By Homer Smith October 16, 2000

Problems With Receiver Deployment…

With all five eligible pass receivers deployed away from the front, it is impossible to do anything in the pass protection to counter a zone blitz. If an LOS defender wants to hit a guard or tackle, draw a block, and then back out to be a zone defender, nothing can stop him. If two want to do it, nothing can stop them. If a defensive coach wants you to have to throw against an unblocked rusher (a blitzer) and into seven pass defenders, nothing can stop him. Here is a zone blitz:

K will get to the passer, if the drop is five-steps, as he cocks his arm.
Further, with all five receivers deployed it is impossible to take on five rushers and keep the center from being left alone against a defender who has a two-way rush right in front of the dropback passer. This depicts the problem:

It takes a sixth frontal player (not counting the QB) to pull an identifiable pass defender into the front and to give the blockers something to work with to keep the center off the island. It takes the sixth, just as it takes him to deal with a blitz. This shows an RB as the sixth:

Do you see what happens to the island problem when an RB blocks an EOL rusher and the G and T on that side block down toward the LB who lined up to cover RB but who drops?

Next, do you see what happens when a TE blocks an EOL rusher and the LB who is covering him drops? There are five linemen for four defenders but it is not as obvious how two blockers will double-up on the middle guard.

Which is a better sixth man? A TE is more of a threat with the delayed pass that makes the pass defender on him stay at bay while the TE blocks the rusher. I think a TE is the better.