Preparation for running, mobile QB's

What's the best way for a defense to prepare for this type of QB? Is one defensive player designated as a "spy", whose main focus is to follow the QB?

:geauxtige

 

that will definitely be the answer, but the key is to find a "spy" fast enough to actually keep up with the QB.

With McFadden and Schaeffer, the LBs sometimes can't do it, which means you need a safety, which compromises coverage, b/c the linebacker covering in that safety's spot shot be a mismatch for the QB looking to throw.

 

A spy is one method. D lineman maintaining lane assignments and containing a mobile QB is another.

 

If that's the problem, then why not play a third safety? No matter if you call him a LB, if he's got safety's speed and cover ability.

Is it really more complicated than that? That's a sincere question - not being a wiseass. ldskule:

 

then the team can pound you on the inside with your new soft-spot (safety) acting as a linebacker.

it's easy to defend if you know the play the team is running, but not so easy in the realm of uncertainty.

edit: to answer your question, you will see some Chad Jones linebacker sets Fri.

 

In this case, then, we'd see Chad Jones focusing on McFadden?

:geauxtige

 

either he or steltz, most of the time... especially if he'd be at QB, b/c in that case, they'd be begging for him to actually throw the ball.

 

That seems a good compromise to me - Chad Jones should have the size and speed to play linebacker/safety spy. A good solution. And thanks for the answer! ldskule:

 

I thought Pelini doesn't believe in using spies...

I can't remember a single time he's used one.

 

this past year against Ark, he used Highsmith a lot on McFadden. It didn't work, but they did try it.

Either way, In the scout preparation with Holliday at QB, they did work on using 'em. We'll see Fri.