Jump to content

Let's Talk About: A Few Nice Defensive Plays (Derrick Shelby)


Recommended Posts

Defensive linemen don't get a whole lot of love for doing the dirtywork.  We notice them for the splash plays: sacks, big run stuffs, that kind of thing.  We don't notice them for doing their job like holding the point, or stacking and shedding.  That's why I wanted to give a little love to Derrick Shelby who played like his hair was on fire Sunday night.  Actually, the entire defensive line played like a bunch of mad men, but I only have so much time so I wanted to point out a couple of plays that may have gone unnoticed.

Play #1 - 1st Quarter, Packers are in 2nd and 8.  They'r running a little slash play from Ace Formation.  Basically, it's kind of an inside zone type of deal.  Ace being singleback formation.  Here, they have one tight end to each side of the formation.  Falcons are in an Over Front.  Note Mr. Shelby here that I have circled to the bottom of the picture.

IMG_2187

 

Here's we go right at the snap.  Falcons are in man coverage, so the linebackers are flowing extra fast here.  Jones sees it instantly and scrapes to fill his gap.

IMG_2189

 

I'm not quite sure what Richard Rodgers was trying to do here, but that's not the kind of block that's going to neutralize Derrick Shelby.  He just deposits him off to the side and pursues the play down the line.  Great hustle.

IMG_2190

 

Deion has that gap cut off, so the only place the back has to go is right into the arms of Shelby.  Notice the boot action that Aaron Rodgers is showing in an attempt to hold the backside safety (Neal).

IMG_2191

 

Richard Rodgers, you suck.  Go catch some passes.

giphy.gif

Edited by PeytonMannings Forehead
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Play #2 - Packers decide they're gonna try it again, this time from 2 backs and 2 tight ends.

IMG_2194

 

Now this is an incredible team play right.  I'm still highlighting Shelby, but everyone played hero ball here.  Everyone did their job perfectly.

Campbell takes a good step to the tackle's outside shoulder to set the edge.  Shelby comes up and plays square to the LOS.  And as you can see, the two inside linebackers are flowing right now.

IMG_2195

 

Here we go just a split second later and this is beautiful.  Just take a moment to look at the details of this picture.  This is perfectly leveraged run defense.  Campbell to the bottom has the edge set perfectly vs. a tackle that outweights him by I'm sure 50 lbs.  Jones is screaming downhill to meet the fullback in the hole, and look at Reed to the the top.  He had two tight ends to his side and he's split them both, and is coming down the backside of the play to make sure the ball has nowhere to cut back to.

IMG_2196

 

Next frame: the Fullback looks like he's about to dive at Deion's legs.  I always thought that was kind of bit**a$$ of a fullback, but sometimes you gotta do that you gotta do.  This play actually has a moment of hope for the Packers, because if you can get Deion off his feet, Duke who is supposed to scrape over is already being cut off by the guard.

Oh, and Grady is being held right around this point.

IMG_2197

 

...And it doesn't seem to matter, Grady still gets a piece of the play, even falling backward.  But man -- and you'll see it in the gif -- Shelby just sheds his guy like nothing.  He bench presses him then gets off and makes the play.

IMG_2197

 

This is nice.  This is football right here.  This is how you teach defensive linemen to do it in the trenches.

giphy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Play #3 - Packers are still trying this running mess... and still getting their ***es kicked.

Now this isn't really a Shelby play, but I thought it fit, because it was just some straight dog.  This just exemplifies what you want from the defensive line.

Packers call an inside zone, this time from the Gun.  And it's actually not a bad call conceptually, because they are backed up to 2nd and 15.  Take a look at how spread out the Falcons defensive line is.  

Usually you're gonna get gashed as a defense doing this, but I want you to take a look at what Poe does here, and it doesn't really need any words.

IMG_2202

 

Poe moves around two men to squeeze that play and gets a piece the back from his knees...

giphy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was re-watching the game yesterday and noticed a few good plays by Shelby.

Nothing flashy, but similar to how he was coming along last year before the injury. It's good to see him playing well coming off the injury because its a tough injury to come back from.

He should continue to get better and we are going to need him with Beasley and Upshaw likely missing some time and Hageman being gone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

agreed with all shelby was really coming along last yr before the injury along with upshaw. also far better edge setting by reed this week thanlast week, even though from the eye test he didnt get as many snaps. He almost got his third sack of the season though which is impressive since I believe he only had 3 all last yr.he is really a juiced up version of kroy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really liked the Shelby acquisition early last year, it was unfortunate that he got hurt like he did. I think he's actually playing close or at the level he was when he got hurt last year and a lot of people on this board have him underrated still.  Nice focus there 'Head!  I really think Shelby's upside hasn't been touched yet here and barring another injury, this guy's going to be a huge mainstay of our defense.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Much like rugby the tight 5 which is the equivalent of a LOS player don't get the mention and don't get watched as hard as they should I see that in a lot of these explanations PMF.

The role players like a Upshaw Reed and Shelby will never get there dues from a fan but the more and more you bring these guys up I think your run of the mill guy me included see it more and more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, PHALCONABERNATHY said:

I’m really not worried about the run game with other teams, but the pass rush I really worry about with Vic. I hope Takk is ready!!! Awesome job as always @PeytonMannings Forehead I look forward to your stuff every week.

Some concern, but Reed got after it Week 1 and Campbell looks like a beast.  Still have Clayborn as well...the cupboard isn't bare anymore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...