Quote:
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
Yeah, even in an under. Yes, that helps with the b gap ... but it doesn’t help on the edge or with stretch plays.
You can bring a WR in motion and down block Ford out of the play. Consistently and easily. Then you have a TE and LT moving to the second level to clean up the vacated CB and the LB.
If you’re running away from him, again, a motioned WR can deal with Ford on the backside (probably even more dangerous in this situation because the CB has a lot more traffic to navigate.
I’ll take a Ferrell or Omenihu, etc. Day 1 in this scheme over Ford and take my chances. Chris Long, Shane Ray... other 1-year guys on small deals also can help.
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I believe you're overstating a WR's ability to just neutralize Ford. The guy's incredibly athletic and has a very strong upper body. Unless he simply doesn't see the guy coming, he's gonna wreck WRs. And if he doesn't see the guy coming, ANYBODY can be cut block. But even still, the WR in motion brings his trail defender in there to muddy up the works. I mean you presume that the WR going into motion also draws company.
As for edge plays - again, the under specifically helps in that regard because now for a tackle to seal that edge he has to kick block
around Ford. There are very very few guys that can get out and around Ford when he's on an outside shoulder. That first step quickness is a bitch to get a seal block on for an edge play. I think the under formation helps him MORE on stretch plays because he can now use his athleticism to force the edge and get the LT coming forward, a situation where he can now use his athleticism and balance to win the rep.
I don't see anything Ford does that is made
worse by a move to a 4-3 under. The biggest problem he had was the edge when his help inside was in a 0/1 technique and Ford could get driven out to open the B gap. That's actually neutralized somewhat and now he can still be effective on the off-tackle runs.