Pruitt insistent on man coverage

[volsportsfan]

Against bama, Pruitt was adamant about stopping/containing bamas offense with man instead of using more zone type coverages.

With tua ( probably the most NFL QB ability of any QB in the country ) at the helm as opposed to all other QBs saban has ever had, I don't get this strategy. This guy can fire the ball in there, on any route, with NFL type precision. Your coverage on the back end has to be amazing to keep a QB like this from carving you up. Obviously bama has the talented blocking and rec's, like always, and this game was no different. The difference is/was the QB position.

The only thing I can think of is that Pruitt felt like our defense couldn't contain bamas run game and therefore play action, specially against defenders in the box, and that would eat us alive. I'm guessing he thought that by using too much zone our defenders in the box would suck in on play action giving tua wide open throws, and allowing those rec's and tes too much space to catch and run and break tackles. To me, it's easier to stay disciplined against play action running man defense, so the play action game is what maybe Pruitt was worried about.

Looking back though, I think I would rather take my chances making those open field tackles, hopefully with gang tackling/everybody breaking their zone and flying to the ball carrier, than to allow tua to pick apart our man coverage for huge and easy chunks.

Some people will say our problem was getting pressure, but whether you play zone or man, you have to get pressure. So, this point is invalid pertaining to this question. This question is more geared to why we didn't use more zone coverage. Zone allows for opportunities at catches and immediate hits for drops or fumbles. Zone also allows for more gang tackling and therefore more strip opportunities. I'm saying that using more zone against this guy might have allowed for us to turn them over a couple times while he was in the game instead of getting efficiently picked apart for score after score.

Maybe someone can help me understand why Pruitt was so convinced man coverage was the only way to contain this offense with tua at the helm.

 

[mitzustu]

Against bama, Pruitt was adamant about stopping/containing bamas offense with man instead of using more zone type coverages.

With tua ( probably the most NFL QB ability of any QB in the country ) at the helm as opposed to all other QBs saban has ever had, I don't get this strategy. This guy can fire the ball in there, on any route, with NFL type precision. Your coverage on the back end has to be amazing to keep a QB like this from carving you up. Obviously bama has the talented blocking and rec's, like always, and this game was no different. The difference is/was the QB position.

The only thing I can think of is that Pruitt felt like our defense couldn't contain bamas run game and therefore play action, specially against defenders in the box, would eat us alive. I'm guessing he thought that by using too much zone our defenders in the box would suck in on play action giving tua wide open throws, and allowing those rec's and tes too much space to catch and run and break tackles. To me, it's easier to stay disciplined against play action running man defense, so the play action game is what maybe Pruitt was worried about.

Looking back though, I think I would rather take my chances making those open field tackles, hopefully with gang tackling/everybody breaking their zone and flying to the ball carrier, than to allow tua to pick apart our man coverage for huge and easy chunks.

Some people will say our problem was getting pressure, but whether you play zone or man, you have to get pressure. So, this point is invalid pertaining to this question. This question is more geared to why we didn't use more zone coverage. Zone allows for opportunities at catches and immediate hits for drops or fumbles. Zone also allows for more gang tackling and therefore more strip opportunities. I'm saying that using more zone against this guy might have allowed for us to turn them over a couple times while he was in the game instead of getting efficiently picked apart for score after score.

Maybe someone can help me understand why Pruitt was so convinced man coverage was the only way to contain this offense with tua at the helm.

Man is the better option in the long run against teams like Bama. You have to play man to have any shot at outmanning their front and getting pressure, sacks, etc.

He understands that in the present we don’t have the talent to go man and beat them. He also understands that in the long run, to beat them, our guys must get as much experience as they can playing the right way.

We lost and got reps and players with more experience playing the right defense to beat them.

The only other option was playing zone and being less prepared the next time they roll around on the schedule.

Good job Coach.

 

[volsportsfan]

Man is the better option in the long run against teams like Bama. You have to play man to have any shot at outmanning their front and getting pressure, sacks, etc.

He understands that in the present we don’t have the talent to go man and beat them. He also understands that in the long run, to beat them, our guys must get as much experience as they can playing the right way.

We lost and got reps and players with more experience playing the right defense to beat them.

The only other option was playing zone and being less prepared the next time they roll around on the schedule.

Good job Coach.

I like this answer. Plus, I was thinking that Pruitt wants us to be a man coverage based team, so that is what he has been teaching since he got here, not the zone stuff as much. So, the defense wouldn't have effectively run a zone based defense against bama anyway.

 

[volsportsfan]

Maybe in the long run, after his man defense principles have been installed, he will install some zone based stuff too. To be multiple on defense and be able to use both philosophies, to me, makes a defense that much more effective.

 

[scottchatt]

We got beat for one simple reason. We don’t have anywhere near the talent at the current time to match up on defense with Bama’s offense. There is not a coverage scheme out there that would make up for the talent gap.

The boys in orange fought hard all day. They made some big mistakes that Coach Pruitt and his staff will use to teach them how to play better this week and every week of their football careers. Playing great teams like this year’s Bama team will make you a better football player in the long run.

So far I am very impressed with Pruitt’s commitment to sticking with the defense he knows will work as his players improve from coaching or experience, and as he gets more talented players on the roster.

We are better every week. If we had played Bama in week 1 we would have lost by 70 or whenever Saban got bored with scoring....kind of like last year’s Bama and Georgia games. If we played WV next week I think we would make a game of it.

This team is getting exactly what they need. Experience against really good teams and coaching from really good coaches. We are all tired of waiting, but things are getting better, and faster than many of us believed possible.

 

[volsportsfan]

Tony Dungys Tampa 2 zone based defense was for years very effective at containing great NFL QBs and passing games. Zone can get it done, but you have to be dedicated to teaching it and finding the talent for it.

So my answer is obvious. Pruitt wants a man based scheme and he is trying to install it with our program, not a zone based scheme. Plus he hasn't had time to add some zone based stuff yet and our defense be effective with it.

 

[thegasman54]

Pruitt is and has been considered one of the best defensive minds in football.

Will have to go w his game plans over yours at the moment.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

Against bama, Pruitt was adamant about stopping/containing bamas offense with man instead of using more zone type coverages.

With tua ( probably the most NFL QB ability of any QB in the country ) at the helm as opposed to all other QBs saban has ever had, I don't get this strategy. This guy can fire the ball in there, on any route, with NFL type precision. Your coverage on the back end has to be amazing to keep a QB like this from carving you up. Obviously bama has the talented blocking and rec's, like always, and this game was no different. The difference is/was the QB position.

The only thing I can think of is that Pruitt felt like our defense couldn't contain bamas run game and therefore play action, specially against defenders in the box, and that would eat us alive. I'm guessing he thought that by using too much zone our defenders in the box would suck in on play action giving tua wide open throws, and allowing those rec's and tes too much space to catch and run and break tackles. To me, it's easier to stay disciplined against play action running man defense, so the play action game is what maybe Pruitt was worried about.

Looking back though, I think I would rather take my chances making those open field tackles, hopefully with gang tackling/everybody breaking their zone and flying to the ball carrier, than to allow tua to pick apart our man coverage for huge and easy chunks.

Some people will say our problem was getting pressure, but whether you play zone or man, you have to get pressure. So, this point is invalid pertaining to this question. This question is more geared to why we didn't use more zone coverage. Zone allows for opportunities at catches and immediate hits for drops or fumbles. Zone also allows for more gang tackling and therefore more strip opportunities. I'm saying that using more zone against this guy might have allowed for us to turn them over a couple times while he was in the game instead of getting efficiently picked apart for score after score.

Maybe someone can help me understand why Pruitt was so convinced man coverage was the only way to contain this offense with tua at the helm.

You got to be kidding me...You can't let someone as good as Tua stand back there and he is saying "let me see ZONE! They are playing me in a ZONE coverage...will the scoreboard hold a Hundred Points"...Pick us apart I guess...Have to play right in the receivers Jock Strap to stop them from catching the ball. Zone, you got to be kidding...where is the blue font???

 

[volsportsfan]

You got to be kidding me...You can't let someone as good as Tua stand back there and he is saying "let me see ZONE! They are playing me in a ZONE coverage...will the scoreboard hold a Hundred Points"...Pick us apart I guess...Have to play right in the receivers Jock Strap to stop them from catching the ball. Zone, you got to be kidding...where is the blue font???

Like I referenced above, Dungys Tampa 2 zone was very effective at containing some great passing games and offenses. Didn't shut them down, but contained them enough. The man is a hall of fame coach and a brilliant defensive mind

 

[volsportsfan]

Pruitt is and has been considered one of the best defensive minds in football.

Will have to go w his game plans over yours at the moment.

No doubt

 

[Hacksaw]

Man is the better option in the long run against teams like Bama. You have to play man to have any shot at outmanning their front and getting pressure, sacks, etc.

He understands that in the present we don’t have the talent to go man and beat them. He also understands that in the long run, to beat them, our guys must get as much experience as they can playing the right way.

We lost and got reps and players with more experience playing the right defense to beat them.

The only other option was playing zone and being less prepared the next time they roll around on the schedule.

Good job Coach.

I think you're right. Furthermore, it's consistent with what Pruitt seems to be trying to do in other aspects of the game. This would explain why we're not more creative in offensive play-calling and we keep trying to run the ball when it's not working. He knows what we need to be able to do to be successful. He's going to keep making them do it until they can do it well. It's painful to watch, but it will pay dividends in the long run. We hope.

 

[superdave1984]

Tamp 2 requires a LOT of speed on defense and a really strong d-line, especially in the middle. Plus your LB have to be able to cover the guys going over the middle like TE and RB.

 

[jp1]

I think Pruitt went man to help defense their running game too.

 

[volsportsfan]

Tamp 2 requires a LOT of speed on defense and a really strong d-line, especially in the middle. Plus your LB have to be able to cover the guys going over the middle like TE and RB.

Specially the mlb dropping into that deeper hook zone. Gotta be smart and fast. Gotta have a def line that will get pressure. Those colts dl's had excellent pass rushers.

 

[scottchatt]

Tony Dungys Tampa 2 zone based defense was for years very effective at containing great NFL QBs and passing games. Zone can get it done, but you have to be dedicated to teaching it and finding the talent for it.

1. Tampa 2 is a 4-3 scheme, we play 3-4, you don’t just switch that every week.

2. Tampa 2 requires you to create pressure without a lot of LB help. We can’t do this with LBs.

3. Tampa 2 means you need linebackers especially a middle LB with a ton of speed who is able to essentially be the hardest hitting DB on the field. We don’t have an LB that fast, well, maybe now with Banks.

4. Tampa 2 requires very fast and physical DB/safeties. We could play that with Eric Berry back there, not going to happen with our current guys.

Basically, we don’t even have the start of a defense to play Tampa 2. Trying zone against an NFL ready QB like Tua with a slow secondary? We would be lucky if we kept their yards per attempt passing under 30.

 

[volsportsfan]

1. Tampa 2 is a 4-3 scheme, we play 3-4, you don’t just switch that every week.

2. Tampa 2 requires you to create pressure without a lot of LB help. We can’t do this with LBs.

3. Tampa 2 means you need linebackers especially a middle LB with a ton of speed who is able to essentially be the hardest hitting DB on the field. We don’t have an LB that fast, well, maybe now with Banks.

4. Tampa 2 requires very fast and physical DB/safeties. We could play that with Eric Berry back there, not going to happen with our current guys.

Basically, we don’t even have the start of a defense to play Tampa 2. Trying zone against an NFL ready QB like Tua with a slow secondary? We would be lucky if we kept their yards per attempt passing under 30.

I was using Tampa 2 as an example of a zone based defense that gets it done. The Steelers have for years run a zone based defense that was pretty effective, and ran it from a 34. Dungy came from this and tweaked it into the Tampa 2. But, there are other ways to play zone besides Tampa 2 as evidenced by the Steelers.

Haven't really watched the Steelers recently so they may have changed, but that old Chuck knoll zone based defense was their defense for years iirc

 

[njvols]

I like this answer. Plus, I was thinking that Pruitt wants us to be a man coverage based team, so that is what he has been teaching since he got here, not the zone stuff as much. So, the defense wouldn't have effectively run a zone based defense against bama anyway.

Corrext. Pruitt also using same philosophy on offense by demanding and sticking to the need to be able to run the ball...it’s all about the setting mentality on offense and defense for this years team and more importantly next year.

 

[fifties fan]

Year 1 CJP is trying to keep it simple. Remember the herding cats type coverage of the past few years?

 

[VolNavy01]

Your Tampa 2 example also includes elite NFL talent. I’m a big picture guy, and I believe he’s trying to keep it as simple as he can right now.

 

[volsportsfan]

Year 1 CJP is trying to keep it simple. Remember the herding cats type coverage of the past few years?

I have zero, none, absolutely no clue what happened to our defense once shoop took over. He was effective everywhere he had been, is effective at Miss state, but our defense was garbage with him here. Just unbelievable.

Did Butch get involved or get in the way of shoop? I just don't know. I do know that our defense was bad once jancek left or was fired or whatever happened there

 

[Go Vols 5]

Against bama, Pruitt was adamant about stopping/containing bamas offense with man instead of using more zone type coverages.

With tua ( probably the most NFL QB ability of any QB in the country ) at the helm as opposed to all other QBs saban has ever had, I don't get this strategy. This guy can fire the ball in there, on any route, with NFL type precision. Your coverage on the back end has to be amazing to keep a QB like this from carving you up. Obviously bama has the talented blocking and rec's, like always, and this game was no different. The difference is/was the QB position.

The only thing I can think of is that Pruitt felt like our defense couldn't contain bamas run game and therefore play action, specially against defenders in the box, and that would eat us alive. I'm guessing he thought that by using too much zone our defenders in the box would suck in on play action giving tua wide open throws, and allowing those rec's and tes too much space to catch and run and break tackles. To me, it's easier to stay disciplined against play action running man defense, so the play action game is what maybe Pruitt was worried about.

Looking back though, I think I would rather take my chances making those open field tackles, hopefully with gang tackling/everybody breaking their zone and flying to the ball carrier, than to allow tua to pick apart our man coverage for huge and easy chunks.

Some people will say our problem was getting pressure, but whether you play zone or man, you have to get pressure. So, this point is invalid pertaining to this question. This question is more geared to why we didn't use more zone coverage. Zone allows for opportunities at catches and immediate hits for drops or fumbles. Zone also allows for more gang tackling and therefore more strip opportunities. I'm saying that using more zone against this guy might have allowed for us to turn them over a couple times while he was in the game instead of getting efficiently picked apart for score after score.

Maybe someone can help me understand why Pruitt was so convinced man coverage was the only way to contain this offense with tua at the helm.

Pruitt, Smart, Saban all base out of Cover 3/6 which are the same but different safety rotations. Both are also zone. They also play a ton of cover 1 with and without a rat player, cover 7 (which is a quarters man-match), cover 8 (quarters zone match), 2 man, cover 2 man-match (cover 5 to them), cover 2 zone match, firezones, trap coverages, and straight cover 0.

I say all this to say they pretty much do it all which most colleges do not. I am sure they are trying to do the things that will help them win now.

 

[fossilfiction]

We seemed to run a lot of zone against WV. It didn't work out very well. Pruitt has said our defense is pretty simple right now. I would wager that after watching the complex schemes he wanted to run cost us he decided to scale back to avoid so many busted plays.

 

[volsportsfan]

Pruitt, Smart, Saban all base out of Cover 3/6 which are the same but different safety rotations. Both are also zone. They also play a ton of cover 1 with and without a rat player, cover 7 (which is a quarters man-match), cover 8 (quarters zone match), 2 man, cover 2 man-match (cover 5 to them), cover 2 zone match, firezones, trap coverages, and straight cover 0.

I say all this to say they pretty much do it all which most colleges do not. I am sure they are trying to do the things that will help them win now.

Interesting, specially the lingo/wording describing the coverages.

But it seemed to me, for this game, to be man heavy. Maybe more zone mixed in once in the red zone.

The rat you speak of. Is this for RPO?

 

[Go Vols 5]

Interesting, specially the lingo/wording describing the coverages.

But it seemed to me, for this game, to be man heavy. Maybe more zone mixed in once in the red zone.

The rat you speak of. Is this for RPO?

Man and man matches are better vs RPOs than zone.

1 rat is a great coverage to protect the middle of the field, also good vs run.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

Like I referenced above, Dungys Tampa 2 zone was very effective at containing some great passing games and offenses. Didn't shut them down, but contained them enough. The man is a hall of fame coach and a brilliant defensive mind

Cover 2 has kind of fallen by the wayside against the spread and RPO offenses over the years.

Teams get gashed too easy in the rush game with the safeties back nowadays.

Montes defense got shredded in Kiffins one season against Ole Miss playing cover 2 as an example.