Defending spread offenses
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
In today’s Oklahoman, I wrote about the Pokes trying to get a pass rush. It’s hard to get pressure on a quarterback with today’s spread offenses. My man Mike Baldwin asked coaches around the Big 12 about getting how to defend those offenses and get pressure on the quarterback.
Here’s what they said:
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini believes you have to mix it up.
“You can’t live in press coverage, especially if you’re hanging your guys out there because that’s when you give up big plays. That’s got to be some give and take and adjust according to the type of passing game you face.”
“If somebody is getting rid of the ball quick you have to cover them. There are different types of spread offenses and you have to be able to adjust.”
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel feels it’s critical to jam receivers, knock them off their routes:
“What a lot of people are doing is they’re trying to jam receivers and play real tight coverage and force (receivers) into double-moves which creates more time needed by the quarterback which allows your defensive line maybe to get in. It’s significant. It’s a little more difficult (than it used to be) but that’s where it comes down to the coverage part and choices you make coverage-wise. If you play very aggressively five yards within the line of scrimmage it allows you a little bit more time.”
Texas coach Mack Brown
“You’re not going to get a great pass rush because of the rule changes and the offenses now. The quarterbacks are taught so well they’re going to get the ball out of their hands. With (Texas) Tech they’re (offensive line) splits are so big, and their quarterback is so deep, those guys aren’t going to let you sack them very often. I don’t think (Tech) has given up a sack all year.”
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy
“We’ve talked about this each week. Teams that spread you out and live and die by the pass they’re taking into consideration their number of attempts and are trying to fatigue your defensive linemen. If you don’t have much depth they get tired chasing the passer. After the game I mentioned he attempted approximately 50 passes and we never tackled him with the ball behind the line. It’s hard to get pressure and get to them. But certainly it’s something you have to continue to try to do and force him out of the pocket and get him down.”
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops
“It depends on what they’re trying to do. Some of it is they’re trying to get the ball out quickly. You’re hoping for some tips and deflections. The whole idea is to get them to squeeze it and hold it a little bit longer so you can get a rush to them. Pressure when you’re blitzing, you have a chance on those shorter routes. The ball is coming out lower and shorter you have a better opportunity for deflections and tips. That’s what you’re trying to do.”
Kansas coach Mark Mangino
“One of the things we decided in the off-season we dedicated a lot of time on pass-rush fundamentals. Tom Sims, our defensive line coach, has worked incredibly hard in becoming a better pass-rush team because people are getting rid of the ball very quickly. Get your hands up. Try to knock some balls down. Use your hands. Get good take-offs. Be fundamentally sound. We were against UTEP and think that will continue.”
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What a great idea for a story. Very interesting to hear these assorted comments from the head coaches