So there has been a lot of talk about Gerald's contribution (or lackthereof) in 4th quarters to win games. Given that, I figured I'd go to the tape of the only two winning streaks to check out his 4th quarter snaps. So we start with:
WEEK 10 MIAMI DOLPHINS
We're up 22-19, ball on their 20.
1ST & 10 AT MIA 20 |10:19
(10:19) R.Tannehill pass short middle to L.Miller to MIA 23 for 3 yards (L.David).
* McCoy runs a game with RE. They handle and he's passed off to LT. He pushes LT into QB lap which forces quick checkdown.
2ND & 7 AT MIA 23 |09:42
(9:42) (Shotgun) R.Tannehill pass short right to M.Wallace to MIA 29 for 6 yards (D.Revis).
* LT and LG double McCoy. Gets nothing. No one else wins.
3RD & 1 AT MIA 29 |08:54
(8:54) R.Tannehill up the middle to MIA 31 for 2 yards (D.Goldson).
* D play call is Slant and Scrape to Right and McCoy crosses LT's face w/ quick lateral move + swim and penetrates into the backfield but its a QB sneak. 1st down.
1ST & 10 AT MIA 31 |08:19
(8:19) L.Miller left end pushed ob at MIA 28 for -3 yards (M.Barron).
* Outside Zone Lead away from McCoy. He quickly crosses the face of the RT (he's playing 3-tech in a 3-4 Under Front here) and wins to play the cutback down the LoS (what he is supposed to do); ensuring no cutback. Playside wins as well and its strung out for TFL.
2ND & 13 AT MIA 28 |07:37
(7:37) (Shotgun) R.Tannehill pass incomplete short right to C.Clay.
* Quick inside move and swim on LG and penetration into A-gap. Center helps LG to prevent free run at QB, but pocket is pushed enough that throw has to come out or pocket escape. He throws incomplete (almost picked).
3RD & 13 AT MIA 28 |07:32
(7:32) (Shotgun) R.Tannehill pass incomplete short left to B.Hartline.
* 3-3-5 Under and McCoy is actually playing 0-tech heads up on Center. Quick move and swim to his left A gap. Doubled by C and RG and doesn't get much, but both singles to McCoys right generate pressure. Punt.
+++++++++++++++++++++
So let me just say one thing right quick. I know a ton of people hated Schiano. Forget "toes on the line", blitzing the victory formation, and all the other stuff that made folks hate him. I'm a big fan of his defensive scheme and folks that love Schwartz's scheme should love it too. They both run a base attacking 4-3 Under featuring:
* multiple fronts
* fair amount of straight rushes/gap penetration but also a fair amount of...
* Slant and Scrape and...
* Stunts/Twists and/or delayed blitzes/LB Dogs/Twists
* C1 Man or C2 Man behind with a single high and sometimes a shallow zone defender for crossing route help
The primary difference between Schwartz and Schiano is (a) 12 and 13 was the era where they started calling Illegal Contact and the "Hit on Defensive Receiver" came into play. We were called for both of these penalties ALL_THE_TIME, especially in back-breaking situations like 3rd down when we won a stop. Secondarily, (b) our DBs lost some crucial 1v1 situations and too many of them were over the top. Finally, (c) where Schwartz mixes in a fair amount of C3Z (Sky, Buzz, Cloud, and Robber), Schiano was TOO aggressive. Guy never let off the gas pedal it seemed like. Have to mix up coverages more at the NFL level.
Ok, back to McCoy.
Though he didn't register a single number on a stat sheet, his contribution to ending this 4th quarter drive should be pretty clear (I hope).
