(/)

FOOTBALL (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL)

BASKETBALL (/OHIO-STATE-BASKETBALL)

RECRUITING (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL-RECRUITING)

FORUM (/FORUM)

LOG IN / SIGN UP

2015 SEASON PREVIEW: THE SILVER BULLET

BLITZ PACKAGES

By Kyle Jones (/Users/Kyle-Jones) on August 25, 2015 at 10:45a @MRQHV (KWWSV://WZLWWHU.FRP/@MRQHV)

2015 SEASON PREVIEW (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL/2015-SEASON-PREVIEW)

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL)

388

RQ 5HGGLW
6KDUH RQ 6KDUH
)DFHERRN
RQ 6KDUH
7ZLWWHU
(PDLO
WKLV

56

U rban Meyer's aggressive approach isn't limited only to the offensive

side of the ball.

(/ohio-state-football/2015-season-preview)

Though Buckeye defenses had long been solid, dependable units in the 2000's under the direction
of coordinators Mark Dantonio, Jim Heacock, and Luke Fickell, rarely did the Buckeyes nd
themselves amongst the nation's most feared pass rushes during that time. Even as star passrushers like Vernon Gholston and Cam Heyward passed through Columbus, the Silver Bullets were
known more for a conservative, bend-but-don't-break pass defense more adept at stufng the run.
But when Meyer took over the program in 2012, the philosophy of the OSU defense took a 180degree turn. Not only did he and his staff ensure their defensive front would be stocked with vestar talents like Adolphus Washington, Noah Spence, and Joey Bosa, the Buckeyes' play calls
would look vastly different when their opponents faced long third-downs. Much as the OSU
offense would transform into an aggressive, attacking unit, the defense happily follow suit.
Much has been made about the effect of Chris Ash on the Buckeye defense, having taken over the
play-calling duties prior to the 2014 season and solidifying the secondary by implementing
quarters coverage. But Ash didn't need to touch a pass rush that had improved greatly under
Meyer and Fickell, moving from 71st nationally in sacks-per-game in 2011, to 29th in 2012,
seventh in 2013, and nishing their national championship campaign last fall ranked 12th in the
metric.
While sacks are certainly momentum-changing events that can shake the psyche of an opponent
and electrifying (or demoralizing) the home crowd, all a defense really needs to do on third down is
get a stop and force a punt. Whether or not they actually bring down the quarterback for a loss is

almost irrelevant, as those few yards lost can easily be made up in the following play's punt. To
that end, the Buckeye D created enough errant throws from the opposing QBs to result in a thirddown conversion rate of 33.95 percent, the 13th-best mark in the nation in 2014.
Though those blue-chip linemen are able to create pressure on their own, Meyer, Ash, & Fickell
don't rely solely on that group to create pressure, often involving the linebacking crew in their blitz
packages. While bigger athletes like Joshua Perry and Raekwon McMillan seem like they'd be the
ideal choice to send into the opposing backeld, the linebacker called on most often to rush the
passer is converted high school quarterback, Darron Lee.
After bulking up to nearly 220 pounds during his redshirt year, Lee still retained his quickness,
proving to be a handful for opposing offensive linemen. The New Albany product tallied 7.5 sacks
last year in his debut season, the second-highest total on the team.
Lee proved to be the top choice when Ash and Fickell would call for a blitz on early downs, when
they'd leave their base 4-3 defense on the eld. Sometimes Lee would simply blast through the
hole he'd otherwise be responsible for on a 'run blitz', hoping to disrupt any run-blocking schemes
or quick pass routes, leaving the Buckeyes with six defenders in pass coverage.
In most situations though, the key to a successful blitz is creating confusion for the opposing
offensive line. With the OSU base personnel aligning almost identically on every snap, the Silver
Bullets began bringing pressure from Lee in the form of a zone blitz, replacing him in coverage
with a defensive lineman, allowing the Buckeyes to maintain a conservative pass defense, keeping
everything in front while making things more difcult for the opposition.

The most creative and aggressive blitz packages show up on third downs, however. Much like
nearly every other team in the nation (http://www.si.com/vault/2009/12/28/105890984/lastingimpact), the Buckeyes feature a 'Double-A' gap blitz, looking to attack the interior
(http://www.theonlycolors.com/2012/8/21/3220614/better-know-a-blitz-package-double-a-gap) of
the line.

The blitz can cause problems in one of two ways. First of all, the presence of two
additional rushers over the center forces the line to adjust their assignments, either by sliding
protection to one side or the other to ensure both A-gaps are covered. This often leaves those
defensive ends mentioned earlier in one-on-one situations, where they're the most dangerous.
Second, the A-gap blitzes are staggered, with one coming rst to engage an unsuspecting center,
leaving the second with a theoretical clear path to the quarterback unless the offense keeps in
extra protectors.

In this example, the Buckeyes bring pressure with six on the 'Double-A' blitz, leaving only ve
defenders in zone coverage, which sounds like a perilous situation for the defense. However the
Spartans' response was to leave both backs in to help pick up the blitz, meaning the Buckeyes only
have to cover three receivers. The result is still a rushed, off-target throw as Washington pushes
the tackle directly into the QB, winning his individual battle.
The 'blitz-six, drop-ve' philosophy is a common one among both pro and college coaches, yet the
Buckeyes doubled down on it after adopting a 3-3-5 nickel personnel package
(http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/chase-complete/2015/02/49900/lm-studythe-defensive-adjustments-that-led-to-a-title) on passing downs midway through last season. In
these scenarios, the offense is expecting pressure, and it's much easier to predict the path of a
down lineman, so an additional upright rusher on the eld allows OSU more exibility.
The additional athleticism brought forth from that extra linebacker paid dividends on its own right,
though. Lee's rst step on the outside was often too quick for opposing tackles, especially on the
offense's right side.

But the interior action of his teammates allows him to have such free runs. With 'crossre' blitzes
that feature twists over both guards, the edge rushers are often unaccounted for.

These three-deep, two-under zones do have weaknesses though, particularly on the outside. In
order to take advantage though, the offense usually has to wait for a long-developing play like a
screen (above) to take shape, or throw a pass that's short of the rst down marker. Either way, the
Buckeyes are clear favorites to come away with a stop in those situations.
Once the Buckeyes have had some success against getting pressure with the schemes above,
they turn up the pressure even further. Instead of showing the offense the same alignments, the
Silver Bullets line up in a "UFO" front, with seven players on the line at the snap, including the
nickel safety.

The concept has many names, and even more variations. Sometimes called an 'amoeba' front, the
defenders hop in and out of positions moving up and down the line, more often than not in a twopoint, upright stance. But the onus is on the offense to determine which of the defenders is
blitzing, and if so, where.
Even if the offense keeps a back in to block, giving them six protectors for the expected six
blitzers, they don't know which of the seven men on the line isn't coming. No one wants to be the
guy standing there, blocking air, yet there seems to always be one (looking at you, No. 55).

With Bosa and Washington up front, and Perry, Lee, and McMillan behind them, the Buckeyes
return 5 players with major experience in these 3-3-5 blitz packages. While the exact packages
may chance weekly, one can fully expect the schemes to get even more complex...and more fun to
watch.

2015 SEASON PREVIEW (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL/2015-SEASON-PREVIEW)

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL (/OHIO-STATE-FOOTBALL)

388

RQ 5HGGLW
6KDUH RQ 6KDUH
)DFHERRN
RQ 6KDUH
7ZLWWHU
(PDLO
WKLV

56

You May Like

(https://www.lendingtree.com/info/powerful-2-step-method-pay-off-credit-cards?
esourceid=6181046&cchannel=display&csource=taboola&cname=TheFastestWayToPayOff10,000InCreditCardDebt)

The Fastest Way To Pay Off $10,000 In Credit Card Debt

LendingTree

(https://www.lendingtree.com/info/powerful-2-step-method-pay-off-credit-cards?
esourceid=6181046&cchannel=display&csource=taboola&cname=TheFastestWayToPayOff10,000InCreditCardDebt)
(http://www.nextadvisor.com/blog/2015/04/02/pay-interest-2017-credit-cards/?kw=tbla_dsk_PayNo2017-A-13&site=elevenwarriors)

Here's why transferring a credit card balance to a 21-month 0% APR is a stupendous plan
NextAdvisor

(http://www.nextadvisor.com/blog/2015/04/02/pay-interest-2017-credit-cards/?kw=tbla_dsk_PayNo2017-A-13&site=elevenwarriors)
(http://www.ancestry.com/s64393/t32179/rd.ashx?utm_source=taboola&utm_site=elevenwarriors)

Do You Come From Royal Blood? Your Last Name May Tell You.
Ancestry

(http://www.ancestry.com/s64393/t32179/rd.ashx?utm_source=taboola&utm_site=elevenwarriors)
(http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/list/201303/6-worthless-exercises-you-probably-do?
utm_source=Taboola&utm_medium=elevenwarriors&utm_term=thelist&utm_campaign=TheList)

6 Worthless Exercises You Probably Do

ThePostGame

(http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/list/201303/6-worthless-exercises-you-probably-do?
utm_source=Taboola&utm_medium=elevenwarriors&utm_term=thelist&utm_campaign=TheList)

SSRSXSWDERRODFRPHQ"WHPSODWH FRORUER[ WDERRODBXWPBVRXUFH HOHYHQZDUULRUV WDERRODBXWPBPHGLXP E\WDERROD WDERRODBXWPBFRQWHQW WKXPEQDLOVD%HORZ$UWLFOH7KXPEQDLOV

SRSXSWDERRODFRPHQ"WHPSODWH FRORUER[ WDERRODBXWPBVRXUFH HOHYHQZDUULRUV WDERRODBXWPBPHGLXP E\WDERROD WDERRODBXWPBFRQWHQW WKXPEQDLOVD%HORZ$UWLFOH7KXPEQDLOV

SRSXSWDERRODFRPHQ"WHPSODWH FRORUER[ WDERRODBXWPBVRXUFH HOHYHQZDUULRUV WDERRODBXWPBPHGLXP E\WDERROD WDERRODBXWPBFRQWHQW WKXPEQDLOVD%HORZ$UWLFOH7KXPEQDLOV

,777HFK2IILFLDO6LWH
7HFK2ULHQWHG'HJUHH3URJUDPV(GXFDWLRQIRUWKH)XWXUH

VIEW 56 COMMENTS (/COMMENTS_LOAD/58072/ANON/0/NOJS)

Log in (/user/login?destination=node/58072%23comment-form) or Sign up (/user/register?

destination=node/58072%23comment-form) to Join the Discussion #beatmichigan

ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS
(/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60785/instacap-ohio-state-survives-scare-from-indiana-34-27)
Instacap: Ohio State Survives Scare... (/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60785/Instacap-Ohio-State-Survives-ScareFrom-Indiana-34-27)
Article

285 (/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60785/instacap-ohio-state-survives-scare-from-indiana-34-27#comments)

Early Game Thread Oct 3 Noon Bangers (/Forum/College-Sports/2015/10/60739/Early-Game-Thread)

Forum Topic

254 (/forum/college-sports/2015/10/60739/early-game-thread#comments)

(/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60726/nike-makes-it-official-releases-photos-of-uniforms-ohio-stateNike Makes It Ofcial, Releases Black... (/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60726/Nike-Makes-It-Ofcial-Releaseswill-wear-against-penn-state)

Photos-Of-Uniforms-Ohio-State-Will-Wear-Against-Penn-State)
Article

181 (/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60726/nike-makes-it-official-releases-photos-of-uniforms-ohio-state-will-wear-against-penn-state#comments)

No More Making Fun Of MI. Our Offense... (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60757/No-More-Making-Fun-OfMi-Our-Offense-Is-A-Mess)

Forum Topic

163 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60757/no-more-making-fun-of-mi-our-offense-is-a-mess#comments)

GameDay (Leland Corso, Specically)... (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60729/Gameday-Trolling-TheBucks)

Forum Topic

110 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60729/gameday-trolling-the-bucks#comments)

RECENT POSTS

We All Have Our Opinions On The... (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60817/We-All-Have-Our-Opinions-OnThe-Different-Situations)

Forum Topic

1 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60817/we-all-have-our-opinions-on-the-different-situations#comments)

Why We're Still #1 (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60816/Why-Were-Still-1)

Forum Topic

18 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60816/why-were-still-1#comments)

STATS DON'T LIE (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60815/Stats-Dont-Lie)

Forum Topic

21 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60815/stats-dont-lie#comments)

JT Fans, Stop Living In The Past. (/Forum/Ohio-State-Football/2015/10/60814/Jt-Fans-Stop-Living-In-The-Past)

Forum Topic

25 (/forum/ohio-state-football/2015/10/60814/jt-fans-stop-living-in-the-past#comments)

Sick Of Watching Clemson Players... (/Forum/College-Sports/2015/10/60812/Sick-Of-Watching-Clemson-PlayersCelebrating)

Forum Topic

15 (/forum/college-sports/2015/10/60812/sick-of-watching-clemson-players-celebrating#comments)

(http://drygoods.elevenwarriors.com/products/thats-ohios-

moon-tee)

(/12th-warrior)

6FUROO 7

$28.00

$28.00

$28.00

Fresh cotton and other wares at Eleven Warriors Dry Goods

(http://drygoods.elevenwarriors.com).

WE'RE STRETCHINGAND YOU'RE A KICKER!

Eleven Warriors is where Ohio State fans gather. As an independent site, we're committed to
delivering Buckeye fans the news and analysis they deserve, all while remaining free.
If you're into supporting indie sites with your wallet, you can do so by purchasing one of our tshirts (http://drygoods.elevenwarriors.com/) or shopping Amazon with this link
(http://11w.rs/amazon11w).

Our Story (/about) / Masthead (/masthead)

Contact Us (/contact)
11W Dry Goods (http://drygoods.elevenwarriors.com)
Advertise (/advertise)
FAQ (/help/faq)/Commenting Policy (/help/commenting-policy)
Privacy Policy (/privacy-policy)

)DFHERRN
7ZLWWHU
,QVWDJUDP
*RRJOH
<RXWXEH
566 (KWWS://IHHGV.IHHGEXUQHU.FRP/(OHYHQ:DUUL
WHERE OHIO STATE FANS GATHER 20062015 ELEVEN WARRIORS LLC