Defensive Line Technique

[TheLoveDoctor]

If anyone watched the USC/ND game (which was pretty good) USCs defensive line is awesome. When they pass rush, the ends pinch or close in on the quarterback so he has no scrambling room. When I watch our pass rush, the guys get into the backfield alright but they are going straight back instead of closing in on the QB. Is this technique that is taught, or are all D-Linemen trying to do this (collapse the pocket) and some can and some can't?

[Vulgar Display of Orange]

We do that for containment on account of our weak LB corps.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

We do that for containment on account of our weak LB corps.

were you trying to be funny?

[OKState918]

A lot of that just depends on the coaching philosophies of the defensive coordinator.

[Vulgar Display of Orange]

No. We are weak and now shallow at LB. So if our ends do get boxed in we don't have the horses at LB & CB to mitigate the damage.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

No. We are weak and now shallow at LB. So if our ends do get boxed in we don't have the horses at LB & CB to mitigate the damage.

Well, IMHO, it's the exact opposite.

Maybe the coach can weight in.

What I've read from the coaches' comments is that we do that to make sure that the QB does not get outside, in order to drive him into our strenght -- the LBs.

LB is the strength of our defense, and has been all year.

This is the best LB corps that we've had in about 5-6 years.


And that's on pass rushing... on running plays our LBs are very quick down the line and seldom give up much.

[OKState918]

What I've read from the coaches' comments is that we do that to make sure that the QB does not get outside, in order to drive him into our strenght -- the LBs.

Exactly my thinking, Cali, and pretty much straight along the same line as my statement that a lot of it has to do with coaching philosophy.

By preventing the ends to collapse the pocket inward too much, it allows them to better cover the line of scrimmage. That's an important aspect of a defensive plan when you're playing in a league like the Big 12 that's full of teams teams with mobile quarterbacks and teams that like to use the screen pass.

Think about it. The closer the defensive ends collapse toward the center, the less distance a quarterback, pitchman or slot receiver has to go to make it around the line.

The less distance the ball carrier has to go, the less time the linebackers and secondary have to get to the line and make a play.

Now maybe I'm just imagining things, but it seems like we did a pretty damn good job of covering the screen and outside running game during the second half of the Missouri game.

[MemphisPoke]

For a pocket passer the ends can "pinch" in and go for the QB. Note the Pros and what they do.

For a mobile QB, containment. We are in the Big 12 where you see a lot of mobile QB's. You see a lot of sweeps. You see more reverses. You see a lot of passes out into the flat. You see more screens. All of these are, as has been said, to force the movement into the center of the field....where the linebackers are. One of the reasons you look for speedy LB's is so they can cover both the inside and the outside. Remember they start off a yard or two back so they can see the blocking that is headed their way (and shed it) or see the direction of the play and react to it, whether it be to fill a gap or to move down the line towards the direction of the play.

[Vulgar Display of Orange]

Well, IMHO, it's the exact opposite.

Maybe the coach can weight in.

What I've read from the coaches' comments is that we do that to make sure that the QB does not get outside, in order to drive him into our strenght -- the LBs.

LB is the strength of our defense, and has been all year.

This is the best LB corps that we've had in about 5-6 years.


And that's on pass rushing... on running plays our LBs are very quick down the line and seldom give up much.

Right....send the action to them instead of making them work outside and down the line for it. Just because they are the strength of our #94 defense does not mean that they are capable of playing the entire field. If you want to be right that bad then take it.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I'm not trying to be "right", just wondering why you're bashing our LBs which have been widely reported to be our defensive team strength, and most experienced unit.

I don't really care what the DEs do (I'm sure they're following instruction), but your seemingly unfounded bashing of the LBs had me a bit perplexed.

[CoachOSU]

CaliforniaCowboy... brace yourself for a minute (waiting...) I am actually going to agree with everything you said..

I'm still shocked myself...

Our LB core is not weak at all... Lavine is an absloute MAN... Sexton is undersized but a fast and aggressive outside linebacker... Booker, I would like for you to call him weak.. That number 44 that smacks all the RB's around.. that would be that weak LB you are talking about Vulgar...

As far as ends and DT's running up the field... it really depends on the scheme. If you are playing against a running team who relies on alot of misdirection, trap, counter, cutback, zone reads... then you wouldn't want to pursuit up field.. instead you want to battle at the line, fill in gaps to control running lanes, and have heel line pursuit to the ball... just trying to make everything bounce down the line and use the sideline as a 12th defender.

With Missouri, I think the thought process was the you had a gimpy QB who was not much of a running threat so we wanted to pressure him to step up in the pocket and funnel him to blitzing LB's (you know those weak ones) to get pressure on.

I think if you were playing us (Oklahoma State) you wouldn't want to run up the field because of the zone read and of the fact tht Robinson can run by finding openings in running lanes...

The concern I had was the fact that running straight up the field we still didn't get much pressure on Gabbert until the second half.
But it just depends on what Young's scheme was and how they wanted to control the pocket..

To say our LB's are weak is like saying our QB is weak because we don't have a proven backup and he only threw for one touchdown so he must be weak... is doesn't add up.

IMO

[CoachOSU]

Forgot to mention Gent at the LB position who has gotten good amount of playing time and reps in the games... Gent is a Junior who has made some good plays... Furr is a freshmen who also has alot of promise at the LB position..

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I thought that Junior Tolu Moala has looked good too.