‘Me And You’ (U) and ‘Double’ games ?

I ran across an old 1975 Time article featuring Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain. The article mentioned an interesting scheme in the battle of the trenches. During the mid 70’s the Steelers front line ran two schemes- ‘me and you’ and ‘double’. The Left Side Ran  ‘Me and You’ while the Right ‘Doubled’

On the left, Def. End L.C. Greenwood would push himeself and his blocker inside toward the Guard who in normal circumstances would block Def. Tackle  ‘Mean’ Joe Greene. While L.C.  is keeping that area jammed and trying himself to bust through, Joe is cutting though the outside and sweeping back in on the quarterback. That is the ‘Me’ Game.

The ‘You’ (It is named as such because one of the linemen runs a ‘U’ shaped route) is the opposite.  In  the ‘You’ game, Greene would run interference on the outside while Greenwood cuts over the Offensive Guard.

In the “Double” , Right End Dwight White and Right Tackle Ernie Holmes (R.I.P.) would do the same thing that Greene and Greenwood would do and sometimes on the same play.  This is the “double”. To really disrupt the Offensive line, Greenwood and Greene would run the ‘me’ scheme while Holmes and White run the ‘you’

In a spinoff, the two tackles can run their own patterns and charge ahead. This is called “torn” Here is what a rough diagram of the  play would look like. (NOTE: THE P Stands for Pick Up or Block. The Arrows are for the patterns)

                                                                              X(FS)                                          X(SS)

                                                X (Will-LB)                           X(Mike-LB)                              X(Sam-LB)

X(CB)                                     X(DE)              ←  X(DT)                               X(DT)         X(DE)                             X(CB)

                                                            P                                                                      P    ↓

 ——————————————————————————————————————–

(WR)                                      (T)                      (G)                     (C)              (G)            (T)                (TE)                                (WR)  

                                                                                                     (QB)

                                                                            (FB)                                         (HB)

 During this era, Pittsburgh ran the 4-3 package (Shown Above). I repeat, instead of charging ahead, the front four would run the pattern.  On the Weak side, the  Defensive Tackle or DT is making his way to the outside after the  Defensive End or DE blocked and jammed the guard and the tackle. This is  the example of  the ‘ME’ pattern.

 The You pattern is the opposite.  The example of this is shown on the strongside.  The Defensive Tackle (DT) would block the offensive tackle (T) and tight end (TE). while the Defensive End (DE) cuts accross or even under the guard. Both sides runing the same thing is ‘doubles’. It is not unsual for the Steel Curtain to run ‘Me’ on one side and ‘You’ on the other.

Okay, all of this had me wondering if these front four schemes are still being used in today’s game.  If not, two questions come to mind here.

-With all of the rule changes and such, will this scheme work in  today’s game?

-If this scheme works today, who can successfully run it?

-With all of that action goin on up front, what’s up with the Linebackers and Secondary?

Football 101: The Breakdown of Penalities.

In football, rule infractions are punished by penalities against the offending team. Here are some common penalities.

False Start-offensive player illegally moves after lining up for the snap. Cost: 5 yards

Offsides-deffensive player on wrong side of the ball. Cost : 5 yards

Holding-grabbing or pulling an opponent other than the ball carrier. Cost: 10 yards

Pass Interference- illegially contacting an opponent to prevent him from catching a pass.  Cost: 10 yards

Face mask- grabbing the face mask of another player while attmpting to block or tackle. Cost: 5 yards

Neutral Zone-any player other than the center (one who hikes/snaps the ball) caught in this zone. Cost 5 yards

Clipping-blocker hitting below the waist from behind. Cost: 15 yards

Illegal block above the waist. Cost:10 yards

Roughing the Passer and Kicker-Excessive roughness to the Quarterback and Kicker. Cost: 15 yards

Striking with fist. Cost: 15 yards

Unecessary Roughness. Cost: 15 yards

Unsportsman like conduct. Cost: 15 yards

Football 101: Game Terminology

Part two of this tutorial deals with the terms used in the the game. Once you are familiar with these terms, understanding the game should be easy.

Chucking- This is where a player fends off of an opponent who is infront of a defender by contacting him with arm(s) extended. Followed by the arm(s) returning to a flexed position, breaking original contact

Clipping- This is defined as throwing the body accross the back on the opponents’ leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind. Two execptions are if someone is running or the action is in close line play.

Close Line Play (AKA The Trenches)- This is the area between the position. You will find this space occupied by the linemen (Offensive Tackles). Close line play extends three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. In this instance, the players can clip above the knee.

Crackback-Eligible receivers who move a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they decide to return inside to help block.

Dead Ball- This only mean that the ball is not in play.

Double Foul- A foul by each team during the same down. (Note: When you see the refree throw two flags on the field, its a double foul and most of the times, the penalities would offset and cancel each other out)

Down- The sequence in the game that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when the ball is rulled dead. There are 4 downs in a possession. Ten yards is usually needed to get to a first down.

Encroachment- when a player enters the Neutral Zone and make contact before the ball is snapped.

Fair Catch- A unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team. To signal a fair catch, the returner waves his arm(s) from side to side while the kick is in flight.

Foul- Playing rule violation

Free Kick- A kick off or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick or punt. Punts are not used in kickoffs after a touchdown, a successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period.

Fumble- The loss of ball possession.

Game Clock- Found on a scoreboard, the game clock monotors the time left in the game. In the NFL,  there are 4  15 minute quarters.

Impetus- The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.

Live Ball- A ball legally kicked or snapped (hiked)

Line Of Scrimmage-an imaginary line separating the offense and the defense

Loose Ball- A live ball not in possession by any player.

Muff- Touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to gain possession.

Neutral Zone- The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offense and defense must remain behind their end of the ball. Only the player who snaps the ball can be in the zone.

Offside- A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked.

Own Goal- The goal a team is guarding

Play Clock- This clock is usually 40 or 25 seconds long. If selecting a play goes beyond the provided time, the offense or the defense is charged with a delay of game penality.

Pocket  Area-  This is the area located two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect.

Punt-A kick where a player drops the ball and kicks in while in flight.

Safety- The situation in which the ball is dead or behind a team’s own goal if the impetus comes from the player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.

Shift-Movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.

Touchback-When a ball is dead or behind a teams own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provide it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal

Touchdown-Where any part of the ball in legal possession of a player inbounds breaks the plane of the opponent’s goal line, provided if it is not a touchback. Touchdowns are worth 6 points

Source, NFL

Football 101: The Cast of Characters/Point System

Right now,  more and more women are watching the NFL and attending the games on Sunday. There are some who may know how the game go. However, there are some who may not know the basics of the game but is eager to learn regardless. I hope that this post and a few others will be of help to those women that want to follow the game!

In the NFL, there are at least 53 men on each of the 32 teams. These men are divided up into three units: The Offense, Defense and Special Teams.  Here are the names and functions of the positions.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK (QB)   The quarterback is the glamour position in the sport. However, this poisition comes with a steep price. The quarterback gets a lot of attention because this position is the most demanding one. He is responsible for calling the plays and passing the ball. Sometimes, he even runs the ball!

QB’s of note: Peyton Manning (Colts), Steve McNair (Ravens), Vince Young (Titans), Brett Favre (Packers), Tom Brady (Patriots), Michael Vick (Falcons), Donovan McNabb (Eagles)

Legendary QB’s: Joe Montana (49ers/Chiefs), Dan Marino (Dolphins), John Elway (Broncos), Roger Staubach (Cowboys), Terry Bradshaw (Steelers), Fran Tarkenton(Vikings), Bart Starr (Packers), Dan Fouts (Chargers), Steve Young (49ers/Bucs), Warren Moon (Oilers/Vikings/Seahawks/Chiefs), Randall Cunningham (Eagles/Vikings/Cowboys/Ravens), Troy Aikman (Cowboys)

RUNNING BACKS (RB)  Also known as tailback and half back, this is the man responsible for taking the ball and running with it. The running back also helps with the blocking, sometimes receives the ball, and even throw it on select plays.

RB’s of note: LaDanian Tomlinson (Chargers), Larry Johnson(Chiefs), Reggie Bush (Saints), Jamal Lewis (Browns), Edgerin James (Cardnals)

Legendary RB’s: Walter Payton (Bears), Emmitt Smith (Cowboys), Barry Sanders (Lions), Jim Brown (Browns), Marcus Allen (Raiders/Chiefs), Roger Craig(49ers/Raiders/Vikings), Tony Dorsett (Cowboys/Broncos), Jerome Bettis (Steelers/Rams), Franco Harris (Steelers/Seahawks), Gale Sayers (Bears) Larry Czonka (Dolphins)

FULLBACKS (FB) Bigger than the aformentioned running back, this guy’s primary role is to block for the running back. This guy is also expected to be a soild receiving option. You will find this guy lined up near on the tight end’s side

FB’s of Note: Lorenzo Neal (Chargers), Mike Alstott(Bucs),

WIDE RECIEVERS (WR) This position is considered to be a  “diva” position because some of the men that plays it are flashy and tempormental. These are the guys you see running patterns all over the field. These are the guys that primarily catch the ball, and they are lined up seven yards away from the Offensive linemen.

WR’s of note: Marvin Harrison (Colts), Chad Johnson (Bengals), Rod Smith (Broncos), Randy Moss (Patriots), Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Steve Smith (Panthers), Hines Ward (Steelers)

Legendary WR’s: Jerry Rice (49ers/Raiders/Seahawks), Cris Carter (Vikings/Eagles/Dolphins), Art Monk (Redskins/Eagles/Jets), Michael Irvin (Cowboys), Lynn Swann (Steelers), Drew Pearson(Cowboys), Lance Alworth (Chargers), Steve Largent (Seahawks), Andre Reed (Bills), James Lofton(Bills/Raiders/Packers), Tim Brown (Raiders/Bucs), Mark Clayton (Dolphins), Mark Duper (Dolphins)

TIGHT ENDS (TE) These men are usually bigger and stronger than most receivers. They are responsible for adding extra blocking power to the offensive line. The side where he lines up is the strong side. Without him, the side is week. This guy is also a safe target for the QB if the backs and receivers are covered.

TE’s of note: Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Jermey Shockey (Giants), Bubba Franks (Packers), Todd Heap (Ravens), Kellen Winslow II(Browns)

Legendary TE’s: Shannon Sharpe (Broncos), Ozzie Newsome (Browns), Charlie Sanders (Lions), Kellen Winslow, Sr (Chargers), Mike Ditka (Bears/Cowboys), Keith Jackson (Eagles/Dolphins)

Offensive Linemen (OL) These five men (2 guards, 2 tackles and 1 center) block for the skill positions. The center hikes the ball to the quarterback. The guards line up on either side of the center while the tackles line up outside the guards

There should be 11 men on offense at all times.

DEFENSE

Defensive Linemen (DL) Made up of Tackles(AKA Interior Linemen) and Ends, these guys are responsible for stopping the run and rushing the quarterback. They have to be the biggest and strongest of the defenders because they are battling 380 pound offensive linemen in the game within the game- the trenches.

Defensive Linemen of note: Jason Taylor (Dolphins),Dwight Freeney (Colts), Julius Peppers (Panthers), Michael Strahan (Giants), Will Smith (Saints)

Legendary Defensive Linemen: Reggie White (Eagles/Packers/Panthers), Bruce Smith (Bills/Redskins), LeRoy Selmon (Bucs), “Mean” Joe Green (Steelers), Howie Long (Raiders), Dan Hampton (Bears), Richard Dent (Bears), Deacon Jones (Colts/Rams)

Linebackers (LB)  These are the men who pursue running plays and defend passes. The Middle Linebacker position is the “Quarterback of the Defense” because they call the plays and audibles for the D.

LB’s of note: Ray Lewis (Ravens), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Adalieus Thomas (Patriots), Zach Thomas (Dolphins), London Fletcher (Redskins), Brian Urlacher (Bears), Al Wilson (Broncos)

Legendary LB’s: Mike Singletary (Bears), Dick Butkus (Bears), Ray Nitckshe (Packers), Lawerence Taylor (Giants), Jack Lambert (Steelers), Jack Ham (Steelers), Chuck Bednarick (Eagles)

The Secondary (Cornerbacks (CB) and Safeties) These guys tackle the bigger runners but  their primary function is covering the receivers. These guys blitz the offense on the outside.

CB’s and Safeties of note: Ed Reed (Ravens), DeAngelo Hall (Falcons), Champ Bailey (Broncos), John Lynch (Broncos), Rodney Harrison (Patriots), Will Demps (Giants),

Legendary CB’s and Safeties: Deion Sanders(Falcons/49ers/Cowboys/Ravens), Dick ‘Night Train’ Lane (Lions), Mike Haynes (Raiders/Patriots), Rod Woodson (Steelers/49ers/Ravens), Ronnie Lott (49ers/Raiders/Jets), Steve Atwater (Broncos)

11 men should be on defense at all times

Special teams are only needed in kick off situations. The kick returner and punt returner are usally the fastest men on the team. Kickers not only kick the other team the ball. They score field goals.

POINT SYSTEM

Touchdowns are 6 points. This is where you score in the opposing end zone. After the touchdown, the kicker kicks an extra point.

Field goals are 3 points. The kicker kicks the football between the goalpost.

Two point conversions. This use to be for college football only until recently. Teams can use this if they dont want to kick the extra point. 2 point conversions are rare.

Safeties are 2 points. This is when the defense scores when the offenisve team is tackled or loses possession in their own end zone.

Stay tuned for part 2.