Eagles Concepts: Counter – Bleeding Green Nation

I get requested yearly to interrupt down a number of the Eagles’ most important ideas, so right here you go. Utilizing Logan Radke’s Eagles’ offensive handbook to make this simpler, I needed to go and take a look at what makes the Eagles’ run recreation particular. The entire information right here is from Logan’s breakdown of the Eagles’ offense, which is without doubt one of the greatest issues I’ve learn in a very long time. The one factor lacking are movies of the performs, so I’m going so as to add some element by exhibiting the performs beneath. I requested Logan earlier than doing this, in fact, so please go and skim his work!

PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES: Inside Zone / Inside Zone Variations / Exterior Zone / Dart

Success Fee Parameters

1st Down Play: 4 Yards or extra

2nd Down Play: Gaining half or extra of the yardage wanted (ex: on 2nd and

10, a 5-yard achieve would achieve success. On 2nd and 4, a 2-yard achieve would achieve success)

third/4th Down Play: Profitable conversion

Explosive Play Parameters

Run Play: 12+ Yards Gained

Go Play: 16+ Yards Gained

Counter Learn

Counter is a traditional gap-scheme run that may be run in quite a few alternative ways. Counter learn is basically the identical play, however the quarterback reads the EDGE defender and has the flexibility to maintain it himself. If you would like extra element on the distinction between hole scheme and zone runs, then return and skim the opposite articles I’ve written on this sequence. One factor I’ve realized from this sequence is that the Eagles had been considerably higher with their hole scheme runs than their zone runs final yr. I had a sense they had been higher, however the numbers are fairly stark.

Counter learn is a variation of the traditional counter play that the Eagles can run as a result of they’ve a cell quarterback. Counter includes two gamers pulling throughout the formation and often, that is the offensive deal with and guard. Groups will generally combine it up and use another person to tug throughout the formation (corresponding to a H-back or slot receiver) however the Eagles don’t have this problem as they’ve extraordinarily athletic offensive linemen. When taking a look at a counter run, I at all times give attention to the 2 pullers first. One of many pullers (often the primary) will attempt to transfer one of many defensive linemen in direction of the sideline, so as to create a niche the place the opposite puller can run by. The working again will then observe the second puller. The remainder of the linemen will all be down blocking and due to this fact, the 2 pullers will likely be shifting in the other way to them, therefore the time period ‘counter’. A working again will often must take gradual steps (generally referred to as counter steps) as a result of they can’t beat the second pulling lineman to the opening or the play received’t work. It’s necessary a working again doesn’t attempt to bounce it exterior and should observe his blocks.

The distinction between counter learn and counter, is that counter learn additionally includes the quarterback. In counter learn, the quarterback can have the choice to hold the soccer. Often, the play will appear like normal counter however the quarterback will preserve the ball if the EDGE defender comes crashing down on the working again. Let’s take a look at some examples. Firstly, let’s take a look at a traditional counter play the place Hurts is studying the EDGE defender however simply handing it off as he doesn’t come crashing down. The Eagles run this away from Micah Parsons who has to look at Jalen Hurts, so you possibly can successfully use the mobility of your quarterback to remove the protection’s greatest defender. Easy.

Would you like one other instance with Parsons being focused by the primary puller as a substitute of being learn? You bought it. That is textbook. Stunning.

The great thing about having a cell quarterback is which you can additionally preserve the ball if the EDGE defender does come crashing down. Right here is an instance of counter learn, however this time Hurts retains the ball as a result of he sees the EDGE defender come crashing down on the working again.

Regardless of this play wanting fairly frequent, it’s truly uncommon you will note the Eagles run counter learn and Hurts preserve it. Should you see Hurts preserve it on a counter learn play, you’re most likely seeing what is called counter bash.

Counter Bash

Counter ‘bash’ continues to be counter learn, however with a twist. Counter bash is the place the quarterback and working again roles are reversed, with the quarterback following the pulling linemen as a substitute. It’s such a troublesome play to cease as a result of lots of linebackers are watching the working again and abruptly must fully change route. The Eagles used this lots down the stretch final yr and it’s no shock as a result of it’s a implausible play to run with a cell quarterback. Right here’s what counter bash seems like.

Hopefully you possibly can see it’s the very same play, however with the quarterback and working again roles reversed. I believe this play is about as onerous to cease as any working play. The one problem is that the quarterback will take lots of hits.

If you would like a implausible staff to look at run counter bash, go and watch Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense. They run it so so effectively. Watch 54 on this instance and also you see why it’s so onerous to cease. He’s watching the working again and that tiny false step is sufficient to permit Lamar to interrupt free.

Counter learn / counter bash might be probably the most attention-grabbing run to look out for as a result of there are such a lot of variations you possibly can run. I might present numerous examples of the identical play from totally different seems, formations, and so forth. Right here is an instance of the Eagles working it from empty and utilizing the working again in movement. This time, the middle and the deal with are pulling fairly than the guard and deal with. It’s counter bash as a result of the quarterback is following the pulling linemen. This might be referred to as CT Counter Bash (the CT = heart and deal with pulling). That is simply superior. It’s the identical play as earlier than however dressed up in a different way. Stunning. Have a look at the dimensions of that gap!

Counter Trey

Lastly, you might also see some folks on-line speaking about counter trey. It’s the identical factor as soon as once more, however the ‘trey’ refers back to the second puller being a h-back. Additionally, you will see some GY Counter which is counter with the guard and Y receiver pulling.

Right here’s an instance of GH Counter trey (referring to the guard and the h-back who’re the pullers).

I might present hundreds of examples right here, however hopefully, you discovered much more about counter from this one!

Thanks for all of the suggestions and feedback as at all times. A few of you might have talked about that the movies not load with out opening up Twitter (I refuse to name it X), however once I learn the articles this doesn’t appear to be a problem, so for those who might let me know the way it’s for you that may be appreciated. Thanks!