Bill Belichick Notes - 2009 Florida Clinic

I am a bit limited this year with going to clinics, so I am going back through some of my old clinic notes.  Bill Belichick is the best presenter that I have ever had the chance to hear at a clinic, so I wanted to share these notes.  He shared a lot of good, sound fundamental ideas on Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.

Urban Meyer intro: “The New England Patriots are the least penalized team in the league.  Their formula for success is simple but difficult: Talent, Discipline, and Leadership.”

Bill Belichick Notes:

•         - There is no “I” in Team, but there is an “I” in Win.

•         - Each individual must do his job for the team to win.

•         - Having Discipline = Do Your Job

•         - Football – all starts up the middle.  Is played from inside-out (Off, Def, ST).

Special Teams

•      Off-Season – work ST Fund’s – catching kicks, snaps

Return Game:

            1.  Handle the Ball.

            2.  Don’t Commit Penalties.

•          If you do these, you will always get positive yards.
•          Show your team these mistakes on cut-ups (of other teams) to reinforce these two points.
•          If you whiff on a block, don’t go back toward the returner – Get Out of His Way!  Go upfield and look to block someone else if you miss your man.

Coverage – it’s a 1 on 1 war.  Get past your guy and stack him (get over top of him).  Don’t stay even with him.

-  +50 Punt (Coffin Corner Punt) - expect max rush.
-  Situational football - do throughout week.

XPt/FG – starts with firm protection up the middle.  Show team other team’s mistakes to reinforce

XPt FG Block – it all starts inside.  Get good rush up the middle to open up outside rush.

Defense

•        Just because you have 11 guys wearing the same-colored jersey doesn’t mean you are a coordinated unit.

Pass Defense – must collision WRs so they don’t just run down field uncontested. 

•         Get on WRs quickly – don’t give them any space.
•        Don’t let them inside – keep good inside leverage.
•        He showed his team cut-ups of Arizona’s WRs running downfield uncontested to reinforce what NOT to do.  Then show examples of what you do want to do.
•        Pass Defense - DBs – job #1 – defend the deep ball.

Run Defense – set the edge – turn the ball back inside toward pursuit.

•        Don’t just run upfield – must attack at correct angle. 
•        Don’t let the ball outside for uncontested yardage.
•        Force player – once you force it inside, shed block and get in on tackle.  You want to push back the  LOS.
•        Must teach players how to defeat blocks.
•        QB as runner – Offense will always out-gap you.  Somebody must be a two-gap player.
•        Backside of Defense – still want to set the edge for Reverse, Cutback, and Misdirection.
•       Every week – emphasis is on setting the edge.
•      Tackling – don’t leave your feet – run thru the RB.

Pass Rush – worst place to be is behind the QB.

•      Must collapse the pocket to get at depth of QB.
•       Must have push up the middle – don’t let QB step up in pocket.
•       Michael Vick – obviously would play differently.
•       Pass Rusher behind QB – worst position in football that you can be in.
•       Pass rush helps the coverage more than having four Champ Baileys will do.

Offense

•        Fumbled Snap – after practice (no Q’s asked) – QB and C will snap ball and run 100 yds to the     other GL – do for 15 min.
•         Offense – as a Coach, you decide who gets the ball.
•          As a Coach, you tell them how to carry the ball.
•          Ballcarrier – every single person on our team, the owner, ballboy, parents, people in the stands, etc. depends on your Ball Security.

2^nd and 1 – RB – you DO NOT lose yardage – go downhill.

• RB must have a downhill mentality – don’t bounce the ball outside.
• Worse-case scenario – 3^rd and 1. 
• QB – throw the ball away. 
• Even if a rusher comes free, there is no excuse for a sack.

Passing Game

Pass Pro – never let your man beat you inside.

•         Once this happens, there is no passing game.

OL – if uncovered with no rusher – find someone to hit and “clean out the pocket” to give QB better vision.

•   Be ready for pressure – Do they have tendencies and what will you do about it.

WR – only cares about two things in the passing game:

            1.  Get open

            2.  Catch the ball

•            If a WR can’t do these two things, there is no passing game.
•      QB – Belichick has a hand shield with him and will stand behind QB and hit him occasionally.
•           Two hands on the ball until the release.
•           Keep ball close to body.

Red Zone Passing – vs. Zone teams – spacing is key – make the defense stretch.

•          QB will have to make a tight throw.

Running Game – starts with no penetration.

•          2008 – Pats led NFL in fewest neg. yardage Run plays
•          He always makes OL watch sideline film so they can see who is controlling the LOS (can’t see as good with EZ film).

Bad Situations - expect them – expect the worst and prepare for it.

            1.  Don’t turnover the ball.

            2.  Throw the ball away – either the WR catches it or nobody catches it.

            3.  Make positive yardage if you can.

Trick play – if he works all week on play, it better get more than 3 yards.


Check out out these NFL Matchup cut-ups before the Super Bowl: http://footballpressbox.blogspot.com/

Also, new blog talking about one of my favorite football plays, Counter Bash: http://coachroth.blogspot.com/ 

Deuce is taking the Defending the Option series and expanding on it.  Be sure to check it out: http://footballislifeblog.blogspot.com/

Super Bowl Predictions

On paper, you couldn't really ask for a better Super Bowl.

We have star power, storied franchises, and rabid fan bases. Both teams are very good, and they are very complete teams.

The Packers are led by Aaron Rodgers, who is one of the most talented QBs in the NFL. He has a strong, accurate arm, and is sneakily one of the most athletic QBs in the League. They have a strong defense led by Clay Matthews, one of the best pass rushers out there. He is quick, fast, and has an attitude about him, leading their defense.

The Steelers are led by Ben Roethlisberger, one of the best playoff QBs you will find. He doesn't put up gaudy numbers, but he has a knack for making big plays when they are needed the most. He is a Super Bowl veteran and will be looking to add another to his trophy case. He is helped defensive by a strong LB corps, with James Harrison and Lamar Woodley, two hard-hitters and athletic defenenders.

In the end, I think Roethlisberger will make one more play than Rodgers. I like Mike Tomlin and the Steelers to be Super Bowl champions once again.

Steelers 27, Packers 24

How will the Panthers stack up?

In looking down the road to the 2011 season, I am really excited. While there are areas that Ferrum needs to focus on, I see this year as possibly being the best since 2005. Don't get me wrong, I am not declaring them the USA South champions, not yet anyway, but I do see them as a major force in the conference.

While yesterday was national signing day for the major colleges, Division III schools cannot get a guarantee from a prospective athlete. A DIII coach does not have the luxury of a commitment from the players. In the small college world, you may recruit players, but there are no real certainties until the room deposit is received.
With this in mind, I cannot comment about the Panthers recruiting efforts, but am still quite pumped up about the potential for the projected returning athletes.

Quarterback-
Marcus Mayo  USA South Offensive player of the year.
Tyler Brubaker


Running Backs-
Roger Smith- Averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season. 2nd leading rusher on the team.
Steven Harris-Averaged 5.5 yards per carry
Justine Donnelly-Likely to assume full time duties at fullback
Dominique Lesine- Played in all 10 games. Averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a Freshman
Claude Johnson
Plus 6 other returning backs that saw action last year.

Receivers-

Derrick West- Averaged 18.8 yards per catch, and had 7 receiving touchdowns.
Tyler Brubaker- Averaged 22.1 yards per catch.
Makaya Jackson- Did not play in 2010. Led all receivers in 2009

Tight End-
No information on this position at this time.

Offensive Line (Projected Starters)-

Jack McDowell- 6'0" 275. USA South All conference first team 2010
Michael Walker-5'7" 265. Did not play in 2010 due to injury
Tyler Gilley- 6'2" 250
Zach Bossio- 5' 10" 242
Cam Bailey-6'3" 304

Defensive Line-

Shawn Winfrey 6'0" 289  Only returning starter from 2010

This unit was the harshly affected by graduation. There are a variety of returning players from 2010's roster, but they saw little if any playing time. Look for the competition for these positions to be fierce, with incoming Freshmen also adding to the mix.

Linebackers- (Possible Starters)
Tremaine Whitney 6'1" 205  Played in all 10 games. His experience will be key this season.
Tre Jones 6'0" 195  Saw action in eight games his Freshman year, and should be solid in 2011.
Tevin Hanley- Played in seven games in 2010. Recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

This is another area that has 7 returners from 2010. Look for competition for these spots to be intense. Also adding to the competition will be incoming freshmen.

Defensive Backs and Safeties.

This unit will return all of the personnel from 2010. While the experience factor will be huge, I think competition for these jobs will likely be strong. This unit will have to show vast improvement over last year. Ferrum's pass defense ranked 8th in the conference, and must improve for the team to have a legitimate shot at the conference championship.
With a total of eight interceptions last season, Ferrum did improve over 2009, but looking back, the numbers have been better:

2005- 18 int's
2006- 4 int's
2007- 16 int's
2008- 11 int's
2009- 7 int's
2010- 8 int's

So how will the Panthers stack up?  The potential on offense is very exciting. The only question mark for this unit is the tight end position, and the ability of the offensive line. Overall I think the offense will be very strong.

On the defensive side of the ball, the line has the most question marks. This will be the area that will require the most attention, and must be strong for the Panthers to contend. Strength and speed will be the key, and personnel ability will likely dictate the formation used. I am hoping for a 4-3, but this will be determined later. In the defensive backfield, the experience factor will help, but this unit will have a large burden to improve over last years numbers.
Overall, I see the defensive unit having very good potential, but must deliver consistent performance for the team to contend. Defense wins championships.

Special Teams-

Look for Marcus Mayo to again put up strong numbers on punt returns. I would expect this to be a strength.

Ferrum has been spoiled at the punter position for the last four seasons, but this season will not be a total reversal of fortune. I expect Wesley Franklin to assume the punting duties, and will produce quality numbers at this position. There may be others vying for this position that I am not aware of.

Field Goals and XP's- Scott Puschell did not have the season he had hoped to have during his Sophomore year where field goals are concerned. I expect that the coaching staff has worked with him, and I am looking for a more consistent effort from Scott this season.

I look for Ferrum to be improved over last year's 4-6 record.  With the addition of Hampden-Sydney to the schedule, Ferrum will find the going a little tougher than last season, but look for the Panthers to step it up a couple of notches and very easily could surprise some people. It's going to be a good year for the Black and Gold!

Detroit Zoo Zeb sees shadow: 6 more months of U-M infighting

Yesterday, famed groundhog Punxutawney Phil didn't see his shadow which, according to lore, means spring is near.

But there was no such luck in Michigan.

The wolverine Detroit Zoo Zeb came out of his quarters and saw his shadow.  Sadly, it means there will be six more months of infighting between the various Michigan fan factions that developed during Rich Rodriguez's tenure.

"Hater!"  "Kool Aid drinker!"

Yes, unfortunately we're in for still more bitching about the Brady Hoke hire (even though he pulled off a near miracle with the recruiting class he put together in just 3 weeks).

And you're gonna have to keep hearing about how, if Rich Rod would have been given a chance to return for a 4th season, not only would U-M have gone undefeated and won the national title, but the worst defense in the history of Michigan football would have magically transformed into an impenetrable, stuffed-animal-free force...and the special teams would have suddenly produced kickers nailing 50 yarders with ease.  If...only... "they'd"... given... him...a... chance.

But such infighting should only last for six more months.  Then the hope and optimism of the approaching 2012 season will take over.

At least until the first game is played.

(Picture HT: Michigan Exposures)

MZone Exclusive: National Signing Day Pictures

As college football coaching staffs anxiously wait by the their fax machines to receive hoped-for Letters of Intent from recruits, the MZone staff has fanned out across the country to provide live pictures of this yearly ritual as it happens.

Check back throughout the day as we update this section.

With only 9 commits going into National Signing Day, the mood around the fax machine was dark in Westwood for Rick Neuheisal and his staff:

Rick Neuheisal and his staff take recruiting frustrations out on fax machine

In another MZone Exclusive, we were able to sneak into the Lasch Football Building in Happy Valley to obtain this picture of Joe Paterno's fax machine:

Joe Paterno's fax machine gears up for another National Signing Day

We don't want to say SEC schools oversign, but the MZone has obtained this exclusive picture of Alabama attempting to gather up all the faxed LOIs it has received thus far today:

LOIs arrive at Nick Saban's office

And here's our first picture coming in from East Lansing as the MSU coaching staff gets it's first LOI:

MSU coaching staff receives first LOI

U-M to Snowmaggedon: We're still open, bitch!

It may be National Signing Day (or National Oversigning Day if you live in the South) for college football fans,  but that is being overshadowed right now by "I Hope The Power Stays On Day" in many parts of Ohio; by "Holy F@ck Was That Thunder Snow?! Day" in Chicago; and "Son of a Bitch!  Are Those Snow Flakes or Shards of Glass Digging Into My Face When I Go Outside To Shovel The Motherf@cking Driveway for the 38th Time Today Day" in Michigan.

Yet, while most governments, schools and universities in Michigan - including those pussies in East Lansing - are closed Wednesday due to the weather, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will remain open.  Why?  Because this is Michigan, for God's sake! 

So, in honor of the snow storm with the most nicknames ever; the only weather event that actually caused me to actually search for, find and turn on The Weather Channel in all my years as a cable TV subscriber; and the school that told Snowpacalypse to suck it, here are my two votes for today's Wallpaper Wednesday:

And the more explicit...

Wallpaper Wednesday - Tom Harmon

If the Super Bowl is a blow out in the second half, you can always tune in to the Big Ten Network on Sunday at 9PM to watch the premier of BIG TEN ICONS episode #5 featuring Tom Harmon.

For those of you wondering, yes this is a black and white photo (I colorized it). Also, yes, that is Sparty in the funny looking single striped winged gold helmets. Ask any one of those mouth-breathing idiots and they will gladly tell you that Michigan State College deployed their winged helmet before Fielding Yost did in Ann Arbor. Yawn.