Cowboys Nation: Anchoring the Pass Pocket - Chalkboard Talk

boozeman

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Anchoring the Pass Pocket - Chalkboard Talk Posted by Steven Van Over at Tuesday, June 18, 2013

For several years now, Cowboys Nation has been hearing terms like "setting the pocket" or "anchoring the pocket", usually followed by pictures or video showing Romo running for his life or being hovered over by an apologetic looking lineman or two while he lays on the turf. Not a prescription for long term success or short term health. We all understand that aspect of the effect, but what is "setting the pocket" and what effects does being unable to do it create?

Let's start by looking at a typical play run against a 4-3 defense and look at the pre-snap chalkboard.


Cowboys Pre-Snap

Romo is under center with two receivers on either side and Murray in the Marshall Faulk role, performing pick up duties on anyone that comes free. Against four man pressure this should be solid protection.

After the snap the linemen move as one, sliding their feet in a choreographed movement to setup the pocket at the proper depth for either a three, five or seven step drop, and even floating left or right in order to disguise the final location of the point of attack for the defense. Let's look at a solid pocket, post snap.


Solid Anchored Pocket Post Snap

The pocket has formed and Romo has floated a bit to the right in order to give Murray the best angle to pick up pressure and to set his throwing lanes for the primaries to the right side of the field. Each player works as part of the whole with a hinge effect set by the center. The linemen learn the "feel" of their team mates and over time can keep a pocket tighter and larger. The reverse of old jeans. Let's look at the "safe zone" that is created for Romo when an anchored pocket is setup.


Solid Anchored Pocket with Large Safe Zone
Romo can step up if pressure comes from the edges, he can float right or left to work his throwing lanes or move from imminent threats.He can complete a comfortable throwing motion, stepping into the throw adding zip and accuracy. The speedier edge rushers have more steps to take as the offensive tackles use the hinge effect of the pocket to either stalemate defenders, push them into the ground or wide and past the pocket. The middle is protected by three wide bodies who will shield and redirect pressure up the middle with help on the inside. Murray is there to help where needed. What about Romo's throwing lanes?


Solid Anchored Pocket with Throwing Lanes and Zones

Romo has five free lanes and positive yardage zones to throw into. We are not counting the flats to either side which would raise the total to seven as Murray will release to either side if no defender comes free for him to pickup. The receivers will push the defenders over the top of their routes, creating protection for the ball as it should arrive as they make their cuts or crease the seems (see 1st image for patterns). Life is good in a well anchored pocket.


Romo with time, good passing lanes and room to step into throws is scary good
Now what happens when the worst breakdown occurs, when the center gets put on skates and pushed back into the QB or tossed aside all together? Lets look at that post snap scenario.

Poor Anchor Post Snap
Here the center has been pushed back and the pocket has not been "set". Unable to anchor he is now in Romo's step up zone and avenues of escape are being quickly cut off if not already gone. The inside players now have one step LESS to take in order to get to Romo as they don't have to go around anyone. Murray is now committed to the inside as a blocker, losing Romo a valuable outlet target and Romo is vulnerable to the edge rushers. Time for Romo to complete a throw has now been reduced forcing him to deliver the ball early or try and create more time with movement. Let's look at Romo's "safe zone".

No Anchor Safe Zone
Usage of the words "safe zone" in this instance is quite misleading. Romo is cut off from floating right or left depending where the center has been pressed, squeezed into one quarter of a normal pocket, Romo must make a quick throw with little to no ability to step into the motion or "spin out" and scramble wide to offer his receivers time to get open. Hmmm, how many times did you see that attempted last year? The year before? Now let's look at the what throwing lanes Romo has available to him in this much abbreviated play.

No Anchor Throwing Lanes

Romo has been reduced from five lanes to three, with the lane to his left being across his body and a poor choice, often ending up being a floater. Defenders not playing press coverage can see this and are prepared to jump routes. He is unable to step up and at this point will have either dumped the ball off to Witten who had to break off his seam route as he used his physic link with Romo and sensed his danger (I'm not kidding, that's how they do it). More likely, unable to unload the ball to a hot route receiver as there was no blitz for a player to read and cause him to adjust his route, Romo most likely has to dazzle with his patented spin, shuck and jive or end up having a forced personal relationship with the turf.

Pressure up the middle is the shortest way to the QB and it also has the most wide ranging effects. Fran Tarkenton learned his scrambling skills due to necessity. His offensive line was full of "look out blockers". His linemen would actually turn and yell "look out" as they threw another ole' at a defensive player on his way to the QB. Romo's impressive escape skills were born of the same cause, lack of protection. Can Travis Frederick be the one who sets the top of the pocket? Can he work with the two veteran guards or (more hopefully) one veteran and Leary? Can Travis make the calls and become the unmovable object to any irresistible force teams may send up the middle? Early reports are that he can and will. This will give Tony more looks at five to seven throwing lanes and a safe zone that really is, just like home.


We need ten wins this year. Setting the anchor for the Cowboys pocket is the first step in getting there, and Travis Frederick, by all accounts, is the right man for the job - so far. Next step, Oxnard where we get to see him do it with pads on. Each step counts, but it won't be till the end of the first regular season game that we will really know the answer.
 

Simpleton

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This has definitely been one of the biggest problems on offense for a few years now, Frederick will definitely help but I don't know if he can anchor the middle all by himself.
 

boozeman

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This has definitely been one of the biggest problems on offense for a few years now, Frederick will definitely help but I don't know if he can anchor the middle all by himself.
Yeah, getting Frederick is a bit of a baby step, but the article is right...the center is the focal point and it appears that was where Callahan's best lines in NY and Oakland were built from (Barrett Robbins before he flaked out and Mangold).
 

Lotuseater

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This has definitely been one of the biggest problems on offense for a few years now, Frederick will definitely help but I don't know if he can anchor the middle all by himself.
Fredrick will help a ton. We have basically been running backup or practice squad level talent there since Gurode. Ryan Cook is an NFL backup, but he actually was the best center we've had since Gurode.

Fredrick is the real deal, talent-wise. Its going to be very obvious.
 

ravidubey

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Frederick is already one of the league's biggest centers. He's probably one of the smartest too.

Just wait til the beard grows back.
 
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