If they hadn't already done it, ACC defensive coordinators should be scrapping any plans to play man-to-man coverage against quarterback Russell Wilson after watching film of N.C. State's 38-31 win over Pittsburgh.
Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt said after the game that Wilson had mostly stayed in the pocket for the first three games. Perhaps Pittsburgh used a lot of man-to-man coverages against the Wolfpack because the coaching staff didn't think Wilson would scramble.
Man-to-man defenses can work great against offenses whose quarterbacks never venture out of the pocket. If the cornerbacks and safeties can lock down the receivers on their own, the front seven can devote all its attention to the rushing quarterback and stopping the run.
But man-to-man can be disastrous against a mobile quarterback. With the defensive backs concentrating solely on the receivers, the quarterback can run almost forever if he can escape the pass rush.
That's what happened on fourth-and-14 in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh, when Wilson got loose for a 21-yard run on what was supposed to be a passing play.
"They were in man coverage and everybody was run off, and (he) was able to take off on the boundary," said N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien. "That was a key scramble of the football game for us."
Taking advantage of Pittsburgh's defensive approach, Wilson rushed for a career-high 91 yards. He said he still will look to pass first instead of running regardless of what the coverage is.
But he's bound to get loose as a runner if defensive backs are devoted solely to downfield coverage responsibilities.
"When people are running with their back toward you, you can get more yards," Wilson said. "It's pretty much as simple as that."
Comments
Bias?
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 16:55 — bradleyb123Is it just me, or does this article "feel" like the musings of an opposing fan that really just wants teams to find a way to slow down Russell Wilson?
I don't see much point in writing this. I could see having this conversation at the water cooler at work, in a "how can he be stopped?" type of conversation. But a newspaper article about this? Really?!??
How about an article the tells us a good way to break down Carolina's vaunted defense? (Oh wait, never mind. All we need is game film of the Georgia Tech game...)
Whatever the case, I don't think this matters. Russell is good enough at running AND passing, and smart enough to take whatever the defense gives him, that I'm not really sure he can be stopped. He will torch man-to-man coverage with his passes, and he will torch double coverages with his feet.
Pick your poison.
GO PACK!!!
Lethal Weapon 1?
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 12:15 — SurferYo Brad,
It's just you dude.
Where have you been? There has been an article about RW every week.
Regarding breaking down the UNC defense, well they needed a little help from the UNC offense.
"not really sure he can be stopped". If that is what you believe, then how do you explain the S.C. game?
Best defense in the country, best QB in the ACC? Okay, I expect and undefeated (sorry) rest of the season.
Yep, Lethal Weapon!
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 15:29 — bradleyb123^^^ "There has been an article about RW every week."
But this article sounds like someone begging defenses please please please find a way to stop this man, moreso than actual journalism.
^^^ "Regarding breaking down the UNC defense, well they needed a little help from the UNC offense.
True. True.
^^ ""not really sure he can be stopped". If that is what you believe, then how do you explain the S.C. game"
Mainly dropped passes. Also, an illegal man downfield penalty (that had nothing to do with the actual play) negated a 48 yard completion. Senseless penalties on players not named Russell helped stop drives in their tracks. And SC's defense is probably bigger and faster than any we'll see this year. Their defense was tops in the SEC last year.
^^^ "Best defense in the country, best QB in the ACC? Okay, I expect and undefeated (sorry) rest of the season."
I think you already know the main reason our defense is ranked #1 in the country (for now): SC's offense blows, Pitt's isn't great, and we played two FCS teams. But hopefully we'll oblige you on your expectation that we'll go undefeated the rest of the way. :)
If it doesn't matter ...
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 21:32 — gvillegatrwhy B itch about it??
this article was written in a positive light.
the thing is, you are frightened the other team might be reading this. "the cat is out of the bag!!??" get real. as if WFU didnt do their home work already. quit crying, baby.
Here's why it matters
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 15:32 — bradleyb123We're tired of not having a hometown paper that supports the hometown team, that's why. Every week before a State game you will find articles in the N&O about how great our next opponent is.
^^^ "the thing is, you are frightened the other team might be reading this"
No. I'm not. I sure hope Jim Grobe isn't busy reading Raleigh newspapers trying to gain some brilliant insight into stopping NC Stat's offense. My problem is only that it was written, and it's a silly article that exposes the author's true feelings that he HOPES someone will find a way to stop Russell.
bradley
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 19:04 — gvillegatrI find it hard that you are any older than 20 or maye you just ove in a constant state of paranoia? something?
this blog has no hidden agenda. it is a praise of RW. how could you possibly see it any other way???
Not paranoid
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 16:53 — bradleyb123I know it's praise for Russell. But the author's mindset in writing this is what I'm questioning. I know he's not trying to HELP anybody because a coach that gets their info from local sportsbeat writers should be fired anyway. :)
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. This article says a lot about the writer -- he desperately wants someone to find a way to stop Russell, so he wrote this article. It's almost like reading someone's personal diary and getting a peek into what they're all about.
Funny how we haven't seen any articles about how he thinks Carolina's great defense should be broken down by an opponent.
naaa
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 17:29 — izzykareemits a good blog article. Like you said, pick your poison. Every defensive coordinator knows what you are supposed to do, but can it be done?
Yep, I'm not worried
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 15:36 — bradleyb123I'm not worried about this article in terms of it hurting NC State's football team. You can just read between the lines in N&O articles and see bias. KT is practically screaming for someone to stop Wilson. That's my only problem with this.
It's relevant
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 22:14 — JPDOhioI hope we get down to the end of the season and KT is still writing about Defensive Coordinators having trouble figuring out how to stop RW.
That is exactly what
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 07:31 — tjfooseThat is exactly what happened to Miami last year... To their credit, they did adjust at half time.
I would have thought that any team who had watched film of that game knew better. But I think that might be giving Wanny too much credit.
the problem...
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 12:32 — izzykareemis, as Grobe said, RW is just such a good passer that playing zone will just eat a Defense alive.
Remember GT having two drives of like 13 plays and that one of 17 plays against UNCCH last week.
RW would just be able to dink and dunk down the field. The whole time the D is getting exhausted.
The only think i can think of would be to do what SC did which was to basically have a QB spy to chase RW around. I don't think there's anyone in the ACC besides maybe sturdivant who has Norwood's speed and football IQ. However, we saw how that worked out last year. UNCCH played mixes of zone/man and they got deeeestroyed
Perhaps playing some zone
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 20:19 — mad_maxPerhaps playing some zone defenses will cause an interception or two this year from RW. The opposing defenses have got to do something, and now that everyone has seen RW for a year now, they probably won't give him anything easy.
Ssssshhhhh
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 17:47 — YAR8packDon't give the other teams any ideas. =-)
nice observation
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 15:26 — izzykareemI was thinking the same thing as well Mr. Tysiac. And also thanks for writing another NCSU/The Russell Wilson-centric blog post.
You saw the South Carolina game up close, was it basically because they had Norwood shadow Russell the whole game? Or were they playing more zone defense that allowed them to contain Russell better.
Taylor Gentry
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 15:18 — JPDOhioOn Gentry's TD, he benefitted from man-to-man coverage as well. After he caught the pass, the closest defender in front of him still had his eyes on the receiver he was covering. I don't remember who that was, but I do recall the receiver duping the defender into thinking the pass was coming his way. Gentry went unchallenged into the end zone.
Overall, RW and his receivers exploited the man coverage very well.
Darrell Davis
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 15:22 — izzykareemthat was the WR doing the blocking, that play was unstoppable. Whichever OLB, Will or Sam, that blitzed was gonna get burned. Just so happened the Will blitzed and Gentry could have almost walked in from 20yrds out.
You're right
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 17:52 — JPDOhioIt was Davis. The kid has impressed me, although he seems to be flying under the radar. RW definitely has a lot of weapons to use in the passing game.