VanHoose Injury is a BIG Hit

[Fiadhaich]

I'm thinking it will be harder for the defense to play M2M coverage (see Iowa and Neb). More zone means less blitzing, which means it'll be harder to stop the run.

This ripples all the way through the defensive game plan.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Well, not really sure where to start with this one...

1. Watkins and McShepard have proven themselves more than capable when pressed into duty this year. In fact, I actually think Watkins might be better in run support than VanHoose.
2. Though we have played more man this year than in the past, we have still primarily been a zone team throughout the year.
3. More zone doesn't necessarily mean less blitzing, as some of Hank's favorite blitzes are zone blitzes (especially field return)
4. More blitzing actually makes it harder to stop the run because the second level of the defense is taken out of their normal gap responsibilities

 

[CoralSpringsCat]