CoachJimJackson

By Jim Jackson The Pittsburgh Steelers are 9-0 and are ranked 7th in the NFL in 3rd Down Conversion percentage (46%). The main reason that they are this high is that the QB is passing at an elite level in these situations, and their WR/TE are very difficult to cover 1 on 1. This article will focus on the unsung heroes of the OL who are protecting at a very high level with 1 Sack per game. 5 OL playing together and a QB who can get rid of the ball accurately and effectively is always a lethal combo. All of these plays are 3rd Down conversions against a variety of defensive looks. 1. 3rd and 6 vs. 4 Man Pressure (PHL) 2. 3rd and 6 vs. 5 Man Pressure (CIN) 3. 3rd and 2 vs. 6 Man Pressure (TEN) 4. 3rd and 11 vs 7 Man Pressure (TEN). QB is "Hot" In conclusion, Pittsburgh is very efficient and explosive on 3rd Down vs blitz. The OL is protecting and communicating at a high level, the QB is executing well, and the WR/TE are turning them into explosive play touchdowns. This is a scar...

 By Coach Jim Jackson Minnesota Vikings have a special young talent in Dalvin Cook, and the offensive coaching staff puts their players in positions where the entire Running Back position group can have success. The Vikings are currently 5th in the NFL with 153.6 yards per game (Week 11). Their main run schemes are Wide Zone, Inside Zone, and Counter, however, this article is going to focus Minnesota's misdirection runs. These runs are very good compliments that protect their top run schemes and also take advantage of their defense's pursuit. The two runs we will focus on are a Windback scheme that compliments inside zone and a Toss scheme that compliments outside zone blocking.  1. Windback Windback is based off of inside zone blocking schemes. The formation and the plays are setup to be in the exact formation of the inside zone. The offensive line will block inside knowing that the ball will automatically cutback. There is also a slice player (FB, TE) who comes across the fo...

by Jim Jackson  So you thought the Fullback was dead in the NFL? The Las Vegas Raiders are currently 9th in the NFL in rushing with 131 ypg. Much of their success has to do with multiple personnel groupings including using a traditional Fullback. They mostly run three main schemes with the fullback: Inside Zone with variations, Wide Zone, and Power. The Fullback is exclusively the lead blocker in all of these schemes. 1. Inside Zone The first run we will examine is Lead Inside Zone Weak. This is a great play to help gain blocking angles to the LBs. It works great vs a 3 down and 4 down front. They try to have a variation of this run every week. LV 14 yard gain vs. CLE. Great job by LT and LG creating vertical and horizontal stretch on the hole. LV 8 yard gain vs CLE. Excellent communication by OL. "Open" call to edge pressure. FB adjusts his blocking assignment. Great execution that is difficult to do. 2. Wide Zone The next concept we will look at is wide zone. This is a main...

We watched every offensive snap of the New York Giants and Rookie LT Andrew Thomas. He has struggled at times during the first half of his rookie season, but we believe if he fixes a few small issues in pass protection, he can get back on track and playing how he did in college at Georgia. The first issue he can work on is setting on the inside half of the DE. He tends to set past his spot on a lot of times during the game. The next step he can take is not throwing big, winding, "haymaker" type of jams on contact. Small and more controlled jams when contact happens will help him control the defender better. Again, we don't like to criticize players or coaches, but these are some simple "fixes" that if applied properly, Thomas can get on track.  Issues to work on: 1. Overset - Set with outside foot down his crotch. Don't drift too far in your set, and you never really want to set wider than nose to nose. Here is another example of an overset in the same game ...