ESPN: NFL Playbooks Are Sacred

[gibbsisgod]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

What amazes me is the complexity of blocking schemes. The guard needs to block the numbers in this situation or the outside shoulder in that situation. We tend to think of it as "you take him, and you take the middle linebacker, and we'll push them back", but it's actually quite an intricate dance they're doing. No wondr coaches are always using the "I need to see the film" out. They really do need to see the film.

That is another reason it is very important to keep your o-line together for multiple seasons. Not only do you need to know what your assignment is, but you also need to know exactly what your linemates are thinking. It only takes one player not knowing his assignments to make the whole o-line look bad.

[Beemnseven]

I've never understood how offenses can draw up plays without knowing how the defense is going to line up.

But then, I've never played the game on an organized level.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I've never understood how offenses can draw up plays without knowing how the defense is going to line up.

But then, I've never played the game on an organized level.

Case in point:

ESPN - Video games: Hasselbeck looks for an edge - NFL

The Washington Redskins come to mind among those that vary their defensive schemes the most. "They are incredibly hard to prepare for," Hasselbeck said, "and yet, if you do the work and you do prepare for them, because they are aggressive in their blitz schemes, there are opportunities."

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Case in point:

ESPN - Video games: Hasselbeck looks for an edge - NFL

Speaking of Matt Hasselback and playbook complexity:

Matt Hasselback | New York Times Video


The second one with his daughters is pretty funny.

*Be careful, if you leave the videos running to long you're forced to be subjected to hippies (drug smokers) protesting at the RNC. Just a heads up.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I've never understood how offenses can draw up plays without knowing how the defense is going to line up.

But then, I've never played the game on an organized level.

That's the great part about it. It's truly a chess match from both sides.

You never played high school ball Beems?

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

You never played high school ball Beems?

Nope. I would have had to maintain at least a "C" average in order to participate in after-school activities -- which meant I was hopelessly out of contention.

[Mc2guy]

Wow, I think I have a new found respect for the NFL player's mental responsibilities. No wonder it has taken a fully year plus in Al's system for players to truly know their responsibilities on each play.

[44Dive]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Some players grasp the complexities much faster than others. Redskins backup quarterback Todd Collins, an honors student at Michigan, was called "Rain Man" by his teammates in Kansas City because he almost effortlessly knew the book forward and backward.

ESPN - Packed with info, NFL playbooks are sacred - NFL

We finally have a nickname for Collins!

Yea Jerry's Kid because he sure in the hell can't throw the damn ball.