Dr Z

3-5-3A Scheme to Stop High-Powered OffensesBy Patrick FinleyIt seems like the phone never stops ringing at Georgia Military College. Since installing a new defense in 2001, the small college in Milledgeville, Ga., has become the de facto expert on the subject. And it seems that the more people hear about the 3-5-3 defensive scheme that they run, the more the phone keeps ringing, with coaches from high schools to colleges trying to find out GMC’s secret.“I can’t begin to tell you how many phone calls and e-mails I’ve gotten about how to run the defense,” said GMC defensive coordinator Taylor Burks. “A lot of people seem to like it.”“I would say that, since we started, between myself and the head coach, we’ve gotten at least 500 phone calls or e-mails. Probably more.”A ReactionSir Isaac Newton’s Third Law states that “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In the case of football, the 3-5-3 is that opposite reaction.Some of the most run-dominant major college football programs in America have moved toward a spread offense, a fact that is indicative of the national push toward a more efficient passing system. Once run-heavy Oklahoma changed offenses and became a national power, and perennial option-dive Nebraska has installed the scheme new head coach Bill Callahan used to propel the Raiders to the Super Bowl. If that’s happening on the major-college level, you can bet it’s happening in high schools and small colleges, too.The 3-5-3 seems to be the magic bullet many coaches are turning to, to help not only cover multiple receivers, but to blitz the passer and slow down the spread offense. It’s the right defense at the right time to counter the latest offensive trend.“It matches up with what offenses are doing nowadays,” Burks said. “This is a good answer to what’s going on out there.”That’s one of the reasons that many major programs – including national powers West Virginia and Florida – installed the defense.“There are people out there who are majoring in that defense,” said Bill Miller, the associate head coach and linebackers coach for the Gators.The Mountaineers shifted to the 3-5-3 as an every-down defense during spring practice of 2002 – after learning it from the coaching staff at Wake Forest months earlier – specifically to help slow the spread offense.The scheme has worked – WVU was 9-4 in 2002, the best turnaround in Big East history. Last season, the Mountaineers’ 6-1 conference record was good enough to tie Miami for the Big East crown.“Most people have gone with the spread offense and multiple wideouts,” said West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel. “With our defense ... it’s a little bit easier in terms of covering people.”Florida uses the 3-5-3 defense on third-down situations, especially when they expect the opposition to pass. Miller – who has been the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, Miami and Michigan State – said the scheme gives him myriad ways to defend the pass.“There are lots of different things, coverage-wise, that you can do with the 3-5-3,” Miller said.X’s and O’sThe 3-5-3 is a surprisingly simple defense to run, and that’s one of the reasons GMC runs it. Being a junior college, the school has their players for roughly a year-and-a-half, and can’t afford to use a complicated set that takes months to master.The Bulldogs line up two defensive ends and a nose tackle, which are supported by three middle linebackers positioned inside the tackles five or six yards off the line. Two “dog” safeties line up outside the tackles beside the linebackers. That leaves two cornerbacks and a free safety in the defensive backfield.There are two main factors that makes the 3-5-3 a viable option when it comes to defending the spread offense. First, the defense puts eight players – the linebackers, ‘dogs,’ corners and safety – on the field who can cover a receiver or running back coming out of the backfield on a pass pattern. By putting more athletic players on the field, the defense can avoid mismatches the offense usually creates by spreading the field.Of course, those eight players must not only be athletic enough to run with the receivers, but they must also be talented enough to be able to make interceptions. They don’t usually have much support behind them – at GMC, for example, the defense plays man coverage about 95 percent of the time.“As long as you match up your coverage, you can bring all kinds of pressure from anywhere on the field,” Burks said.The second factor that makes the 3-5-3 dangerous is the fact that a coordinator can blitz between four to six players each down. Because the defenders are so close to the line of scrimmage, a blitz can come from the linebackers, “dogs,” corners or safeties. By balancing run and pass blitzes the defensive coordinator can send his best athletes after the ball-carrier.Offensive coordinators facing the defense have traditionally tried to run the ball between the tackles, figuring they could take advantage of the three-man front.“We didn’t know quite what to expect when we started, as to how we were going to be attacked,” Casteel said. “The more familiar people become with it, people try to run downhill at it. The Big East is that kind of a league.”Offensive coordinators try to do the same thing to GMC, but it hasn’t worked so far. Through the team’s first three games, they had allowed 1.32 yards per carry on 97 attempts. Since installing the defense in 2001, GMC won a national title in 2001 and was the NJCAA runner-up in 2002.“It’s all about putting your players in the best position to make plays,” Burks said.D-Linemen Are Hard to FindMaybe the best part about the 3-5-3 defense, at least according to Burks and Casteel, is that it helps to fill a gap in their recruiting needs. The idea is simple – schools need fewer defensive linemen, and can focus on turning ‘tweener’ players – athletic players whose positions might not be defined coming out of high school – into either linebackers, “dogs,” cornerbacks or safeties.“D-linemen are hard to find,” Casteel said. “It’s far easier to find linebackers or safeties.”The same is true at GMC. At a junior college, size – especially big players with talent – are hard to come by. That allows the Bulldogs’ coaches to focus on finding the best athletes they can, and then fitting them into the system.“You don’t have to go find too many defensive linemen, which are hard to find,” Burks said. “You always go out and look for great players. If we find a cornerback that we like, and if he doesn’t turn out to be a great coverage guy, we can move him to the ‘dog’ safety position.“And if we have a cornerback that can’t cover so well and is still playing corner, we can call certain plays to have him blitz.”The defense has also helped GMC develop players. Because players pick up the system so quickly, they play sooner and get recruited by more Div. I programs. Since 2001, all but one defensive starter has signed a letter to play at a Div. I-AA school or better. Ten players have gone on to play at the Div. I level after spending two years at GMC. “We keep it simple, and it works,” Burks said.How It Can Work for YouThere’s a reason that so many coaches – the majority of them being at the high school level – have inquired about the 3-5-3 defense with coaches at GMC. It’s easy to learn, it requires fewer defensive linemen, and it’s a proven way to stop the spread offense.“The thing you can do with it is blitz people or you can play max coverage and drop eight players and rush only three,” Miller said. “The combination of max coverage and max pressure makes it interesting.”West Virginia started running the defense because coaches thought it better fitted the players they wanted to put on the field.“We thought it would fit into our personnel a little better than the eight-man front we were using,” Casteel said. “We were very linebacker-heavy and short of defensive linemen.”It’s safe to say that prep coaches around the country have the same limitations when it comes to their players. And as long as the latest trend is to throw the ball all over the field, the 3-5-3 will continue to garner interest from coaches who have struggled in stopping the passing game.“The key is to get athletes who can run with receivers in open space,” Burks said. “It enables you to put more speed on the field.”Said Casteel: “It gives us a little bit more speed. We have more second-level defenders on the field, and have the chance to play max coverage or blitz or overload the side.”The simplicity of the scheme makes it worth considering even as just a third-down option, especially because the blitz packages make it as appropriate on third-and-5 as it is on third-and-16.“We run it as an every-down defense, but a lot of schools are running it as far as a third-down package,” Burks said.That’s because, like a nickel or dime defense, it puts better athletes on the field. Only in the 3-5-3, it doesn’t sacrifice aggressiveness.“Let your imagination take control,” Burks said. “With the system, you can make your defense the best it can be.”It certainly seems to be the wave of the future.Source of the article (click here)Interesting coaches forum on the subject (click here)I see Doug Martin placed a bid...hmmmmm

Our receivers look decent so far. A good QB can make good receivers. We have a GOOD QB.Jabari (#12) is 6'4" and a solid 225. His size can be an advantage over smaller DBs.We have a true freshman, Harvey (#2) that seems to be a crisp route runner with good hands.One thing you should watch is our Tight ends. Both are above average receivers.Our running back, Kennedy (#3) has good hands out of the backfield also.Our offense is solid and will give you a challenge.Our D line has always been a weak spot.But after one game this season, for the first time since I have followed the Zips, it might be a strength.Akron plays a 3-5-3 defense because JD believes it easier to get more linebacker types (6'2" 230 lb guys.)That is the reason for the 3-5-3. West Virginia also plays this defense.Good luck to you

Good start. Keep it up. Pump up the volume.

It was always 10 on my board.Do you know how much money would have to be placed on a team to make a 7 point swing :blink:I have never seen a Zips line change more than a point or two.

Picking on the way our D line and secondary looked last week, I'm going with...21-20 Zips in a last minute td drive.Anybody that thinks the Zips will win, the money line is 4.5 to 1, meaning bet 100 to win 450.

FYI, the game is not on any local stations in Raleigh eitherBTW check out how many digital channels Raleigh has (28). Get with it Cleveland stations.I talk to people around here about channel 3.2 and they act like I'm from another planet.For those that are free OTA HD fans like I am, this guide (click here) is awesome.Seems like more NFL games are going to be in HD this year. All 4 games shown locally Sunday are in OTA free HD.(cle/no buf/pat dal/jax ind/gia)AND Saturday after you watch the Zips, you can watch ND/PSU and then OSU/TEX all in free HD.

I would like to have ONE of the TEN or more PSU stores that I saw Friday night there.Their stores are AWESOME. I have never seen a team (NFL included) with so many stores with EVERYTHING PSU.I got a really nice "Fear the Roo" golf shirt at Uniquely Ohio in Hudson for a birthday present.

...on the BOTTOM 10 list 1. Duke 2. Colorado3. New Mexico4. Temple5. Arkansas6. Can't State 7. F_U8. North Texas9. Utah State10. Syracuse:blink: After the opening weekend, the Mean Green are ranked last in total offense :blink:

thread already started

Is this what you mean? You can check "other", type your comment, and submit

Doesn't ABC own ESPN?I don't think WUAB is owned by ESPN

RALEIGH - N.C. State quarterback Marcus Stone was reviewing the game film of the Wolfpack's opener against Appalachian State on Monday when he turned to coach Chuck Amato."I stunk," Stone said.Amato smiled later in describing the conversation. Granted, Stone passed for a meager 36 yards Saturday in the Pack's 23-10 victory. And, yes, the junior was 0-for-3 in the second half, with an early interception."He's so critical of himself," Amato said. "I thought Marcus did a good job. He did much better than he had a year ago. He stayed in the pocket a lot more. We're pleased."Amato credited Stone with what he called perhaps the game's biggest play. With the Pack leading 16-7 in the second quarter, tailback Toney Baker fumbled on a screen pass and ASU defensive back Jeremy Wiggins scooped up the ball at the NCSU 45. Wiggins, on the fly, dashed 31 yards before being tackled by Stone.Moments later, State safety Miguel Scott picked off a Trey Elder pass at the NCSU 2. The Mountaineers came away empty."He made a touchdown-saving tackle," Amato said of Stone's hustling hit. "That play was huge."But what Stone did not make was any huge plays in the passing game. He threw 13 times, completing seven, and the longest gain was 14 yards to flanker Darrell Blackman on a screen play that clicked for a touchdown.State's 36 passing yards were its fewest in a game since the 1999 opener against South Carolina, played in a raging rainstorm. Of the 109 Division I-A teams that played last week, only Navy had fewer passing yards (six).Asked after the game about passing just three times in the second half, Stone shrugged."We were up and it was the coaches' decision -- they just wanted to manage the clock running the ball," Stone said. "It doesn't matter to me. I'm going with what the coaches say and whatever it takes to win, that's my biggest [thing]."Stone said he "felt pretty good" about his performance in the opener, about his decision-making. He did run six times for 21 yards, including a 12-yard scramble for a first down, but said he didn't feel the urge to tuck the ball and bolt at the first hint of defensive pressure in the pocket."I've still got more improvement to do," he said. "I'm not satisfied with my game play and I probably never will be."Amato said Stone had thrown the deep ball with more precision in preseason practice than he did last season, when he started the last six games. But ASU's cornerbacks, Amato noted, played off State's receivers with the intent of taking away any deep inside routes.So the Pack conservatively ran Andre Brown and Baker. Brown rushed for 125 yards and Baker added 43 as State controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes."We didn't want to hurt ourselves," Amato said.The Pack was without senior wideout Lamart Barrett, out with a strained hamstring. Wide receiver Geron James, a redshirt freshman, was held out of the opener. Amato said it was not injury-related but would offer no other specifics on James.This week, the Pack will be facing an Akron defense that limited Penn State to 76 rushing yards Saturday in the Zips' 34-16 loss. Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli did throw effectively, closing 16-of-32 for 206 yards, with touchdown throws of 42, 14 and 20 yards."I'm not so sure that wasn't Penn State's plan," Amato said of the Nittany Lions' passing.As for the Zips' offense, the Lions were stingy, giving up 33 rushing yards and 225 yards total, forcing three turnovers.Akron's quarterback, senior Luke Getsy, threw for 3,455 yards and 23 touchdowns last season as the Zips won the Mid-American Conference title. In the Motor City Bowl against Memphis, he was 34-of-59 for 455 yards and four TDs, albeit in a 38-31 loss.The Zips are capable of some big numbers. The Pack might have to throw a lot more on Saturday.Is Amato concerned?"There's no doubt you've got to be able to throw," he said. "But a concern? No. Not at all."PACK NOTES: Barrett is listed as probable for the Akron game. Senior cornerback A.J. Davis is questionable after suffering a hamstring injury in the opener.Center Luke Lathan (concussion) and linebacker Ernest Jones (knee) are probable after missing the opener.Staff writer Chip Alexander can be reached at 829-8945 or chipa@newsobserver.com.for source (click here)

For all the diehards that sat in the rain to cheer the Zips onThere are a few more PSU ones, click through them and see.

Couldn't find an email address. I got a phone number:WBNX Channel 55 (WB) | (440) 843-5555 | Email Unknown | http://www.wbnx.com /Zipboy, can you help with the email?Is it even possible for them to pick it up?Do any Wolfpack (or Zip) fans know if it is being picked up by a local station in their area?

ESPNU is channel 609 on DirecTVand channel 148 on Dish NetworkThis way you can help out the bartender.

Browns 2006: Frye the Guy in ClevelandBy TOM WITHERSAP Sports WriterCLEVELAND (AP) -- They made for an unlikely couple during the offseason, the scrappy quarterback from rural Ohio and his more celebrated sidekick, the brazen tight end with Hall of Fame pedigree.Charlie Frye and Kellen Winslow were inseparable, like brothers.They played golf and video games, talking major trash the whole time. They lifted weights during the day and attended Cavaliers games at night. They broke down film and ate lunch together.They connected, becoming best buddies off the field.The Browns need Frye and Winslow to make a stronger connection on it.Because if Cleveland, just 36-76 with one playoff appearance since returning to the NFL in 1999, is to improve on its 6-10 record in the Browns' second year under coach Romeo Crennel, the Frye-to-Winslow hookup (and wide receiver Braylon Edwards' comeback from knee surgery) may hold the key.This winter, Frye was handed the reins to an offense that scored an NFL-low 132 points in 2005. The former third-round pick from Akron went 2-3 in five late-season starts, but now the pressure is greater and so are the stakes."I'm ready," Frye said.The Browns are banking on it. They've invested heavily in the 25-year-old from Willard, Ohio, who as a youngster taped a poster of his idol, former Cleveland quarterback Bernie Kosar, to his bedroom wall.Frye had moments of brilliance and blunder during his five-game audition. He showed a natural ability to duck the pass rush, though sometimes his scrambles led him to more trouble. However, Browns general manager Phil Savage liked the potential and positives he saw in Frye, and his strong belief in him as Cleveland's offensive leader prompted the Browns to trade veteran Trent Dilfer."We are going down a path with Charlie and we are trying to build a team around him rather than through him," said Savage, who has overhauled Cleveland's roster in two years. "Now, obviously there are going to be times in games where we are going to need him to make a play for us. We think he's capable of doing that."Frye, with Winslow pushing him hard, spent the winter and spring getting stronger. One of the knocks has been his arm strength, and he added about 15 pounds of muscle.Just as important, he's acting like its his team.Outwardly, Frye's confidence has grown. He handles interviews like a seasoned veteran, and during practices he appears more relaxed as he interacts with teammates."He's got a year under his belt now, he's made a few starts. He has a better understanding of what's expected," said offensive guard Joe Andruzzi. "He's very calm, cool and collected. Charlie's coming along."Winslow's maturity has been even more dramatic.Fifteen months ago, his promising career nearly ended before it began when he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. During training camp, Winslow revealed that his injuries were more extensive that previously known, and that he knows he'll never be 100 percent.That's OK."If I'm 90 percent, I hate to be brash," he said. "But I think my 90 percent is better than every tight end out there."He may be right. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Winslow is capable of outrunning cornerbacks and safeties (most linebackers have no chance). He's also strong enough to break tackles and turn routine gains into long ones.Frye plans to get him the ball whenever he can."He can play receiver, tight end, line him up in the backfield," Frye said. "He'll provide a lot of mismatches. Not just for him, but other guys. If you split him out wide, who's going to go out there? A corner? A safety or linebacker? So it's going to cause maybe some confusion on the defense, but he'll open up the playbook for us."Edwards will, too. His speedy recovery from reconstructive knee surgery in January has helped offset the loss of free agent center LeCharles Bentley, who tore a knee tendon on the first 11-on-11 play of training camp.Edwards wasn't expected to be game ready until mid-October, but he'll start Sunday's opener against New Orleans. Frye clicked with Dennis Northcutt during camp and Joe Jurevicius is a sure-handed third-down option who caught 10 TDs last season for the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks.Bentley's loss is a big blow to the running game, which ranked 25th overall in '05. Reuben Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards in his first season with Cleveland, but the Browns scored an AFC-low four TDs on the ground.Rookie Jerome Harrison had an impressive exhibition season and will provide a nice change of pace.Only two defenses were worse against the run than Cleveland's, but it has been bolstered by the addition of huge nose tackle Ted Washington and linebacker Willie McGinest. Cornerback Gary Baxter needs to shake the injury bug after missing 11 games last season and this preseason.In their first year in a 3-4 alignment, the Browns failed to pressure quarterbacks last season, recording a league low 23 sacks. Rookie linebacker Kamerion Wimbley emerged as the club's best pass rusher in the preseason.Keeping the heat off Frye will be a bigger priority for the Browns. He seems up for the challenge of being a full-time starter, and he'd better be, because as of now, there is no veteran quarterback as a safety net.Winslow is confident Frye's ready."Nothing can shake Charlie," he said. "No pressure can shake Charlie."for source (click here)

Really? So when Wolfe ran all over #4 (at the time) ranked in the country "big" ten team Michigan last year what's the excuse???He averaged 8.7 yards on 17 carries for 148 yardsJust lucky against a big ten defense you say?How about another "big" ten team?How do you like 245 yards on a big ten defense?Yeah, your right, he just played some bad defenses. Stay tuned for some more...Like I said all week, the Zips faced better running teams last year than PSU.Penn State had only 76 yards rushing, and 42 of that came on a reverseHunt finished with 36. Incase you were wondering how Wolfe would fair against that nasty OSU defense,he had 171 yards rushing and 114 yards receiving yesterday.

Preseason is preseason. Save your critism of Frye for the regular season.The line is not very good and the Bears defense may be one of the best in the league.Excuses? yes.To address the question of who will be the better pro Frye or Getsy, who will Getsy be playing for as a pro?Then I can answer that. And what decides a "better pro," biggest contract, wins, yardage, super bowl rings...?With not knowing any of your answers, I'll take the odds and say Frye. He is the starting QB of an NFL team.There are only 32 of those in the world, and Charlie is one of those (for now). Getsy is a LONG way from that.

Football tailgaters will face new rulesDrinking to be banned outside Beaver Stadium during gameBy Adam SmeltzUNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State will impose a limited drinking ban at tailgate parties outside Beaver Stadium, the administration announced Wednesday.The ban will be in effect only when football games are under way, not before the kickoff or after the final whistle, university officials said. They called it a proactive measure meant to rein in fans who show up only to party and drink in tailgating lots."State College has a big drinking problem, and we can't do a lot to influence five-cent beer specials in town," university spokesman Bill Mahon said. "But there are areas we can influence, and this is something we can implement."For the full story and link click here

What? There is a 30% chance of no rain Saturday !!! Hour by hour for game time

Welcome to the board, check out a previous post

Crud You are right. This might be the best point about the game yet (on either side). Why did you bring that up?...now I'm all depressed.

Could Superman be getting some competition?

That must be one nagging foot injury DH has??? :(What's wrong with Matt?(edit) I'll answer my own question. This is from a Ravens discussion board,so consider the source: dislocated shoulder.

I used to write countless emails to the , I stopped because nothing has ever changed.I know most of you saw this, but I'll repost for the newbies.This was back in the early Owens days, one of my emails got printed in the , a friend cut it out and gave it to me. PS you can rip on anybody at the , nothing will change.