In preparation for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, let’s take a look at a couple of other teams who had success throwing the ball against the Bengals defense. The Ravens offense is based around the Air Coryell system. This relies on a power running attack which sets up a passing attack that stretches the field. The examples below are taken from opponents that the Bengals faced this year who also run an Air Coryell style of offense.
Week 7 Detroit Lions vs Cincinnati Bengals
In this two tight end set, Calvin Johnson lines up with WR - Kris Durham on the same side of the field. QB Matt Stafford is in shotgun formation with RB - Reggie Bush lined up behind him. One of the Bengals Safety has come down in anticipation of the run. The Bengals DB has a 10 yard cushion on Johnson with help from the safety up top. They are giving him the cushion respecting his speed. Calvin Johnson runs a hook pattern and catches the ball in front of the safety and CB. The Lions took advantage of the cushion and had Johnson find a spot just underneath the coverage. This resulted in a 16 yard gain. If Johnson was covered, Reggie Bush was also open for the check down. Another key to the play are the TEs. Both TEs run in the middle of the field commanding attention from the LBs.
The Ravens can run this play with Tandon Doss and Torrey Smith lined up and Ray Rice in the backfield. With Torrey Smith's speed potential, the DB should give a similar cushion. If the DB does play press coverage or man coverage, Doss may become open on the quick out pattern. Joe has the ability to make the throw to Doss where only he can catch the ball. Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson can run in the middle of the field. The LBs have to cover them due to their pass catching ability. As always... when in doubt, Ray Rice for the check down.
In this two Tight End formation, the Lions lined up the Wide Receivers on the opposite sides of the field. QB Matt Stafford was in shotgun formation with a RB Reggie Bush behind him. The Lions were able to take advantage of the 7 yard cushion between the DB and WR Calvin Johnson. Calvin Johnson runs another hook pattern taking advantage of the initial separation between him and the DB. By moving his eyes toward Reggie Bush, Matt Stafford is able to get the OLB to move out of the passing lane to cover the perceived open receiver. Once the OLB is out of the passing lane, Stafford is able to throw to the open receiver, Johnson.
The Ravens could take advantage of this play with their personnel. Torrey Smith could line up in Johnson’s position and receive a similar cushion due to his deep play ability. With Ray Rice coming out the of the backfield, the OLB will have to come over to cover Ray Rice since he has the ability to gain a lot of yards after a reception. If the OLB does not move, Flacco could throw the check down to Rice or throw to the TE (Dallas Clark) running the quick out pattern. Ed Dickson is a bigger more athletic TE and would be better served running in the middle of the field. This play takes advantage of Cincinnati's zone defense and allows the potential receivers to find a spot underneath the zone.
Week 4 Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals
In this play, the Bengals lined up in a Cover-2 man defense. Both safeties are playing a zone and the LBs and DBs will play man coverage on the WRs and TEs. Cleveland knows this by moving the running back to line up as a receiver. Since they are playing man coverage, the Bengals LB follows the running back out. That leaves one LB in the middle of the field. Making the TE run a corner route will pull the LB of the middle of the field since he has to cover the TE. This is the key in opening up the middle of the field. The next step is to allow the slot WR (Bess) to run a slant or post route into the middle of the field. With only 4 men rushing the Offensive Line will have one extra linemen to account for any stunts by the rushers.
This play could take advantage of Tandon Doss lined up in the slot and Dallas Clark lined up as the TE who runs the corner route. The Safety would have to decide if he covers the middle of the field or assists the LB covering Clark. Both Clark and Doss are capable of catching the ball in traffic and generating yards after the catch.
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