?lochness

Coach,

Depends on a lot of things. If we can beat the angle through the hole, we don't bother with #4 (OLB or invert player). We'd rather put a WR out there and block downfield on a safety or CB that has a better angle to make the stop. This is particularly true if the OLB's are overly aggressive (blitzing frequently or walked up to a tighter alignment), because they will generally take themselves right out of the play. If we are running at a superior athlete in that position or if we have a slower, more powerful back that has more of a chance of getting caught by #4, we will simply put the Z down into the wing slot (as you see us do frequently in the slower-hitting 25 or 36 Belly) to account for that man. You can also control that player with a keeper fake like we do in the Belly Series. We do not do it with the Lead, but if it becomes a problem, just have your QB sell out a roll-out or keeper fake to playside.

We have also found that with our Quick passing game, many teams will have to walk these "invert players" and OLB's further out of the box to defend the wide passing lanes, so often they've already put themselves in a bad situation to use that player in trying to defend our Lead or "Iso" play.

Also, your comment on forcing him to stop the Lead, then making him pay with playaction is absolutely on the mark. We will run a little TE delay right out into the flat area while the WR's "stalk and go" on the CB's (See Lead Pass 9/1D/9). The TE is almost always a money play if that OLB or outside invert is always coming inside to defend the Lead. You can also send the FB or whoever you have lead blocking out into the flats and have the TE sell out on his run block fake (in case they are really keying your TE block).

Coach, I hope the summer has been good to you so far. We've been busy with passing league and mini-camps trying to get our kids ready to go! I've got some R&R coming up here shortly though. We look pretty strong right now, but only time can tell. Returning a QB who threw for over 1000 yards and completed 60% of his passes as a Sophomore. Also returning two all-staters on the O-Line, with 3 very good replacement OL coming in as well. We lost our backfield who had played together for the past 2 seasons...but what we lose in experience we make up for in speed, so we are adjusting for that aspect. We are also getting out a stud DB / WR who missed his junior year because of eligibility issues. We have high hopes, but we know we play in a very competitive league, so we'll be fighting every single week.

I guess we wouldn't have it any other way! Let me know how things are shaping up!