A decent back-and-forth presented today at/on NPR regarding Nick Saban's comments about agents and their influence in the college game, addressing an issue that continues to be ignored....
Saban flat-out likened sports agents to "pimps." Now, understand this. Nick Saban makes $4 million a year from Alabama, plus something else again in side deals. And while he takes home this lollapalooza, all the players he coaches are forbidden, by antiquated amateur rules, to earn a living.
Meanwhile, agents, who are honorable brokers in all other parts of the entertainment world — representing musicians, actors, writers and, of course, all hard-working athletes except American collegians — help guide and make more money for their clients, taking a reasonable legal fee for service. Agents should then be allowed to work upfront deals for the players, with the understanding that they would be repaid when the player hits the pro jackpot. Some blue-chippers — especially in basketball — might be signed up to a bonus right out of high school. Other late developers might not be worth an agent's advance till much later. also
"Where you have prohibition, you have bootleggers," Saban said. "It's always been that way." He said he has temporarily blocked access to Alabama's practices for NFL scouts — a possibility he hinted at earlier this summer because of the agent issue. Saban said access would be reopened sometime after Aug. 25. He said the decision wasn't related to agents, but that he didn't think it was fair for his players to be evaluated during two-a-day practices in triple-digit temperatures.
Saban has been one of the most outspoken advocates of finding ways to ensure that rule-breaking agents whose actions lead to punishment of players face penalties as well, including suspension of their license for a year or two.
On one hand, you have coaches, like Saban, who must protect the investment of their institution and maintain control over the program (understandably). And on the other, the near-discrimination or disenfranchisement of the athlete earning potential, not seen in any other undergraduate career.
Would a change drastically alter the (unwritten) rules of the game from how we've known it? Will it tarnish our sentimental concept of what the "game" is? Most likely, and I have no idea what a post-athlete compensation world would look like 5-10 years after it takes place.
Is it high time that athletes be included in the fruits of the labor? Absolutely.
care of Dave Peloquin (Notre Dame Recruiting Assistant)
THE PROSPECT
A) Academics are important and can really help in the long run – Don’t wait until Senior year.
Identify schools you are most interested in
Narrow down to manageable number
Research each school
List pro/cons of each with and without football
B) Should approach decision like any other student; sit with parent and decide where YOU want to go.
C) Summer camps
2 way street for colleges and prospects
Different level coaches are in attendance
D) Combines
Make sure you are prepared to perform
E) Tape
Highlights are good for skill players. Linemen tape is better
ACADEMICS
A) Develop a protocol with the counseling office to monitor grades.
B) Understand the difference between NCAA eligibility and University admission requirements
C) NCAA requires 16 core courses.
D) Encourage all student athletes to take ACT/SAT in fall of Junior Year
Encourage taking some sort of class in preparation of the test
Take as many times as needed.
There are ways around the cost of the test.
RECRUITING PERIOD
A) Understand when it’s a contact period and when its an evaluation period.
B) Spring recruiting – Colleges are allowed to visit your school twice during a 4 week period from the last 2 weeks in April through the end of May
C) During this time, coaches can view video, watch practice, and gather information. Coaches may not talk with prospects at this time.
RECRUITING IN GENERAL
A) Encourage your players to attend college, there is a level for everyone
B) Internet services have no rules – don’t allow them to dictate or interfere in the process
C) Understand NCAA rules
If you think there is a small chance that it is illegal, it probably is
D) Coaches and prospects need to take control of the process
Set ground rules
E) If possible establish an assistant coach as the liaison for all general recruiting issues
Let schools know when the best time to contact you and your staff
Establish a protocol for video tape requests / transcripts / phone calls
Understand who on your team wants to be recruited and what level do they think they are
F) Be proactive not reactive with recruiting;
In the long run it will help your program
Athletes will want to play in your program
G) Establish relationships with college coaches at all levels
You never know (coaches move, their prospect database moves with them)
H) Meet with your prospects and their families to go over the recruiting process.
I just wanted to throw a hat tip / nod to an interesting article written by Jason Lloyd of Lindy's regarding the disparity of the North vs South argument, specifically the Big Ten's trend against other NCAA conferences in big games.
The author showers the article with pertinent facts and statistics that support this case, and specifically ties the precipitating factor to athletic and explosive defensive linemen. Unfortunately, I do not see the article available online (otherwise I'd link it), but it is available int he 2009 Lindy's College Football Preview magazine (who reads these anymore?). I really don't have any regard for sports writers and the hollow dogshit regurgitated sports cliches they attempt to provide (they call "analysis"), but this article in particular offered a rather cogent argument with supporting findings.
Nuggets worth repeating;
Big Ten's bowl record over the past 6years is 15-28 (Big Ten was 1-6 in the 2008 post season)
OSU has won 4 consecutive Big Ten Titles, but hasn't won a bowl game since 2005.
Texas, LSU, and USC combined to have 7 defensive linemen drafted in the 2009. 5 were drafted from the entire Big Ten.
In 2008, only 4 defensive linemen in the Big Ten were drafted
Since 2004, 16 defensive tackles were drafted in the 1st round in the NFL. None has come from the Big Ten.
The last Big Ten defensive tackle to be drafted in the 1st round was perennial turd, Jimmy Kennedy in 2003 (Penn State).
"Defensive tackle play is a battle of hands, and so many young high school guys have no clue how to use their hands as a defensive lineman, particularly a defensive tackle." - Tim Brewster, Minnesota Head Coach
Here's to looking forward to USC again dismantling the hype-machine known as OSU in the coming weeks. Tune in to Trojan Football Analysis for his breakdown of this matchup.
The video handout given in Spring Ball (mentioned before) included video of various defenses playing the same coverages. The last few posts illustrate examples of what was given to the players. This helps them better understand how the coverage responds (or doesn't) to formations, routes, and runs. From NFL to NCAA, it all remains the same.
Cover 4, the do-everything double-robber answer to 1 back offenses.
This works great against most spread passing games and/or any type of even receiver formation (doubles/twins). As you can find in the playbook link below, "quarters" as it is called, provides a defense an aggressive safety-support run defense (because of a simple read for both safeties) as well as a fail-safe answer to two-man receiver game on the perimeter/vertical.
Cover 2 becomes a great way to even up a defense and provide a pseudo-9 man run front (with corners as force) and discourage intermediate passing with so many shallow zone defenders.
Great versus any even formation, like cover 4, it can bottle up and discourage two-man receiver routes. The main point of stress becomes the open hole (MOFO), but provides clear, distinct reads for both safeties.
Cover 2 Mike
You are responsible for middle hook. Your cover down is #3 strong. If TE releases inside you will “you me” with Sam and the TE is now #3. If the TE releases INSIDE and vertical you need to carry him. Sam
You are responsible for weak side curl. Your cover down is 2 weak. If 2 goes vertical you need to reroute/collision his stem. Will
You are responsible for weak side curl. Your cover down is 2 weak. If 2 goes vertical you need to reroute/collision his stem.
Strong Safety
You will wall TE. If TE releases inside fall to curl and your cover down will be #3. If TE releases OUTSIDE and vertical you will carry him..
Weak Safety
Align 15 yards deep, on top of #2 weak side or EMOL; your horizontal alignment will vary according to the spit of the receiver in relationship to the hash. You are secondary run support. You will play deep ½ off of #1’s release, post, post corner, dig. On float technique you will play deep ½ off of #2.
Free Safety
Align 15 yards deep, on top of #2 strong side; your horizontal alignment will vary according to the spit of the receiver in relationship to the hash. You are secondary run support. You will play deep ½ off of #2’s release
Corners Align in press position with inside foot to outside foot of the receiver or neutral, balanced stance – you cannot allow the receiver to get outside you. You are primary run support on the perimeter. You are a collision / funnel player with flat responsibility vs. pass. If you have 2 quick receivers to your side (twins) use the float technique.
The 'garbage defense' that can be played against any offensive front, cover 3 provides the best of both worlds; a 3 deep MOFC shell to discourage deep passing and an 8 man front against the run.
Cover 3 is great against any odd receiver sets (2x1, 3x1, 3x2) and it's balanced alignment provides a strong interior run-defense. It affords the defense the benefits of Cover 1 (interior run strength), without the liabilities of individual matchups in man-coverage.
It is often victimized by attacking the curl-to-flat player, who typically will have to cover a width of nearly 17 yards by 15 yards deep. This is where the two-man receiver games are played to put this player in conflict (arrow/shoot/stick/wheel/etc).
Below are basic rules for secondary positions in Cover 3;
Cover 3 Cover 3 will be the foundation of our passing game coverage. It will be necessary for everyone to have a thorough understanding of this coverage scheme vs. any formation an offense can throw at us. Below are some of the basic rules for playing cover 3. ( one thing should be noted here, when we have people coming in and out of one we call the defender by the name rather than merely calling in or out) this helps TE defender whose zone is being infiltrated by giving him specific feedback.
Vs. 2 backs Corners Align with INSIDE leverage 8 – 10 yards off the ball. You have the flexibility to show different types of looks at different times. You may start showing press, outside leverage or some other type of look. (preferably coordinated with the FS). On the snap, your primary responsibility is to zone your 1/3 of the field. Read the receiver through the step zone. Once the receiver clears this area, you must identify and see #2 and know where he is in relationship to your zone. You are secondary run support. On a pass underneath it is your job to outside-in everything. Keep the cup. The linebackers will work inside out to the boundary. You cannot allow the ball carrier to go up the sideline
Free safety
Your run key in a two back set would be the TE. Take your two backward read steps and identify run or pass. Once you see pass your base responsibility is to one the middle 1/3 of the field. You cannot cheat to one side or the other. It is important for you to realize when you are on the field, (right/ left hash or middle) and drop accordingly. See #2 both strong and weak, if vertical continue to get depth. If they break off their routes expand your vision to #1’s and look for one of them entering your zone. Vs run you are the alley player to both sides/ your job is to run the alley and cut the ball off before it gets beyond the second level. Stay inside- out on the ball carrier.
Wolf/ Dog Backer Your job is to work from curl to flat. A basic landmark would be the numbers at a depth of 10 – 12 yards. Remember on the snap you are a run player first. Identify run or pass. Once you see pass open up at a 45 degree angle and begin your drop buzzing through the curl and keeping leverage on the flat. You want depth and width on your drop. You hold the curl by #1 through the first window, and pass him off to the inside backer because you must keep leverage on the flat. Once you see the quarterback turn his shoulders towards the flat, you are shot out of a cannon and get to the flat inside out keeping the cup. On run to your side, you are the guy that is the force player to cut off the sideline. No runs or blocks can reach your outside shoulder. Be physical and keep your outside shoulder free. You cannot get bounced for width. On run away, you are the cutback player. You shuffle down to the open gap and hold your position. You must remain in the cutback area until you see the ball has cleared the line of scrimmage at which point you get into an angle of pursuit and chase down the ball. The ball can never be cutback beyond your back shoulder when the ball is away from you.
Zip / Sam Your job is to work the hook zones. You are run players first. Once you have read pass you open up and drop to your zones. A general landmark is 12 yards deep at the hash marks. The first person that can get to your zone is the #2 receiver to your side. Know where he is. We will expand and contract with our under coverage depending on routes of the receivers. Listen for calls indicting #1 working to the second window by Dog or the Wolf. Do not jump the short routes by the backs or #2. We will react to those routes. We want the ball to go underneath. Do not give up a 12-yard route to stop the 3 or 4-yard route by the backs or TE. Vs run you are fast flow players. Your ‘fit’ is off the hip of the DE, with the Free Safety playing the “alley” to your outside. With this in mind, we are able to string the perimeter plays outside compressing the running lane with the Wolf / Dog and the secondary run support corners playing outside-in. Hit the clear. We will discuss this greater with our position group.
Vs. 1 back The basics of the coverage remain the same with some critical adjustments. We will use the example of 4 quicks for the purpose of this discussion.
Corners The corners will move to inside leverage on #1. Depth is 8 – 10. We will not stem vs. this look. On the snap of the ball, the corner will zone turn and gain depth off of #1 while reading #2. On the first few steps he can be patient to read the receivers through the 3-step game. Once he has established it is not a short pass, he will continue his drop with greater urgency. It is important that he keep his depth on #1. Against 4 verticals he will play in the zone principle. There should never be an occasion when both of the verticals are on the same level. We will take care of this problem with our flat players. We must be prepared to run with #1 if the ball is thrown vertical to him, but be able to break back on a ball thrown to #2.
Free Safety
Same as in 2 back set though he must now key both #2 receivers. He is required to play 2 in the zone like the corners, and not get caught leaning one way or the other by the QB. The free safety should have maximum benefit because of the re-routes by the flat players. The free safety must also be aware of where #1 is on both sides to defend the possible post. Wolf / Dog Backer
If the #2 receiver is split further than 7 yards from the end man on the line of scrimmage, you will split the difference by alignment between #2 and the EMOL. On pass, your drop will intersect with a vertical stem of #2. You are required to collision / reroute the #2 receiver on a vertical (upfield) release to prevent an unfavorable 4 vertical matchup with our 3 deep secondary.
Known as the "best defense in football", Cover 1 provides the defense with a bullet-proof answer for nearly everything and typically an extra defender at the point of attack. With 1-high safety closing the middle of the field (MOFC), the defense is built inside-out, looking to spill all plays to the sideline. Because everyone is manned up with a safety in the deep hole, that will leave one linebacker free, who becomes the "rat in the hole" who robs the underneath hole and intercepts any crossers that come free.
An example of using the short passing game to advance the ball in an efficient and risk-averse manner, is the spacing concept. As these examples will illustrate, many teams, such as the New Orleans Saints, rely on this concept (as well as screens) in place of a run game. The obvious advantage is, a multiple area attack that can horizontally stretch underneath defenders.
Essentially, just like Y stick, the receivers look to attack the defenders and work to gain horizontal separation. Multiple shallow receivers dispersed along the same plane, puts underneath players (such as linebackers) into a 'pickle' scenario. Choosing one receiver, only opens another.
These pictorials show the contraction and expansion of this route combo. All the receivers set their 'stick' or plant aiming at underneath defender seams.
As the two inside breaking routes put the MLB in conflict, it also draws the OLBs inside the hashes (carrying the route). As this first illustration shows, bunching all the defenders inside creates a chasm for flaring backs.
As seen here, the H, Reggie Bush, has 10 yards between him and the hapless WLB because the flat defender has constricted with the inside breaking X.
Here, we see a crucial short-yardage, mid-field conversion down and we see the spacing concept relied upon (especially by the Saints) as a bread-and-butter stallwart in their offense.
A 2-back formation is presented with 21 personnel (dictating a 3 LB defense) on a short-yardage down. Because a fullback is presented, the threat of a lead run (iso or power) must be respected to prevent the 1st down.
This pictorial probably best illustrates the 1,2, and a BIG 3 in the timing of the drop.
As the WLB frantically rallies to the flaring Reggie Bush, he inadvertantly opens the seam to 1st outside receiver (Colston).
You can see in these next pics the chasm between both inside stemming receivers, putting the MLB & SLB in a can't-win scenario. Brees delivers the ball to the shoulder furthest away from the 'danger player' in the receivers area. This causes Colston (#12) to turn his body to accept the throw and be in position to run away from the nearest defender (for positive yards)
