Coaching Points: Illinois 2015 Spring Game

All Photos from Jonathan Street

Base Offense: Too Much
Base Defense: Too Much

Overview
Offense

• Lunt can be really accurate when he has a clean pocket; doesn't have a great arm, but manipulates the trajectory to be able to make all the throws. Crouch may have a role, but he's still really raw mechanically.
• Like Ferguson, but he's going to have to play in space still. Not great between the tackles. Enyenihi is just a guy at this point.
• Solid WR group. Allison should standout this year but Hardee also has some potential
• OL group was a mess. Still struggle in pass protection and don't generate much push in the run game.

Defense

• They have some pieces. Fotu and McGrew both flashed a but and should be solid.
• Inconsistent group. They made some nice plays, but they also made some mistakes where they aren't getting to their spot quick enough.
• DBs look like the strength of the defense so far.

QB - Lunt looks a bit more comfortable in the offense compared to last season, but it's still obvious that he has primary WRs that he is much more comfortable with at this point. Never confused with the strongest arm, when he does have a clean pocket he shows good enough velocity to spread the ball around the field. Likewise, a quick release and a tight rotation allow him the touch to feed the ball into the seam and to underneath targets very accurately. The concern with Lunt continues to be when he pocket isn't clean and his reads aren't well defined. More complex reads than your standard 2x2 route combinations force him to check up more often than you'd like. It's in this hesitation that bad things start to happen for him, as he doesn't consistently reset his feet or get his body in a position to make an accurate throw. Now a guy without a great arm is forced to throw with mostly his arm out of a wonky position. I think Lunt can be an above average B1G QB in a vacuum, but his weaknesses coincide with a team weakness, that being pass protection, which we'll get to.

Crouch is very raw mechanically. He has a long wind-up and his mechanics from there remain inconsistent. He also doesn't have the strongest arm. But what he does have is an aspect of his game that Lunt doesn't, and that's a better runner. We saw Aaron Bailey that role last year, getting quite a few snaps against some of the better defenses Illinois faced (Wisconsin and OSU); but he's off to Northern Illinois now, and Crouch is likely the best option as a dual-threat QB. I'm not sure he provides enough value in areas that Lunt doesn't to warrant playing more than a handful of snaps a game, but that option may be there for Illinois.

RB - I'm still a fan of Ferguson, though I worry about him finding a consistent role within this offense. He isn't a great between the tackles runner, particularly in tight spaces. But he does provide one of the best space RBs in the B1G, and is a great catcher out of the backfield. He continues to go mostly unknown throughout the B1G, but that's is frankly due to a lack of OL in front of him. The guy averaged over 5 ypc last year and finished with 50 catches for over 400 yards. But he struggled on the ground against B1G teams, and honestly wasn't consistently the best option to take handoffs last year. But if you want to know how I feel about Ferguson, I think he has NFL potential as a role player; that's how high his ceiling is. But RB depends a lot on the pieces around you, and Ferguson's strengths do not mesh well with the talent around him, nor do his weaknesses.

Unfortunately for Illinois, I didn't really see enough from the remaining RB corp to warrant taking over a lot of carries. Enyenihi is just a guy at this point. I believe he missed a protection assignment (Ferguson should continue to be the third down guy) and he struggles making guys miss in space, let alone in the hole between the tackles. Again, OL doesn't help matter here, but you need something a bit more dynamic to work here more than just a backup. The rest of the RB group is completely untested.

WR - I was really excited to see Dudek in his 2nd season improve upon his first, but unfortunately, he was injured during spring ball and will have a tough time getting back healthy before fall. In his place, Allison looks liek the one to step up the most. Allison is a long, tall, possession WR who won't make a lot of guys miss in the open field, but catches the ball with his hands and runs solid routes. He should be Lunt's primary target.

Hardee looked to be the next favorite target of the group, with Taylor working mostly out of the slot. I don't think Hardee is quite as polished as Allison, but may be a slightly better athlete. He may not wow a lot of people, but he should be consistent.

The reason I put Taylor ahead of Turner is because I think Taylor has a more defined role out of the slot. Taylor isn't a great athlete, but he's probably the best short area receiver of the group. He can catch some stuff underneath and on screens, and Allison is a good enough blocker, to allow that to help improve the offense. Turner flashed a bit last year, but didn't show much early in this one.

TE/OL - To start, the TEs aren't great athletes on this roster, so don't expect a lot of throws to come their way outside of some underneath stuff later in the progression.

As blockers, the TEs and OL struggled a lot still. The Illinois DL ran TEX (Tackle under End) stunts repeatedly, probably nearly a dozen times in the first quarter alone, and it didn't feel like it was picked up once (looking through my notes, it was picked up... once). The communication was poor. They didn't get a lot of movement up front. Schmidt (LT), DiLaruo (RT), Allegretti (OG), and Spencer (C) were all guys that started last year, and all guys that made fundamental mistakes again in this game. Allegretti and Spencer gave too much ground in pass protection and didn't have a good feel for how to block the first level, let alone combo to the second level. Black O'Connor, Boles, and Heath also made mistakes or just flat out missed assignments.

And no one stood out to me. Looking back through my notes, Flavin was the only one that had a plus play when he finally latched onto a DT and drove him out of the hole. This is a group as a whole that needs to get back to basics, which is something I'll discuss in a bit.

But right now, they can't zone block effectively, they can't gap block effectively, they can't get any push at the first level. And it's not about athleticism or any of that (at least not alone), it's because fundamentally, from a technique standpoint, they are so far from where they need to be. They same is said for their pass protection: their balance is poor, they give too much ground, they catch guys, they don't leverage correctly, they don't punch at the point of attack, they don't slide well; it's a mess that needs to be cleaned up in the off season.

DL - This is a difficult position to grade. You know, usually I can see when a guy makes a play on defense or a guy blows a play on offense, but the OL... there are just serious issues there.

I do think Illinois has some decent pieces here. Fotu made a play, for instance. He got penetration and took a good angle so he could make a play on the ball. McGrew flashed a lot in this game, both positively and negatively, but at least he showed something (more at the point of attack than as a guy asked to drop in space). Ward can be a guy that's solid at the point of attack and has the length to cause some issues. It's just very difficult to parse what is happening here with the OL play as it is.

LB - Some nice plays made by the LB group. Bello had a really nice play tracking Ferguson out of the backfield and getting through the wash cleanly. I liked what I saw from Neal between the tackles, stepping up into a hole and making a play. Walls made a nice play in space. But overall, it's still an inconsistent group. They don't read their keys quickly enough, consistently enough yet. I thought they looked better in this game than they probably would on a typical Saturday. They also return Monheim, who was solid last year.

DB - I think this is easily the strength of the defense, which makes sense, as it's going against what is probably the strength of the offense. Bentley is a good DB at this level. I think James and Dunlap still need time to develop more, but Spence is safe and Bentley is a plus.

At safety I couldn't see a whole lot due to B1G camera angles, but I also didn't see them get picked on too much.

Overview - You have the whole Cvijanovic thing which I don't really care to get into. You have key injuries to some of Illinois best players (Lunt has always battled injuries, Dudek and Brown are also out as playmakers). You have huge weaknesses likely on both sides of the LOS (Illinois was bad at stopping the run last year, and I know their OL isn't very good right now), yet they continue to rep a million and a half things.

Ask any Michigan fan what the downfall of the 2013 offense was, and they'll tell you that it was not having a base to rely on. But in the spring of 2013, Michigan was repping that base a million times a day to try to establish something, they didn't abandon it until the they deemed it too late. Illinois isn't even trying. They are currently insufficient at every scheme they run on offense, yet continue to try to do them all. This seems like piling on the coaching staff, but I really don't understand the direction they are trying to take this team. There are fundamental issues with how they block inside zone, where they can't come off combo blocks correctly. They can't block power because their technique is all wrong at the point of attack. They aren't athletic enough to block the stretch play. You can't run any kind of pass protection sufficiently without simple stunts from the DL beating you, on both pass plays, and run plays where you should be taking advantage of the line stunts. And so no run game gets developed, and the pass game can only go as far as the 3-step and 5-step drop and first progression allows, because there isn't time to do more and Lunt struggles a bit when pressured (understandably, he's been hit a lot).

On defense, they ran a ton of sets. 4-3 Over with an Apex. 4-3 Under. One gap 3-4. This is a defense that struggled at the point of attack last year, yet instead of better defining their reads and assignments, you continue to try to expand it in order to confuse the opponent. The only team getting confused is your own offense. Get better at something, define a base! Tell your LBs this is your key, read him, and get better running this. Then move onto the next thing if you can. But run something, at least one thing, well. You have 15 practices in spring and you sucked stopping the run last year, you need to improve drastically; let me tell you, you won't improve drastically when you try to do everything. Use the spring to actually help nail down the fundamentals so that the guys can continue working over the summer. That clearly isn't happening.

I had my reservations about this staff before, they are up against the wall now and my feelings are not improving. Trust me when I say I can rationalize a lot of decisions that coaching staffs make, because I've made a lot of those same decisions and seen why they make sense. This staff is running out of sense. This is a fairly young team, but it's not improving like it should. Typically, I've kept most of these spring "Coaching Points" relatively positive. This game was frustrating to watch.

Raw Notes - 1st Q+
Starting in I twins.  Defense in 4-3 Over with apex to twins. Zone stretch pin and pull. Miscommunication between center and BSG, as center gets out on pull immediately and BSG can't scoop the nose slanting playside. Really nice job by Fotu (DT) here getting penetration and then taking an angle to the ball carrier; getting flatter down the LOS. Also important was McGrew (LEO) holding the edge and not getting pinned inside. Didn't allow Ferguson (RB) to sprint out before the backside pursuit could get home. DiLauro got off balance and pushed around. Allegriti

Motion to a trey with far gun back. D in a 3-4 with ROLB in apex. Looks like Cover 2. Squatting CB in flat has no one block him on the designed swing pass. He has cloud support so he breaks down immediately. Nice read by Bello (MIKE) to follow Ferguson out of the backfield and track the play. Johnson (TE) didn't block this play right with the LT. Someone needs to zone out to MIKE from that position and seal him inside, but there was no seal block to prevent inside-out pursuit.

Illinois goes Cover 3 robber. 3 man rush collapses pocket way too easy. Ward (DE) bull rushes RT (DiLauro), and as soon as RT is off balance, shoves him down and wins back inside. Lunt forced to step up and through and dump off to Fergoson underneath. Allegreti (RG) and Spencer (C) also gave up too much ground to the NT; who leveraged both players and fought to split them. Allegreti reached and whiffed with his punch; while Spencer just caught the rush while still back peddling deeper into pocket.

Trips left, split right. Back to trips. Illinois in 4-3 Over with ROLB (Star) outside leverage on #2. Delayed draw. Trips intended to pull MIKE, but doesn't because of Cover 1. Double works to backside ILB but no one picks up MIKE. What really hurts is O'Connor (RG) losing inside leverage on his DT. This doesn't allow the RB to cut playside and forces him into the hole with the MIKE. Really nice job stepping in and filling by Neal (MIKE) and preventing the RB from winning in space.

Double twins, IZ read that Illinois gets lucky on. Illinois runs a double TEX stunt with tackle under DE and both go unblocked on backside of play (Boles LT). However, playside handles it and actually uses it to advantage. DE gets washed inside, DT kicked out. LBs here are doing a poor job with their keys, both ILB are flaring outside. This forces Fejedelem (S) to step up and tackle in space. Tackles high, and RB needs to get more with this. The SS was coming down hot, but Foster's feet didn't really take him anywhere (wasted movement) and Fejedelem hit him square.

Cover 4 by the defense, Crouch dumps it to the swing (Foster) and defense gets off field.

Illinois goes all hitch, and looks like ouside WR has an option to go outside. Lunt pumps once, not comfortable, then throw behinds receiver coming inside. Never reset his feet after pump and threw with just his arm and his body closed.

Quick pole concept. Lunt pumps the quick out and tries to hit the streak down the sideline. Over thrown. Looks like Trap coverage on the outside. Again, Lunt doesn't reset his feet after pump. His feet are still pointed to the sideline as if throwing the out. He's forced to throw with an open body this time and just kind of slings it, and it isn't accurate. Not helped by protection as no one picks up the LB off the edge. Not sure if that's LT or RB, but looked like it was supposed to be slide protection, so probably RB (Enyenili).

Illinois in MOD. Finds Hardee (WR) (thrown a lot to) on the come back route. A little late on this throw, it needs to come out on the break, not after the break is completed. Allows defense to converge so there is no YAC. Still, perfectly accurate throw, throwing away from MIKE coverage so WR isn't thrown into coverage.

Check down incomplete.

IZ Read. Combo between RG (Allegreti) and C (Spencer) comes off too early, as no one actually is able to move the DT (Odenigbo). LG (Flavin) on the other hand crushes the DT with a single block on his side. This is wasted, because LT (Schmidt) doesn't maintain inside leverage, gets square on DE (McGrew) and shoved back, allowing full separation, and LEO can come back to play. Really nice job by Odenigbo to get low off the snap and not allow the C to leverage him at all.

Deep out and perfect timing on the throw to the boundary. Out is rounded a little by Hardee (WR) but it's smooth and catches the ball right on sideline. Perfect timing between him and Lunt.

Lunt starting to find a rhythm. Illinois goes Cover 3. Poor job rerouting the slot by McGrew, who has looked good rushing the passer and in the run game, and stiff in space. Never even touches the slot, just turns and runs to his spot and then turns around. This allows Lunt to throw that seam with rhymthm to Taylor (WR).

Nice job by Watson (LB) with his eyes, working into the flat zone, finds the WR and works to wall him off. Forces Lunt to scramble and throw away.

Bubble screen. Little (S) does a nice job tracking on Taylor's (WR) backside shoulder but breaks down way too early and then is forced to change his angle straight laterally and can't make tackle inside-out. Allison (WR) had a key cut block on the CB, and ultimately this play is on the CB. Doesn't use his hands well and allows WR to cut right into knee without laying a finger on him. Also allows WR to get outside the outside knee of CB, who can't recover and maintain outside leverage. This opens alley to outside for TD. Believe CB is Dunlap.

Quick slant to Murdock (WR). Spence (CB) playing really far off, bailing into deep 1/3 at snap. This is a package play it looks like. Safety bails on sky and follows stretch away from pass. Safety should be crashing this slant. Nice read by Crouch (QB).

IZ goes poorly. Right side of OL gets no movement. #72 looking like he's waiting for someone to block.

IZ Read with a split block. Illinois scrape exchanges this. Crouch doesn't read exchange and give, but keeps, but he sets up split block by working laterally and then cutting up right behind it and the H-back kicks the defender. Sventina (LB) needs to be more disciplined here. It is his gap that is attacked as he chases the play from behind. Crouch shows a bit more athleticism than I thought he had.

Under front from the D. Crouch has a long, awkward wind up here, but the ball gets to the TE on the stop route.

OL gets oddly whooped by the double TEX stunt, but the LG gets beat cleanly by the first DT through (delayed stunt here). Forces Crouch to throw the bench route, little behind Kanteman (TE) who has to turn and catch, but does cleanly. Not athletic enough in space to make a play after that though.

Dot formation on offense, Under front from D. IZ. TE (Johnson) lunges at ROLB, and whiffs. Allows him inside clean and forces the bounce. Cazley does a nice job filling from his safety position.

Nice tackle by Walls (LB) in space on the RB (Enyenihi), as he gets low and drives back.

IZ run. LG and C (Black) double onto NT. Center never takes over block though, stays on backside. When LG goes to release, NT has a free shot right at the RB.

Starting OL: RT - DiLauro; RG - Karras; C - Spencer; LG - Alligreti*; LT - Schmidt
*Young, may get rotated out.

Lead IZ. OL hasn't picked up a TEX stunt yet. Ward (DL) gets in clean.

Lunt on a 5 step drop from under center. Allison (WR) going against C4 with a safety coming over the top. But perfect throw. In stride, Allison goes up and snags it with his hands; perfect timing before Safety can get over the top. Lunt with feet set is good; not great arm strength but really good accuracy.

Package play, IZ with backside slant. Lunt does a nice job reading off CB and throws slant to Allison. James (CB) takes a poor angle and gets too high and over the top, and Allison can stop and let him run by, allowing for big YAC.

Counter F, no one looks comfortable blocking this. Pulling OG doesn't kick EMOL. FB passive going into hole. Down blocks get no movement.

Back shoulder throw. James (CB) gets turned around and doens't get body contact to control WR. Allison (WR) stops on a dime and makes the catch by working back to the ball.

Supposed to be a power play with a TE base block. O pulling around and FB leading. Illinois OL looks very uncomfortable with man/gap blocking schemes. Heath (RG) whiffs on his down block completely, allowing DT in free. No other OL gets any movement on their down blocks.

IZ to weak. Illinois finally (barely) handles the TEX stunt. Seals the DT inside so he can't get to outside gap.

Crouch with an out to the far side line. Lots of air on it, a little late and a little wobbly, can't get it to the WR quick enough, though accuracy is alright. Catch OOB.

Back shoulder to Taylor from Lunt. Over the top coverage in Cover 3, just adjust route to comeback. Nice timing.

Schmidt (LT) takes his first step outside immediately at the snap despite LEO (McGrew) immediately going inside gap on the snap. Can't get a hand on him until he's already in the backfield. It was inside zone away from him, the one thing he can't allow is an inside move.

Inside the Playbook: Wham! and The Return of the Trap

Wham

I love trap plays; I believe they are one of the best and probably the most under-utilized run scheme in modern football. With more and more emphasis on getting upfield for the pass rush and getting penetration to stop the run game, trap and wham schemes should only become more effective. Yet they continue to go under-utilized. There are several legitimate reasons for this: 1) you’re leaving a first level defender unblocked for some time, which is dangerous as those first level defenders get more and more athletic; 2) simplified defensive rules (i.e. block-down, step-down) have mitigated some of the initial success of the scheme. Still, there are ways around all of this to continue to use of one of my favorite schemes: trap and wham.

Long Trap

Terminology and Primer

We’re going to start with some terminology and primer to help set some things straight in how we define them.

Short Trap = A trap two gaps over. This means a backside OG trapping the 3-Tech or out. Playside OG trapping the 9 tech or out (turn upfield).

Long Trap = A trap three gaps or more over. This means a backside (or center) is trapping the 5-tech or out (typically the EMOL).

Kick = A playside short trap. Often referred to as Down-G.

Fold = A one-gap trap play; typically with the folding (underneath) blocker going to the second level. This scheme won’t be talked about much in this article.


Influence = A pulling motion used to influence the reaction of the defense to setup the play.

Blocking the Trap
The first step is a pivot with the playside foot dropping back and point directly at the inside shoulder of the defender you are blocking. This shouldn’t be a long step, but should cover some ground to the playside. Often referred to as the “handshake move”, you will also open up with your upper body and arm as if going to shake someone’s hand. You want your trap blocker to remain low and fire out of his pull, ripping through with his outside hand and staying tight to the LOS. He should be running right off the butts of his fellow OL, leaving as little space as possible between him and the other blockers. As I said, the aiming point is the inside shoulder of the defender you are trapping. “Pull right; hit right. Pull left; hit left”. If you are pulling right, aim for the defender’s right shoulder, and vice versa. Upon contact, make sure a wide base is achieved and that the blocker is still low. Finish the block inside-out, getting the upfield hand under the defender’s armpit and the other hand under his breast plate, lifting him up and out of the hole.

If no defender flashes, be prepared to flip hips and turn upfield to find a defender. If a defender charges, determine his path and adjust. If he is losing ground or going straight down the LOS, you may be able to maintain your path and seal him to the backside. If he charges directly at you (such as in the event of wrong arming the blocker), think about cutting. I personally don't like cutting DTs on trap plays, their too big and they cause too much havoc in the middle of the field, and I also think it can be dangerous, both in terms of picking up a clipping block and for the case of injuring another player. DEs or outside players I think are a bit easier to cut; they are facing the play and tend to be longer players that are easier to get on the ground to prevent them from making a play on the footbal.

Short Trap
The short trap can come from the backside OG or the backside OT, and typically attacks a 3-Technique interior DL. It used to be used quite often for FB runs (more about later), but has since become popular for tailback runs, either from an I-Formation set or single back formation.

This play acts as a counter. The RB will receiver the handoff on the backside of the play. This allows him to get on the butt of the trapping blocker and ride him into the gap that is formed by the trap block. By subtly getting the second level defender to flow in the direction of the handoff, you set up the second level blocks that the OL get to make on the LBs. This allows for a relatively quick hitting, downhill counter play that pairs very well with a zone running scheme.

Long Trap
A long trap can be used in several ways. On a long trap, the backside OG or backside OT will typically kick out the defensive EMOL. This can be run as a counter or as a quick hitting play to eventually get to the edge.

On the counter version, it will be a little more slow to develop. The ball carrier will take a counter step away from the play to set up the second level blocks; this will also delay his run to allow the OL to clear playside of him, at which point he can ride him through the hole. With so many teams fast flowing at the 2nd level, leaving the backside DE to contain any flow back his direction, this is a great way to get the defense all sealed to the backside and then kick the contain defender to open a wide running lane.

As a more quick hitting play, the success of the play derives from two aspects. First, the playside OL can immediately release to the second level, sealing them inside (or washing them outside) right at the snap. A play that has the appearance of a quick edge hitter (sweep, speed option) then forces the defensive EMOL to gain width in an effort to contain everything and force the play back inside. But as this defender gains width and as the OL seal the pursuing defense inside, the gap inside of the defensive EMOL widens, allowing for a natural alley to cut up and then out to the sideline.

FB Trap
The FB Trap is one of the first plays you lean in pee-wee that isn't just block the person straight in front of you. Still used quite a bit at the high school level and down, this is a quick hitting play that pairs well with outside threatening runs from the RB (sweep in either direction, for example). The key is you want your ball carrier to stay low and hide behind his OL, then come right off the trapping blocker's butt and burst through the second and third level while the defense is still trying to find the ball.

Counter F/H
The Counter F/H is essentially a pairing of Power O with a long trap. A backside OL (typically the OG, but sometimes the Center or even tackle) is responsible for kicking the defensive EMOL. The H-Back or FB then leads the ball carrier through the hole.

*Note the playside OT missed his block here, which is why the MIKE was able to make a play

Counter OT
Counter OT - also known as Counter Trey - sees two backside OL pull to the playside (typically the backside OG and backside OT, but sometimes the Center and one of the two backside OL). The first puller will kick block the defensive EMOL, while the second puller will lead the ball carrier into the hole. It works very similarly to Counter F/H, only the lead blocker is an OL rather than a back.

Nussmeier Gun Game

Down G
Down G is a quick hitting play that has the intention of ultimately getting to the outside. But with Defensive EMOL maintaining outside shoulder responsibility, it has become increasingly difficult to actual be able to reach them and allow the ball carrier to get to the edge. So just like the Long Trap described above, you can kick block him. Now, with the kick coming from the playside, you can reach him quicker, allowing for a quicker hitting play to attack the defense, particularly a defense that believes that an inside run is likely.

Nussmeier Gun Game

Influence Trap
With simplified rules for defending pulling lineman (block-down, step down), offensive X's and O's guys needed ways  or successfully running trap plays. Pulling lineman and down blockers were taking defenders either directly to the play or allowing the defense to maintain a tight space between themselves and the releasing blockers, making it very difficult to trap block them.

This is where the influence trap came into play. Lead G, Lead T, or OG Sweeps are a popular way of getting to the outside; as are outside zone schemes and pin and pull schemes, all which behave in a similar manner when discussing the DL rules. For each of these plays, a defender will step playside to improve his angle to the football and form a sort of wall to the playside, even giving himself the possibility of tracking the ball from inside-out.

So offensive coordinators developed "influence traps". In this case, influence traps have a front side "trap" blocker (typically the frontside OG) pull and kick the defensive EMOL. The playside OT and TE simply down block to the second level, keeping the 3-Tech free. As the 3-Tech follows his hands in the direction of the pulling frontside OG, a backside OG will actually trap block him. The "influence" block draws the DL outside (along with drawing the playside LBs outside), while the down blocks and second level blocks because of the trap scheme allow the offense to seal the remaining defense to the backside of the play. The result is a quick hitting play that forms an alley for the ball carrier.

Teams can either hand the ball off to the backside of the play as if it were a standard short trap play (this influences the second level less, but maintains it's ability to influence the hands of the DL), or hand off playside with an initial shuffle step - forcing the defense to flow out of respect for the outside run possibility - before cutting the ball straight upfield.

Harbaugh Influence Wham
James Light went through to describe how Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer used Wham plays in their playbook architecture. Harbaugh, who is a big proponent of Lead T and Lead G plays, as well as old fashion Power O, loves the a gap blocking variant that utilizes influence blocks on the front side of the play, or even influence blocks on the backside of the play.

A first variant is the same as a standard influence trap, You pull a frontside player to the play, and use the wham block to cut up behind for an inside run as the defense bugs outside.

Of course, Harbaugh takes it one further, essentially utilizing two influence blocks. He influences the defender over top of the initial influence blocker. This really gets the defense flowing while allowing the offense to have extremely advantageous angles at both the first and second level, while simultaneously getting the opposing DL to take itself out of the play when it attempts to get penetration. This is a great concept to use off of a Power O base concept, because it attacks the backside of the play when the defense starts over-compensating to account for the additional numbers at the point of attack in a Power O scheme.

All Influence Wham Courtesy of Jim Light

Meyer/OSU Wham
Which, despite the inside zone scheme, is almost exactly what Meyer is doing. He starts off with tight zone steps but essentially uses the same rules to seal the defense to the backside of the play. There is no influence block, because the tight zone look acts to influence the defense. The Wham block comes from the direction the OL is zone blocking, making it look like a split zone concept.

Meyer blocks 0-Technique and back, some coaches believe in 3-Technique and outside. 0-Tech is difficult to block unless you're in gun, so take that for what you will.

Conclusions

Trap blocks are awesome. Combined with influence blocks, they use what the DL is taught against them. Similarly, they act as quick hitting counter plays in an ever-increasing game where defenders are cut loose to fly to the football. Think about it:

1. DEs are currently flying upfield in an effort to get any sort of pass rush, especially with the prevalence of 1-step and 3-step quick passing games; 
2. DTs are tasked with getting quick penetration to disrupt any run play in their direction and get pressure right in the QB's grill up the gut, which is allowed because; 
3. Safety sized defenders are being moved to LBs and told to chase the football as quickly as possible, as this reduces their need to take on blockers and have to read schemes.

You look at those three facts and you realize that at every single box position, defenders are setting themselves up to be gashed by trap blocking schemes. This is why Harbaugh was so successful in San Fransisco, this is a big reason why Meyer was so successful in the National Title Game, this is why MSU is re-establishing trap blocks more and more into their scheme. It's making a come back as defenses have started adjusting to the quick passing attacks that many offenses are utilizing. In the ever evolving and revolving game of football, trap blocks are back baby, and I couldn't be happier. It's about time.

Etc

More on Harbaugh's Run Scheme in San Fran

Additional looks at San Fran Run scheme, which I've similarly covered

Coaching Points: Penn State 2015 Spring Game

Abby Drey / McClatchy-Tribune

Base O: Mostly 11 and 12 personnel; Zone Run Schemes
Base D: A lot of 4-3 Under with a Loose alignment from the SAM; some Apex; some Over on passing downs



QB
I think we know what we're getting from Hackenberg, which to me, quite honestly, is a bit disappointing. Hackenberg still displays all the arm talent that scouts rave about, but he still makes the same issues that have haunted him the last two years, particularly last year.

 Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

There was a time when he scanned right, saw nothing open, came back across to the right, got some pressure in his face, shuffled back under control, found the TE on the curl on the hash, and threw the ball into a very tight window while throwing off his back foot to relieve pressure. It was a display of good patience, a nice job going through the underneath progressions, and an excellent throw with what was pure arm strength.

But then there are multiple issues reading secondary movement keys, particularly safeties post-snap. He had a very bad INT where he saw the squatting CB but never held the safety playing his Cover 2 half. He had another similar throw earlier in the game. He at times forces the issue underneath, particularly on 3rd and short situations, where he trusts his arm to find a throwing window more than his eyes. Get through the progression and find the easy throw. Too often he finds a throw he think he can make so he takes it; he needs to understand how/when to get through the progession, particularly on some of these underneath  concepts (drag and follow, for instance).

I liked what I saw from Stevens as a prospect. He still has a ways to go, particularly on his deep ball accuracy. But his timing on the underneath was very good for a FR. He has solid mechanics in a clean pocket and is most of the way there with his roll out mechanics. He still needs to do better with his eyes, he stares down targets and goes immediately to his pre-snap side without holding the safety at all, there are parts of his game where he needs improvement, but for a FR, I think he has bright upside.

RB
Lynch was one of the better up and coming RBs in a loaded group in last year's B1G. He still looks the part here. I really like Lynch's feel for blocking and his vision. He is patient without being late to the hole. He presses the hole without wasted movement. Those are things that often times take time for backs to understand, but Lynch does that well. And when it's time to put a foot in the ground and get vertical he does. Likewise, he can pack a punch when he needs to.

Scott looked solid as well, but it's clear Lynch is the guy. Scott had a little more wasted movement at times, and I don't quite think he ran with the same power and comfort that Lynch did. His TD was a nice display of awareness and balance, and he should provide a backup that can get a handful of carries a game to keep Lynch from tiring out.

WR
PSU did everything they could do pick on Davis (walk-on), so it's a bit difficult to judge some of what PSU did. Still, Penn State had one of the best young groups of WRs in the B1G, and that doesn't look to change.

Lewis will be one of my favorite WRs this upcoming year. He runs great routes, setting up the vertical route well and sinking his hips well in and out of cuts. He plucks the ball with his hands, rarely letting the ball into his body. Likewise, he's a big body that can be a tough cover underneath and when crossing the field.

Hamilton is another young guy that is set to impress. He has speed that can win over the top, but is also a good underneath threat. He needs to improve his route running a bit more, but as a pure athlete is good.

Blacknall is the third option here. More of a possession type, he made some nice plays as well.

Hamilton is probably the best screen option, though Lewis can bully smaller DBs a bit. PSU throws a lot of smoke screens and extended handoffs off of their run plays. It'll be interesting to see how that works out when they face a little more experienced CBs.

TE
The TE position should be solid with the return of Breneman. I didn't see a lot of him in the spring game, but he's been solid in the past. Likewise, Carter has been a solid player for PSU the past few years.

I'd like to see Carter do a little better in-line though. He's note great at getting out of the blocks and rounds some of his routes at the top. Gesicki looks to have the size to block and some good athleticism. He made a really nice play in the flat, catching the ball cleanly and getting up field quickly. Pancoast, despite his size, made an excellent block on the split zone. He needs a bit more size yet, but can contribute at the H-back position, where he looked most comfortable. Salomone is essentially a glorified H-back, but he gets out of the blocks quickly on passing routes; needs to improve his blocking. Idemudia struggled a bit; he's basically a FB and struggled a bit when asked to play closer to the LOS.

OL
The interior run blocking has improved. I really liked some of what I saw from the OGs and C (Gaia, Mangino, etc) had some really nice combo blocks, and did really well getting to the playside of the LBs in the 2nd level and sealing them. This was a vast improvement from times at last year.

Pass pro was an issue, both interior, and more so, at the OT position. There were some clear communication breakdowns on stunts. Worst, Brosen had some issues, and Palmer had lots of issues. You can see some potential in Palmer, but he is so far away right now. Both OTs got beat cleanly, barely able to lay a hand on inside rush moves a few times. One step out and then go inside completely untouched.Most of the issues are with the feet at this point. There is a lot of leaning, and once you lean, it's difficult for someone that size to change directions. But they are struggling getting set deep enough and opening up against speed rushes, and they are struggling just as often, if not more, with inside rushes (I won't even call them moves, it's just inside rushes). Unfortunately, most of the run game break downs came from these same positions.

I'm concerned about the depth here and the outside players. The skill position guys are there in this offense, Hack can make all the throws, but they need to protect and they need to be consistent blocking.

DL
Nassib looked solid at DE, but I had a tough time judging a lot of it with the OT play. I'll have to come back to the performance of the DE after a few games.

DT has a solid top 2, but there is a little drop off after Zettel and Johnson. Johnson has issues when asked to move off his NT position. He's better as a gap plugger at the Nose, but when he slants or angles, he struggles to anchor as his weight takes his momentum in whatever direction he's going. Cothren was a little more inconsistent. He showed some ability to use his hands and have good awareness, but other times he got moved too easily on double teams. He needs to be stronger at the point of attack and do better to get skinny between blockers and use his hands to prevent them from getting to the LBs.

Barney had a nice pass rush move, and looks like a guy that could play some NT to give Johnson a breather, but I don't think he's an every down player yet. Holmes actually flashed a little bit with some speed, but is just hilariously undersized right now when getting double teamed.

LBs
One of my favorite up and coming LBs didn't play (Wartman), so we got to look at some of the other options at MIKE. It was... not as good as it needed to be. The LBs look decent once they diagnose the play, but they are taking too long to diagnose and get to the LOS. Too often the OL is getting out to them and they are catching them at the 2nd level 4 yards deep. Cabinda flashed both ways, making some nice plays and some not so nice plays when not blocked, really struggling getting off blocks. He's probably the next one up at this point.

Steinfeld is a long ways away. He struggled with reading the play in front of him, sometimes taking himself completely out of the play, and doesn't hold up well to blocks. Smith struggled with his keys. No one else really stood out.

I think Wartman will start at the MIKE. Someone (likely Cabinda) needs to step up at WILL and be more consistent. Bell can play some SAM and they will be solid at that position. But depth is still an issue for PSU.

DB
There are depth issues at CB. Davis struggled a lot, I wouldn't expect him to play this year (he's young and a walk-on). They didn't throw a lot to many of the other guys, so some of it is difficult to tell.

At safety, the combination of Lucas and Allen makes for one of the better groups in the B1G at safety. Lucas can play CB or Safety on defense, can cover the slot in Cover 1, and is a great all around athlete. He looks like he's still getting comfortable at the safety position a bit, his versatility will be a huge asset back there. Allen has every thing you're looking for in a safety. He hits well when asked to come into the box, he has the size to cover some TEs, he moves well on the back end. This is a very good starting unit. Apke gives good depth at the position.

Raw Notes
PSU D in a 4-3 Under Loose against the Dot set. Ball gets batted down as PSU goes all hitch, but Carter (TE) needs to get into this route quicker, a little too rounded at the top. Cleaner move to get off the LOS and a little cleaner at the top of the route. This the decision of where to pass by Hack was the correct one. Nice play by Cothren (DT) to get both hands in the air, but OL (Mangiro) needs to do better to occupy the DT in that case, especially knowing this is a 3-step drop.

One of the major things that concerns me about Hack is his presence throwing underneath. His feet get sloppy a lot of the time and he doesn't throw with good touch/accuracy underneath. Here is a drag and follow concept from the Z (Hamilton) and RB (Lynch) (from a bunch set). Hack doesn't really get a good read on the underneath coverage, which is sitting across the field, instead he tries to fire it in there to get the ball on the receiver before he gets lead into a big hit. But if he moves off that movement key, he'll notice the RB wide open for an easy first down, sitting in the vacated area.

Lots of Under shades with Loose of Apex Sam from PSU. Nice inside zone run, RG (Gaia) and C (Mangiro) do a great combo on the NOSe to the 2nd level. Cothren (DT) needs to hold up better to that double team, he got driven 5 yards back. WILL gets sucked inside way too far and is way too late scraping over the top, that allows the RG to seal him backside. He tries to step up and through to make up for it but it's too late; have to get down hill and fill fast so the combo can't come off, too delayed with reaction. Lynch does a really nice job of vision in the second level, enoguh patience and then puts a foot in the ground and gets vertical and then split defenders to get the TD.

Nice quick release off the LOS by Salomone (TE). Rounds a little bit at the top, but not bad. Ball thrown with perfect timing by Stevens here, just as the break is happening. Good velocity on the ball and hits target right in the hands. Allen actually has good coverage here, looking to jam at 7, the break just happens right in front of him and perfect timing. Nice immediate tackle.

Pole concept on 3rd and 9. Nice job reading the Cover 2 corner here as the corner tries to jump the out route which looked to be coming open against the OLB. But this is young QB right here. His eyes are glued to the movement key right at the snap and the safety can work over the top. The ball is thrown with good timing, but it seems to hang a little bit going to the far sideline. Lucas (S) is a little late breaking on it, would like to see him there a bit sooner, but it's overthrown as this would need to be a nearly perfect pass to fit it in there. Stevens can give himself some help by holding the safety a little at the snap. Good arm strength to far sideline though.

PSU brings 6 as it goes to Cover 0. Hack immediately goes to his hot but I think he's choosing the wrong side here. He has hot to the top of the screen, this hot is running a drag (should convert to slant) right into a sitting WILL LB. Blacknall (WR) not even looking for it, hits him right in the body (good accuracy) but he'd get pegged immediately on the catch.

PSU still setting Under to the field. PSU shows Cover 1 pre-snap and has 8 in the box. A weird kind of pin and pull with the backside OT pulling and the Center pulling and the frontside OT. I haven't seen it run like that before. Anyway, Baney (LB) steps up and makes a play on the edge.

Over front on 3rd and long, still 4-3. Palmer gets beat too easily by the speed rush, as he doesn't open up soon enough or get enough depth on his drop (common problem this spring for a lot of teams). On the inside, Barney (DT) spins and the OG gets a little off balance and starts leaning as it looks like Barney will win inside. Nice job by Barney to set up to spin by pulling the LG inside and forcing him that direction, pulled him out of position.

Johnson (DT) takes himself out of this right at the snap. While he's angling, he needs to feel pressure and anchor against it so the hole inside of him can't widen. He doesn't. Pancoast (TE) does a great job here finding his man he's supposed to block. He has the DE, and the DE is looping inside. If Pancoast doesn't identify his target, this play is a 1 yard gain at most. But he does, and he seals him outside. nice run by Scott, but nice blocking up front. Need someone from the LB level to fill hard at some point though. Catching way too many blockers 3-4 yards into the 2nd level (Cabina here).

Slant with a CB blitz from the boundary. CB blitz is delayed and coming from too deep. Needs to time this better. Johnson here uses his hands very well, gets under the OL pads and doesn't allow him to latch. He rips off with to disengage nicely and almost makes a ply in the backfield. This allows LBs to flow. White (DT) makes a nice play chasing straight down the LOS when he sees the blocking scheme. Nice job flowing.

Power O, Idemudia (TE) doesn't identify his block correctly and no one accounts for SAM on the edge.

Stevens feels pressure but actually has a pretty nice pocket. He has room to scramble, but he has receivers in better positions to pick up first downs. But he drops his eyes when he tucks and can't identify them, does pretty well to pick up some yards.

Insize zone with an outside receiver bubble option (on-line slot arcs out to block outside CB). DL just dominates up front. Holmes (DT) gets on the center quick and knocks him back. Palmer (LT) can't win his helmet across and that DT can anchor a bit. Nelson gets no movement on the DE that slants inside on the stunt blitz. Just no movement from the OL.

Nice route by Lewis (WR) on the slant. Sticks a foot in the ground outside and sells the Go to get an inside release. This is to the far side, and Hack is quite high on the throw, not allowing Lewis a run after catch opportunity. Nice job to pull it in despite LBs coming inside-out on the throw.

Power O with a slant option on the backside. 8 in the box and Hack recognizes, aborts Power O, and firest the slant on 3rd and 1. Another nice job by Lewis to make sure he wins inside. I'd like to see Davis (CB) do a little better here, as he doesn't really bring his hands on his jam, but Lewis does bring his hands and battles to get inside. Nice job.

Counter PA sucks the SAM inside and allows Hack to get to the edge. H-back is leaking to the flat and there is one defender to cover both. I'd like to see Hack be a little more patient here and understand what he has. Attack upfield, but keep the option to throw outside until you get past the LOS (or past it) with your shoulders. Defender actually cheats inside, and if Hack throws it outside to flat, it's 10+ yards instead of 2.

Just an extended handoff off an inside zone look. Davis playing about 8 yards off and not crashing at snap. Hack throws it and Lewis catches with 5 yard cushion by time he turns up field. Davis steps up nicely and keeps feet moving to not allow Lewis to juke or get space, but he doesn't bring his arms on the tackle and he tries to tackle chest to chest. This allows Lewis to spin out of the tackle and gain 3-4 more yards.

Just picking on Davis now. Lewis with another really nice slant route, sells outside and gets Davis to open outside. Wins clean inside. This is slant with a flare from the RB, and Hack has to be patient against Cover 1. LB is working inside-out and has to clear underneath, and once he does, Hack fires a perfect pass to Lewis who has 2 yards on teh CB.

Nice job by Dowry coming off his combo off inside zone. Again, the RG/C can get movement inside and then come off onto the LB. This time Holmes (DT) was bullied back into the 2nd level.

Throw to the flat off the China concept. Gesecki (TE) catches the bench route and turns up field (nice job getting the ball out on time). Davis again being picked on, stops feet on contact trying to tackle the TE, and just gets bulled through. Don't stop feet on contact folks.

Zone read that I think Hack thought he had the backside bubble, but didn't. Decent scramble as DE is OLB is biting hard inside (Cover 0 for PSU) Hack had lots of grass to run.

OG Sweep with teh WR crack. Nice play design, as RB alignment a yard behind QB allows Hack to turn body to sideline to threaten screen. That holds backside defense and LBs. Smith (LB) isn't on his keys on this play. He's biting forward based on pre-snap look, there is not a single key bringing him forward to the LOS. Apke fills the wrong hole, way too far inside, and doesn't keep his outside arm free on what is supposed to be sky support (but is late) off of the crack exchange. Poor recognition and worse angle to the ball.

Miscommunication. DE slants inside and no one takes outside. MIKE for some reason goes inside despite there being no play there and the DL slanting in that way. Steinfeld (MIKE) completely lost here. He actually went forward and then ran further out of the play, despite his gap being outside to the playside.

Hack thinks he has man here, but it's a Cover 2. Really nice job throwing over top of the underneath CB, but this ball needs to be a little closer to the sideline. Golden came out of no where to make a play on this ball, pre-snap middle of the field and came all the way over the top to get the PBU on a pretty well thrown ball. Hack has to identify the coverage over the top before making this throw though. Ball needs to be either more to the sideline or to the back corner as the safety is coming flat over the top.

Walker reads the eyes of Hack on the double slant and works inside-out from his LB spot and almost comes away with an INT.

LT (Palmer) gets beat too easily inside.

Fessler, throws a wobbler. I don't think I'm going to spend much time on this film.

Brosan (RT) just gets his feet all kinds of stuck in mud. Shuffles out and then barely can lay a hand on the inside rush. Not really even a move. Hack no time to throw here. Palmer (LT) whiffed two people and let them both free. Issues at the OT position.

Nice play by Nassib (DE) off the edge to make a play in the backfield on the RB.

Palmer again beat clean on the edge off the counter H PA. hack stumbled out of his drop and came up limping.

Blacknell just gets the extended handoff. Looks smooth in space, but picking on Davis (CB) again, who stops his feet and can't make a play in space.

Ball is late as Hack looks first to the field side. Comes back to the hitch and a small window, but Hack, throwing off his back foot, has the arm strength to fit it in. Alston (CB) actually has decent underneath coverage here.

PA off zone read. Throw to Hamilton on the slant. But Allen does a great job from his safety position to come down and make an immediate tackle. Almost no gain.

Nice job being patient on the snag route, though it looked like Hamilton could have sat on the inside and easily picked up the first down more easily.

Palmer just gets beat cleanly inside again. Not even a hand on the DE who takes one step upfield and then immediately wins inside.'

Palmer again misses on the block. He's not even laying hands on guys. Just not moving his feet well enough. Supposed to blunt block the backside, but just doesn't ever get into his block.

I have no idea what Hack is looking at here. Has the flat route open, has the flare route open. But he's only reading one key, the CB, who is 10 yards off and squatting (not covering either guy really). So he tries to fire the ball into a small window between the sinking CB and the two-high safety. He's picked off pretty easily by Harper (S). Cover 2 shell, yeah, the corner route can be open if you aren't staring that direction the whole way. But you pump the flat route to suck up the CB but just pull the safety over to the corner route. If CB doesn't bite down so that you can't throw to the sideline, ball has to go underneath.

Nice job bhy Stevens getting his shoulders square, but the WR slips on his route coming back and Stevens kind of jump throws instead of getting his legs to allow him to push it down the sideline.

Nice fill by Cabinda (LB) who fills down and then gets across the LOS to make a tackle at the point of attack.

No one blocks Zettel (DT), but he doesn't bring Scott (RB) down when he tries to spin him down. Players give up on play and then Scott (who does a good job getting his hand down to prevent going down) and scores a TD.

Football Fundamentals: Cover 4 Defense "Coverage"

At its most basic, Cover 4 plays as a four deep, three under defense; and at its most aggressive, it plays almost identically to a tight Cover 0. To the average fan, Cover 4 may sound like a passive, prevent-type defense, while to the more nuanced fan, it may seem like an aggressive coverage that can bring 9 defenders into the box. The truth is that it is all those things and more. One of the greatest powers of the Cover 4 is its ability to adjust, the intricacies, and tweaks that can be made to the same look to both confuse the offense, and remain fundamentally sound. In this article, we’re going to look at the basic elements of coverage in a Cover 4 defense.

The Basics

Strengths	Weakness	How to Defeat
Four-Deep Coverage	Flat Coverage	Out routes from #2
9-Man Box (Safety Run Support)	Overload Underneath Zones	Flood/Overload Concepts
Bracket coverage on #1	Safeties in run/pass conflict	Scissors Concept
Outside Coverage Options (Tight/Soft)	DBs on an island	Double Post/Mills Concept
Wrinkles to Bait Throws	Pulling DBs out of Zones, forcing poor leverage	Mesh Concepts/ Underneath Rubs
Simplified LB Coverage	Rub routes	Play Action
Adaptable to any offensive set	Flood Concepts	WR Screens

Cover 4 is a combination scheme that employs both zone concepts and man concepts. In this way, it utilizes “pattern matching” to its advantage. This makes it a bit more complex to execute, but also a little bit more adaptable to offensive sets and concepts. Also known as “Quarters” (we won’t call it that, as we’ll describe in a bit), there are several ways of adjusting the coverage, adjusting the position of the LBs, and altering eye position and coverage technique. The most basic versions of Cover 4 are going to be "Quarters", "MOD", and "MEG" as described below. The remaining defenses are wrinkles to take advantage of how defenses are attempting to defeat the nominal coverages.

Here's a couple examples of alignment, the first showing a press alignment and an option on how to cover some of the receiver splits:

The second shows off coverage

Standard Underneath Coverage

Underneath, the OLBs are responsible from working inside-out, from the edge of the box to the flat, protecting Hook, to Curl, to Out/Flat. The MIKE is responsible middle/hook. They also have the responsibility of “walling off” anything that comes underneath. This means that if a receiver tries to work across the middle of the field, that the MIKE should essentially block him from being able to cross the field; by walling off, he interrupts the offense’s timing, prevents the offense from flooding a side of the field underneath, and allows the MIKE to break on anything immediately in the direction the receiver is coming from.

The underneath coverage will change a little bit based on the coverage adjustment, so just be aware of that, though I may not explain that fully.

Quarters

We’re going to start with what I define as quarters, that being a true 4 deep zone concept. This isn’t prevent, this isn’t automatically stay deeper than the deepest and play passive, but it is a bit of a safer shell coverage.

On the back end, the CBs are responsible for the outside ¼ of the fields and play with outside leverage over the #1, while the safeties will take the ¼ of the width of the field in the middle, meaning each DB is responsible for a quarter of the width of the field deep. CBs funnel to the safeties and safeties funnel to the CBs with their leverage.

Both the Safeties and the CB read through #2 or the EMOL and to the QB. Nothing changes for the CB with the action of the #2, what changes for the CB is if the safety fills forward in run support. If the safety comes forward, the CB needs to be more cognizant of the #2 and potentially split the difference with his zone (essentially a deep half). More to the point, is that the CB needs to scan the field, looking for crossers coming from the other side of the field, or otherwise sticking with the #1 on his side.

The safety reads through the #2 to determine if he can double, or bracket, the #1. If #2 goes vertical, the safety must respect his zone. If #2 stays short, the safety can work to maintain inside leverage on the #1 (unless he crosses).

Strengths: The strengths of this is that any deep route concept, including deep rubs, are covered, and the DBs don't have to be worried about being "out-athleted" by having to chase defenders around the field. Likewise, double moves or wheel routes are covered without having to have great eye discipline. Furthermore, safeties can afford to be aggressive in run support because of the CB automatically playing deep coverage.

Weakness: The biggest weakness is the underneath zones. Quick outs or mesh concepts can overload underneath coverage, which is spread thin. Play action will often suck up the safety, potentially leaving the CB alone against two verticals.

Man Only Deep (MOD)

The classic example of Cover 4. This is a 4 deep zone that turns into man coverage on deep routes.

The CB is going to read #1 through the play. If #1 goes vertical, the CB is going to match up with him in man-to-man. If #1 runs a short route (underneath 5-7 yards), the CB will sink beneath any deep route from #2.

The safety is going to read #2 to #1. If #2 goes vertical (5-9 yards), again, the safety has him in man-to-man coverage. If the #2 stays short, the OLB will take responsibility for the coverage and the safety will double #1.

Strengths: This has four defenders deep regardless of the offensive route structure. Man coverage deep allows for tighter coverage in the secondary and doesn't allow the offense to pull defenders out of their zone. This coverage allows a single vertical route to be bracketed by the CB and Safety (assuming the other remains shallow).

Weakness: Underneath coverage is still susceptible to being overloaded. Downfield rub routes can get DBs caught in the wash. Double moves or wheel routes can result in DBs bracketing the first receiver to get vertical.

Note: To a single receiver side, this may be called "Cone" in "Sabanese". What this means, is that any vertical route from the single side WR will result bracket coverage between the CB and Safety. But if the single WR goes shallow, both DBs will play their deep quarters coverage.

Also note that MOD can be run from a press alignment or off alignment. Saban separates the two calls by saying "Box" when he wants his CB in an off alignment.

Man Everywhere he Goes (MEG)

This is the more modern variant of Cover 4. It is often associated (though not necessarily correctly) with press coverage on the outside.

The CB is going to play the #1 in straight man-to-man coverage, anywhere he goes. If he stays short, the CB stays with him. If #1 runs deep, the CB stays with him. There are some exceptions to the rule, such as if the #1 immediately stems inside, such as on a crossing route, in which case the CB will exchange assignments and cover #2.

The safeties check #2 to #1. Again, if #2 goes vertical (5-7 yards), the safety will pick him up in man coverage. If the #2 stays underneath, the safety will look to double #1.

Strengths: Man coverage on #1 helps prevent underneath zones from being overloaded, takes away the quick hitch to the outside, allows the OLBs to play tighter into the box, focuses coverage on the best receivers, and allows the defense to run tight, man coverage on deep routes.

Weakness: Deep outside routes, such as fades, often see the CB alone on an island without much over the top help. Downfield rub routes can be effective against man coverage. The safety is often isolated against a safety with an in/out release option on vertical routes because the #1 can remain shallow. 

2-Read

2-Read (also known at "Trap", "Clamp", "Palms", or "Rolex") is a split between Cover 2 and Cover 4.

In this case the CB is reading through #2. If #2 goes vertical (~7 yards), the CB drops into a deep quarter coverage and essentially plays quarters. If #2 stays short, the CB plays him outside-in (funneling into the LBs) and looks to jump any outward breaking route.

The safety also reads #2. If #2 goes vertical, the safety is responsible for playing a middle ¼ zone, similar to quarters (inside leverage). If #2 stays short, the safety must adjust his drop to play a deep half, because he is now responsible for having to cover #1 running down the sideline, similar to Cover 2.

Strengths: Jumps outward routes from #2, which is a common quarters beater. Helps prevent underneath zones from being overwhelmed by having the CB jump #2. Plays like Cover 2 against shorter route concepts, but still has Cover 4 adaptability against verticals.

Weakness: The safety has to get outside over top #1 in the event that #2 runs an out route (pole concept). Cover 2 beaters can be effective (smash, pole, post-wheel).

Note: Teams will play this a bit differently, or can have different calls. For instance, in Clamp, the CB is playing MOD against #1 unless #2 goes out early in his route. This means, if #1 runs a hitch, the CB is still playing deep 1/4 anticipating smash and the LB/Ni is responsible for covering the hitch. In this way, you can differentiate 2-Trap Cover 2 from the quarters variant (which Saban does by calling "Cut").

Robber

Robber is going to see the Safety playing a "Robber" technique (and underneath zone) in certain circumstances. Here, the read is #2 to #1. If #2 runs a shallow route that breaks inside, the safety will jump the route. If #2 runs a shallow route that doesn't break in, the safety will check #1 to see if he's breaking inside. If #1 is breaking inside, the safety will "Rob" the coverage, otherwise, he'll break on #2. If #2 goes vertical, the safety will play his standard middle 1/4 zone.

The CB, for his part, has his eyes through #2 initially. If #2 runs deep, the CB will play his outside 1/4 Zone. If #2 runs shallow, the CB will be responsible for defender his half of the field deep (typically, this will essentially mean manning up #1, but he can't get beat deep).

The OLBs must get outside in Robber coverage. The safety is jumping any inward breaking route, you want the QB to see the OLB buzzing outside quickly to bait that throw.

Strengths: Baits inside throw for safety coming down hill. Helps mitigate offense from overloading underneath zones. Puts safety in run support inside the box. Zone deep prevents downfield rub routes, while robber threatens to bait inward breaking underneath rub routes.

Weakness: Pulls the OLB out of the box immediately at the snap. Inward breaking deep routes from #1 paired with outward breaking routes from the #2. CB potentially isolated deep without advantageous leverage (outside leverage without safety support). Wheel routes can bait "robber" and get behind defense.

Thumbs

The idea of thumbs is to bracket #1 is #2 doesn't go vertical. In this way, the safety is playing everything deep, inside-out, and if the #2 runs a shallow route, then the safety can jump whatever route #1 is running.

Because of the safety's responsibility, the CB is going to play a little softer on the outside. Any double move, he's responsible for not getting beat deep, because the safety is working to jump the underneath route. The method of play for the CB is really the same as quarters coverage.

Strengths: Brackets #1 any time #2 doesn't go vertical. 4-deep zones against verticals allow it to defend downfield rub routes. Can jump routes to the outside receiver.

Weakness: Doesn't allow the safety to play run support as quickly. OLB matched up on a slot receiver underneath without over the top help. Double moves by slot can get safety out of position and prevent him from playing #2 vertical from outside-in.

Switch

Switch is another way of incorporating a Cover 3 or Cover 6 scheme into the defense. The concept is pretty simple, if #2 runs an out route, the safety jumps it as if playing Sky (teams will play a hitch from a slot receiver differently, some will jump it, and some will stay back). If anything else happens, the safety is playing his middle 1/4 zone.

For the CB, he needs to read through the #2. If #2 runs an out, he is responsible for the deep 1/2, which is typically man coverage vs #1. Otherwise, he's playing the outside 1/4 zone. Note also that if #2 runs an out, the LB/Apex should be thinking about robbing any inward route from #1 (slant/dig/ curl). The safety is working down over-top of #2, so the LB doesn't need to necessarily maintain contact, and can sag off and underneath #1.

Strengths: Plays like Cover 3 with sky support against any outward breaking route from #2. Very effective against bubble screens. 4 deep zones help defend downfield rub routes. Allows OLBs to play tighter inside the box.

Weakness: Underneath zones can be overloaded as long as #2 doesn't run outward breaking route. Any deep inward breaking route from #1 paired with out route from #2. Sucks the safety out of the box for run support. Wheel routes.

Why Use Adjustments
Brophy says it well in his article on Saban's Cover 7 (his version of cover 4)

Why would you use [these adjustments]? Why wouldn’t you just hang back in standard quarters? Because the common weakness of quarters in the perimeter distance for the OLB to respond to. By modifying how the #1 receiver [edit: or #2 in the case of Rolex] is played, you can remain in the same coverage with a minor tweak on the (standard) routes that will be used to attack quarters coverage (underneath). With a corner locking down the #1 receiver, it will become a 2-on-1 match between the OLB and deep safety.

Etc.
We haven't yet touched on how quarters adjusts to 3x1 sets, that will be the topic of a future post. Similarly, we have left off bracket coverages and 2-Man from this article. Both can be folded into your quarters coverage playbook or can be treated similarly. Both can work from a 2-high shell.

Conclusions

There are more combinations of coverage that can be discussed, including hybrid coverages (hybrid Cover 4 types, hybrid Cover 2/4, hybrid Cover 0/4, trips adjustments, knob adjustments, underneath coverage adjustments). A lot of Cover 0 also play similarly to Cover 4 (think about MEG, and against vertical routes, how it essentially turns into a form of Cover 0). There is also the topic of leverage and cushion, including at the CB, Safety, and OLB position. In the next post, we’re going to focus on the latter topic of leverage and cushion, before we get into more detailed adjustments and hybrid coverages.

Etc.
Cover 4 Diagram
MSU Cover 4 Basics
Cover 4 Safety Play
Breakdown Sports Cover 4 Tag
2-Read Coverage Breakdown
Matt Bowen Cover 4 Intro
Rolex Coverage
Nick Saban's Cover 7 (his terminology for Cover 4)