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This explains the Packers running game
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<blockquote data-quote="mradtke66" data-source="post: 472697" data-attributes="member: 4199"><p>While in theory is should still work fine, in reality it doesn't. Wide running plays in general don't work consistently in the NFL due to speed of the modern defense.</p><p> </p><p>Start with the middle linebacker. The sideline to sideline MIKE is everywhere now. As soon as he sees both guards pulling, he'd just start running. I'd wager that most offensive tackles won't have enough time to effectively execute the double team on the play-side end and pick off the MIKE.</p><p> </p><p>Or if the tackle leaves the End sooner to make sure MIKE doesn't blow up the play, the fullback is now one on one with an end. The ends should win 80% or more of those matchups and allows him to blow up one or both pulling guards or the running back.</p><p> </p><p>Which is the next problem, the two pulling guards. If that is a staple of your offense, I would tell my MIKE to shoot the gap and cause problems in the backfield. Consider it a hot-read blitz call. Again, the modern MIKE can make that play.</p><p> </p><p>Next problem, scheme. In most modern 4-3s, you have a 1 technique and 3 technique defensive tackle. They aren't normally lined up head-up on the guards. I'm most familiar with the weak-side (away from the tight end) tackle being the 1, in the gap between the center and guard. The strong-side tackle would on the outside shoulder of the play-side guard (3-technique.) BOTH tackles have a chance to blow up the play. The 3 won't be able to be reach-blocked by the center. The 1 technique or nose tackle should be able to blow up his pulling guard and/or make the back change direction. You're going to have a bad time.</p><p> </p><p>In a 3-4, the center's job is easier, as he doesn't have to reach block anyone--the nose should be head-up most plays. A good nose, however, will make you pay if you don't double team him. That is his role. Assuming he can do that, one of those guards isn't pulling, he's doubling the nose. The offensive tackles have a tougher job though. Most of the time, 3-4 ends are lined up right in their faces. I don't see them getting the release need, at all, to clean up on the the MIKE. </p><p> </p><p>Sweeps are also a perfect example of my statement that, "on running plays, a 3-4 is really a 5-2." 3-4 OLBs are 'just' undersized defensive ends. They are also lined up outside of the tight end, making his job much more difficult that it is drawn up. The lead back probably needs to move his double team here, but he doesn't really have a good angle to pull it off for an outside run. (A much better tactic would be for tight end to block down and double the end and have the lead back kick-out the OLB, but then we're not running a sweep anymore.) And we haven't dealt with either ILB--the tackle didn't get his release, now both line backers are scraping the line, maybe one of them shoots a gap causing havok. Maybe the both just play straight-up, disciplined football. But we have two guys otherwise unaccounted for. Of course, maybe Lombardi had a counter, but we'll never know, as he didn't really face the 3-4.</p><p> </p><p>Finally, we have actual playcalls. </p><p> </p><p>What if there is a safety blitz? Corner blitz? How about an 8th man in the box? What if the defensive linemen have a strong-side slant called? What if there is an OLB run blitz called with their aim point right in the path of the pulling guard?</p><p> </p><p>These things aren't really a single 'aha!' moment, but rather nawing at all the problems with the play. Quite simply, attacking the edge of modern defenses isn't attacking a weakness. (If anything, it plays to the strength, because stringing out a play gives the defense more time to react and flow to the ball.)</p><p> </p><p>There are better, more effective ways to run the ball. The is the fundamental reason the sweep has fallen out of favor.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="mradtke66, post: 472697, member: 4199"] While in theory is should still work fine, in reality it doesn't. Wide running plays in general don't work consistently in the NFL due to speed of the modern defense. Start with the middle linebacker. The sideline to sideline MIKE is everywhere now. As soon as he sees both guards pulling, he'd just start running. I'd wager that most offensive tackles won't have enough time to effectively execute the double team on the play-side end and pick off the MIKE. Or if the tackle leaves the End sooner to make sure MIKE doesn't blow up the play, the fullback is now one on one with an end. The ends should win 80% or more of those matchups and allows him to blow up one or both pulling guards or the running back. Which is the next problem, the two pulling guards. If that is a staple of your offense, I would tell my MIKE to shoot the gap and cause problems in the backfield. Consider it a hot-read blitz call. Again, the modern MIKE can make that play. Next problem, scheme. In most modern 4-3s, you have a 1 technique and 3 technique defensive tackle. They aren't normally lined up head-up on the guards. I'm most familiar with the weak-side (away from the tight end) tackle being the 1, in the gap between the center and guard. The strong-side tackle would on the outside shoulder of the play-side guard (3-technique.) BOTH tackles have a chance to blow up the play. The 3 won't be able to be reach-blocked by the center. The 1 technique or nose tackle should be able to blow up his pulling guard and/or make the back change direction. You're going to have a bad time. In a 3-4, the center's job is easier, as he doesn't have to reach block anyone--the nose should be head-up most plays. A good nose, however, will make you pay if you don't double team him. That is his role. Assuming he can do that, one of those guards isn't pulling, he's doubling the nose. The offensive tackles have a tougher job though. Most of the time, 3-4 ends are lined up right in their faces. I don't see them getting the release need, at all, to clean up on the the MIKE. Sweeps are also a perfect example of my statement that, "on running plays, a 3-4 is really a 5-2." 3-4 OLBs are 'just' undersized defensive ends. They are also lined up outside of the tight end, making his job much more difficult that it is drawn up. The lead back probably needs to move his double team here, but he doesn't really have a good angle to pull it off for an outside run. (A much better tactic would be for tight end to block down and double the end and have the lead back kick-out the OLB, but then we're not running a sweep anymore.) And we haven't dealt with either ILB--the tackle didn't get his release, now both line backers are scraping the line, maybe one of them shoots a gap causing havok. Maybe the both just play straight-up, disciplined football. But we have two guys otherwise unaccounted for. Of course, maybe Lombardi had a counter, but we'll never know, as he didn't really face the 3-4. Finally, we have actual playcalls. What if there is a safety blitz? Corner blitz? How about an 8th man in the box? What if the defensive linemen have a strong-side slant called? What if there is an OLB run blitz called with their aim point right in the path of the pulling guard? These things aren't really a single 'aha!' moment, but rather nawing at all the problems with the play. Quite simply, attacking the edge of modern defenses isn't attacking a weakness. (If anything, it plays to the strength, because stringing out a play gives the defense more time to react and flow to the ball.) There are better, more effective ways to run the ball. The is the fundamental reason the sweep has fallen out of favor. [/QUOTE]
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