D3 to Rams DC The Rams Brandon Staley's Defense

Brandon Staley is a great story, but he is an even better defensive coordinator. He was coaching at John Carroll University in 2016 and 4 years later is the defensive coordinator of the LA Rams. But, based on what Ive seen he is one of the great young minds in the NFL. 

After 5 weeks the Rams Defense is playing at a very formidable level. They are leading the league in various categories and statistically very solid.

Statistically:

#1 leading the league in sacks

#4 defense for total yards

#1 in yards per reception

#2 in receiving yards per game

#9 in the league in rushing defense (yards per game)

They are really getting after the passer and causing havoc for opposing offenses. They show multiple looks and have various adjustments that cause problems 

**He does a great job getting 1 on 1 situations  on passing downs for Aaron Darnold which is probably the best thing he is doing. Here is an example of that.

2nd and 12 vs the Bears. 

They show here and the right guard has to block Darnold 1x1 in empty. They end up dropping the right end into a 4 man man free pressure.

The other minor coaching point is they send the mike who is showing opposite a to give Donald  #99 more room to operate.

    

Another example of forcing the 1x1 with Donald  vs The Bears:

3rd and 12: Get good pressure, Foles has to dump it off for 7 yard gain and the bears punt. 

For example, last game they were playing Jalen Ramsay in the slot and blitzing him on several occasions. This is an all pro cover guy. Staley does a great job of playing matchups but also knows his personnel very well. They play great situational football. They do what it takes to win. 

Against the Eagles, they didn't blitz once in the first half and played coverage. They were not pressuring out of respect for the Eagles run game, screen and play action game. Once they got up they brought 5, 5 man pressures and 1 simulated pressure in the 2nd half. They had a very solid game plan, adjusted it to handle what the Eagles do well, realizing that Wentz is very efficient against 5 man pressures and didn't run many early. But, once up in the 2nd half they brought a lot more pressures.

I put all 6 pressures from that game on the clips below. All came in the 2nd half. Again, no blitzes in the first half and they went on to win the game 37-19.

Also, very impressed how he uses Jalen Ramsey in the slot. He will blitz him drop him in coverage, match him against there best wr at times. He moves him around and plays him both inside and outside. There's times in the 3-4 where is playing against a tight end wing in 12 personnel. (may get him in trouble later in the year when teams run at it).But right now is working great. 

The other thing they do a nice job of is  they roll many different players which allows them to stay fresh throughout the game.

Lets first take a look at them on the early 1st and 2nd downs vs the NY Giants in week 4.

BEAR Front: The Rams play a lot of bear, some 3-4 and 4-2-5 on early downs. 

The first front they use is the bear front. They played it a lot vs the Giants vs 11 personnel.

They play 2 three technique DT and a nose guard with 3 linebackers in the game. When there is a tight end in the game, the 3 technique becomes a 4i(diagram #1 below)

When you get a  2nd tight end, you will get a shaded nose and a 5 technique with the Rams.

(diagram #2 below)

They play some cover 3 and cover 1 with it but can easily play cover 2/4, cover 6 and 8 which is a 2 look one side with 4 look the other. Different people call it different coverages. Below is a cb roll to the passing strength. cb to passing strength playing cover 2

The Cowboys did catch them in the coverage but later in the game the Rams made some nice adjustments to combat that. Here you see the wheel route by #2 puts the outside linebacker in limbo. Good route concept by McCarthy

Back to the fronts:

diagram #1. (notice the 4i when a tight end in the game)

       

       

diagram #2     Bear Vs 12 personnel (tight, wing formation), sometimes they will play the dt to the tight end head up, but primarily will shade the nose.

                                   

#'s  Bear personnel the Rams used vs. Giants

LE    90                         CB        31                  

RE    99                         SS.        43

NG    69                        FS.       24

ROLB 50                     CB.     22

MLB   59                     Nickel   20 Ramsey

LOLB.  54

The 2nd front vs the Giants  is the 4-2 front.

They sub and bring in 45, 41 and 97 at times. They rotate inside but they are playing 3 additional players and playing them to their strengths.

LE.    54                            Nickel 20 Ramsey

LDT    97                                LC.   31

RDT.   99                                RC.  22

RE     45                                  FS. 24

ILB    59                                  SS. 43

ILB.    41

Against the Redskins and Eagles they went 3-4 with an eagle look to the weakside vs 12,21  personnel and brought the extra lb in the game. So, he is flexible and varies his packages game by game.

Down and distance, 1st and 10 

Here the Redskins run jet motion, Watch the discipline of the linebackers(know before you go) and the gap responsibility up front. No one getting blown off the los, everyone doing their job.  Solid run defense.

The difference in the Redskins game is instead of going bear with 1 ilb they went to more of a 3-4 look vs 12 and 21 personnel. Again, Coach is flexible and knows how to adjust.Did he  think the Redskins were a better run offense than the giants so he played with an extra lb?

2 clips of the variation of the odd front to more traditional 3-4 vs the Redskins

The other thing I like about the Rams is their simulated pressures. 

They are creative. Clip #1 They bring 4 rushers bus send a lb and drop a defensive end. 

Clip #2 they go dime show the 2 ilb and bring a db off each edge and play cover 4 with 2 underneath defenders.

The 2video clips  to go with the 2 simulated pressures are below:

3rd down situations- I'm really impressed with the pressures Staley is bringing on 3rd down. 

Dime 26 comes in as the extra defensive back.

3 defensive lineman 2 lb 6 dbs and the Rams run some really good pressures. 

Below are some 3rd down situations and the creativity in pressures:

This clip is vs the Giants,

Down and Distrance: 3rd and 12

Giants personnel:11

Pressure:  5 man 
Coverage:  man free with one blitzer and other lb blitz engaging the rb.

overload situation to put #99 Donald, one on one with their worst pass blocker.  They do this alot with Donald to create matchups. 

3rd and 27

Most teams arent going to blitz, not the Rams they are showing and bring the slot off the edge, Jalen Ramsey who plays in the slot often in nickel situations.

Down and Distance: 3rd and 27

Giants Personnel: 11

Rams Personnel: Dime

Pressure: Sim with Nickel blitz

Coverage: 3 Roll to the strong side

Giants dump to the tight end for an 8 yard gain

3rd and 13

Giants Personnel:11

Rams: 4-1 dime

Pressure: mac loop 

Coverage: cover 3 hole(safety plays middle hook and replaces the blitzer)

Here are the clips of the blitz concepts displayed above.

A few Redskins games where they get 1x1 with Donald again in the overload front (3 def lineman to the same side

 Here is a load 4 man pressure with lb delayed blitz. Good luck trying to block him 1x1.

Down and Distance: 3rd and 13

Washington: 11 personnel.

Personnel:4-1 dime

Pressure: delay blitz with lb

Coverage: 3 hole

coverage associated with the pressure above:

later in the game they run a game on 3rd and 9 out of the overload front.

Down and Distance: 3rd and 9

Washington 11 personnel

Blitz: none , e and T stunt with the tackle and end. End goes first

They run a game with the nose and left end.

Why stunt Donald, he's on the right side 1x1 with the guard again because the overload front forces 1x1 matchup with the Dt.  He wins the battle. Good coaching forcing 1x1 situations and trusting your rush.

Rams vs. The Bears.

Heres a 3 play sequence vs the Bears early in the game. I will show the 3 play sequence after the explanations below. 

3 and out for the Bears.

1st and 10

The Bears are in 12 personnel.

The Rams go to their 3-4 package.

Watch the front and how 41 stays in phase for the cutback.  50 does a good job setting the edge.

#41 does a good job because the bears rb cuts it back way too early. RB needs to push the ball to the edge a little more so the safety cant come underneath and maybe the wing can block the ss. They hold them to 3 yards on the play. Bears wonder why they cant run the ball, rb needs to get to their landmarks!(conversation for another day) 3 yard gain could have been more.

After an incomplete pass(see  video)

its 3rd and 7

good adjustment, and reaction to the rb with the safety coming to make the play. (could have been him man on #2 but I think it was weasel which means Ramsay has 12 no matter where he goes and play zone with everyone else. 

More Rams in the run game. 

Another great job by the Rams defense on 2nd and 7 

Bears stay 12 personnel.

Rams go to their bear front and play nickel.  Bears try to run patterson up the middle. 

Jimmy graham gets beat bad, the left guard gets driven back and there is really no place to run.

sets up 3rd and 6

Against the Bucs, he makes a great call to seal the game.

   It s good disguise showing 2 man and robbing the hole  and going man free to seal the game. Brady never sees the safety from the other side and tries to hit Cameron Brate on the vertical.

v

Rams vs Cardinals

Game plan included playing the defensive ends wide and playing some bear. They learned from the Belichick defense the week before.

Example #2 

De really wide in the odd front to the side of the back to take away Murray, force the give, SS does a great job forcing it back and LB Cleans it up

On 3rd and 9 they bring pressure and get away with a blown coverage.

Looks like the lb lets #3 off to the safety who is no where to be found. The pressure and forcing the 1x1 matchups gets them the sack.

on 2nd and 5 they force the 1x1 matchup with Donald. Why the guard doesn't help on Donald is very surprising. Should have been an easy double team with the guard and tackle. But the Rams get what they want. 

The series before the Rams got hurt on a 58 yard crossing route so they are careful to take that away.

They line Donald up over the left tackle and het the 1x1 matchup. The guard helps inside, should have helped the tackle. SACK!

Guard helps inside, leaves tackle one on one with Donald

Donald beats the tackle clean and gets the sack for -9. Pugh should have helped the tackle. They had the right call, Guard screwed it up. 

Like the Patriots. the week before, they bring inside pressure on 3rd and 10. Force the scramble and Murray throws it away. They punt.

Andy Reid vs Bill Belichick Chiefs offense vs Patriots Defense-The meeting of the minds!

 Another great tactical battle between 2 of the great football minds in the NFL.

Lets look at Bill Belichick vs Andy Reid in the week 4 battle between them.

One thing we learned is how valuable Cam Newton is to the offense. Without him and his veteran presence and ability to make plays the Pats are very limited. They struggle due to a lack production at tight end and on the outside. The pats are one dimensional so if you can stop their running game and get them into a passing mode, teams have a great shot vs them.

But back to the matchup.

Belichick's game plan

1. Double Hill when he is inside with the pass of the crosser concept  and play him in single coverage when he is outside.

2. Collision the underneath routes and disrupt the condensed sets to the boundary. 

Understand that the first read in many of the condensed sets is to the back with pick routes to the boundary. That is always Mahomes first read. They essentially tried to collision the back and #1 wr as much as possible when they condensed to the boundary. They took that away.

3. Orbit and jet motion- d lineman staying home and expecting screen with all the fluff motion.

Here is the collision concept

See clip #1 in the set below will show how the whole play above plays out. 

You really see the emphasis of the patriots defense to not allow the first read. They collision both the back and Kelce in the #1 wr slot to the boundary. The Chiefs love to run mesh/pick routes for the back in this set. Patriots do a great job defending it. Also, you see the man single coverage with Hill. Good route design up top as the free safety has a long way to run.

Clip #2 you see the double team on hill with the pass the crosser off concept. 

Clip #3 1st and 10 

Watch the text book man free coverage on the clip below, Great positioning, No separation, just a great job across the board and this should be an easy interception. Kelce releases so far inside to avoid the jam by the defensive end it messes up the timing of the route. 

They blitz engage the back but the right ilb has Helaire.  Really a 4 man rush.

Video clip

Now Andy Reid comes out next play and dictates coverage by putting Helaire out on the perimeter and motioning him back in.  Cover 1 so he runs the crossing route. Again the Pats collision Kelce with a def lineman.

Andy Reid runs Hill on the crossing route but look how shallow it is. The depth of the route makes the safety question whether he should jump it or not. Really puts the safety in limbo. Hill usually runs much deeper crossing routes. The safety underneath is expecting help on the crosser.

The last part of this play shows how they collision Kelce with #90, rush 3 and bracket #11 Robinson.

***Andy Reid adjustment***

Earlier in the game, they put Helaire outside and they bring him back in motion, this time instead of resetting him they fake the jet and throw him the ball. Creative play design by Reid as the db thinks he's going to reset almost and doesn't keep running with him. remember its man free with match concepts, meaning your guy is your guy! 

The next clip is on the goal line.

The Pats bring a 6 man pressure with cover 0 from lets just call it a bear look. In the NFL most teams play a 3 technique in bear if no tight end and a 4i to the tight end side. Im calling 50 a dt for argument purposes. 21 and 90 have peel rules, 32 and 30 blitz as Belichick knows they love to free release the back down here. Also, if your going to bring pressure bring it up the gut because Mahomes has happy feet when pressure comes inside!! The pressure forces him to throw quick and he misses a wide open Kelce. 

438 left in the first quarter , Chiefs ball on their 2 yard line!

the Pats have the Chiefs pinned deep. Im very surprised by the call here by Coach Belichick. Based on the backs alignment, what are you going to get, its either stretch on the 2 yard line or he's going to release. The Patriots play 4 to that side and let the chiefs breath. This is an easy 12 yard completion and read for Mahomes. Not surprised they didn't go man free, but surprised they don't play cover 2 to the boundary, only based on alignment and field position.

1st and 10 on the Chiefs 23 yard line. SAME SERIES

 THE PATS GO COVER 3 VS A CONDENSED #1 AND WIDE RB. MAYBE NOT! I DON'T KNOW BUT SURE THERE WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CHECK.

The next time they run the set and play zone they do go to a cover 2 look. Disguise somewhat like they are going three to it but go cover 2. 

What are you going to get from that #1 wr side. Post corner and a choice route by the back. 

or #1 running a slant/hitch/mesh type route with the back to the flat. 

NO SECRET TO WHAT THE CHIEFS DO. DOE REID RUN THE POST CORNER WITH KELCE  FOR THAT REASON? ANTICIPATING ZONE AND A BETTER ZONE BEATER. 

THE E AND T STUNT CAUSES ISSUES AND MAHOMES HAS TO THROW IT AWAY!

THe 2nd quarter..

Andy Reid the MAD SCIENTIST

The Chiefs run the following play...

Clip #1 in
week 1, when they ran orbit motion they hit Kelce on the screen pass vs the Texans. They are trying to sucker the patriots into thinking this is a tight end screen and trying to hit hill or the crosser over the top.

Clip #2

Now look at how Andy Reid sets up the next play. They ran this in week 1 and they run the orbit motion and throw to Kelce on it. This week they fake to Kelce and are trying to hit Hill to the crosser, thinking with the orbit the 

Ok now you really need to see how far back teams will go.

In week 1 see the clip, then watch week 4 and using Kelce as a decoy. Patriots sniff it out!

931 left 1st quarter. 1st and 10 

Andy Reid  dictates and gets man coverage just by motioning Kelce. That tells him its man  so he runs Jet sweep, a good play vs 2 man/man coverage.  Good 5 yard gain. 

3rd and 4 (turning point of the game) 

This is a 3 man pressure and should have been a pick 6 for the patriots.

This is a great scheme by Belichick. When you watch the film, watch what Tyreek Hill does to avoid the contact by #90, Calhoun. Calhoun does a great job even though he doesn't lay a hand on Hill disrupting the route with his presence. That causes Mahomes to hold the ball and creates the sack.

Also, watch the great spacing by the db's and secondary of the Patriots so they don't allow picks to occur.

Half Time

3rd quarter Chiefs 

Situation: The Chiefs get a 3rd and 5 they are up 6-3 at this point 

 Reid is in 12 personnel and motions Kelce back and he is in 3x1 as the #3 wr. They are trying to run a rub for the rb but Kelce doesn't take a good enough angle to cut off the safety as Philips  #21 does a good job getting off the screen. The Pats are still looking for crossers with #90 but the Chiefs decide not to run it as they stretch it with the wheel by #2. Great coverage no where to go with the ball.

Again, the Patriots stay with what's working!

1st and 10 352 in the 3rd. 

Chiefs ball on their own 15 yard line.

Pats go cover 3 with a 4 hands down look.

Kelce single side runs a deep out and Hill runs his #3 crossing route and they hit him for 20. This is the same coverage they got hit on earlier in the game on 1st down  when they had the Chiefs pinned deep. Hill does a good job settling down as the safety is way too deep. Once #3 runs the stick his eyes should go right to Hill. Kelce isn't running by anyone and he's the one receiver. Surprised by the cushion he's giving.

2nd and 10 chiefs ball same series  on their own 38.

They align Kelce wide and then move him into the 2 position condensed. He gets a little pick from Hill but just runs a deep out and ends up breaking a tackle for a 45 yard gain. They went 2 man hole so the safety was looking for the crosser this time and left the safety 1 on 1 with Kelce.

Big play in the game 

#3 

#4 They line up in bunch ,pats are in cover 2 and they run a nice little toss play under center. Get good blocks at the point with #1 and #2 wr on the olb. Seal the edge and arc the te to the cb.

Good scheme by Coach Reid-One of the few run plays I put on here because it wasn't about the Chiefs running the ball this game. But this was a big 11 yard gain down in the red zone.

                          

After 2 key stops they run a reverse on 3rd and 6 and score. 

They were stopped and had to resort to a trick play! good play call but I aint showing it! Takes away from what Belichick did on the goal line to keep them out of the endzone!

End of 3rd quarter 

13-3

When I resume after the Patriots score it's a 13-10 game. On this drive they take advantage of 2 big penalties by the Patriots which is uncharacteristic.

The Chiefs try to run the ball on the first 2 downs up 13-10.

1st and 10 -25

They come out in 12 personnel and run zone. The Patriots are in an under front and do a nice job clogging every gap and holding the chiefs to a 1 yard gai as the Chiefs run outsidee zone to the pats left.

on 2nd and 9 the Patriots are in a 4-1 box so the Chiefs decide to run it. The Patriots run a tackle end stunt with the sam linebacker blitzing off the edge. End up being a big play and creating a 3rd and 10 situation.

Now on 3rd and 10 they get a huge bailout as the Pats run a 2 man version.

They rush 3 men, double Hill with a db waiting for him coming across and double Kelce with the Safety to his side. They leave the other safety over the top and essentially sit cover 2 man wtth a rat player to play  the crosser.

They get bailed out on this play with a pass interference call.

After a personal foul on the Pats-for trying to basically stop Mahomes from falling down( a very questionable call) they get another 15 yards.

AFTER A 2 YARD GAIN, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? ITS 2ND AND 8 ON THE PATS 38.

NOW THE NEXT PLAY.-AS YOU RECALL A FEW PLAYS AGO THEY TOOK AWAY THE CROSSER SO!!! WHAT DOES REID DO!

Coach Andy Does what he likes to do when you take away the crossing  route. He throws Hill on a post corner route that the Patriots anticipate. Great job by the defense and it should have been an interception

ON 3RD AND 9 

MAHOMES SCRAMBLES AS THE PATS RUSH 3 AND NO ONE IS OPEN. THEY PLAY THE CROSSER CONCEPT AND DOBULE KELCE LIKE EARLIER

THEY END UP RUNNING THE LAST 3 PLAYS

1. JET SWEEP THROW IT TO THE JET MOTION MAN. 6 YARD GAIN. GREAT DESIGN BY COACH REID

2. PIN AND PULL OUT OF BUNCH FORMATION.  9 YARD GAIN. THEY DO AN EXCELLENT JOB SETTING THE EDGE ON IT.

3. JET SWEEP RIGHT FOR A 6 YARD TD.  GREAT PLAY ON THE GOAL LINE AGAINST MAN COVERAGE.

CLIPS ARE BELOW AS WELL AS THE MAHOMES RUN WHICH WAS EXCELLENT COVEREAGE BY THE PATRIOTS!

THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP THIS ARTICLE AS THE CHIEFS GOT THE BALL BACK UO 26-10 AFTER A PICK 6.

GREAT JOB BY Coach Belichick IN THE GAME PLAY.

I LEARNED ALOT FROM BOTH COACHES AND THEIR IS A REASON YOU 2 ARE THE GREAT COACHES YOU ARE.