this guy. The NT gets passed on to the LG and that is why the LB is free through the gap with no one picking him up. Based on the protection call only the RB could pick up the blitzing LB.
It does seem like the RB is responsible for picking up on this play and Andrews misses his assignment. That sounds terrible if they have been asking McCluster to pick up DTs in pass protection. That is a bad match up. Why in the world would you put your players in a situation to fail like this?
Watching it from the end zone view I can see Mariota communicating a protection to the center before the snap. The Patriots are showing 6 potential pass rushers. 93 stunts inside getting sandwiched by the center and right guard, Andrews also helps so they are triple teaming this guy. The NT gets passed on to the LG and that is why the LB is free through the gap with no one picking him up. Based on the protection call only the RB could pick up the blitzing LB.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I think I already wrote up the first game against Tampa Bay earlier when it happened. I watched the game again however and here are my observations.
1st game against Tampa Bay (who has been a good run defense all season).
1st and 10 Sankey gets open out on the right flat and Mariota throws it to him. The pass floats a bit too much and the throw is high, Sankey is hit as the ball arrives in the neck or head area which draws a flag incomplete pass.
1st and 10 2TE 2WR Sankey directly behind Mariota under center. Walker goes in motion to the left side of the line balancing the formation. Kendall Wright goes in motion to the left side and lines up behind the left guard. He ends up going back to the right side after the snap and blocks the backside of what looks like an outside zone run. Everyone is blocking to the left side Walker is trying to set the outside edge against the LB. Sankey tries to run this behind the left guard Bell but Clinton McDonald pushes him aside just as Sankey is reaching the LOS and tackles Sankey for no gain. The Bucs had 9 in the box before the snap of this play. The LDE beats his block covering the backside of the play while everyone else crashes down to the right stopping the run to the outside. The backside of the run was well defended with McCoy beating his man inside and 58 crashing through the middle as well.
2nd and 10 3TE to the lright Hunter to the left close Sankey motions to the outside left as a receiver before the snap. He draws 51 in coverage and Mariota throws it to him a bit high again. Sankey fails to make the catch likely hearing footsteps of the LB as the ball arrives and not wanting to be lit up like he was on the first play. Might as well catch the ball though because you’re going to get hit anyways. The pass could have been a second sooner as Sankey waits a ticks after he has completed his route and got open before Mariota sees him and throws the ball, this gave the LB a chance to recover instead of giving Sankey a 5 yard cushion while he is catching the ball. With all of those TE on the right side of the play why not run a screen to the right where he could possibly get some blocking?
3rd and 10 is shotgun with McCluster. They convert the 1st down with a throw to Walker and then score with Kendall Wright on a slant route the next play.
On the Bucs drive the Titans intercept and score again. So then the Bucs have another drive after this being down 14-0
1st and 10 2TE to the left with a WR outside them in a triangle bunch. Walker blocks 51 and Stevens blocks 58 while the LT blcoks the RDE giving Sankey a hole to the outside on the left. Sankey presses the hole inside but 54 has filled the gap he gives a head fake to the inside before cutting the run outside to the left for 7 yards. If Douglas does a better job on his block of the safety Sankey maybe could have got more. The corner did still have outside contain.
2nd and 3 they line up 2 WR to the right with Walker on the line to the right and one WR to the left. The Bucs play an extra defensive back. False start pushes them back.
2nd and 8 2 WR on the right with Walker on the line to the right. Hunter to the left. Sankey lines up next to Mariota in the shotgun to his left. They play action the inside zone run to Sankey and Mariota hits Hunter for a 1st down.
They go with West on 1st with a FB out of the I formation. Bucs go offsides so 1st and 5. On 2nd down then McCluster on 3rd down. Where they convert. They draw the Bucs offsides then throw an incomplete pass.
2nd and 5 Sankey comes back in Mariota is in the shotgun with Sankey to his left. The play is a pass to Douglas which they complete for a 1st down.
1st and 10 2TE to the right with Wright to the outside right. One WR to the left. Walker goes in motion behind the line before the snap. Mariota turns his back to the defense after the snap indicating a possible run. Sankey rolls out to the right side where Mariota hits him in stride and he able to convert the TD.
2nd quarter.
1st and 10 3TE Walker and Fasano to the left Stevens to the right. Hunter outside to the right. The Bucs have9 defenders in the box. The play is an outside zone run to the left. Sankey does a good job of getting the edge that is blocked but defenders breaking through. 77 gets beat and he holds the defender. Sankey is able to get past him and break downfield. Walker and Fasano get to the second level and seal block defenders about 4 yards downfield creating a crease for Sankey to hit. He makes it there and gets through. This run ends up going for 16 yards before Sankey is forced out of bounds The play doesn’t count because of Lewans hold.
1st and 20 they go 3 WR and bring in McCluster who they run an inside zone run with for 2 yards.
2nd and 18 they line up with West and a FB in the I formation 1TE 2 WR play action and try to hit Wright deep on the right side which draws a flag.
This whole drive ends up going backwards and should have ended in a safety or defensive TD but the Titans get lucky. Sankey was not involved after the holding play.
1st and 10 I formation with a FB and West. Stevens on the right 2 WR to the left. The play is a run to the left side for 4 yards.
2nd and 6 false start on Warmack.
2nd and 11 Shotgun Sankey is to Mariotas left a little behind him. Two WR to the right one WR to the left with Walker near the line. Walker motions to the right of Mariota before the snap lining up as a Hback in the backfield. The play is a read option given to Sankey who presses the middle before working to the right where there is an opening. McCoy has pushed Warmack in to the backfield then works back to the hole which Sankey sees and decides to reverse field back to the left which proves to be a good decision because the defense has over pursued to that side. Sankey is able to beat 56 to the edge and get down field with some help from Walker blocking for him and Mariota leading the way (they didn’t buy that Mariota kept the ball). 12 yards 1st down.
1st and 10 I formation with a FB and West. 2TE left and Hunter to the right. West has a nice run following Warmack who helps the center win the double team before getting out to block the LB 12 yards.
1st and 10 same formation same play again for 2 yard.
2nd and 8 3 WR two left one to the right Walker on the line Sankey single back. The play is an inside zone to the right. McCoy beats the double team and works his way to meet Sankey at the line of scrimmage. 2 yards.
3rd and 6 Pistol with Sankey to the right slightly behind Mariota. 2 WR to the left with Walker close to the line and 1 WR to the right. Mariota gets the ball to Wright on the slant and he gets to the 2 yard line.
1st and 2 to go West gets a little bit closer to the goal line.
2nd and 1 they bootleg right but Mariota loses 3 yards.
3rd and 4 McCluster in 3 WR and Walker Mariota finds Douglas for the TD.
3rd quarter
The Titans get good field position to start their drive near the 50 yard line.
1st and 10 2WR 1TE on the right a FB and Sankey in the I formation. Lewan blocks the RDE outside and the LG and Center double team the DT on the left. The FB goes to the hole between these blocks. After the hand off Sankey cuts to the left side and gets around the DE for 16 yards.
1st and 10 3 WR 2 to the right one to the left with a TE on the left side. Wright motions from the slot to FB in front of Sankey. Lewan and the Center pull to the left side. Lewan fails his block on 51 who grabs Sankey and lifts him off the ground but Sankey continues going forward and lands on his feet after being spun around by the defender. Sankey gets free of 51 and makes a couple more steps forward after landing before being tackled. 5 yards.
2nd and 5 Sankey in the I formation with a FB Sankey finds a cut back lane to the right getting behind where the line is getting some push downfield. Sankey gets tackled hard from the side near the 1st down and the ball comes out (It seems to me like Sankey did a full roll on the ground before I see the ball) the refs consider this a live ball a Titan recovers it downfield gaining an additional 7 or so yards on the play. I watched the replay from the other angle and the defender is between Sankey and the ground as they are both rolling and Sankey has control of the ball. A defender coming in as they are rolling hits the ball and knocks it out before Sankey made contact with the ground.
Sankey gets benched for fumbling here.
1st and 10 they run with West but Fasano gets called for holding.
1st and 20 Sankey comes back in they are in a spread formation with Sankey beside Mariota to his left in the shotgun. Mariota throws a pass to Sankey out in the flat who is able to get back to the line of scrimmage but no more.
2nd and 20 McCluster comes in Mariota gets the ball to Wright.
3rd and 6 McCluster is in. Mariota tries to get it to Hunter in the end zone but he gets held as the ball is coming down and the defense gets flagged.
1st and goal Sankey gets the ball with a FB in front of him on a dive to the right which he gets in for the TD.
1st and 10 2 TE on the left with Douglas also in tight to the line. Hunter outside to the right Sankey in the single back. The play is an inside zone run to the left side (the strong side). Sankey finds the gap between the TE blocks and gets 3 yards.
2nd and 7 I formation with West and a FB 2 TE to the right and Hunter on the left. Before the snap Walker motions to the left side of the line. The play is play action bootleg to the right and Mariota finds Walker coming across to the right for the 1st down.
1st and 10 I formation with Sankey and a FB Stevens on the right 2 WR to the left. The play is a inside zone to the left with the FB punching through that hole. The FB is met by a LB in the hole but Sankey is able to cut inside and hits the hole quickly getting low. Sankey doing this burrowing stumbles forward and falls down doing a summersault. No one contacted him while he was down and ref does not blow the whistle. Sankey does not try to advance the ball further standing with his back to the goal. A defender grabs him at this point and then he starts fighting for extra yardage. A lineman joins the scrum and pushes Sankey forward a bit before the pile finally gets him down. If Sankey would do a better job of trying to finish these plays maybe the coaches would use him more. This play gets 10 yards and it was a good run, but I don’t like how Sankey loses his feet and then does not try to finish the play even once he gets back up.
1st and 10 I formation with Sankey and a FB 2 WR 1 TE. The play is an inside zone to the right. The nose tackle defeats the centers block and is able to tackle Sankey near the line of scrimmage. The double team on McCoy by the RG and RT washes him down to the left and Stevens blocked the end down to the left, so there was some space if Sankey had tried to run this off of right tackle.
2nd and 9 they run with West out of the I formation for 4 yards.
3rd and 5 Mariota gets sacked. Here is an example of having McCluster try to pick up the blitz. There are a lot of free pass rushers coming from the right side of the formation and Mariota has no chance.
Fourth quarter. The Titans have a bug lead by this time and they run with West and McCluster out of 3TE formations. They even have Hunter coming to help block as a H back. West fumbles on 3rd down ending the drive.
[SIZE=11pt]They do the same thing again [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]when they next get the ball and the drive after this they are able to just kneel and run out the clock.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aside from the fumble I thought Sankey played pretty well. West failed to convert in the red zone multiple times while Sankey scored on his lone opportunity. [/SIZE]
1st game against Tampa Bay (who has been a good run defense all season).
1st and 10 Sankey gets open out on the right flat and Mariota throws it to him. The pass floats a bit too much and the throw is high, Sankey is hit as the ball arrives in the neck or head area which draws a flag incomplete pass.
1st and 10 2TE 2WR Sankey directly behind Mariota under center. Walker goes in motion to the left side of the line balancing the formation. Kendall Wright goes in motion to the left side and lines up behind the left guard. He ends up going back to the right side after the snap and blocks the backside of what looks like an outside zone run. Everyone is blocking to the left side Walker is trying to set the outside edge against the LB. Sankey tries to run this behind the left guard Bell but Clinton McDonald pushes him aside just as Sankey is reaching the LOS and tackles Sankey for no gain. The Bucs had 9 in the box before the snap of this play. The LDE beats his block covering the backside of the play while everyone else crashes down to the right stopping the run to the outside. The backside of the run was well defended with McCoy beating his man inside and 58 crashing through the middle as well.
2nd and 10 3TE to the lright Hunter to the left close Sankey motions to the outside left as a receiver before the snap. He draws 51 in coverage and Mariota throws it to him a bit high again. Sankey fails to make the catch likely hearing footsteps of the LB as the ball arrives and not wanting to be lit up like he was on the first play. Might as well catch the ball though because you’re going to get hit anyways. The pass could have been a second sooner as Sankey waits a ticks after he has completed his route and got open before Mariota sees him and throws the ball, this gave the LB a chance to recover instead of giving Sankey a 5 yard cushion while he is catching the ball. With all of those TE on the right side of the play why not run a screen to the right where he could possibly get some blocking?
3rd and 10 is shotgun with McCluster. They convert the 1st down with a throw to Walker and then score with Kendall Wright on a slant route the next play.
On the Bucs drive the Titans intercept and score again. So then the Bucs have another drive after this being down 14-0
1st and 10 2TE to the left with a WR outside them in a triangle bunch. Walker blocks 51 and Stevens blocks 58 while the LT blcoks the RDE giving Sankey a hole to the outside on the left. Sankey presses the hole inside but 54 has filled the gap he gives a head fake to the inside before cutting the run outside to the left for 7 yards. If Douglas does a better job on his block of the safety Sankey maybe could have got more. The corner did still have outside contain.
2nd and 3 they line up 2 WR to the right with Walker on the line to the right and one WR to the left. The Bucs play an extra defensive back. False start pushes them back.
2nd and 8 2 WR on the right with Walker on the line to the right. Hunter to the left. Sankey lines up next to Mariota in the shotgun to his left. They play action the inside zone run to Sankey and Mariota hits Hunter for a 1st down.
They go with West on 1st with a FB out of the I formation. Bucs go offsides so 1st and 5. On 2nd down then McCluster on 3rd down. Where they convert. They draw the Bucs offsides then throw an incomplete pass.
2nd and 5 Sankey comes back in Mariota is in the shotgun with Sankey to his left. The play is a pass to Douglas which they complete for a 1st down.
1st and 10 2TE to the right with Wright to the outside right. One WR to the left. Walker goes in motion behind the line before the snap. Mariota turns his back to the defense after the snap indicating a possible run. Sankey rolls out to the right side where Mariota hits him in stride and he able to convert the TD.
2nd quarter.
1st and 10 3TE Walker and Fasano to the left Stevens to the right. Hunter outside to the right. The Bucs have9 defenders in the box. The play is an outside zone run to the left. Sankey does a good job of getting the edge that is blocked but defenders breaking through. 77 gets beat and he holds the defender. Sankey is able to get past him and break downfield. Walker and Fasano get to the second level and seal block defenders about 4 yards downfield creating a crease for Sankey to hit. He makes it there and gets through. This run ends up going for 16 yards before Sankey is forced out of bounds The play doesn’t count because of Lewans hold.
1st and 20 they go 3 WR and bring in McCluster who they run an inside zone run with for 2 yards.
2nd and 18 they line up with West and a FB in the I formation 1TE 2 WR play action and try to hit Wright deep on the right side which draws a flag.
This whole drive ends up going backwards and should have ended in a safety or defensive TD but the Titans get lucky. Sankey was not involved after the holding play.
1st and 10 I formation with a FB and West. Stevens on the right 2 WR to the left. The play is a run to the left side for 4 yards.
2nd and 6 false start on Warmack.
2nd and 11 Shotgun Sankey is to Mariotas left a little behind him. Two WR to the right one WR to the left with Walker near the line. Walker motions to the right of Mariota before the snap lining up as a Hback in the backfield. The play is a read option given to Sankey who presses the middle before working to the right where there is an opening. McCoy has pushed Warmack in to the backfield then works back to the hole which Sankey sees and decides to reverse field back to the left which proves to be a good decision because the defense has over pursued to that side. Sankey is able to beat 56 to the edge and get down field with some help from Walker blocking for him and Mariota leading the way (they didn’t buy that Mariota kept the ball). 12 yards 1st down.
1st and 10 I formation with a FB and West. 2TE left and Hunter to the right. West has a nice run following Warmack who helps the center win the double team before getting out to block the LB 12 yards.
1st and 10 same formation same play again for 2 yard.
2nd and 8 3 WR two left one to the right Walker on the line Sankey single back. The play is an inside zone to the right. McCoy beats the double team and works his way to meet Sankey at the line of scrimmage. 2 yards.
3rd and 6 Pistol with Sankey to the right slightly behind Mariota. 2 WR to the left with Walker close to the line and 1 WR to the right. Mariota gets the ball to Wright on the slant and he gets to the 2 yard line.
1st and 2 to go West gets a little bit closer to the goal line.
2nd and 1 they bootleg right but Mariota loses 3 yards.
3rd and 4 McCluster in 3 WR and Walker Mariota finds Douglas for the TD.
3rd quarter
The Titans get good field position to start their drive near the 50 yard line.
1st and 10 2WR 1TE on the right a FB and Sankey in the I formation. Lewan blocks the RDE outside and the LG and Center double team the DT on the left. The FB goes to the hole between these blocks. After the hand off Sankey cuts to the left side and gets around the DE for 16 yards.
1st and 10 3 WR 2 to the right one to the left with a TE on the left side. Wright motions from the slot to FB in front of Sankey. Lewan and the Center pull to the left side. Lewan fails his block on 51 who grabs Sankey and lifts him off the ground but Sankey continues going forward and lands on his feet after being spun around by the defender. Sankey gets free of 51 and makes a couple more steps forward after landing before being tackled. 5 yards.
2nd and 5 Sankey in the I formation with a FB Sankey finds a cut back lane to the right getting behind where the line is getting some push downfield. Sankey gets tackled hard from the side near the 1st down and the ball comes out (It seems to me like Sankey did a full roll on the ground before I see the ball) the refs consider this a live ball a Titan recovers it downfield gaining an additional 7 or so yards on the play. I watched the replay from the other angle and the defender is between Sankey and the ground as they are both rolling and Sankey has control of the ball. A defender coming in as they are rolling hits the ball and knocks it out before Sankey made contact with the ground.
Sankey gets benched for fumbling here.
1st and 10 they run with West but Fasano gets called for holding.
1st and 20 Sankey comes back in they are in a spread formation with Sankey beside Mariota to his left in the shotgun. Mariota throws a pass to Sankey out in the flat who is able to get back to the line of scrimmage but no more.
2nd and 20 McCluster comes in Mariota gets the ball to Wright.
3rd and 6 McCluster is in. Mariota tries to get it to Hunter in the end zone but he gets held as the ball is coming down and the defense gets flagged.
1st and goal Sankey gets the ball with a FB in front of him on a dive to the right which he gets in for the TD.
1st and 10 2 TE on the left with Douglas also in tight to the line. Hunter outside to the right Sankey in the single back. The play is an inside zone run to the left side (the strong side). Sankey finds the gap between the TE blocks and gets 3 yards.
2nd and 7 I formation with West and a FB 2 TE to the right and Hunter on the left. Before the snap Walker motions to the left side of the line. The play is play action bootleg to the right and Mariota finds Walker coming across to the right for the 1st down.
1st and 10 I formation with Sankey and a FB Stevens on the right 2 WR to the left. The play is a inside zone to the left with the FB punching through that hole. The FB is met by a LB in the hole but Sankey is able to cut inside and hits the hole quickly getting low. Sankey doing this burrowing stumbles forward and falls down doing a summersault. No one contacted him while he was down and ref does not blow the whistle. Sankey does not try to advance the ball further standing with his back to the goal. A defender grabs him at this point and then he starts fighting for extra yardage. A lineman joins the scrum and pushes Sankey forward a bit before the pile finally gets him down. If Sankey would do a better job of trying to finish these plays maybe the coaches would use him more. This play gets 10 yards and it was a good run, but I don’t like how Sankey loses his feet and then does not try to finish the play even once he gets back up.
1st and 10 I formation with Sankey and a FB 2 WR 1 TE. The play is an inside zone to the right. The nose tackle defeats the centers block and is able to tackle Sankey near the line of scrimmage. The double team on McCoy by the RG and RT washes him down to the left and Stevens blocked the end down to the left, so there was some space if Sankey had tried to run this off of right tackle.
2nd and 9 they run with West out of the I formation for 4 yards.
3rd and 5 Mariota gets sacked. Here is an example of having McCluster try to pick up the blitz. There are a lot of free pass rushers coming from the right side of the formation and Mariota has no chance.
Fourth quarter. The Titans have a bug lead by this time and they run with West and McCluster out of 3TE formations. They even have Hunter coming to help block as a H back. West fumbles on 3rd down ending the drive.
[SIZE=11pt]They do the same thing again [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]when they next get the ball and the drive after this they are able to just kneel and run out the clock.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aside from the fumble I thought Sankey played pretty well. West failed to convert in the red zone multiple times while Sankey scored on his lone opportunity. [/SIZE]
Got too much to do to watch it again. I was dead certain the LB gets bottled up by Andrews in a 5 man mishmash around the C. It was LB Jamie Collins that hit and injured Mariota with his tackle. Were there two LBs one on the line? I'll watch again later. I was positive the DT opposite Spain was who got ignored
Bia, thanks for the huge effort on the Tampa offense. That is a great writeup of the offense that never was for them. (Also Andrews was out injured then)
FB got like 40ish plays
You point out Stevens is lined up at FB and Wright shifting there.
I didn't see Klug in your writeup but this is the time of year he was still getting some love.
Andrews should have returned to be extra trickery since he has practiced FB and RB and slot. Not so much trickery, just "you don't know what we're doing by looking at the huddle."
Mariota can be so slick with his fakes and option stuff.
Whisenhunt truly might have had a good plan. They were a top pass D or 2nd for the first half of the year. (It has gotten progressively worse) A good gameplan and some wise play calls really could have stolen a win here N there in the first half of the season though.
I think Whis panicked and the way he went so "gung ho" for the TE my gut says assistant HC/TE coach Mularkey had a say in the switch to being so predominantly TE heavy. One play cost them three Ws to start the year. They could have been 6-1 or 6-0 or somesuch. Tyrod Taylor 3rd and a zillion running for a first was one. I forget the third. The other was Klug at FB, Fowler running at RB on the final second and the D all over it so he failed gloriously trying to make something happen. They should have never went left but straight ahead, bad play call on Whis. I do also blame Lebeau for Taylor getting a first. You can't make a scheme to stop that? The difference is, Lebeau is a gem and Whis isn't. Whis panicked and Lebeau stayed the course and has made them statistically wayyyy better than anyone thinks they are as a D.
That O was a page out BB or Heimerdinger's book. Maybe not the best talent on O but we're gonna create some mismatches....such a shame
FB got like 40ish plays
You point out Stevens is lined up at FB and Wright shifting there.
I didn't see Klug in your writeup but this is the time of year he was still getting some love.
Andrews should have returned to be extra trickery since he has practiced FB and RB and slot. Not so much trickery, just "you don't know what we're doing by looking at the huddle."
Mariota can be so slick with his fakes and option stuff.
Whisenhunt truly might have had a good plan. They were a top pass D or 2nd for the first half of the year. (It has gotten progressively worse) A good gameplan and some wise play calls really could have stolen a win here N there in the first half of the season though.
I think Whis panicked and the way he went so "gung ho" for the TE my gut says assistant HC/TE coach Mularkey had a say in the switch to being so predominantly TE heavy. One play cost them three Ws to start the year. They could have been 6-1 or 6-0 or somesuch. Tyrod Taylor 3rd and a zillion running for a first was one. I forget the third. The other was Klug at FB, Fowler running at RB on the final second and the D all over it so he failed gloriously trying to make something happen. They should have never went left but straight ahead, bad play call on Whis. I do also blame Lebeau for Taylor getting a first. You can't make a scheme to stop that? The difference is, Lebeau is a gem and Whis isn't. Whis panicked and Lebeau stayed the course and has made them statistically wayyyy better than anyone thinks they are as a D.
That O was a page out BB or Heimerdinger's book. Maybe not the best talent on O but we're gonna create some mismatches....such a shame
Never been a fan of Andrews, PK takes a shot
http://espn.go.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/17616/with-no-real-alternative-no-real-consequence-for-antonio-andrews-big-mistake
http://espn.go.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/17616/with-no-real-alternative-no-real-consequence-for-antonio-andrews-big-mistake
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Yeah I kind of thought the same thing from watching the broadcast view of the play. When I watched the end zone view it becomes clear that the LG picks up the NT after a little help from the center. This is likely what they were adjusting for pre snap. 93 who stunts inside gets picked up by the center Warmack and Andrews as well, so 3 on 1 there while they let 91 come free on the blitz. If they shifted protection so theleft guard is picking up the stunt then the only player who could block 91 is the RB who instead helps against 93.Bri said:
Watching from the side I don't see the NT get passed off to the LG so it looks like the guard loops around.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
The play where Wright lines up at FB is another one of Wis cute plays. He has a lot of those. Half the time he is out thinking himself though and making execution more difficult as a trade off for being tricky. The defense often gets tricked too because they never would imagine the Titans running such plays because the plays suck.Is Wright going to lead block?Bri said:
How about 3 TE to the right but then throw the ball to Sankey on the left flat with no blockers? Yep they didn't see that comin.
I did see some elements of how Sankey was used in college in this game. At the same time they had West who was not even with the team long getting almost all of the I formation looks. West had a bunch of attempts near the goal line that he failed as well. It seems like they did not want Sankey to be their short yardage or power RB. That they had 2 RB roles as well as McCluster in some COP action. They cut West not long after this game and then gave the foundation RB role to Andrews. This is sort of what I mean by the coaches not really giving Sankey a chance. Sankey did punch it in from the goal line after West failed multiple times, yet even though Sankey was successful, they clearly did not want to use him in that role.
Here are the snap counts from the first game:
[SIZE=12pt]J Fowler FB 25 snaps 45% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]B Sankey RB 22 snaps 39% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]T West RB 21 snaps 38% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]D McCluster RB 14 snaps 25%[/SIZE]
West played about as much as Sankey did and McCluster was not far off. Perhaps because they had a lead they used West more but the way this plays out after this I don't think so. West was keeping the seat warm for Andrews.
Here are the snap counts for week 2 against the Browns (I may try to hold my nose and watch this game too as I have some extra free time right now)
[SIZE=12pt]D McCluster RB 45 58% 6 23%[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]B Sankey RB 32 41% 5 19%[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]J Fowler FB 8 10% 19 73%[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]T West RB 5 6%[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sankeys snap counts from week 3 on [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]19 23.5% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]23 33.3% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]18 26.1% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]2 3.1% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]3 6.5% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]1 1.6% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]3 4.3% [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]16 25.8% [/SIZE]
Sankey had 30ish snaps last game, some as pass blocker when there were no plans to use him really.
Mularkey said he will play at least that in week 17
I feel for Fluellen and love the idea of practice squad players getting time week 16 and 17 but...gotta see Sankey.
No clue if they'll finally give the RB a FB all game. Obviously I think it'd be a good idea to have a rookie FB go into the offseason with more usage than 10 snaps per game also.
My gut tells me this is "for all the marbles" for Sankey and determines whether he stays or how a new team views him.
The team seems very comfortable with Andrews as backup RB
Fluellen can play FB like Andrews and Fowler can carry the rock.
They are well stacked with backup RBs-everyone tries to be useful in other areas and has commendable attitudes/work ethic.
They also have FB Connor Neighbors ("the tank") expected back in camp next year after an injury cut short his 2015 camp. A top 5 college FB, he could free Fowler up to run some.
The team has 8000 needs so I doubt they do anything with backup runners unless some UDFA for 2016.
Webster did build this team with Sankey as the expected feature back. If he can't hack it, he falls into a very deep backup group.
In week 16, he showed his speed (which I've always said is way faster than people think) on a 30 yard play. He also showed how he has THAT but never uses it and doesn't hit holes full speed or turn on the jets when he runs wide. It was more of an "oh yeah I remember that" moment. With a full game, hopefully he doesn't inadvertently hurt his stock and only turn on the speed once or twice but has learned to use it often. 30 snaps in week 16 should cover any "rust" I don't think he gets any "knock off the rust, get back into it" leeway for week 17.
Mularkey said he will play at least that in week 17
I feel for Fluellen and love the idea of practice squad players getting time week 16 and 17 but...gotta see Sankey.
No clue if they'll finally give the RB a FB all game. Obviously I think it'd be a good idea to have a rookie FB go into the offseason with more usage than 10 snaps per game also.
My gut tells me this is "for all the marbles" for Sankey and determines whether he stays or how a new team views him.
The team seems very comfortable with Andrews as backup RB
Fluellen can play FB like Andrews and Fowler can carry the rock.
They are well stacked with backup RBs-everyone tries to be useful in other areas and has commendable attitudes/work ethic.
They also have FB Connor Neighbors ("the tank") expected back in camp next year after an injury cut short his 2015 camp. A top 5 college FB, he could free Fowler up to run some.
The team has 8000 needs so I doubt they do anything with backup runners unless some UDFA for 2016.
Webster did build this team with Sankey as the expected feature back. If he can't hack it, he falls into a very deep backup group.
In week 16, he showed his speed (which I've always said is way faster than people think) on a 30 yard play. He also showed how he has THAT but never uses it and doesn't hit holes full speed or turn on the jets when he runs wide. It was more of an "oh yeah I remember that" moment. With a full game, hopefully he doesn't inadvertently hurt his stock and only turn on the speed once or twice but has learned to use it often. 30 snaps in week 16 should cover any "rust" I don't think he gets any "knock off the rust, get back into it" leeway for week 17.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I did watch the Titan's second game of the season against the Browns again. I had written up the first quarter or so but I forgot to save it and my computer decided to restart itself so lost to the ether.
Quick summary of what I saw was mostly zone blocking plays. When the Titans did use a FB they had West as the RB. There was one play with Sankey where Fasano lined up at FB before moving to the LOS before the snap.There were two occasions when Sankey and McCluster lined up in the backfield with MM in shotgun flanked to either side. On these two plays Sankey was asked to block while McCluster went out on a pass route. McCluster is sometimes used as a slot receiver after pre snap motion.
Sankey did fine with his limited opportunity.but McCluster clearly out played him in this game and I think they used him more because he had the hot hand.
In the second quarter they line up 2 or 3TE with McCluster and run an outside zone to the right where the linemen and offensive line got excellent blocking. Best blocked play for the run I have seen for the Titans thus far really. McCluster hits the hole quick and he is able to get 40 yards on the play before the safety forces him out of bounds. Right after this play they run the same exact run again with Sankey, it is not as well blocked, Sankey hits the same hole as McCluster just did but the strong safety does not get blocked out of the play this time and is able to stop Sankey for 3 yards. Then the Ttotan's run the same exact play a 3rd time in a row with McCluster who gets 3 yards.
Not setting the players up for success by using the same play 3 times in a row. It is almost like the coaches were like hey that play worked!! Lets do it some more.
McCluster had another nice run on the following drive where he makes a defender miss with a spin move which I think cements him as the hot hand for the remainder of the game.
The Titans seem to have two distinct RB roles in their offense. One role is with the FB and more inside run plays that features West then later Andrews and Cobb. The second RB role is more of a pass catching type RB out of shotgun or pistol formation without a FB. This is the role that Sankey and McCluster are used in.
McCluster outplays Sankey in this second game and based on the snap counts he gets more opportunity than Sankey is games moving forward.
McCluster snap counts by game:
Wk 1 14 24.6%
Wk 2 46 58.8%
Wk 3 35 43.2%
Wk 4 30 43.5%
Wk 5 28 40.6%
Wk 6 39 72.2%
Wk 7 31 52.5%
Wk 8 29 40.8%
Wk 9 18 39.1%
Wk 10 12 17.1% McCluster gets injured or something here because he does not play or the next couple games.
Wk 13 22 36.1%
According to draft scout McCluster may have sub 4.4 speed at times making him somewhat faster than Sankey is. He did hit that gap in the outside zone more quickly than Sankey did and this resulted in a big play. The coaches likely seeing the same things in practice and with confirmation from this second game they go with McCluster over Sankey and Sankey is reduced to the 3rd RB role the next 2 games before being phased out even more.
After McCluster gets hurt, games 11 and 12 Sankey does not get an increased use in the offense. This is around the time David Cobb starts being used more. I do not think Cobb is replacing McCluster in a speed RB COP role. They must have just phased this role out of the offense at that time.
Bisop Snakeys snap counts.
As you can see Sankeys snap counts get reduced from the third game onward. He does not get more playing time after McCluster is injured. He started seeing double digit snaps again in games 14 and 15 (the last two games).
Sankey gets 10 opportunities or less in every game since week 2 (he had 7 rushing attempts and 3 targets in wk 4 vs BUF)
Quick summary of what I saw was mostly zone blocking plays. When the Titans did use a FB they had West as the RB. There was one play with Sankey where Fasano lined up at FB before moving to the LOS before the snap.There were two occasions when Sankey and McCluster lined up in the backfield with MM in shotgun flanked to either side. On these two plays Sankey was asked to block while McCluster went out on a pass route. McCluster is sometimes used as a slot receiver after pre snap motion.
Sankey did fine with his limited opportunity.but McCluster clearly out played him in this game and I think they used him more because he had the hot hand.
In the second quarter they line up 2 or 3TE with McCluster and run an outside zone to the right where the linemen and offensive line got excellent blocking. Best blocked play for the run I have seen for the Titans thus far really. McCluster hits the hole quick and he is able to get 40 yards on the play before the safety forces him out of bounds. Right after this play they run the same exact run again with Sankey, it is not as well blocked, Sankey hits the same hole as McCluster just did but the strong safety does not get blocked out of the play this time and is able to stop Sankey for 3 yards. Then the Ttotan's run the same exact play a 3rd time in a row with McCluster who gets 3 yards.
Not setting the players up for success by using the same play 3 times in a row. It is almost like the coaches were like hey that play worked!! Lets do it some more.
McCluster had another nice run on the following drive where he makes a defender miss with a spin move which I think cements him as the hot hand for the remainder of the game.
The Titans seem to have two distinct RB roles in their offense. One role is with the FB and more inside run plays that features West then later Andrews and Cobb. The second RB role is more of a pass catching type RB out of shotgun or pistol formation without a FB. This is the role that Sankey and McCluster are used in.
McCluster outplays Sankey in this second game and based on the snap counts he gets more opportunity than Sankey is games moving forward.
McCluster snap counts by game:
Wk 1 14 24.6%
Wk 2 46 58.8%
Wk 3 35 43.2%
Wk 4 30 43.5%
Wk 5 28 40.6%
Wk 6 39 72.2%
Wk 7 31 52.5%
Wk 8 29 40.8%
Wk 9 18 39.1%
Wk 10 12 17.1% McCluster gets injured or something here because he does not play or the next couple games.
Wk 13 22 36.1%
According to draft scout McCluster may have sub 4.4 speed at times making him somewhat faster than Sankey is. He did hit that gap in the outside zone more quickly than Sankey did and this resulted in a big play. The coaches likely seeing the same things in practice and with confirmation from this second game they go with McCluster over Sankey and Sankey is reduced to the 3rd RB role the next 2 games before being phased out even more.
After McCluster gets hurt, games 11 and 12 Sankey does not get an increased use in the offense. This is around the time David Cobb starts being used more. I do not think Cobb is replacing McCluster in a speed RB COP role. They must have just phased this role out of the offense at that time.
Bisop Snakeys snap counts.
As you can see Sankeys snap counts get reduced from the third game onward. He does not get more playing time after McCluster is injured. He started seeing double digit snaps again in games 14 and 15 (the last two games).
Sankey gets 10 opportunities or less in every game since week 2 (he had 7 rushing attempts and 3 targets in wk 4 vs BUF)
Last edited by a moderator:
Hey Bia, you ought to emulate this guy's blog/article layout and do your thing.
http://www.battleredblog.com/2015/12/30/10660964/the-film-room-what-to-do-in-tennessee
This seems custom made for you
http://www.battleredblog.com/2015/12/30/10660964/the-film-room-what-to-do-in-tennessee
This seems custom made for you
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Very nice article Bri thanks for the link. Still having some issues getting all the gifs to load as the author may have overdone this a bit.Bri said:
Biabreakable
Footballguy
With a little paitence they all loaded eventually.
I appreciate his analysis of each offensive lineman's strengths and weaknesses. I agree with his observations for the most part as well.
Lewan is very quick, the way he plays reminds me somewhat of Matt Kalil as a rookie. Very good at getting out on the second level and sealing off defenders on the outside zone runs. I also agree that Warmack does not do very well pulling and I think he is better just blocking whoever is in front of him or helping with a double team. Schwenke did not play enough to really evaluate him although I agree the Titans did a very good job of blocking Shelton in this game. He and Warmack were a big part of that.
The 3 outside zone plays in a row that I described were all to the right side of the formation. So while they did a great job of blocking this for McClusters big run, it is not consistent. The suggestion that Potasi would make a good guard and a pulling guard is something I think is interesting and I wonder if he would match well with Lewan?
Simplifying the blocking scheme as suggested would help the offensive line improve their technique. The linemen seem better suited to a zone blocking scheme than power.
If Chip Kelly does become the coach for the Titans I can see him being able to work with this group in his primarily zone blocking system although the players would need to work on their endurance for the up tempo. Whoever they do bring in should focus on the ZBS to get the most of their personnel. They still need a right tackle as well.
I appreciate his analysis of each offensive lineman's strengths and weaknesses. I agree with his observations for the most part as well.
Lewan is very quick, the way he plays reminds me somewhat of Matt Kalil as a rookie. Very good at getting out on the second level and sealing off defenders on the outside zone runs. I also agree that Warmack does not do very well pulling and I think he is better just blocking whoever is in front of him or helping with a double team. Schwenke did not play enough to really evaluate him although I agree the Titans did a very good job of blocking Shelton in this game. He and Warmack were a big part of that.
The 3 outside zone plays in a row that I described were all to the right side of the formation. So while they did a great job of blocking this for McClusters big run, it is not consistent. The suggestion that Potasi would make a good guard and a pulling guard is something I think is interesting and I wonder if he would match well with Lewan?
Simplifying the blocking scheme as suggested would help the offensive line improve their technique. The linemen seem better suited to a zone blocking scheme than power.
If Chip Kelly does become the coach for the Titans I can see him being able to work with this group in his primarily zone blocking system although the players would need to work on their endurance for the up tempo. Whoever they do bring in should focus on the ZBS to get the most of their personnel. They still need a right tackle as well.
