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Film Study - Texans at Lions

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Aight', so I have a few glasses of wine already, p**sy you say, so be it :)
I've had enough of rocks and ale since the weekend (and it's coming up again).

I may be muddling through this, but heck, I don't have anything better to do on an easy day.

I only have the first 3 defensive series, but it should be enough to give a glimpse of where the pass rush was.

I must tell you this up front.
20% of the real pass rush occured in the first 3 quarters; 80% (likely more than 80/20) happened in the 4th quarter and OT.

So the first 3 series are simply warm-ups.
The real Texans defense has yet to show up, OK.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Detroit Lions at 15:00

1-10-DET 20 (15:00) M.Stafford sacked at DET 13 for -7 yards (J.Watt).

PA Fake; Watts beat RT to the outside and get to Stafford in just over 1 sec; QB was on the ground before 2 secs.
Barwin beat LTE to the inside in just over 1 sec and could have gotten there in 2 secs at most.
Can't blame Barwin here. Beating a blocker from the 9-wide technique (a few yards outside the TE) in just over a second is huge.
He beat his man with a jug move (similar to a double move.)
If Watt was just a so-so DE who simply pressured the edge, the QB would have to step up the pocket and ran into Barwin shortly.



 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
I actually took these screen shots a few days ago, just to show the different positions where Watt lines up.
Just look at the read lines and notation.

Sorry, I don't have all the action on still shots.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-17-DET 13 (14:25) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete short right to R.Broyles.
Offense doubled Barwin innitially, but as Antonio worked to penetrated the B gap, LG followed him.
Barwin stunted to the inside of LG.
Stafford basically threw the ball away, in less than 2.5 secs.
There were no receiver open.
The ball was no where near any receiver (way behind the intended target who had yet to turn his head to look for the ball - McCain blanketing);
closest to it was Demps, who would have an easy INT if the pass was thrown a little higher.
Barwin with a QB ruff (he probably could have hit the QB harder but he kinda pulled up, not wanting to risk a late hit.
It was an intermediate 12-13 yard in route that doesn't take long to develop.
To say that Stafford had all day in the pocket has yet to hold true so far.

 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
3-17-DET 13 (14:20) (Shotgun) PENALTY on HST-J.Watt, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced at DET 13 - No Play.

3-12-DET 18 (14:20) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass short right to R.Broyles pushed ob at DET 43 for 25 yards (D.Manning). P1
Antonio penetrated the A gap, but Satfford was able to side step to his left and completed the pass.
Either McCain slipped and fell, or the receiver pushed him off, or they caught feet.
Barwin was chipped by the RB to help out the LT.
Ball gone right after 2 secs on a simple 10-yd out route,
Reed did a good job, getting off the TE and the RT, but Stafford was sliding the other way.
Good coverage by McCain here would have forced Stafford to throw the ball away before the normal 3 seconds.





 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
1-10-DET 43 (13:37) M.Leshoure right tackle to DET 44 for 1 yard (A.Smith).
Texans won the trench war at the POA with 99, 92, and 94.
Both Watt and Mitchell got penetration across the LOS; Smith with the tackle.

 
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76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-9-DET 44 (12:58) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass deep right to C.Johnson to HST 36 for 20 yards (A.Ball).

Texans came with a 6-man blitz and peel but Stafford got the ball out quickly (under 1.5 sec) to CJ on an inside release.
The ball was thrown a few yards outside the number so the single deep safety simply cannot get there soon enough (he was close though).
Ball needed to do a better job on the hand fight so he can squeeze that route to the numbers as much as possible.
This where we missed JJo.
If you remember the pass to Roy Williams (Cowboys) that people ripped KJ for allowing.
This is the same route.
Even though Williams cheat (by pulling on KJ), KJ was able to redirect RW inside, to the numbers.
In this case, Demps was in the middle of the field and can still get to that point;
Wilson had no excuse not being able to get there when he was in cover 2 (he was closer to the side line than Demps.)
Not only that, RW had to slow down due to the hand fight with KJ.
Jackson did a much better job than Allan Ball in similar situation.
If you think KJ sucked on that play, then Ball ought to be outahere. :)=P


Barwin and Reed met at the QB just as the ball was thrown.
Remember that the ball was thrown in under 1.5 sec.
Decent coverage by Ball would have forced Stafford to throw the ball away.

 
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76Texan

Hall of Fame
1-10-HST 36 (12:18) M.Leshoure up the middle to HST 24 for 12 yards (D.Manning).
Mitchell held the initial double-team, but Bradie James lost his battle.
Together with Watt penetrating too deep to the outside, there was a gaping hole in the A gap.
Sometimes, there's danger in penetration with Watt.
This wasn't the first time, and won't be the last.



 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
1-10-HST 24 (11:39) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to C.Johnson.
Right after 2 secs (about 2.25).
Crick's face-mask was grabbed by the LG from the start; even so, Crick was close to get to the QB.
Without the face mask, Crick would definitely get to Stafford and/or the ball before he can get off the pass.
Either that or he has to throw the ball away.
Barwin saw Crick's penetration and tried to jump up to bat the ball.
Reed was double-teamed on the other side.
Pass was wide off the mark, behind the receiver.
CJ turned to the inside instead of toward the sideline.
KJ was in good coverage for that 9-yd hitch route.

No picture
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-10-HST 24 (11:35) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass short right to M.Thomas to HST 12 for 12 yards (J.Crick).
Tunnel screen; pass was out in less than one sec.



 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
1-10-HST 12 (10:53) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to C.Johnson.
Quick slant, thrown in front of receiver; ball out around 1.5 sec, perhaps sooner than that.
Allan could have had an easy TD if he played the ball; instead he was looking to deliver a blow to CJ, it seems like.
Reed jammed TE and followed him.



 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-10-HST 12 (10:50) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to R.Broyles.
PA pass from shotgun; ball was out under 2 secs.
Texans defender hesitated just a tad due to PA fake; Barwin & Watt jumped up to try to bat down the pass.

 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
3-10-HST 12 (10:46) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass short left to T.Scheffler to HST 2 for 10 yards (G.Quin, D.Manning). P5
Pass was out in less than 1.5 sec.
Texans rushed 4, and dropped into zone.
Lions ran an illegal pick that was not called; it wasn't by much, but just enough to make Quin missed the tackle.
Actually, he did get a swipe at the TE's left foot. Scheffler stumbled and barely got the first down.
All 4 Texans pushed the pocket hard, but the ball was out too quickly.



The whole series are here:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/76Texan/2012%20Week%2012%20Lions/Defensive%20Fronts/Series%201/Illegal%20pick%20on%20Quin/
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
1-2-HST 2 (10:01) M.Leshoure left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Muhlbach, Holder-N.Harris.
Lions optioned Watt to double-team Bradie.
Watt missed the tackle. Bad boy.

Sorry, no picture.

...
Break time, please!
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
In conclusion, this scoring drive by the Lions was mainly due to the secondary and Watt's aggressiveness.

It has nothing to do with the lack of pass rush.
And our pass rush hasn't even shown up yet.
 

Malloy

Hall of Fame
That was one drive, what about the rest of the game?!?!?! ;)

On the beer here too.. but it's 10pm, cheers! :)
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
hehe, look on the bright side, you're still drinking when I wake up with a headache :)
Well yeah. I'm douche.

Sorry I can't finish it.
Sure I can, but it's hell better to just take it easy.

It's not always easy to find yourself in a good place (no drug involved).

You can't blame me for cruising - like an old Sunday morning.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Detroit Lions at 8:20

1-10-DET 18 (8:20) M.Leshoure right tackle to DET 19 for 1 yard (B.James).

Runing play with flow to the right (toward weak side of offensive formation.)
Mitchell and Smith controlled the initial POA; Reed set the defense's left edge (the side where the runner originally headed.)
Sharpton (WILB) brought up the rear; the runner saw that and decided to cut back.
We won at the POA right there.
Watt knifed thru the strong side B gap deep into the backfield.
RB Leshoure cut back further to strong side.

James was free to make the play as the C went to an empty space on the second level
(he was to block Sharpton, but hit air.)

Manning was also free and came in second.
You could really credit him for an assist.
Sharpton beat the C to come back and joined in third.

Barwin set the strong side edge

Credit all the 5 guys on the line and Sharpton.
James got the tackle due to them doing their jobs well.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-9-DET 19 (7:42) (Shotgun) M.Leshoure up the middle to DET 18 for -1 yards (A.Smith).

We made this play from a dime package.
Four-man front with a single LB.
Lions in single back formation, 4 wide balanced.

Smith beat the C right off the bat and came in through the strong side A gap (RB's side).
He was on top the RB before Leshoure can make any move.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame





3-10-DET 18 (7:03) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete deep right to R.Broyles.

Lions in empty, trip left (3 receivers), slot right, wide right.
Texans in cover 2 man under.

KJax tumbled a little in trail position as the receiver put on his move toward the corner on a post-corner-post route.

Demps squatted too soon; he should have played back deeper with just one receiver releasing on his side,
and none of the receivers on the other side running any crossing route.
Wish I can get you to see the All-22 view from NFL game rewind.

Good thing Barwin was able to push the LT close to the QB while Smith beat the RG, showing pressure.
Stafford had to throw the ball a little early; otherwise, Smith would have swatted that ball down like a basketball player blocking a shot.

Ball overthrown (high arch to avoid Smith's arm.)
Smith did not get credit for a QB Hurry here.
The scorer probably thinks that Stafford should still be able to complete that pass.

Personally, I don't think so.
Stafford had to pull his left foot back to avoid Smith and had to throw from his back foot.
If he let go of the ball a fraction later, it wouldn't work.
Ball was released right around the 3-sec mark.
Ball was snapped at the 7:03 mark and release shortly after the 7:00 mark.


Here, the Lions initially had 7 to block 4.
Smith was the only one seeing single blocking.
The two TEs helped block our two DEs (4-man front) Barwin and Reed before releasing late.
Sure, Stafford had a little time to throw (3 secs) to throw, but it was at the expense of combo or double blocking on most of our guys.

The one who saw single blocking (Smith) did affect the throw for an incompletion.

Here, Smith should get credit for a QB hurry while Barwin should get a QB pressure.
He did push the LT real close to the QB - a hell closer than Tuck as shown in the other video that I mentioned.
Tuck got a QB pressure/hurry (from PFF) while being further from the QB than Barwin.

The sequence:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/76Texan/2012%20Week%2012%20Lions/Defensive%20Fronts/Series%202/

4-10-DET 18 (6:55) N.Harris punts 41 yards to HST 41, Center-D.Muhlbach. K.Martin ran ob at HST 41 for no gain.

....
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Detroit Lions at 5:49



1-10-DET 17 (5:49) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete deep right to J.Bell. HST-B.Reed was injured during the play. He is Out. Ball thrown away.

Good job by Mitchell pushing the double team into the backfield, forcing Stafford to scramble to his left
With Crick fastly converging, Stafford wisely threw the ball away.
They had 6 to block 4.
We started with base 3-4, but Reed slid to the outside to cove the flexing TE away from the formation.

Barwin beat his man late and got to the Center line (where the QB is supposed to be) in less than 3 secs.
This means the QB would have to throw the ball away at least before 2.5 sec.
By the time 3 secs roll around, Barwin would have been on top of him already.

And obviously, the QB cannot roll left or he would have been engulfed by Barwin in just about 2 secs.
Stafford rolled right because he saw that Watt had stopped and was moving toward the middle looking to jump up and swat the ball.

Here, Watt should get credit for a QB disruption.
But let's not forget Mitchell's QB pressure (against double team, no less) that started the whole thing.
Barwin got zil since the QB was moving away from here; but he more than did his job.

Sequence:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/76Texan/2012%20Week%2012%20Lions/Defensive%20Fronts/Series%203/Play%2017/
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
2-10-DET 17 (5:43) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass short left to T.Scheffler pushed ob at DET 23 for 6 yards (B.James).



Quick out.
Ball out in about 1.5 sec.
At the 5:41 mark, the ball was already halfway to the target.
The TE ran across Barwin's face before the LT took over.
Barwin was able to push him pretty close to the QB and was gaining on the edge.
The Texans were collapsing the pocket; there was no way Stafford could have completed a pass if he waits even 2 secs.

http://s1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/76Texan/2012%20Week%2012%20Lions/Defensive%20Fronts/Series%203/Play%2018/
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
3-4-DET 23 (5:15) (Shotgun) M.Stafford pass incomplete deep right to C.Johnson (D.Manning).



Texans in 6-man zone blitz against 7 blockers.
Stafford ran from pocket, saw double-team downfield and threw the ball away.
Watt was closest on the trail as he almost got a free run with the O-lineman out of position.
Barwin also chased from the back side in a delayed blitz.
He was to replaced Demps (taking the receiving threat out of the backfield so that Demps can come in on the zone blitz.)
Only when he saw the RB stayed that he started to rush the passer.

The ball was snapped just before the 5:15 mark.
Before the 5:13 marks rolled around (about 1.5-1.75 of a sec), Barwin was already
at the far hashmarks where the line of Center was (where Stafford took the ball from the shotgun.)
At the 5:13 mark, Watt was all over the place.
Stafford had no chance.

To say that Stafford had all the time in the pocket is but exaggeration, sorry folks.

Sequence:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/76Texan/2012%20Week%2012%20Lions/Defensive%20Fronts/Series%203/Play%2019/

(5:09) N.Harris punts 32 yards to HST 45, Center-D.Muhlbach, downed by DET-E.Coleman.
 
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