Breakdown: How does Kyle Juszczyk compare to Vonta Leach?

In this article, I will compare former Ravens Fullback Vonta Leach and the 2014 starting Fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Vonta’s primary purpose in the Ravens offense was to open holes for Ray Rice. After the 2013 season where Leach was on the field for 45 snaps over the last six games, the Ravens parted ways with the 3x All-Pro Fullback and gave the starting Fullback job to 2nd year player Kyle Juszczyk. For consistency in my analysis, I used the broadcast views from the 2011-2013 seasons and the 2014 Preseason in my comparison of Leach and Juszczyk. There are two areas of my analysis - The Fullback’s role as a lead blocker and as a pass catching receiver.

The lead blocker

Vonta Leach was a 2x Pro-bowl fullback with the Ravens. As a lead blocker in the power run game, Leach successfully blocked Linebackers allowing Ravens’ Running Backs to make positive gains.

In 2011, on this play against the Browns, the Ravens run a Lead Open running play. In a lead open running play, each lineman is assigned a blocker and the Fullback ends up one on one with the Linebacker. Vonta attacks the hole and uses his power to drive the linebacker away. Typically, Vonta also finishes his blocks. Who can forget his block on Patrick Willis during the Thanksgiving Day game in 2011?

During the Preseason game 1 against the 49ers, the Ravens run a similar Lead Open running play. There are a couple of differences here. The Ravens and 49ers are have their 2nd team personnel on the field. Also, the 49ers defender in the backfield is a result of poor blocking by the Center. As a lead blocker, Kyle Juszczyk is able to obtain good leverage in order to drive the linebacker away allowing Pierce to gain 8 yards on the play.

Juszczyk also finishes his block on the play.

As a Pass Catching Receiver

Vonta Leach was primarily used as a short yardage receiver where the defense lined up in a run stopping formation. In the 2011 season, the Bengals have 7 men ‘in the box’ with the Strong Safety walking down from his normal alignment of 15 yards away from the Line of Scrimmage to help in run defense. This leaves man coverage on receivers and a single high safety covering the deep secondary.

The Ravens offense runs play action where Rice gets the Strong Safety to commit to covering him thinking he has the ball. Vonta Leach is able to run a flat pattern. Since 8 defenders were committed to stop Rice, the only defender that is able to make a play is the Free Safety.

Flacco throws to an open Leach for a 4 yard gain.

During the 2014 Preseason Game 2, the Ravens used a similar play for Kyle Juszczyk against the Dallas Cowboys defense. The Cowboys have 7 defenders in the box with both safeties playing in their typical alignments. The Ravens are in a tight formation giving the indication of a running play. The Ravens then run a bootleg play action which allows Juszczyk to get open.

The Ravens run a play-action fake to the left using Bernard Pierce as the running back. The Cowboys defense commits to stop the run. This leaves Juszczyk open for an easy catch. This is a typical Gary Kubiak designed play.

The formation gave the defense a look of a running play and the Cowboys defense ended up over pursuing on the run fake. The result was a 4 yard gain that could have gone further. Flacco threw the ball a little too late which allowed the Cowboys Cornerback to make a tackle.

Something to watch for in the third preseason game

Juszczyk is more of a hybrid fullback who can play the tight end position in addition to a Halfback and Slot Receiver. Against the Cowboys, the Ravens motioned Juszczyk from the Fullback to a Slot Receiver.

The Ravens originally lined up in a tight offset I-formation which led the Cowboys to line up in a run stopping defense. By motioning Juszczyk into the slot position, the Ravens offense force the Cowboys into a cover 1 formation. This allows Flacco to take advantage of single coverage on receivers. During the third preseason game, look for Juszczyk to motion out to different positions on the field.

Summary

At 6-foot-1, 248 pounds, Juszczyk is not a traditional Fullback like Leach. He is a physical blocker who has been able to finish his blocks (bringing a defender down), but is more mobile. His mobility will allow the Ravens to utilize him at fullback, Tight End and Slot Receiver. In terms of comparisons to other players, Juszczyk has a closer resemblance to former Texans fullback James Casey, who caught 34 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns in 2012 for the Texans while playing for Kubiak.

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All-22 Breakdown: The Ravens Free Safeties - Part IV - What to expect from Terrence Brooks

So far in this analysis of the Baltimore Ravens Free Safeties, I looked at Darian Stewart and Will Hill and their abilities to play Free Safety. Darian Stewart is primarily a cover 2 Free Safety who struggles against the deep passes, but is an excellent defender underneath. Will Hill is primarily a cover 1 or cover 3 defender who can play deep cover 2 very well. Will Hill is unavailable to play for the Ravens for the first 6 weeks, so rookie Terrence Brooks may be called upon to fill the role while Will Hill is out.

At Florida State, Terrence Brooks was a back-up Cornerback for two years before moving to the Free Safety position. As a Free Safety in his senior year, Brooks played primarily in a 4-2-5 Defense towards the end of the season. A 4-2-5 defense has 5 defensive backs, where three defensive backs are Safeties - Strong Side, Weak Side and Free Safety. The Free Safety divides the formation down the middle of the field and then attempts to recognize three offensive alignments:

• Pro-Set - a Tight End and Wide Receiver
• Twin Set - Two Wide Receivers
• Trips - Three Wide Receivers

As the Free Safety, Brooks was responsible for studying the offensive formation and adjusting the secondary coverage.

In the final article in this series, I will take a look at Terrence Brooks ability to read, recognize and react to the deep passing offensive plays from the Auburn Tigers during the 2014 National Championship game. Does Terrence Brooks have the ability to make an immediate impact for the Ravens in the 2014-2015 season?

Coverage against vertical passing

During the National Championship game, Terrance Brooks had difficulty defending against deep passing in the center of the field. In the first quarter, confusion by Brooks on the coverage assignments almost led to a touchdown.

Let’s look at a completed pass where Brooks misread the coverage coverage assignment. In the 1st Quarter on 3rd and 13, Auburn lines up in the trips formation where 3 receivers are on one side of the field and 1 receiver is on the opposite side of the field. The Florida State defense lines up in a 4-2-5 Defense. The secondary coverage call is 2-Blue-Special. This call breaks down as follows:

• 2 - This refers to the read side coverage. The read side is the side of the passing strength, and is the side that the SS and FS go to. When the ball is snapped, the FS (Brooks) will determine if it is a run play or pass play. If it is a pass play, Brooks will look at the #2 WR to determine his route. If the #2 WR releases vertically, Brooks will provide man coverage on the receiver. If the WR releases in or out, Brooks will cover the #1 receiver underneath looking to rob a curl, post or dig route.
• Blue - This refers to the away side overage. On the away side the Weakside Safety and Cornerback read the release of the single WR. Depending on the release of the WR, the Safety or WR will provide coverage.
• Special - This means that the read side corner will play man coverage on the #1 receiver. The SS and FS (Brooks) will treat the remaining two Wide Receivers like they were the #1 and #2 receivers. At the snap of the ball, Brooks will look at the #3 receiver and adjust his coverage based on his release.

After the ball is snapped, Brooks is supposed to look at the #3 WR and adjust his coverage based on his release. The WR releases vertically. Brooks is supposed to cover the WR with man coverage and allow the SS to cover the #2 WR with man coverage. Unfortunately, Brooks misreads the release and drops down underneath WR#2 anticipating a curl or dig route. This leaves WR #3 open in the middle of the field.

Auburn QB  Nick Marshall is able to complete a 26 yard pass to WR #3 Marcus Davis for a first down.

Coverage on a Receiver

As a former Cornerback, Terrence Brooks has above average coverage skills for a FS. In the Third Quarter on 3rd and 12, the Seminoles defense lines up in a 4-3 Cover 1 Robber formation. Terrence Brooks plays the robber position. Brooks’ coverage responsibility is to sit in zone coverage underneath the Free Safety reading the QB. If the QB makes the proper read, he will make a throw outside. If the QB does not recognize Brooks playing zone coverage underneath, there is an opportunity for Brooks to get an interception or a pass deflection.

On this play, Brooks recognizes the proper release and is able to align himself to obtain inside leverage. This forces the Quarterback to make a throw that is contested by Brooks.

Conclusion

At 5 feet 11 inches, Terrence Brooks is slightly shorter than the typical Free Safeties that GMs are looking for today. However, Brooks is fast. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine. That was the fastest time for a Safety in this year’s draft class. That speed allows Brooks to have tremendous range as well as the ability to recover from a mistake in coverage. The biggest drawback for Terrence Brooks is his lack of experience. He played two years as a backup Cornerback and two years as a Free Safety.

During the preseason look at Terrence Brooks’ ability to cover a TE running up the seam or provide coverage up top as a cover 1 or cover 2 Free Safety. Here’s what to watch for when Brooks lines up as a cover 2 Free Safety

• Watch what the #1 WR does at the snap. If he releases vertically, it is a pass. If he immediately goes for the block, it is a run. Watch Brooks during the passing play, he should be at the top of the numbers 15 yards away watching the QB.
• The ability to help out the Cornerback. In a cover 2, the Cornerback is going to take outside leverage and push the WR towards the Safety. Look for Brooks to keep the receiver in front of him .
• The ability to cover a Tight End running up the seam. This is where the Tight End takes a vertical release and then breaks towards the middle of the field sometimes boxing out defenders.

Brooks has the ability to line up against a Tight End and provide man coverage. Expect Brooks to play against the number two or three Tight Ends:

• Vance McDonald or Derek Carrier for the 49ers
• James Hanna or Jordan Najvar for the Cowboys
• Logan Paulsen or Niles Paul of the Redskins
• Benjamin Watson or Josh Hill of the Saints

For the rest of the season, expect Brooks to be a Special Teams player and the number two or three Safety on the depth chart with Darian Stewart as the starting Free Safety.

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All-22 Breakdown: The Ravens Free Safeties - Part II of a Multiple Part Series

In part one of the all-22 Breakdown: The Ravens Free Safeties, I looked at the current frontrunner for the starting Free Safety, Darian Stewart, play for the St. Louis Rams during the 2013-2014 season. You can review that article here.

What we learned from the 2013-2014 season was that Darian Stewart struggled in deep pass coverage, but could play underneath coverage very well. He also hits like a linebacker, going for the big hit versus the sure tackle. For every hit where he knocks the ball out of the receiver’s hands, there is also a big gain given up as he misses on a tackle.

Coach Spagnuolo likes to utilize the cornerbacks and and safeties in blitz packages. From that philosophy, Darian Stewart fits very well in that he can assist in run coverage and putting pressure on the quarterback. In this all-22 breakdown, I take a look at Darian Stewart during the 2011-2012 season where he played in Ken Flajoe’s defense under Head Coach (now Ravens Secondary Coach) Steve Spagnuolo. I will look at Stewart’s coverage skills in deep coverage, underneath coverage and finally man coverage.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)  

Deep Coverage

According to Pro Football Focus, during the 2013-2014 season, Quarterbacks had a rating of 117.5 for passes thrown within the Free Safety’s coverage area. The Ravens were in the bottom 25% when compared to other starting safeties in this category. During the 2011 season, Darian Stewart also struggled in deep coverage. Quarterbacks had a rating of 93.7 when passes were thrown in his coverage area. This is a weakness in his play as a Free Safety. On this week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Darian Stewart lines up as the Free Safety in a cover 1 defense. In man coverage, the Cornerback’s responsibility is to gain leverage inside and force the receiver outside where he can use the sideline as help. The Free Safety’s responsibility is to react to the development of the play and play zone coverage protecting deep routes. The Steelers attack the Cover 1 scheme by sending two receivers on deep routes, and keeping enough protection for the Quarterback allowing enough time for receivers to get open. The Free Safety, Darian Stewart, must decide which receiver to help out on, possibly leaving the other cornerback in man coverage which may be a mismatch

Darian Stewart executes this play with poor technique and alignment. At the start of the play, he turns his hips and keeps his back towards the primary receiver, Mike Wallace. He then turns around and stops his movement to focus on the Quarterback, Charlie Batch. Mike Wallace running at full stride has beat the cornerback who is covering him. Stewart reacts too late and cannot provide help on the deep route. The result of the play is a 46 yard reception giving Pittsburgh first and goal on the 1 yard line.

Deep coverage ability should be a concern for the Ravens. Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb are excellent corners, but need to rely on a Free Safety for help. If Jimmy Smith can elevate himself to a lockdown corner, Darian Stewart can focus on the other receiver. During the 2013-2014 season, Quarterback averaged a rating of 76.3 when throwing passes where Jimmy Smith was the primary defender in coverage. If Jimmy Smith can continue to improve, then Darian Stewart’s liabilities in coverage can be masked.

Man Coverage

Darian Stewart excels in coverage near the line of scrimmage. In the week 4 matchup against Washington, Darian Stewart lines up in man coverage on the Tight End. In man coverage, the defenders goal is to disrupt the route at the line of scrimmage, stay underneath the receiver if he breaks toward the middle of the field and stay on the receiver’s hip as he gets into his route so that he can knock a ball down.  

At the onset of the play, Stewart does an excellent job impeding the Tight End’s release from the line of scrimmage. At 5’11 and 216 pounds, Stewart has the physique to be very physical with bigger receivers such as Tight Ends. Stewart’s physical play disrupts the timing of the route. Stewart is also able to stay on the receiver’s hip as he gets into his route and puts himself in a position to knock the ball down. Stewart’s man coverage ability and physical play will allow him to matchup well against the premier Tight Ends the Ravens will face this year such as Jimmy Graham (Saints), Greg Olsen (Panthers), and Coby Fleener (Colts).

Underneath Coverage

The zones closer to the line of scrimmage, or underneath coverage, is where Darian Stewart shines. Against Washington, the Rams defense lines up in a Cover 1 Robber formation. Darian Stewart plays the robber position. With an additional defender playing underneath, the offense is forced to throw the ball outside where the corners are playing man coverage. In a robber position, Darian Stewart is responsible for undercutting or jumping any underneath routes.

After the ball is snapped, Darian Stewart sits in the middle of the field in the intermediate zone reading the QB. Rex Grossman makes the mistake of not recognizing the formation and attempts to throw to the slot receiver in the middle of the field. Stewart keeps his eye on the Quarterback and positions himself to make an otherwise easy interception.

Unfortunately, Stewart drops an easy interception. This could have been a pick 6.

Conclusion

Based on the all-22 breakdown of Darian Stewart’s 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 seasons, Stewart is a very good run defender and provides excellent coverage underneath and at the line of scrimmage. His largest weakness is his deep coverage ability. He doesn’t have the natural ability to recover from a mistake in coverage and is limited in his coverage range. Darian Stewart is better suited as a Strong Safety rather than a Free Safety. The strong safety is normally a bigger safety who is fast enough to make up ground in the passing game in addition to taking on tight ends and fullbacks to make a tackle on the running back in the running game.  A strong safety is a big hitter and can take the proper angle to get to the runner.

If Darian Stewart remains as Free Safety, then the Ravens defense should primarily play a cover 2 formation. In a cover 2 formation, the safety has specific assignment on the field. In a cover 2 zone, Stewart will cover the hashmark to the side line and the Strong Safety, Matt Elam, will cover the opposing hash and sideline. In a Tampa 2 zone, Stewart will cover the hash to the sideline, as Matt Elam will opposite to him and the middle linebacker, CJ Mosley (read here about his coverage abilities), is the one who covers the center of the field.  

Depending on the zone formation, Stewart may even be assigned to run blitz and a corner (Such as Lardarius Webb) or linebacker may drop back into coverage because Stewart can get a better angle on the runner since he's further from the line of scrimmage.

In the final part of this series, I will look at rookie Terrence Brooks. Does he have a chance to start at Free Safety this season?

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NFC Championship Edition - Looking at Colin Kaepernick's game ending interception

With all of the attention brought on by Richard Sherman's comments after the game, I wanted to get a better look at how he was able to pick off Kaepernick in the end zone. The interception was due to Kaepernick's inability to recognize the Seahawks' defense. Kaepernick misread the defense in his presnap read. He read cover 2 while the Seahawks were in a cover 4 (or quarters) defense. The Seahawks were going to allow throws underneath, but were not going to allow a score. 

Kaepernick's post-snap read was all done assuming that the defense was in cover 2. Kaepernick thought Crabtree had leverage when Sherman allowed him to go outside since he thought Sherman was in a cover 2 defense. Sherman was essentially playing man coverage and had leverage by allowing Crabtree to go outside. This cut crabtree off from the inside field and the only way to get Crabtree the ball was to throw a perfect ball.

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