Cut Blocks: dirty football?

[Vinny]

It says alot about their coach when they practice cut blocks and won't use them against their own team because they don't wan't to injure their own players.

Offensive line adjusts to Gibbs' aggressive style

For all the preaching that offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has done in recent months, the most tangible application of his teaching won't come for another six weeks or so, or about eight days after the Falcons begin training camp.

Then, on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 5-6, when the Falcons practice with the Titans in Nashville, the linemen will working on the cut blocks -- blocks below the knees -- in which Gibbs believes.

"You can't even practice it in training camp; you don't want to hurt your own players," said guard/center Roberto Garza . "You do drills, but really preseason games are when you get into that stuff. I'm sure we'll get some of it when we work with the Titans [including an Aug. 7 scrimmage]."

It has taken no time at all to see what Gibbs is all about.

"I think from day one we knew what we were in for," Garza said. "He's not going to accept mediocre anything. He wants guys who are going to listen, and get the job done every play. We're going to be in attack mode from the start. We're going to be in your face, and beat you down until you don't want to play any more."

New camp schedule coming

Coach Jim Mora changed the reporting date for training camp from July 28 to July 27. The first practice will be Wednesday, July 28. For the most part, the Falcons will alternate between one practice a day and two. The 9 a.m./3 p.m. practice routine of recent years will be gone.

A typical two-day sequence: Day one -- practice at 8:45 a.m., lunch, afternoon meetings, dinner, practice at 7:15 p.m., and evening meetings; Day two -- breakfast, meetings, practice at 2:45, dinner and evening meetings.

"It is sort unique. My dad did it [while coaching the Colts]," Mora said. "Dom Capers does it [with the Texans]. I talked to him recently and he said he'd never go back to another schedule.

"You get two meals and a meeting between each practice. Players get more recovery time, and they're more reinforced."

www.ajc.com

[keyfro]

i don't know if it's dirty football...because it gets the job done...and if both the offensive and defensive players are diciplined enough no injuries would occur...but that's not the case is it...realistically this type of block injuries probably 20+ players a season in the nfl...and a lot more in college...the key to this is the o-lineman not rolling when they cut block...that's when they injure players...rolling to make sure they get them...it's just all about the knees man...you gotta protect your knees...WR's do the same block on everyone else...it's just a matter of being aware on the field

[J-Man]

Originally Posted by keyfro

i don't know if it's dirty football...because it gets the job done...and if both the offensive and defensive players are diciplined enough no injuries would occur...but that's not the case is it...realistically this type of block injuries probably 20+ players a season in the nfl...and a lot more in college...the key to this is the o-lineman not rolling when they cut block...that's when they injure players...rolling to make sure they get them...it's just all about the knees man...you gotta protect your knees...WR's do the same block on everyone else...it's just a matter of being aware on the field

I can assure that no matter how much situational awareness you might have if you get cut blocked by a pulling guard or crack blocked by a WR you run a big risk of getting hurt. The block is legal but it is definetly a major cause of injuries among linemen and LBs. I have seen countless times when a guard or center is coming around on a pull or screen and takes a guys legs out...and injuries occur pretty frequently.

All in all...it is a legal move, one that both sides of the line use on occaision. I don't fault Alex Gibbs for instituting it or protecting his players in practice from it, that's just how it is in football.

[TheOgre]

It is dirty but effective. I guess it is the Texans way now.

[Panther5407]

I dont think its dirty. Its says it hurts people, but any little thing can hurt someone. Playing football is risking getting hurt, just be aware for that because its actually easy to aviod if you know how.

[WWJD]

I'm thinking the 49ers use to use some type of blocking that would get their opponents all riled up. I think it was the crackback block.

[wags]

Is there a difference between a chop and a cut block?

[J-Man]

Originally Posted by WWJD

I'm thinking the 49ers use to use some type of blocking that would get their opponents all riled up. I think it was the crackback block.

WWJD...you're refering to what is known as the "legwhip". The 49ers were notorious for it in the mid-80s to the early 90s. Basically an O-line guy will "take a dive" so to speak, ie. faking that he's been pushed off his feet by the opposing player and as he is going down he whips his leg around behind him trying to connect is foot with the other guys knee.

I remember guys being interviewed about it like Howie Long and Reggie White and how they felt it was way way over the line and endangered guys careers. Sometime in the early 90s it became illegal and you could get an Unsportsman Like Conduct call if you got caught at it.

[WWJD]

Thanks J Man.

You're right. That was what I was talking about.

The Niners were notorious for that.

[TheOgre]

Originally Posted by __V__

Why do you say that? Gibbs cut blocks are taught and practiced more with his teams than any other team that runs a zone scheme. It's not like Gibbs invented this blocking scheme and cut blocks are woven into the fabric of the protections.

I thought one of the key components to this zone blocking style is the cut block. Am I mistaken?