KC Mothership

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

Ahhhh, my favorite offense in football to watch is the Houston Texans. I am a HUGE believer in the Zone running game, and the Texans run this scheme to perfection. How do you get good at Wide Zone and Inside Zone? Repetitions, repetitions, repetitions. This is one of the ONLY schemes that coaches the HELL out of the running back. Don’t get me wrong, all Running Backs are taught meticulous footwork, and basic reads for various concepts, but He (Arian Foster) in this case is taught exactly what to read on every single zone running play. And, he is likely told he has ‘ONE CUT’ and one cut only before he gets vertical, or gets back in the ‘flow of the zone’. Many coaches believe in letting the running back make plays by simply being an athlete and running to space. The zone scheme utilizes the RB’s athleticism etc. but does NOT allow him to simply do whatever the hell he wants when running football. Based on the play he has specific landmarks (Inside Zone-Outside leg of the Play side Guard), (Outside Zone-1 yard outside the Tight End or ‘Ghost’ Tight End). In addition to these land marks, they have specific footwork. In my system it’s (1st step-Open, 2nd step-roll, 3rd step-Square to the line of scrimmage for Inside Zone). In addition to this mandatory footwork is the specific reads. The RB in a zone scheme is likely taught to read the 5 technique back. The 5 technique is a Defensive Tackle or the guy whom lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle). I’ll stop there…as you are likely losing interest, of course unless you’re a football X’s and O’s nerd like myself. Anyways, the Ravens are the Ravens. They are fast, physical, and smart. I happen to believe Joe Flacco is a solid quarterback who can make plays and be very effective. I believe he can win a Super Bowl. The coaching staff for both teams is excellent and will have both squads ready to rock and roll. The Texans will be able to run the football a little bit….but, not like they are used to. Ravens win soundly.

Ravens 27 Texans 13

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Playoff football returns to San Francisco as Jim Harbaugh has completely resurrected this organization.  The game manager versus the magician. The ball control, smash mouth 49ers, vs the spread em’ out (still very physical) Saints. Who will win? This is without a doubt the toughest game to breakdown.  Drew Brees is one of the best at taking what the defense gives him. Rarely will you see this guy try and thread needles for big plays when a check down swing route will give him 5 solid yards. He’s smart, mature, and scary accurate. Along his side is Head Coach/Offensive mastermind Sean Payton…whom will undoubtedly have this squad ready to go. The 49ers are dangerous, and have proven they can beat teams whom sling the rock (Lions). The 49ers can eat the clock, play excellent defense, and keep offenses off balance with their power running game, numerous bootleg concepts, and ability to wear down the opponent. Having said that, the Saints can play physical as well.  It’s often a mis-conception that throwing teams whom score a lot of points are not physical. In many cases, they are. This is the National Football League. These  are professionals…and, although some guys aren’t as physical as others, these guys know what it takes to win games. I’ll undoubtedly be in the minority here, but I’ve seen this recipe one too many times. In short, the 49ers will cause havoc in the backfield, and disrupt the Saints Offensive flow. In addition, expect the extra week of preparation to pay off as the 49ers will keep the Saints passing game in check. Don’t get me wrong, the Saints will put up some yards, but I expect the 49ers to stiffen up in the red zone and find a way to get the W. And, don’t ever forget….in all of these games turnovers and special can and WILL play a huge role in the outcome of the game.

49ers 24 Saints 23

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

On Saturday night at 7:00 PM Central Standard Time, the Denver Broncos square off with the New England Patriots in Foxboro.  Tebow mania continued last week, and rightfully so. Don’t for one second fall in to the category of believing Tim Tebow is NOT an NFL quarterback. Tim Tebow IS DEFINITELY an NFL quarterback…albeit, very unique and less gifted in certain areas. It seems as if nothing bothers this guy, and he surely won’t let the electric Patriots crowd get in to his head. However, Bill Belichick will. These two teams are both very, very well coached, but Belichick is arguably the greatest football coach in the history of the greatest game on Earth. In knowing this, Belichick will have a fantastic plan for Tebow and the option. I don’t expect Belichick to stray much from his standard defensive scheme. Tebow has proven he can defeat arguably the greatest Defensive Coordinator in the history of football (Dick Lebeau), but overall talent will play a large role in this one. With Brady, Welker, Branch, and most importantly a solid core in the trenches, expect the Patriots to win this football game. I envision the Broncos doing their best to control the clock to keep the Patriots offense off the field. Many people hear ‘option football’, or ‘zone read’, and don’t truly understand the in depth X’s and O’s behind the scheme/play. I will do an in depth analysis of how this play works, and what makes it so deadly. After all, my offensive philosophy is built around the zone running game. Anyways, expect Denver to hang for a very short time, before the Patriots open it up.

New England 34  Denver 17

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

This Sunday at 3:30 Central Standard Time, the New York Football Giants invade Lambeau field in hopes of dashing the dreams of the Green Bay faithful. The Green Bay Packers are clearly the favorite in this game, and are facing the ever dangerous ‘We will win’ guarantee by Giants Defensive Lineman Jason Pierre-Paul. Or, did he? In recent interviews, Pierre-Paul seems to have backtracked on his prediction. Although guarantees can be foolish, backtracking post-guarantee may be even worse.  The Packers offense is nothing short of incredible. Many see this offense as a complex set of concepts designed to confuse the defense. Rather, it’s quite contrary. The Packers and Head Coach Mike McCarthy believe in a hand full of concepts in which they ‘master’, and ‘repeat’ over, and over again.  So, why is the Packers offense so great? Well, you first must recognize the immense talent under center (Aaron Rodgers). Additionally, Coach Philbin and Coach McCarthy do an incredible job of utilizing their game plan time to create mismatches via motion, formations, and occasionally shifts.  With emotion on their side (due to the tragic loss of the Offenisve Coordinators 21 year old son), a crazy fan base, an extra week to prepare, and Aaron Rodgers manning the ‘ship’, don’t for one second fall in to the ‘upset alert’ trap posed by many analysts. Expect Green Bay to control this game start to finish.  I expect the Giants to show up, and compete…as they have fantastic coaches and a bunch of smart, veteran players. However, this task is a little too much…

Green Bay 31 New York 20 (Thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family as they deal with the tragic loss of their son).

Off the Cuff Random Thoughts:

• Keep an eye out for three often unthought of college basketball teams to make a big impact in this years tournament.  1) Denver University  2) Ohio University 3) Wichita State
• The Chiefs made an excellent hire in Head Coach Romeo Crennel
•  Kansas City…please get an NHL Hockey Team.

‘The Only Way Out is Through’

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