Pre-Snap Read

SUPER BOWL – PREPARING FOR COLIN KAEPERNICK

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Chris Johnston

Overview If ever the Ravens needed two weeks to determine and practice a strategy for defending a Quarterback, that time is now. Colin Kaepernick has been generally electrifying in the run game, while also being more than competent as a passer in most games this season. All this after replacing a guy – Alex Smith – who completed 70% of his passes before losing his job following an injury. The bar has been set high for Kaepernick and he has produced with a combination of quality play and an element … Continue reading →

WEEK 9 FOLLOW UP – RAVENS VS. BRANDON WEEDEN

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Chris Johnston

OVERVIEW The Ravens got the best of Cleveland on Sunday, and were largely effective in limiting Brandon Weeden’s big plays. Below is a quick revisit to last week’s strategy opinion piece I wrote, in comparison to what the Ravens did on Sunday. C.J.’s Recommendations Prior to Week 9 1. CB Alignment  C.J. Wrote: That the Ravens should press #1 receivers at the LOS to prevent clean releases and limit Weeden’s “comfort” throws.  The Ravens Did: Baltimore played mostly loose coverages with their CBs, especially to twin (two WRs to the … Continue reading →

THE TEBOW QUESTION

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Chris Johnston

There has not been a Quarterback debate this fun in the NFL in a long time. Everyone has an opinion on Tim Tebow’s fitness to lead an NFL team. Let’s take a look at some of the positives and negatives of Tebow as a pro Quarterback. POSITIVES 1. Defensive Unfamiliarity NFL defenses do not see option attacks – either from under center or in the shotgun – very often, except as an occasional play. This is a distinct advantage for Tebow and the Broncos. The convention and roster makeup of … Continue reading →

A QUICK LOOK AT THE â€œNO HUDDLEâ€ OFFENSE

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Chris Johnston

OVERVIEW Everyone loves football when it is played at a fast tempo. There is usually an element of desperation on the part of an offense that is in “no-huddle” mode, and this results in an often exciting, rapid-fire version of the game. The success of the no-huddle can resonate. It is memorable and it often leaves fans with a lasting impression of, “Why don’t they do that all the time?” If it were only that easy… The motivation behind the no-huddle offense is most often based on the concept of … Continue reading →

A BUSY 40 SECONDS

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Chris Johnston

The standard NFL play clock is 40 seconds. That is the total time that can elapse from the moment the whistle blows ending one play from scrimmage and the time by which the ball must be snapped to start the next play. (After some “administrative” stoppages, like timeouts, change of possession, measurements, etc., the play clock is set to 25 seconds). During that forty second period, there is much business an NFL Quarterback must handle. A few of the considerations and/or questions for every Quarterback are listed below, followed by … Continue reading →

PRE-SNAP READ: Can the Ravens put Tyrod Taylor to work in THE WILDCAT?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Chris Johnston

Short answer: Yes. Tyrod Taylor is capable of effective dual-threat play at the NFL level. This would provide a decidedly new look to a Ravens offense that has a firm identity as a traditional I-Formation, pound-the-ball unit. Let’s take a look at the why and how possibilities for a Ravens/Taylor package in 2011. WHY CAN TYROD TAYLOR RUN THE WILDCAT IN THE NFL? Resume – Tyrod Taylor demonstrated an ability to be a productive runner at Virginia Tech – particularly in 2008 and 2010, when he rushed for 700+ and … Continue reading →