Quote:The 0% blitz on 3rd and short isn't a big deal considering that running plays and short passes are likely. My complaints weren't really about that specific instance. The 0% on 3rd and 12+ is a problem for multiple reasons. One they should have been able to be certain that a four man rush would come in that situation. The other is why haven't we run a single blitz all season in the most obvious of passing situations?

 

To your second point, odds are high that it is an infrequent play in our defense, but that still doesn't excuse the lack of effort put into differentiating the play on our side. If it was something along the lines of 75% of the time we blitz out of the package, I wouldn't really mind. Even if it was 100% of the we blitz, but there is no discernible pattern on who or how many blitzers there are, it wouldn't be that big of a deal either.

 

The problem lies in the fact that an opponent was able to determine that if Sergio is simply in the game while we are in dime and have two LBs, not only will we blitz, but there will be multiple blitzers and one of them is guaranteed to be Sergio. Part of using a blitz is to confuse the offensive linemen on who is coming, so they are not able to slide their protections to account for the additional pass rushers. If they are aware that if this formation comes up during the game that they will have to cover for two additional rushers and one is always Sergio, it makes the blitz much more ineffective. 

 

But that's the thing though (and my point really), these are hollow stats without knowing the context. The 3rd and short no blitz, as we agree, not a big deal. The box is already stacked. 

 

Now, the 3rd and 12+ being a zero %? I think that's not a surprise to most Jags fan given our difficulties in 3rd and long. Now, the article comments that our tendencies changed since we last played them, and that the 3rd and "medium" is 70%.

 

Well, what's our success rate out of that 70% that we blitz on 3rd and medium? On the success, how much did they gain? Its always a risk and reward for the defense when you blitz, and when the offense needs 12 yards, its certainly a big risk if you blitz and don't get home. 

 

Furthermore...looking at the play by play from the game...the Jaguars had the Texans 3rd and 12+ four times in the game. The Texans went 0 for four on those downs. There was one play that they gained 55 yards (which I can't find a video off and don't recall by memory so i can't analyze), but it was apparently called back for illegal shift. 

 

It came on a short pass to the RB.

 

Well, guess what's susceptible to short passes to RBs? 

 

A blitz.

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