Thursday, December 30 Florida State: 4-3 Plug Weak
By John Mackovic Special to ESPN.com
This play, 4-3 Plug Weak, is a delayed blitz. "Plug" refers to the two linebackers shifting toward the weak side -- Bradley Jennings (44) and Brian Allen (55). Jennings lines up near the line of scrimmage, while Allen holds back. With this play, the Seminoles will try to take advantage of Virginia Tech's attempts to double-team Corey Simon (53), their best defensive lineman.
The Seminoles have three men on the weak side to occupy the tackle, guard and center. Simon tries to draw a block from the left guard and center by attacking the center-guard gap. As the Hokies run the play-action pass, the guard must either help on Simon or look for Jennings, who begins his charge. The tackle steps out to pick up Jamal Reynolds (58). Meanwhile, Allen stays put, waiting to see if the play is run or pass. Allen will only blitz if it is a pass. If it is a run, this play is solid because the Seminoles can maintain their normal run techniques.
The three weakside rushers attract the attention of the Virginia Tech linemen, who begin their pass protection, even though the backs are there to help on the blocks. That is where Florida blew it against Florida State. On the back side, Jerry Johnson (92) uses "three" technique, drawing the block of the right guard, which leaves the center of the defense open, allowing Allen (55) to come on a delayed blitz. He waits to see where the opening occurs, and then he goes. When Allen sees Simon draw the center's block, Allen knows he will be free and that the left guard will be occupied as well. On the outside, the cornerbacks play tight, man-to-man press coverage and leave the free safety free in the middle in case the blitzing linebacker is blocked.
This play would be great on first down because Virginia Tech likes to run play-action pass on first down. If Tech wants to run the ball on first down, the Hokies will be really solid against the run, with eight men near the line of scrimmage. Yet they can still blitz to disrupt the pass.
