Zone blocking scheme outdated?

[HPF Bob]

Those with long memories may recall how the Ravens used to routinely brutalized the Broncos whenever the two teams met. Considering Kubiak is essentially running the Broncos playbook and Ryan is running the Ravens', the result in hindsight might have been more predictable.

I wouldn't pronounce the ZBS dead. Very ordinary RBs still have very good days using it. However, the ZBS was dealt a big blow when the cut block was outlawed. Cutting defenders neutralized some of the height/weight differential that made lighter ZBS lines effective against the big bullies of the league. With that gone, lines have to rely on quickness and positioning instead of opening holes by getting defenders down on the ground or getting them more concerned about their knees instead of the ball carrier.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

However, the ZBS was dealt a big blow when the cut block was outlawed.

I dunno did I miss the memo they circulated ? I knew the "chop block" was illegal, but didn't know the NFL had also made the cut block illegal ?

[kravix]

Im pretty sure the cut block is still "legal", but they put some restrictions on it which renders it not as effective. Something about going below the waist on engaged linemen, I think......

[Mike]

Here is the cut blocking rule:

Cut blocks can be legal in the free blocking zone, which is the six-yard by eight-yard zone centered on the football. Cut blocks are illegal in the open field. It also is illegal to cut block a player that is already engaged in a block with another player.


Lance Z had some great insight this AM on why we had so many issues Sunday. Part of it was disguising who the Mike LB was, and showing overloads to a different side of the line, causing the protections to slide towards the overload, then bringing the blitzers who were playing games from the other side.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Mike

Lance Z had some great insight this AM on why we had so many issues Sunday. Part of it was disguising who the Mike LB was, and showing overloads to a different side of the line, causing the protections to slide towards the overload, then bringing the blitzers who were playing games from the other side.

They've already covered some of that in other places, TV spots I've seen this week. The thing is this is nothing new or innovative for a D, certainly not
the 3-4s which are known for these kinds of unconventional schemes.
Jeez, Kubiak has been in this league forever and he has assistants who've been around much longer. Gibbs is a real old-timer. None of that stuff should
surprise or confuse them.
I'm still completed mystified how any team could have caught the Texans offense with theirs pants down on this deal ?

[mussop]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

They've already covered some of that in other places, TV spots I've seen this week. The thing is this is nothing new or innovative for a D, certainly not
the 3-4s which are known for these kinds of unconventional schemes.
Jeez, Kubiak has been in this league forever and he has assistants who've been around much longer. Gibbs is a real old-timer. None of that stuff should
surprise or confuse them.
I'm still completed mystified how any team could have caught the Texans offense with theirs pants down on this deal ?

Mee too! Wish we could catch some teams with some of this trickery.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

They've already covered some of that in other places, TV spots I've seen this week. The thing is this is nothing new or innovative for a D, certainly not
the 3-4s which are known for these kinds of unconventional schemes.
Jeez, Kubiak has been in this league forever and he has assistants who've been around much longer. Gibbs is a real old-timer. None of that stuff should
surprise or confuse them.
I'm still completed mystified how any team could have caught the Texans offense with theirs pants down on this deal ?

I'm not saying there is an excuse for what the Texans did. They should have known exactly what was going to happen after what Rex did to them with the Ravens.

[Fonz the Boss]

The reason why we cannot blitz as much as the Jets is because we dont have a secondary that can stay on an island playing cover 1 on receivers. Frank Bush tried blitzing Sanchez on almost every third down and you saw what happened. That is why the Richard Smith schemes involved little to no blitzing. He knew he didnt have the defensive personnel for the more complex and exotic blitz packages.