Stupid commentators (Alabama/Kentucky)…

On Kentucky’s last touchdown drive they scored on a long pass play, which was well designed and executed by the offensive side. What made me mad was the simple fact that the commentator made is seem like it was all the safeties fault, and that “he should of known better” than to favor the inside receiver. In all actuality, he did a decent job of completing his assignment within the coverage.

In a cover 2 the safeties first movements are to burst for width and depth and aligning himself between the receiver threats on his side. He has to establish enough depth to break-up the throw on the sideline while still maintaining enough depth to fold back inside to make the play on the seam.

What made me so mad was the fact that the commentator -who an idea of what is going on- but doesn’t understand how the corner on his side has to work with him in order to cover two receivers running streaks down the field.

When the corner sees that the number two receiver -who is aligned inside of him- is running a streak he has to establish position on top of the receiver that he is guarding. He accomplishes the task with a technique called posting and pivoting. He has to post (jam the receiver with his outside hand) and than pivot (flipping his hips, with his eyes on the receiver inside of him); after the corner has completed the post and pivot he will be able to decided whether he needs to come off of the #1 receiver or needs to let him proceed to the safety because his zone (flats) is being threatened by the #2 receiver.

That was technical, I hope you are all with me.

If the corners zone is not threatened by the #2 receiver, the corner has no need to come off his receiver and should stay on top of the streaking receiver. This will allow the safety to play more aggressive on the inside route which will take both threats away from the quarterback. Everyone is covered and there are zero yards given up.

In the Alabama/Kentucky game the CORNER messed up because he didn’t post and pivot, keeping his eyes inside; relieving the pressure put on the safety by the route combination. The safety screwed up because he didn’t burst for enough width before the play started. The safety also stopped his backwards progress to quickly, both mistakes -corner first, safety second- allowed the Kentucky quarterback to slip the pass into the receiver for a touchdown.

It just drives me crazy when the commentators don’t know enough about the whole defense, so they can provide an accurate analyasis of what it happening of the field. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, or at least ask someone who knows. By the way, that is why when the camera zoomed in on the Sabanator, he was yelling at the corner, not the safety.