Understanding offensive surfaces is critical from both a coaching and player development perspective because surfaces dictate how an offense creates leverage, numbers advantages, run lanes, and pass protection structure A surface is simply the number of eligible blockers attached to one side of the formation, and defenses are constantly adjusting fronts, fits, and coverage strength based on those surfaces A 2 man surface is typically built with the Guard and Tackle attached to one side of the Center and is often used in spread formations or balanced looks. This keeps spacing clean and forces defenses to defend width and space A 3 man surface usually includes the Tight End attached to the Tackle and Guard, creating additional edge support and allowing offenses to run stronger downhill concepts, gap schemes, and play action off the surface A 4 man surface adds another attached player such as an H Back, Fullback, or extra Tight End, creating the ability to overload a defense, generate double teams, create vertical displacement at the point of attack, and control the line of scrimmage physically From a coaching perspective, surface recognition is one of the most important parts of offensive football because it impacts: • Run fits and defensive alignments • Box counts and leverage • Pass protection structure • Front identification and communication • Blocking angles and double teams • How defenses set their strength The best offenses understand how to manipulate surfaces to force defenses into unfavorable numbers and leverage situations Surface variation also allows offenses to disguise intentions, create formation stress, and dictate how defenses must communicate and adjust pre snap
They call it surface's I call it formations.
ReplyDeleteNFL defenses with the highest success rates against the pass in 2025, per TruMedia:
ReplyDelete🔒 Houston Texans - 62.6%
🔒 Denver Broncos - 62.5%
🔒 Buffalo Bills - 60.4%
🔒 Philadelphia Eagles - 60.2%
🔒 Minnesota Vikings - 59.9%
🔒 Seattle Seahawks - 59.2%
🔒 Cleveland Browns - 58.5%
🔒 Los Angeles Chargers - 57.8%
🔒 New Orleans Saints - 57.3%
🔒 Detroit Lions - 57.1%
Razor,
ReplyDeleteNice information.
Thanks.
👊
DeleteOff Target Throw % per Stat Rankings:
ReplyDeleteJJ McCarthy - 25.5%
Michael Penix - 24.6%
Caleb Williams - 21.7%
Justin Fields - 21.3%
Shedeur Sanders - 20.8%
Jaxson Dart - 20.7%
Cam Ward - 20.7%
Patrick Mahomes - 20.4%
Trevor Lawrence - 20.3%
Dillon Gabriel - 20.1%
- The game is evolving in two ways (1) versatility in WR1 alignment and (2) using heavy personnel to PASS.
ReplyDeleteThe ideal slot defender is likely now a Jalen Ramsey prototype.
Sounds like the 49ers might sign J. Clowney
ReplyDeleteFor those fans of JonnyDell, he's doing a show on Carver Willis tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteDick Roach said that the ideal secondary would feature 1 FS and 4 CBs due to the ability to match up in man coverage vs pass. He described Shawn Springs as the ideal S/CB prototype who would play in the slot because he had enough to hold up vs the run but was a suffocating coverage player on the perimeter.
ReplyDeleteAs a player in the late 1990s, the Nickel or “Star” position was typically the best CB or the smartest defender due to the challenge of playing multiple roles. LeRoy Butler played that spot in Green Bay, James Hasty filled that role in KC and a young Charles Woodson played there at times, but matchups dictated his alignment.
Long story short, the “Star” is one of the most important positions on the field, and the emerging trend is taking the game back to how it started with A-plus players playing in the slot.
If the 49ers use this alignment in certain packages, which current 49ers player fits the mode?
ReplyDeleteLenoir if he's our best coverage cb. I think it'll be a coveted opportunity for whoever wins that job. Maybe no one emerges as the clear winner and they fill via platoon, but that would signal to me we don't have THAT player.
DeleteSigle has the speed and size to be the FS if he is able to have a command of the playbook and his execution responsibilities. Prysock has great size and he looks best in short zone/shell coverages. Maybe he factors in somewhere if he shows up in camp.
ReplyDeleteCould Jaden Dugger be developed for this position? He is a run stopper a can blitz when called on. Just not sure if he has the speed needed to cover the perimeter.
ReplyDelete