Offense and O-Line analysis - Week 10

BACH

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Once again I start with a big shout out to the D. 0 Touchdowns allowed in three home games. Dominant performance and a pass rush. I think the reason for these improvements are all due to the young secondary developing and Gannon/Ralis no longer have to compensate for a weak coverage, which frees up the front 7 to do more complex schemes.

SCHEME
The Offense continue to evolve and I love it.

The Dolphins wanted to stop the run and Kyler carved them up with the passing game out of run formations both passing and running himself.

The Bears didn't want that to happen and instead Petzing threw so many different run combinations at them from the preferred tight 12 personal formation that the Bears D had zero clue and Kyler basicly didn't have to do anything against them.

This game facing a very good collection of the best D players (how good they are playing as a collective is a different question), Petzing threw something different at them.
The overall scheme remained the same, but it happened from very different formations that kept changing throughout the game.

The coaching staff must have seen something to exploit in terms of size, because while the formations in this game were very different, the players on the field were not. The personel was for a majority still 12, but not tight formation but with TEs spread out, Reiman and McBride as FB in the backfield and several plays where RBs motioned out as WR both in empty and pistol. This created mismatches throughout the game isolating MHJ and McBride either in single coverage and sitting between the zones. It also left the dump off passes to RBs very poorly defended as coverage was deeper when the Jets tried to cover the size mis-matches in the intermediate passing game.

There were a number of plays with Dortch in the backfield including on the play that got Kyler killed.

(I will provide some more detail below on the formations below)

Kyler is staying more in the pocket and is playing his career best as a "traditional" QB and Petzing adding sprinkles of designed runs that the Jets had ZERO answer for.

Again! This is a well coached and disciplined team committing few penalties (4th in the NFL).

Complimentary playmakers. I like the progression of the overall offense and it seems that more and more players are getting involved. The biggest change is obviously at RB, where the light seem to turned on for Benson and Demercato continue to contribute in a limited role. Reiman is being used in more and more in different roles.

A few observations of the different formations and looks in this game.

1st drive
Cardinals come out more in 3 WR Set and 12 spread formation with TEs lining up outside instead of the default formation, which is 12 personal tight with TEs motioning.

On the long reception to Connor that set up the TD it was MHJ, McBride and Reiman in intermediate routes crossing, Dortch from the back-field freezing the D leaving Connor WIDE open in the flat with a key block by Froholdt.
On the Connor TD. After being beaten on the first run. Froholdt absolutely blasts Quinnen Williams in at designed left wedge block.

2nd drive
One play to notice. Reiman lining up as a FB. He rolls out to block with Kyler rolling out. This is what I described against the Dolphins. Reiman doesn't add much in production, but the Ds are clearly scared shitless of him as he works as Kyler's lead blocker on many of the designed runs. He freezes the Jets' D, but actually well played by the Jets, but still leaves Wilson open for a short completion.
Spread with TEs leaves Harrison open for a 17 yards gain.
New look of the season. Spread formation and PJJ in a backside pull in the hole springing a nice Benson run. I do not believe PJJ has ever pulls across from the backside before.
Still 12 Personal spread. Empty back-field with Benson motioning out. McBride sitting between zones
Kyler 1st TD. Heavy formation with Reiman in motion right and Brown pulling right in the hole. But a Fake. Kyler basicly walks in rolling left.

3rd drive
Again a call out on the use Reiman. He basicly takes over PJJs blindside tackle that enables O-line to come in front of Connor for a screen.
9:01 left in 2nd. First real play out of the default tight 12, but not the expected run, but a pass play
The Kyler sack. Dortch out of the backfield and he is the outlet for the overload blitz. Kyler doesn't look his way at all and gets blasted.
After the sack. The Sweep right double pull playside, that is the favorite running play, but not out of 12 tight.
On the MHJ TD. Connor is lining up wide as a WR leaving single coverage on MHJ. BEAUTIFUL pass from Kyler.

4th drive
Mcbride Motion left, then motion back to FB. Double pull from backside G and OT. McBride lead blocker. Benson run for 6

5th Drive
Jets were done at this point. Petzing had been throwing so many different looks at them, that they were clueless, so back to the standard looks.
Again a call out on Reiman. Beautiful set-up screen pass to Benson. Reiman makes 3 blocks on the play!!!!
Then a 13 personel tight. Sweep left
Again a 13. Run off tackle right. Higgins lead in motion. Brown as backside pull to open the hole.
Kyle 2nd TD. Standard 12 personal tight. Read option. Kyler runs with excellent blocking in front.


O-Line
I was really looking forward to this game to see how the O-line matched up against one of the better pass-rushing unit and especially how Froholdt matched up against Williams, who is a top 3 player at at DT. Overall the O-line looked good and is playing like one of the best line in the league.

Three observations.
When back-ups came in in garbage time. It was PJJ and Froholdt being pulled from the starters cementing that they are the two pillars of this line.

No Adams in this game. Clearly a decision based on the pass-protection where Adams struggles more than Colon. Too risky given that the Jets D-Line are elite at rushing the passer.

A key to the success to this O-line is the intelligence of how they play. They are mastering a super complex scheme with a minimal amount of errors. One thing to point out is they way they pull. Perfect angles and they make the block every single time. That is rare!

PJJ
Solid game as always with some new twists as he was used a a back side puller (I believe the first time I have seen a backside OT pull in the scheme) and one play, where Reiman simply took over. He is one of the better OT in the NFL - a bit under the radar, because he doesn't excel in either run or pass blocking. He's all-round good and currently 12th in the NFL in pff overall blocking grade.

Evan Brown - per @Gandhi's request a bit more on him.
Highest overall grade on the O-Line in this game and currently the 19th best G in the league. Brown is playing at a very high level and is a very good starter. I think the 19th rating places him clearly in the 2nd tier of guards in the NFL (5 tiers). Above average starter and an asset to the team. He is a good pass-blocker and run-blocker - slightly grading higher in pass-blocking.

With that being said, Brown is IMO the player asked to do the least on the line. He is left on his island and does his job. There is No help, But also He’s not asked to do the difficult blocks as e.g. Froholdt.

Froholdt
I was looking forward to his match-up against Williams, because I wanted to see his improvement in especially pass-blocking against the dominant DTs. Well. Froholdt showed what he is - good and bad. Froholdt is currently rated as the 6th best C in the league, but a much better run blocker than pass-blocker. He was an absolute beast in the run-game which he showed in this game and IMO perhaps the best overall lineman in the NFL in space (reaching 2nd level and pulls). The long reception from Connor on the opening drive. 90+% of linemen do not make that block.
He struggled against Williams in pass-pro giving up 2 hurries and 2 pressures. What I liked is the adjustment that was made in the pass-blocking going from a more traditional 1-1 to actually scheming in pass-pro. Several pass-pro plays the protection was wedge-ish, where Froholdt isn't asked to protect both gaps, but rather takes an angle to take out the DT, close one gap, which then opens the other gap and Brown was pulling into that hole. Kyler was under pressure, but besides the one sack, it was a good game.

Colon
No Adams this game. Colon is a more stable pass-blocker than Adams which I expect is the reason for him playing the entire game. Makes sense to leave Adams out based on that, but really interested to see how this develops, because Adams have shown elite run-blocking when playing and that is hard to ignore.

Beachum
Stable but not spectacular. A serviceable starter, which is a luxury as your swing tackle. Rated 45th in the NFL, which interesting enough is around where Jonah Williams rated as the blindside LT last year. Jonah Williams has graded better as RT in the past, so I assume given contract and age that Williams will return into the starting line-up after the bye.



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eastcoastDave

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Great read on an area of the team most of us overlook because we’re not knowledgeable. But the O line is where wins and losses are made. Looking forward to when the Cardinals get ALL of the injured back. Barring something unforeseen, that will happen when the Cards take the field against the Seahawks.
 

Redsz

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Thanks Bach great write up!
 

CardNots

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Almost like watching the game again but with details not covered by the actual broadcast.

Fantastic view to how offensive scheming is executed on the field.

Would be grateful to have a detailed analysis of what is happening with the defensive scheming.

Bach, major effort communicating what you see. THANK YOU!
 
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Crimson Warrior

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Once again I start with a big shout out to the D. 0 Touchdowns allowed in three home games. Dominant performance and a pass rush. I think the reason for these improvements are all due to the young secondary developing and Gannon/Ralis no longer have to compensate for a weak coverage, which frees up the front 7 to do more complex schemes.

SCHEME
The Offense continue to evolve and I love it.

The Dolphins wanted to stop the run and Kyler carved them up with the passing game out of run formations both passing and running himself.

The Bears didn't want that to happen and instead Petzing threw so many different run combinations at them from the preferred tight 12 personal formation that the Bears D had zero clue and Kyler basicly didn't have to do anything against them.

This game facing a very good collection of the best D players (how good they are playing as a collective is a different question), Petzing threw something different at them.
The overall scheme remained the same , but it happened from very different formations that kept changing throughout the game.
The coaching staff must have seen something to exploit in terms of size, because while the formations in this game were very different, the players on the field were not. The personel was for a majority still 12, but not tight formation but with TEs spread out, Reiman and McBride as FB in the backfield and several plays where RBs motioned out as WR both in empty and pistol. This created mismatches throughout the game isolating MHJ and McBride either in single coverage and sitting between the zones. It also left the dump off passes to RBs very poorly defended as coverage was deeper when the Jets tried to cover the size mis-matches in the intermediate passing game.

There were a number of plays with Dortch in the backfield including on the play that got Kyler killed.

(I will provide some more detail below on the formations below)

Kyler is staying more in the pocket and is playing his career best as a "traditional" QB and Petzing adding sprinkles of designed runs that the Jets had ZERO answer for.

Again! This is a well coached and disciplined team committing few penalties (4th in the NFL).

Complimentary playmakers. I like the progression of the overall all offense and it seems that more and more players are getting involved. The biggest change is obviously at RB, where the light seem to turned on for Benson and Demercato continue to contribute in a limited role. Reiman is being used in more and more in different roles.

A few observations of the different formations and looks in this game.

1st drive
Cardinals come out in spread formation but with TEs lining up outside instead of the default formation, which is 12 personal tight with TEs montioning.

On the long reception to Connor that set up the TD it was MHJ, McBride and Reiman in intermediate routes crossing, Dortch in the back-field freezing the D leaving Connor WIDE open in the flat with a key block by Froholdt
On the Connor TD. After being beaten on the first run. Froholdt absolutely blasts Quinnen Williams in at designed left wedge block.

2nd drive
One play to notice. Reiman lining up as a FB. He rolls out to block with Kyler rolling out. This is what I described against the Dolphins. Reiman doesn't add much in production, but the Ds are clearly scared shitless of him as he works as Kyler's lead blocker on many of the designed runs. He freezes the Jets' D, but actually well played by the Jets, but still leaves Wilson open for a short completion.
Spread with TEs leaves Harrison open for a 17 yards gain.
New look of the season. Spread formation and PJJ in a backside springing a nice Benson run. I do not believe PJJ has ever pulls across from the backside before.
Still 12 Personal spread. Empty back-field with Benson motioning out. McBride sitting between zones
Kyler 1st TD. Heavy formation with Reiman in motion right and Brown pulling right in the hole. But a Fake. Kyler basicly walks in rolling left.

3rd drive
Again a call out on the use Reiman. He basicly takes over PJJs blindside tackle that enables O-line to come in front of Connor for a screen.
9:01 left in 2nd. First play out of the default tight 12, but not the expected run, but a pass play
The Kyler sack. Dortch out of the backfield and he is the outlet for the overload blitz. Kyler doesn't look his way at all and gets blasted.
After the sack. The Sweep right double pull playside, that is the favorite running play, but not out of 12 tight.
On the MHJ TD. Connor is lining up wide as a WR leaving single coverage on MHJ. BEAUTIFUL pass from Kyler.

4th drive
Mcbride Motion left, then motion back to FB. Double pull from backside G and OT. Benson run for 6

5th Drive
Jets were done at this point. Petzing had been throwing so many different looks at them, that they were clueless, so back to the standard looks.
Again a call out on Reiman. Beautiful set-up screen pass. Reiman makes 3 blocks on the play!!!!
Then a 13 personel tight. Sweep left
Again a 13. Run off tackle right. Higgins lead in motion. Brown as backside pull to open the hole.
Kyle 2nd TD. Standard 12 personal tight. Read option. Kyler runs with excellent blocking in front.


O-Line
I was really looking forward to this game to see how the O-line matched up against one of the better pass-rushing unit and especially how Froholdt matched up against Williams, who is a top 3 player at at DT. Overall the O-line looked good and is playing like one of the best line in the league.

Three observations.
When back-ups came in in garbage time. It was PJJ and Froholdt being pulled from the starters cementing that they are the two pillars of this line.

No Adams in this game. Clearly a decision based on the pass-protection where Adams struggles more than Colon. Too risky given that the Jets D-Line are elite at rushing the passer.

A key to the success to this O-line is the intelligence of how they play. They are mastering a super complex scheme with a minimal amount of errors. One thing to point out is they way they pull. Perfect angles and they make the block every single time. That is rare!

PJJ
Solid game as always with some new twists as he was used a a back side puller (I believe the first time I have seen a backside OT pull in the scheme) and one play, where Reiman simply took over. He is one of the better OT in the NFL - a bit under the radar, because he doesn't excel in either run or pass blocking. He's all-round good and currently 12th in the NFL in pff overall blocking grade.

Evan Brown - per @Gandhi's request a bit more on him.
Highest overall grade on the O-Line in this game and currently the 19th best G in the league. Brown is playing at a very high level and is a very good starter. I think the 19th rating places him clearly in the 2nd tier of guards in the NFL (5 tiers). Above average starter and an asset to the team. He is a good pass-blocker and run-blocker - slightly grading higher in pass-blocking.

With that being said, Brown is IMO the player asked to do the least on the line. He is left on his island and not asked to do the difficult blocks as e.g. Froholdt.

Froholdt
I was looking forward to his match-up against Williams, because I wanted to see his improvement in especially pass-blocking against the dominant DTs. Well. Froholdt showed was he is - good and bad. Froholdt is currently rated as the 6th best C in the league, but a much better run blocker than pass-blocker. He was an absolute beast in the run-game which he showed in this game and IMO perhaps the best overall lineman in the NFL in space (reaching 2nd level and pulls). He struggled against Williams in pass-pro giving up 2 hurries and 2 pressures. What I liked is the adjustment that was made in the pass-blocking going from a more traditional 1-1 to actually scheming in pass-pro. Kyler was under pressure, but besides the one sack, it was a good game.

Colon
No Adams this game. Colon is a more stable pass-blocker than Adams which I expect is the reason for him playing the entire game. Makes sense to leave Adams out based on that, but really interested to see how this develops, because Adams have shown elite run-blocking when playing and that is hard to ignore.

Beachum
Stable but not spectacular. A serviceable starter, which is a luxury as your swing tackle. Rated 45th in the NFL, which interesting enough is around where Jonah Williams rated as the blindside LT last year. Jonah Williams has graded better as RT in the past, so I assume given contract and age that Williams will return into the starting line-up after the bye.



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Man I love these write ups Bach! Thank you!

Agree Beachum is okay as a spot starter, but at this point in his career we're asking a lot from him! Will be glad to get Williams back in the line up!

Also agree this group is playing great overall! So few penalties week in and week out! They are the main reason we can begin the "are we the best offense in the NFL?" conversation!
 

Card'em

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It was revealed after the game that Adams had a back problem and this was the reason he didn't play. Gannon said his back locked up on him coming out of the tunnel, which was unfortunate because he had a really good week of practice.

If his pass blocking improves, he could be a good one.
 
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BACH

BACH

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Almost like watching the game again but with details not covered by the actual broadcast.

Fantastic view to how offensive scheming is executed on the field.

Would be grateful to have a detailed analysis of what is happening with the defensive scheming.

Bach, major effort communicating watch you see. THANK YOU!
Yeah. I would not be as qualified to do that

Let me know if you want some different takes, examples etc.
 

Totally_Red

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Excellent informative analysis.

I can't wait to see what Petzing will scheme up for the seachickens with 2 weeks to prepare and 2 games in 3 weeks. Get your popcorn ready!
 

HairZach

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Great stuff. Its amazing how an offense can come together like this when the schedule gets easier. Regardless, doing we did on Sunday is difficult, no matter how bad the opponent is.
 

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