Zone v. Man blocking

[jayfan]

Myself and others have attributed the change in o-line blocking scheme from man to zone under Lombardi as being the main reason both the line & Bell have struggled. Here's a decent write-up about it.

What happened to Larry Warford and the Detroit Lions Offensive Line? - SideLion Report - A Detroit Lions Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

 

[gandydancer]

Good read Jay.

I've always been a fan of hat in hat blocking.

I don't see this regime swallowing their pride and changing anytime soon. It will change with a new staff.

Not sure how much people saw Reevis play in a zone scheme in Tampa. It was brutal and much the same as watching these guys. Wrong scheme makes any player look bad, even some of the best.

 

[Rollingthndr]

Zone blocking so for fast, athletic O-lineman who can get to spots quickly. Not mauling phone booth type blockers like Warford and Tomlinson.

 

[gandydancer]

Zone blocking so for fast, athletic O-lineman who can get to spots quickly. Not mauling phone booth type blockers like Warford and Tomlinson.

Mike Shanahan's zone blocking in Denver worked great. Insert any RB and have success.

The Hogs, Emmit and Aikmens line were both power schemes.

Laken, Larry and Manny all were better than 2013 or 2014 Sims... IMO Swanson still better than Dom as a blocker. This line is not worse than those lines. (2012 and 2013 Lions)The stats show different though. Talent level is way better now.

Scheme was brought up last year also. Many here have repeatedly said it this year. There will be no change though. Almost think it would be a first to see a team switch blocking scheme mid season. Usually the ship just keeps sinking.

 

[lionstop1]

Im still not buying the scheme issue until I see the guys actually not getting thrown around everywhere. These dudes cant even hold a block for 2 seconds.

 

[Quackerjacked]

LS1 what you are failing to factor in is that scheme also affects technique. It's not just being in a different place or figuring out who to block differently, you actually perform those blocks differently as well.

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

I never realized that Lombardi used a Zone Blocking scheme.. He should have known that these guys were bigger and not as athletic and were more suited for traditional power blocking.. Atleast run a hybrid scheme ffs.. Tomlinson himself was a powerblocker recently drafted and it makes no fucking sense.

 

[Old Lion]

LS1 what you are failing to factor in is that scheme also affects technique. It's not just being in a different place or figuring out who to block differently, you actually perform those blocks differently as well.

Exactly. Trying to teach zone blocking to a road grader is like trying to teach an elephant to dance. It pretty much results in a circus act.

 

[lionstop1]

I agree, Q.

Second year in the offense and they're worse though? I can understand a few bad things that are due to scheme but this is terrible.

 

[lionstop1]

This is on Caldwell also though. Im dividing the blame between the coaches and players.

 

[gandydancer]

This is on Caldwell also though. Im dividing the blame between the coaches and players.

Agree, and also Mayhew. He has a history of drafting guys who played to different strengths in college. Drafted Slay who was a man press guy in college and was forced to play a zone scheme in his first year. He looked lost and then seem to make a huge jump in development in year two. He was playing what suited his skills.

LS1 when saying some is on players, I get it, they need to execute. It just shows how lost Mayhew might be. Drafting the positions needed he has done, just with the wrong skill set for the coaches scheme.

This is where I give Chip credit. At least if he fails, he's doing it with the guys that fit his scheme.