Going back to basics: how to stop the spread

The spread offense has taken over the football world and no one can stop it. Now, I’m no high paid analysis, but I have figured out how to stop the spread.
It’s very basic when you break down the foundation of the spread. It is designed to put the ball in the hands of the playmakers, while they are in space.
The first step in defeating the spread is very simple: tackle. Defenders are more interested in making big hits, then securing the tackles. When facing the spread, the offense is trying to create one on one matchups, often allowing a big gain after the first tackle is missed.
If the defense concerns itself with making a sure tackle before attempting a big stick, it will eliminate the long gain.
The next step in stopping the spread is playing man to man defense. Along with running man coverage, you need to press the receiver. This prohibits the receiver from getting off of the line of scrimmage freely and disrupting the timing of the offense.
To adjust to the multiple receiver sets, the defense should line up in a 3-4 hybrid look or a 4-2-5 look with a nickel back. With these alignments you get better athletes on the field. With these schemes you still get an effective pass rush, along with better coverage skills.
As the spread offense has developed so has the defensive side of the ball. In older variations of the 3-4 scheme the outside linebackers were more suited to rush quarterbacks. These linebackers have developed into better cover players. For example you can look at Nevin McKenzie and Adam Meyers-White at the University of Tennessee. They are both former high school safeties that moved to outside linebackers. The nation is full of these players, and more are making big plays on every level of the game.
With the man to man scheme, the team will have to play more disciplined football. Much like the defenses of the 80s, who adapted to the triple option, the amount of responsibility increases. There is a safety net for coaches who run zone coverage, but they are picked apart in the long run. If you look back to the Florida – Tennessee game from 2007, you will notice the Gators offense shredded the Vols defense for 554 total offensive yards. If you compare that to the Florida- Michigan game from 2007, you noticed that the Wolverines pressured the Gators receivers and only allowed 399 total yards.
The best way to defend against the spread is having a good offense. Looking at the four games that Florida lost in 2007, they lost the time of possession by 6.5 minutes per game. In those same games they were outrushed by 89 yards.
Those teams who beat Florida converted 56% of their 3rd downs. With those conversions the explosive spread attack is not on the field. Looking at the development of the spread offense the offense is not a catch-up type of offense. It is used to score and strike quickly at the beginning of the game.
The four loses that the Gators suffered in ’07 they were behind in three of the loses. Of the 552 total points that Florida scored in 2007, 309 were scored before half time. So if you could make it to half time with the lead, there is a good chance that you can keep the lead until the game is over. Football is an ever evolving sport, and the schemes are evolving as fast as the players. With more wide open attacks there are new ways to defend them. However some things don’t change. The old saying is true, offense sells tickets, and defense wins championships.

Basketball in Tennessee

Isn't funny how with only 3 losses this season until the SEC championship, the UT fans were already for basketball season. Even the school newspaper were counting down the days until the first game. Now going in to the new year things have not changed.
On New Years Day the Vols will take on the Wisconsin Badgers at the Outback bowl. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel the Vols and Badgers resemble each other both on and off the field. However I will disagree with one comment that is that UT is a second tier team in the SEC. How can this be? Have we fallen this far off of the ball. There was the off year but is one year enough to condim this program has declined that much. No offense to these programs but UT is not in the same category as Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina. UT always is a contender and always will be.
That brings me to the basketball program and the success of them. Pat Summit always has a top program with a natonal title in her sights. Bruce Pearl has turned the boys program around and brought excitement to Thompson Bolling Arena. His nfast pace coaching style and his teams fast pace of play keeps the fans watching. It is truly an honor to watch these teams when they are on the court.
I know that change is a good thing however how much change begins to sway towards negative ways. Tennessee has lost its offensive coaching staff as it appears today and even several canadiades have fallen through. Fulmer is trying to get a staff together as soon as possible to help benefit the program and I pledge my full support to the coaches he hires to take the open positions. There is a call for some new blood in the program and who is to say that some new blood cant fall into place with the system that UT has in place. The spread option offense has taken over the college football world, however i do not think that it is the answer to the problems within the system. Throughout history you can trace different phases of the game and the spread is a new phase. The offense that UT runs has always produced and looks to keep going as long as it is ran.
I know this is a random collection of items, but it is an example of what I am going to strive to discuss from now on.

New York Giants

The Giants are already missing Tiki Barber and the season has not even started yet. Barber had 1,600 yards and 5 td's running the ball last year. To replace Barber the Giants will turn to Brandon Jacobs who is a good runner but lacks the receiving skills of Tiki. The Giants also signed Reuben Droughns from the Browns. With the safety of Barber gone it places more pressure onto the shoulders of Eli Manning. Manning threw for 3,200 yards and 24 td's. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer will be leading the push for starting receivers. Sinorice Moss and rookie Steve Smith pushing for playing time early on. The ace in the hole for Manning will be tight end Jeremy Shockley. Shockley is still one of the best tight ends in the game and can still dominate the game. The o-line remains in tact from last season and looks to improve on the number of sacks a year ago.

The LaVar Arrington era is over in New York. Never truly productive while in town he was released to free agency this past season. Antonio Pierce, Gerris Wilkinson, and Mathias Kiwanuka are claiming starting spots in camp. The big story so far is the absence of Michael Strahan from camp. Strahan is a leader for the defense and the team in general. The d-line also returns Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield at tackles and Osi Umenyiora at end. The backs are led by safeties Gibril Wilson and Will Demps. The corners are Sam Madison and Corey Webster. 1st round draft pick Aaron Ross looks to be on the field so defenses beware.

Dallas Cowboys

Wade Phillips will be the man in Dallas until owner Jerry Jones walks through the door. Along with Jones comes all about me wide receiver Terrell Owens, along with a quarterback that no one really has an opinion on. Tony Romo went from the saving grace of the so-called bad days with Drew Bledsoe to being called a failure after a blotched PAT against Seattle. Romo threw for 2,900 yards last season with a low 19-13 td to int ratio. Capable receivers Owens and Terry Glenn are back but how much do they have left in their aging legs. Workhorse at Tight End is Jason Witten. Witten is coming off of his 3rd straight Pro Bowl season and looks to improve from only 1 td catch a year ago. Running back Julius Jones broke the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in Dallas since Emmitt Smith in 2001. However this is his last year in his deal and young Marion Barber is looking hungry for more carries.

The 3-4 defense in Dallas returns Chris Canty, Jason Ferguson, and Marcus Spears on the front line with Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware waiting at the outside backer spots. On the inside Akin Ayodele and Bradie James are awaiting unsuspecting backs wanting to go through the hashes. the backs are led by Roy Williams at his strong safety position.

Crash in Selmer

I know about the drag car crash in Selmer. I know Troy and his crew and it bothers me how he has been show as an evil man. This is a tragedy and I can't help but feel sorrow for those involved. I lift my prayers up to those who were injured and i hope that people will see that team for what they are. They are good folks. God Speed

All-SEC Team 2007

Offense
QB Andre' Woodson SR Kentucky
RB Darren McFadden JR Arkansas
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis SR Ole Miss
WR Earl Bennett JR Vanderbilt
WR Early Doucet SR LSU
TE Jacob Tamme SR Kentucky
C Jonathan Luigs JR Arkansas
OL King Dunlap SR Auburn
OL Phil Trautwein SR Florida
OL Chris Williams SR Vanderbilt
OL Ciron Black SO LSU
AP Percy Harvin SO Florida
PK Brandon Coutu SR Georgia

Defense
DL Titus Brown SR Mississippi State
DL Glenn Dorsey SR LSU
DL Quentin Groves SR Auburn
DL Derrick Harvey JR Florida
LB Jasper Brinkley SR South Carolina
LB Jonathan Goff SR Vanderbilt
LB Wesley Woodyard SR Kentucky
DB Simeon Castille SR Alabama
DB Paul Oliver SR Georgia
DB Jonathan Hefney SR Tennessee
DB Derek Pegues JR Mississippi State
P Britton Colquitt SR Tennessee

MVP Darren McFadden
Offensive Player of the Year Andre' Woodson
Defensive Player of the Year Jasper Brinkley

Vanderbilt Commodores

The Earl Bennett show airs ever week in Nashville. For 2 years now he has dominated defenses all across the SEC. Last season he brought in 82 catches for 1,100 yards. He is joined by fellow junior George Smith to form an explosive team of receivers. The o-line returns all 5 starters from last year. Hamilton Holliday, Josh Eames, Merritt Kirchoffer, Brian Stamper, and Chris Williams led the way up front for the 'Dores. The line paves the way for senior Cassen Jackson-Garrison. The pressure is on Jackson as junior Jeff Jennings return from a knee injury that kept him out all year last year. Chris Nickson is back from a 2,000 yard passing season and the leading rusher from a year ago. Nickson is an amazing athlete who is improving as a passer.

Jonathan Goff leads the effort on defense for the 'Dores. He led the team last year and looks to improve on his efforts in his senior year. He is flanked by Marcus Buggs and Brandon Bryant. The backs return 3 of 4 from last year. Free safety Ryan Hamilton and strong safety Reshard Langford will be deep in the 4-3 scheme. The corners will be DJ Moore and Myron Lewis. The d-line is led by Curtis Gatewood who led the team in sacks. The opposite end is Steven Stone a sophomore. The tackles are Greg Billinger and Theo Horrocks.

Georgia, Alabama, and Wake Forest all come to Nashville to play. While the 'Dores travel to Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee.