NY Jets O Line Coach Keith Carter, What to expect in the run Game

By Jim Jackson

The Jets have a new o line coach, the energetic and demanding Keith Carter.

This article will look at some of the schemes he used while with the Titans. They were every effecient over the years but struggled in 2022 due to injuries to every starter.

The thing about the Tenn offense is that it was predicated on downhill runs with super back Derrick Henry. They were very good at attacking downhill and playing to his strengths.

They liked to run these 4 plays often:

1. Toss Crack

2. Inside Zone

3. Duo

4. Wide Zone

The TEN Titans had great success with Derrick Henry, and he is the primary reason that they were  a top 5  rushing offense in the NFL for years. But what about the OL blocking for him? This article will focus on the strength of the interior offensive line for the Titans. Throughout the season this group is playing at an elite level and paving the way for their success. Nick Hardwick (Pro Bowl Center and 9 year NFL vet) once told me, "If you want to protect the passer, get good Tackles. If you want to run the ball, get good Centers and Guards." The Titans are lived  that in the 2020 season as well as other years.

Center = Ben Jones - 9 year NFL vet. Good technician. Tough to fool him. Anticipates very well. Plays hard and finishes in run game.

LG = Rodger Saffold = 11 year NFL vet. Playing an elite level right now. Is extremely quick and violent of DL. Has been injured some, but playing great.

RG = Nate Davis = 2 year NFL vet. Athletic, quick, and playing fast. Once he gets hands on defenders, it turn into a knockdown. He plays with great pad level.

Sub = Aaron Brewer = Rookie. Has been solid in a reserve role at RG and LG. Does not look lost like most rookies and is usually initiating contact. He moves fluid and bends well. He is undersized but it has not shown to be a weakness. 

You will see all four of these OL highlighted. 

The first play is a Toss Crack (My Favorite!) for a 12 yard gain. Both Guards take great angles and have huge blocks to spring the play. Watch the finish by the LG. Great technique and violence!

Crack and get the tackle on the perimeter

Wr  block and they seal the interior.

Expect the Jets to run duo. 

Play two is Duo in Week 11 vs. BAL. The result is an 8 yard gain, but this is violent run. When Henry gets his shoulders downhill, he is extremely hard to tackle.

The center works opposite the RB in duo which you see here. 

Nice double team with the guard and tackle. 

Good running lane as the guard and tackle double to the LB and the center finishes his block!

Wide Zone

Wide zone was another staple in the Titans offense. They did it from numerous sets.  
The third play is a wide zone in Week 8 vs the CIN. The Center and the RG do a great job of using the DL leverage and momentum against them to finish blocks. OL job is put defense players on the ground.

Inside Zone Windback!

The last play, well this one is mostly Henry. HOU runs a run stopping blitz and have two unblocked defenders in the hole. When defenders are on the move, it makes it harder to square up and tackle Henry.  Great job by the RG of sealing the ILB and creating the hole on IZ Windback.

All block zone and the h comes across. Similar to slice.

Nice job sealing the backside and he makes the LB miss.

In conclusion, Their run game was designed to get Henry downhill, and this is a tough tackle for anyone in the NFL. The interior OL played  at a high level, even with the injuries they have sustained. Excellent work by Coach Carter and the Titans' staff and we shall see how it transcends to the Jets.