Sean Mcvay offensive genius, condensed formations, in game adjsutments and boot package
Sean Mcvay is an offensive genius and a great coach. As a defensive coordinator, you have to start thinking like him when game planning. If someone had success the game before against him, he will have those answers built in early. This article will look at that as well as his formations. They excel in the play action game and boot game and always have under Mc Vay
One of the things he loves to do is used condensed sets. He also uses his condensed sets often, It allows him do do a few things:
1, When they are balanced 2x2, he can run the wide zone or boot to either side. You often see Goff check the boot on the line of scrimmage based on SS alignment or where the pressure is coming from. It gives him flexibility. Whether it is cover 2 or 3, the route combinations usually will work. They run it with motion below vs cover 3.
2x2 boot
Rams 2x2 with the tight wing
Below they run boot again and he feels pressure and gets rid of the ball quickly. It’s nice when they bring 4 wr back to the same side and in his line of vision. He gets the ball out quick and to the wr right away.
2. The condensed sets dictate coverage. When teams are condensed with 3 WR, they often bring the safety down to that side. It opens up windows in the passing game on the play action and bootleg game. Especially, when they motion in the other direction without changing the strength.
3.They can motion pre snap get some change of strength and take advantage of coverage. Below is an example.
The other beauty of condensed sets is it creates more gaps in the run game. When you incorporate your wr as blockers like they do, it can create some lanes in the run game. They will often wrap and lead up for LB or come around in the run game in wrap schemes.
Examples:
wide zone
In the Bucs game you see how he dictates coverage. The Bucs show cover 3 pre snap, Goff checks to the Deep over route off the jet motion. These checks are built in to what they do.
Nice window off play action to the weak side. Look at the room they have on the dig route. Defense reacts to the hard play action.
Here the Bucs are showing but by alignment of the Safety and corner, you can tell it's either a 2 deep fire zone or cover 3 firezone. They run the deep over concept and hit it for 37 yards. If you watch some of The Bucs that's what they like to do. They high low the curl defender and its a great route concept.
A perfect example of McVay adjusting is last year vs the Seahawks. The game before he got killed with edge pressure on 1st down. The Dolphins brought edge pressure to disrupt his running game and take away boot.. The Rams also got torn up with empty formations with straight cover 0.
How did he answer that week:
1. He ran at it right at him:
Here they run at the edge rusher Adams and he gets pancaked for a 6 yard gain. He didn't like the look weak so he ran it strong. right at Adams
2. He knew it was coming this week and ran screens on early downs to nullify it. He runs the screen right at Adams, who he knows is coming. This was a great plan from learning off the week before.
Again a nice design here.
3. He ran boot away from Adams, He also gave Goff the ability to check out of plays on first down which on the 17 yard gain that set up their first touchdown, Goff audibled from a Boot left to a boot right opposite Adams who was walked down to the strong side and giving them cover 3. They thought he may be coming off the edge. He changes the play with an oscar call and they run boot weak. Great call.
Here’s the clip with it as he runs boot away from the drop down safety.
The best part of boot is they always have a safety valve. It’s a block and release situation which usually allows for a late open wr if nothing is open down field.
Mcvay is a great coach. He looks at his weaknesses from the week before, Anticipated what was coming and adjusted with a great game plan vs the Seahawks. He really had a feel of what he was going to get, anticipated it and helped lead the offense to victory.