Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
It will be interesting to see whether DC James Bettcher can solve what Todd Bowles was unable to versus Seattle last year, as Russell Wilson always knew exactly when he could throw up the seam to the TE and when he could run his read option with Marshawn Lynch to the weak side for chunk yards versusf the Cardinals' defense.
Wilson's success on those two plays absolutely demoralized the Cardinals' defense. When a team can run their bread and butter plays so effectively---that is tough to overcome.
As for the TE seam pass---Wilson will audible into it if the defense doesn't cover up the TE with a SS or OLB---thus when Wilson sees that the closest cover man to the TE is the ILB, Wilson knows the seam pass is wide open because Luke Wilson and/or Jimmy Graham is too fast up the chute for the ILB at such a poor angle to defend.
So what can Bettcher do?
For one, he can have the OLB and SS set the edge on the TE by jamming him at the line of scrimmage. This serves a dual purpose because of having added defenders in the box to stop the run. But where this leaves the defense vulnerable is in playing contain---which Wilson will try to exploit with his feet or his skill players' on sweeps, bootlegs, waggles and reverses to Lockett or Baldwin.
Seeing as the Cardinals will want to do everything they can to funnel every play into the box, it will behoove the OLBers to play contain---but occasionally to throw a different look at Wilson they can have the OLB jam the TE and stay with him if he releases and flip the SS outside to contain.
Butcher can disguise coverage and blitz a CB for contain---while the FS picks up the coverage on the vacated WR.
The other wrinkle Bettcher can throw at Wilson is to bait Wilson into thinking the seam pass will be wide open, by not having a man over the TE---and then jump the route with the FS. Now---if Wilson sees that the Cardinals are committing the FS, if he has time in the pocket he can exploit the deep middle or sideline.
As for the read option---Bettcher has to stress assignment discipline---the OLB must never bite inside and must keep on Wilson's outside shoulder and make the tackle or at least funnel him into the inside pursuit. The ILB to the play side has to play Lynch---and commit to Lynch, but the other ILB can chase horizontally and be there to punish Wilson is the OLB has done his job of keeping contain. The FS has to run the alley and get to Wilson asap, if the OLB and ILB miss.
Matchups are going to be a key---based on how ell Justin Bethel covered TE Gary Barnidge in Cleveland---Bethel might be the best matchup against Jimmy Graham. Powers on Lockett, their best slot speed threat. Peterson on Baldwin. Mathieu on Kearse. Jefferson on Luke Wilson. Minter on Lynch. Bucannon on Russell Wilson as much as the defense will allow.
Bethel is such a good tackler---he could be a very important player in this game---not just in helping to cover Graham or Kearse, but in tackling Russell Wilson in the open field if and when Wilson escapes the pocket.
Blitzing Bethel could be huge in this game.
On the pass rush, the edge rushers must keep contain and the inside rusher MUST stay in their rushing lanes---which is how Todd Bowles managed to stifle Wilson when the Cardinals last beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
The real key is for the front seven to exploit the Seahawks' young o-line---which is one of the reasons why BA has been riding Calais Campbell like he's Red Pollard straddling Seabisquit. War Admiral is a tough champion to beat---but with the right jockey on the right horse---with the right patience, discipline and chemistry---a once, long-shot underdog can make quite a stunning run for the roses.
Wilson's success on those two plays absolutely demoralized the Cardinals' defense. When a team can run their bread and butter plays so effectively---that is tough to overcome.
As for the TE seam pass---Wilson will audible into it if the defense doesn't cover up the TE with a SS or OLB---thus when Wilson sees that the closest cover man to the TE is the ILB, Wilson knows the seam pass is wide open because Luke Wilson and/or Jimmy Graham is too fast up the chute for the ILB at such a poor angle to defend.
So what can Bettcher do?
For one, he can have the OLB and SS set the edge on the TE by jamming him at the line of scrimmage. This serves a dual purpose because of having added defenders in the box to stop the run. But where this leaves the defense vulnerable is in playing contain---which Wilson will try to exploit with his feet or his skill players' on sweeps, bootlegs, waggles and reverses to Lockett or Baldwin.
Seeing as the Cardinals will want to do everything they can to funnel every play into the box, it will behoove the OLBers to play contain---but occasionally to throw a different look at Wilson they can have the OLB jam the TE and stay with him if he releases and flip the SS outside to contain.
Butcher can disguise coverage and blitz a CB for contain---while the FS picks up the coverage on the vacated WR.
The other wrinkle Bettcher can throw at Wilson is to bait Wilson into thinking the seam pass will be wide open, by not having a man over the TE---and then jump the route with the FS. Now---if Wilson sees that the Cardinals are committing the FS, if he has time in the pocket he can exploit the deep middle or sideline.
As for the read option---Bettcher has to stress assignment discipline---the OLB must never bite inside and must keep on Wilson's outside shoulder and make the tackle or at least funnel him into the inside pursuit. The ILB to the play side has to play Lynch---and commit to Lynch, but the other ILB can chase horizontally and be there to punish Wilson is the OLB has done his job of keeping contain. The FS has to run the alley and get to Wilson asap, if the OLB and ILB miss.
Matchups are going to be a key---based on how ell Justin Bethel covered TE Gary Barnidge in Cleveland---Bethel might be the best matchup against Jimmy Graham. Powers on Lockett, their best slot speed threat. Peterson on Baldwin. Mathieu on Kearse. Jefferson on Luke Wilson. Minter on Lynch. Bucannon on Russell Wilson as much as the defense will allow.
Bethel is such a good tackler---he could be a very important player in this game---not just in helping to cover Graham or Kearse, but in tackling Russell Wilson in the open field if and when Wilson escapes the pocket.
Blitzing Bethel could be huge in this game.
On the pass rush, the edge rushers must keep contain and the inside rusher MUST stay in their rushing lanes---which is how Todd Bowles managed to stifle Wilson when the Cardinals last beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
The real key is for the front seven to exploit the Seahawks' young o-line---which is one of the reasons why BA has been riding Calais Campbell like he's Red Pollard straddling Seabisquit. War Admiral is a tough champion to beat---but with the right jockey on the right horse---with the right patience, discipline and chemistry---a once, long-shot underdog can make quite a stunning run for the roses.
