Scottemojo":2x5zexwo said:
Nothing wrong with Sweezy's block on that GIF. He slowed his guy down. Play was a gain. And as pointed out, If Lynch follows the FB, the play is a bigger gain.
In the wide zone, or stretch, it's not about just slowing the backside down, you want them on the ground. The whole reason for the 1 cut and go is the timing and speed required on that cut to blow by that backside cut while the defender is getting off the ground. If they eliminate that 1 on 1 cut it will be much more difficult to hit that backside run (but I don't think this rule does that). Also, I'm saying backside here but the reality is that there is so much horizontal movement at LOS, that cut is basically an Off Tackle run in relation to original alignment.
The 7 tech EMOL (end man on line) played outside contain. That's the FB and HB first read (if EMOL helmet is inside tackle/TE bounce, if outside change course to G/T gap). RB's eyes go to the Guard immediately as the running back changes course from aiming at TE's outside hip. Depending on which way the G's hips declare the hole, RB runs inside or outside that block. If the DT gets washed out, Marshawn would have been right on this run.
In any case, I can't think of a MIKE call where the Playside Guard would be cutting the backside LB. He should initially looked for playside DT body to combo with the tackle and then moved to the Playside LB and NOT cut him but instead man him up and either run him into the pile of bodies wide or seal him. If that playside DT instead pinched hard, Sweezy would have stayed with him and the Playside Tackle instead would have slid to the Playside LB.
The guy that should have been responsible for the backside cut block is the backside tackle. Notice how #68 blocks nobody and is kind of like WT?! Sweezy blocked his guy instead of staying on his feet with the playside backer. That's why #75 grabs #68 subtly as he releases, to stop that pursuit backside cut block. It's infuriating that the refs don't call that Defensive Holding penalty more but it is what it is.
The more I watch film, and admittedly, this particular play is tough, because it's a GIF that starts after snap with no pause and no other angles, the more I believe our linemen don't suck physically, we just end up being assignment wrong way too often.
Further, from what I've watched from last year so far, Rawls reads these plays WAY better than Marshawn. Isn't that exciting.