Quote from: d-train on November 17, 2005, 10:25:28 AM

Quote from: spiritof86 on November 17, 2005, 09:45:06 AM
Inches- Good read. Great analysis. Beating Linfield will be difficult because of all you mentioned.

Yeah...that or it might be easier because of all that he mentioned here. DenS is on to something - why post so many of Linfield's tendancies for the whole D3 world to see? Then again, maybe he got enough things wrong that the information will be of little help. (FYI - Haz scored early on a bubble screen not a Fly sweep...and I haven't seen the play since the day it happened.)

Don't sweat it Fellas...

First...It's not like D3 coaches are frantically searching these boards looking for Linfield offensive secrets; and what I have mentioned are not exactly secrets.  Second...if a casual fan like myself can make these observations watching the games, certainly professional coaches can from watching hours of game films..and I am sure they have already.  Third...  Its one thing to know you opponent and "how" to stop them...it is quite another to go out on the field and actually execute that plan with Linfield actively working against you.  I my opinion the majority teams just don't have the personel to match up effectively.  Finally, ..the point was to make the conversation here more interesting and about actual game strategy instead off just shouting....  " Linfield 49 - Oxy 10 ....Its in the Bank!!!!"  ... which happens to be my prediction. 

ps:  you are correct ,Haze on a Bubble screen...he ran a fly sweep the play before.

As a Linfield fan who has been to almost every game the last few years, and a long time reader of Post Patterns I am very excited for this year's playoffs.  Mainly because I believe it is an opportunity for Linfield to make a decisive statement about their high quality of play, and prove it against the top programs in D3. If they win it this year they have a chance to exorcise some demons of St John's, silence any doubters at UMHB, and possibly have a dream match up against Mt Union.  This has got me so fired I decided to post here for the first time.  

I've noticed guys like Kenneth K and others asking for opinions on match ups, advantages, and strengths/weakness of Linfield's #1 scoring offense by those who have seen the Wildcats play on a weekly basis. Since Kenneth and these folks don't get the opportunity to see them play in person. I figured I would give them a description of our team's offensive strategy and basic philosophy and let them form their own opinions on how to beat Linfield.  Yes, Brett Elliot is the most crucial player in Linfield's offensive system .  However, the Linfield coaching staff as done an excellent job of designing a scheme that maximizes the strengths and talents of the players they have.  Feel free to add or refute anything I have mentioned, I'm just trying to enlighten those who haven't had the opportunity to see the #1 team play so they know what to look, or listen, for in the playoffs..  I for one, enjoy the strategy of the game and the subtle adjustments which make the difference in winning and losing.  I figured others might as well.



My obervations of Linfield Offense:   Linfield's offense is essentially an ace back scheme with 3-4 wide receivers in multiple formations.  The basic philosophy is to attack the outside edges of the defense. Since the arrival of BE, the high percentage short to intermediate passing game as the primary offensive weapon, however many scores come off of deep passes as secondaries start to get tired of getting pecked away on the shorter routes.  The majority of the patterns one can expect are short crossing routs, quick outs, slant patterns, short to intermediate hooks, and bubble screens to receivers ( the latter of which I believe is Linfield's true bread and butter...more on that in a bit).  The running game has been less of a focus in the last 2 years (for obvious reasons), and in my opinion is primarily used to counter pass rush pressure and also implemented when the linebackers get too spread out trying to get under the recievers on short outside passes.    

As mentioned above, it is my opinion that the "bubble screen" to the wide outs is essentially the bread and butter of the Linfield offense.  Often times you will see them use it 5+ times a game in crucial situations when they need sure yardage to extend a drive.  Elliot can take one step, fire a quick accurate pass down the line of scrimmage to the 2 receiver side, long before he feels any pressure (which accounts for his few sacks and high efficiency).  The receivers are very well coached at blocking down field, an underrated aspect of the Linfield's offense.  Linfield receivers are physical and strong; often out sizing the opposing DBs (see C. Allen 220lbs).  The inside slot receiver cuts the DB covering the outside receiver (who caught the ball), then the receiver immediately cuts out wide down the sideline for 5 to 7 + yards.  This essentially is Linfield's true running game and explains why teams with "huge, powerful d-linemen" and   "awesome linebackers" have been generally rendered ineffective. Linfield basically takes the run game and moves it outside the hashes making the lineman less crucial. Linfield puts so much pressure on the outside DBs that unless they can break up quickly and make solid tackles at the line of scrimmage, the opposing team is done for from the start. Everything flows from this basic play (and other short high percentage passes).  After a time, Db's creep up, Linebackers widen out, D-linemen slow their pass rush knowing the ball will be gone before they take a few steps. Soon Elliot has all day to throw, and a Db bites too hard thinking another short pass is coming... and here comes the long ball....E+A = TD !!

Some teams have tried to counter this with 8-men back.  This however is just a slower death...Elliot is simply too good to give him that much time, he will find and open receiver and deliver and accurate pass. Also, this is when the inside running game and the Fly is implemented, and Linfield coaches know how to run the ball when they have too (Remember David Russell a few years ago).  The running game is just good enough that it must be respected, and forces teams to honor the possibility of inside runs. (Remember how the Stagg Bowls started last year...3 runs, the 3rd was TD by Hazenburg of the Fly.      

Most teams have tried bringing pressure with overloaded blitz packages. Like most QB's, Elliot is less accurate when he is moving.  However, Linfield's coaching staff is particularly aware this and will then test you deep 1 on 1 outside (see OXY last year ..7 TD passes)  or use a variety of  draws, screens, shovel passes, and flares outs to the backs (see Stagg Bowl last year ...Jenkins MVP).  

Obviously UMHB has had the most success against Linfield the last 2 years (in at least the 2nd half).  Essentially they blitzed Elliot , with D-linemen getting there hands up on the outside thereby knocking down at least 3 or 4 passes, and being physical with the Linfield WR's at the line of scrimmage.  Thomas Ford even mentioned "getting their hands down" during his Stagg Bowl interview on the sideline.  The result... Elliot became somewhat flustered the second half and threw some picks trying to throw deep to wide outs who got knocked of their routes at the line.  In my opinion, Elliot simply didn't look off the free safeties enough on those passes otherwise they might have worked anyway.

So the bottom line is...for you to have a chance at shutting down Linfield you must do it from the outside, where they attack you.  The DB's must match Linfield's physicality at the line and still be able to run deep.  The linemen must be disciplined enough to be able to pass rush, while being aware of the screen and draw, and get their hands up on quick passes.   If your team has this disipline and physical ability... you have a shot. However most teams haven't come close to being able to sustain this kind of solid outside play consistently throughout the entire game under constant pressure from the Linfield offense who executes it so well.  Most defenses are naturally geared toward inside run stopping first not dealing with blocking on the edges WRs vs DBs.. And most d3 DB's aren't accusomed to the ball being thrown so quickly and accurately on outside routes.  So good luck to the other teams, if they find a way to counter this style of attack then hats off to them ...I'm looking forward to seeing how teams try to adjust in the playoffs.