New York Jets Madden Film Session: Part I

Below I will breakdown some film, using screenshots from Madden NFL 2012. The idea is to put words with pictures, to provide a vivid demonstration of how the play will work. This will somewhat resemble film, that coaches use to game-plan with.

In Part 1, I will explain how the New York Jets could/should use Tim Tebow in their run-first offensive system.

How can Tebow deliver as a Halfback?

I-Formation Right:

2WR-Holmes/Hill, 1TE-Keller, 1FB-Conner, 1 HB-Tebow, 1QB -Sanchez

This is what the I-formation will look like when Tebow is playing Halfback, and the camera is close up, focusing left. When Sanchez throws the halfback toss, Tebow will be looking at a 3 vs. 3 matchup as the offense flows to the left.  Tebow’s man can be considered the option guy.

• WR Stephen Hill vs. CB Terrelle Thomas
• FB John Conner vs. DE Jason Pierre-Paul (or Antrell Rolle)
• HB Tim Tebow vs.  FS Antrell Rolle (or JPP)

Hill would be lined up left, and run a GO-route. This forces the Cornerback to strictly choose, either to defend the run OR the pass. He simply cannot defend both.

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As Tebow gets the toss from Sanchez, he will be looking at something like this:

In this example, on this play, there is no option. Tebow must keep it and RUN it here.  The Cornerback has his back to Tebow, which is a huge mistake if you’re trying to stop him from running. Defenses could show this look if they start to panic, as this unconventional play unfolds. Tebow is an NFL Quarterback, and whether he is accurate or not is irrelevant. He is a BETTER passer than ANY running back in the league… so defenses must respect that.

When a defense notices that a simple toss left, turns into a halfback pass option, they might choose to backpedal and defend the deep threat. As you can see here, that leaves Tebow with 10-15 yards to run before a defender is in range of making a play.

The reaction on this play resembles just one of the ways a defense might respond.

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In the Redzone, this unorthodox play-call could be even more dangerous for a Defense to have to defend.

An alternative for the D could be sticking to a Cover 2, where the Defensive Back will attack Tebow AFTER he jams the receiver. That leaves the lone responsibility to the safety– to cover Stephen Hill one on one. The safety (Rolle) isn’t in great position to pick up Hill, consequently giving the advantage to the Jets offense.

As you can see here, Terrell Thomas is sticking to his man. But as soon as Tebow attacks the line of scrimmage and threatens to run with it, Thomas has to leave his man to stop #15. You can see how difficult it would be for a safety to cover Hill from the position he’s in…practically within the numbers.

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The next picture will show the continuation of the same play as it’s developing

After CB Thomas leaves his man (Hill), he can only do one of two things:

1. Attack/tackle Tebow
2. Try to bat the ball down

The CB (Thomas) is almost eliminated from the play once Tebow decides to pass. The Safety (Rolle) has a chance to make a play, but he is not in a promising position. At this point of the play’s development, it’s up to the passer to make the throw and WR to make the catch.

In the next picture, Tebow makes a below average throw (anyone surprised? HA), but Stephen Hill gets in good position to make a play.

In the worst-case scenario, it becomes a jump ball. Hill comes down with the catch here, in better position. He was able to attack the ball like a basketball player would, when he boxes out and grabs a rebound.

Once the Cornerback commits to the run, the Safety has the responsibility of picking up his man, creating a body position advantage that favors the receiver and his friend—the sidelines.

Check back early next week, where JETSerious gets dead serious in Part 2 of our Madden Film Session.