Breakdown Sports

Against Michigan, Penn State pulled out a nice wrinkle to their run action. While most teams that run out of gun incorporate an inside zone read, the Nittany Lions prefer more of a belly read approach. In this post we are going to look at the difference between the more common Inside Zone run , the Belly Option that PSU prefers, and the counter action off of it with the utilization of a speed option . A couple weeks later Rutgers tried to utilize a similar strategy but had much less success. We're going to poke at the difference between teams in this post as well.

We talked previously about the variety of Cover 4 coverages that allow defenses to mix up their look and reaction to routes while still playing what is essentially the same basic scheme. This time, I’m going to move away a bit from what is done post snap and look at how a defense can be benefitted by pre-snap positioning; that is: leverage and depth. In this way, you can combat some of the offense’s strengths while still maintaining your base scheme. This article will focus on the position of the front 7 and what they can do to benefit the coverage scheme.

All images from  Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Base O - Mostly 21 personnel, off-set I. A bit of 11 personnel from gun. Mix of zone runs with Power O to counter. Base D - 4-3 Under was the standard, but they played a bit of 3-4 as well is certain situations. Mostly a two-high safety look, lots of Cover 2 and Cover 6; passive defense.

This is intended to be a look at the B1G players participating in the NFL combine (and a couple others that I think may get drafted). I include combine results, though that is only a small part of the equation for me. I put much more value into what I've seen on film rather than by how well someone has been taught to run the 40 yard dash. I try to give a basic overview of strengths, weaknesses, fit, and where I'd expect them to be drafted based on "norms". What that means is that I'm not really looking at mock drafts, I don't have my ear to the ground for what Mel Kiper is saying about a guy. It's just based on what I've seen on film. This will be five parts long, with teams coming in alphabetical order. Part I Part II Part III Part IV

Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images Wisconsin O: 11, 12, 21 personnel. IZ base run, heavy sell PA for most pass yards. Rutgers D: One Gap 3-4 (mostly Under) Rutgers O: 11 personnel Wisconsin D: One Gap 3-4 (mostly Under), lots of Cover 1 Robber

LINK Preface I watched the first half of this game and highlights Offense Rutgers was mostly a single back, 11 personnel unit. Mixing in 12 personnel near the goal line. Run heavy for the most part, when they did throw, they typically threw deep and away from underneath coverage. Defense 3-4 base, with a designated Rush end to make it behave a bit more like an Under front than a true 3-4. Lots of twists and slants to get the DL in one-gap situations. Mostly zone behind.

Ceiling: 8               Ranking: 6                  Floor: 3.75 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: Detroit Country Day (Franklin, MI) Size: 6'3" - 200 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, 0.8697 ,  #25 Pro #476 Overall 247 : 3 Star, 83, #55 Pro Rivals : 4 Star, 5.8, #7 Pro, #180 Overall Scout : 3 Star, #35 QB Favorites:  Rutgers (Commit) Others:  Iowa, CMU, WMU Strengths Gets the ball deep and is a great passer on throws 10+ yards (particularly post patterns) Very comfortable throwing on the run, particularly moving right Keeps his eyes down field and gets the ball into the hands of his play makers. Can really push the ball deep by having good arm strength and a nice flight trajectory. Ball drops in pretty well and he allows for his WRs to make plays. Good throwing power on intermediate routes, gets good height and zip on his post and dig type routes, really steps in an...

Ceiling: 8               Ranking: 6.25                  Floor: 4.5 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: St John's College (Washington, DC) Size: 6'0" - 190 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, 0.8747 ,  #10 Dual, #417 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 90, #15 Dual. #238 Overall Rivals : 3 Star, 5.7 Scout : 3 Star, #37 QB Favorites:  Maryland (Commit) Others: Arizona, Arizona St, Arkansas, Boston College, Cincinnati, Florida St, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Miami (FL), Michigan St, NC State, Ohio St, Rutgers, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin Strengths Good trajectory to throw into the seam or over opening between CBs and safeties in a cover 2 Fast and quick runner that can take it for a TD at any time Gets low behind the LOS and sets up blockers well to get into the second level Decent throwing strength. While he struggles to push the ball deep and doesn't have pure arm strength,...

Ceiling: 8                 Ranking: 6                  Floor: 3.5 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) Size: 6'5" - 215 lbs. Composite: 4 Star, 0.9020 ,  #13 Pro, #251 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 90, #16 Pro Rivals : 4 Star, 5.8, #8 Pro, #188 Overall Scout : 3 Star, #28 QB Favorites: Penn State (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Michigan State, Miss St, Mizzou, Rutgers, South Florida, Vandy Strengths Very quick, compact release leaves little time for defenders to anticipate throws Capable of switching up trajectories with good touch Size allows him to see field and go through progressions well at this stage Has a nice, quick, compact release, finishes with his arm releasing to throwing hand side. Capable of switching up ball flight trajectory and applying touch for different types of throws. Has great height and size for a QB. Is able to...

Ceiling: 8                Ranking: 5.5                 Floor: 4 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Size: 6'1" - 200 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, #103 RB 247 : 3 Star, 81, #92 RB Rivals : 3 Star, 5.5 Scout : 3 Star, #77 RB Favorites: Boston College, Florida State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin Other Notable Offers: Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina  Strengths Good initial burst, quick to get up to full speed. Good stop/start quickness, pushes defenders past him and gets back up to speed with good burst. Plants foot solidly in ground and gets running north/south with strength behind his shoulders. Has a good shoulder lean upon contact. Keeps feet churning when still square to LOS. Falls forward when going down. Uses his left hand well to stiff arm defenders and scrape away tacklers hands. B...