In Drink-years one and two we played the great majority of downs with 11 personnel: three receivers/one TE.
This year we find ourselves deep at receiver, and particularly at slot receiver (Lovett, Banister, Cooper). On the other hand, we are woefully unproven, perhaps undermanned, at TE.
A desire to get the “best eleven” on the field may lead to increased instances of 10 personnel (four receivers, no TEs), and fewer 11 groups.
What I want point out is that this personnel shift would have a significant effect on inside run constraints. On inside runs (mainly inside zone and counter trap) a TE inline or in the backfield generally moves the read man outside one gap. This makes QB run triggers much less frequent. (You may notice that teams with not-mobile QBs almost always account for a backside gap w a TE/H-back to keep the QB from carrying the ball.)
If it is the case that Drink increases the frequency of 10 personnel, it suggests that the inside run game would benefit from a mobile QB that could punish defenses for closing down on runs from the backside. This consideration would benefit Cook and Macon over Abraham I would think.
QED
This year we find ourselves deep at receiver, and particularly at slot receiver (Lovett, Banister, Cooper). On the other hand, we are woefully unproven, perhaps undermanned, at TE.
A desire to get the “best eleven” on the field may lead to increased instances of 10 personnel (four receivers, no TEs), and fewer 11 groups.
What I want point out is that this personnel shift would have a significant effect on inside run constraints. On inside runs (mainly inside zone and counter trap) a TE inline or in the backfield generally moves the read man outside one gap. This makes QB run triggers much less frequent. (You may notice that teams with not-mobile QBs almost always account for a backside gap w a TE/H-back to keep the QB from carrying the ball.)
If it is the case that Drink increases the frequency of 10 personnel, it suggests that the inside run game would benefit from a mobile QB that could punish defenses for closing down on runs from the backside. This consideration would benefit Cook and Macon over Abraham I would think.
QED
