[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I think the answer keeps hitting us in the face. When the Giants played us they kept all their defensive lineman and LB lined up between the tackles prior to ball snap. When we played the Rams they did the same thing. Why? cause everyone knows 90% of our runs go between the tackles. All they have to do is load up the middle and stuff the lanes. When the Giants played against Dallas they only kept 3 D-lineman between the tackles. They usually had one DE at each tackle position and one DL floating between them lining up. I believe it was to contain the outside run, but due to this Dallas ran all day up the middle even walked in for a TD. Even Romo ran one up the middle.

Zorn either figures out a way to stretch the other teams defense out or we will see more games like these last two. Hell put 4 WR's in spread them out and run the ball. Even it it's a QB run.

We've actually been using too much of the Stretch play, going outside rather than smashing it between the tackles. Even with a tight alignment if the DL gets push while the OL is stepping laterally it blows up the Stretch, as long as the cutback lanes are all filled and the DB on the outside keeps contain (which inside the 10 is pretty easy to do). I believe the Giants alignment particularly had more to do with the abilities of the RBs on the Skins vs. Giants rather than the potential playcall. Portis & Betts are not guys who have the explosiveness to start in and bounce out. Barber (pre-quad injury) and Jones can.

I certainly agree with your point about spreading out the D inside the 10 and creating space. Putting the big WRs on the outside will help spread the CBs out. Zorn needs to use his formations & motions better to get the D where he wants them to set up the inside runs.