“Coach A” Paul Alexander, the voice of our Thursday Night package, harkens back to his own career as he remembers plays that made him snap pencils.
Back in a parallel universe and lifetime ago when I was coaching high school football, I’d have these moments I’d call a “pencil snapper.”
I was a defensive coach. I’d be preparing for an upcoming opponent and I would smugly think I had everything accounted for and I would stop.
That is, until I saw on video that they did … this.
It would make me snap my pencil!
Teams that can effectively throw the ball to their running backs will just make defensive coaches curl up in a corner and cry.
Why?
These backs are hard to account for in coverage. And even if you stick a linebacker on that running back, the offensive guy is gonna win that one almost every time.
See, these spread offenses can send at least four wide receivers downfield, tying up all your defensive backs. So who’s gonna cover the running back, especially if he’s on a streak route either up the sideline or down the middle of the field between the safeties?
In too many cases … nobody.
And I’m not talking about little dink and dunk swing passes or screens. I’m talking about downfield haymakers that can be knockout punches!
It’s enough to make you … snap your pencil!
And then, mumble to yourself.
Teams that can throw to their running backs will sure enough keep you humble.
