I've seen a lot of talk lately about Sproles as a weapon coming out of the backfield, but I was just wondering how good he is picking up the blitz and pass blocking? Also if anyone thinks the Jet's blitz packages will cause San Diego to not send out as many weapon to focus on pass blocking
Sproles actually has done well picking up the blitz and is why they use him as much as they do. He can block.
He is an excellent blocker. He usually picks an assignment and can instantly determine the blitz package. Of course, the "block" is not so much as a speed bump, but he gets over to that space quickly. This gives Rivers that extra half-second to hit one of his three targets.
Yea, for 5'6", he deserves a lot of credit for his blocking. The question facing him this week is: can he decipher Ryan's blitz packages when he has to deal two tiers of blitzers and delays? San Diego delenda est.
I'm guessing that the Bolts will be spending a lot of time watching film. But they always do. Not just Sproles, but the entire offense. Case in point: After the Dallas game, here is what a Dallas linebacker said: "Philip Rivers was calling our defense out," linebacker Bradie James said. "He's very familiar with us. They knew all of our line stunts. They knew us well. It was like playing an NFC East game but even better because they go against the same defense pretty much every day." This is from TAPE, gentlemen. Rivers had not played against Dallas in three years. So Rex and Mike had better come up with some new takes, because I guarantee that Norv, Philip Rivers, and the offense will be heavily prepared. EDIT: Concidentally as I write this, Joe Theisman of the NFL channel showed a clip on Sproles recognizing a blitz package and scampering across the backfield to make a key block. Awesome!
Sproles has gotten better over the season. He wasn't great at the beginning, but neither was any Bolt player except Rivers. Tolbert is a stud at blitz pickup. LT is LT.
Wade Phillips is their DC/HC. Of course Rivers knew what was coming. If he didn't play them in 5 years it wouldn't matter. Rivers saw those schemes for years everyday in practice.
Sproles is a very good pass protector, it won't be easy to take advantage of him with our blitzers, it wouldnt be impossible to see pace do to him what Adalius Thomas did to Leon last year, but overall Sproles is a damn good pass blocker. But that said, they can't block everyone and if we overload the pressure, its very possible that we will see free releases anyways, and to top it off, its not impossible that Sproles/or any other blocking back for that matter, could block the wrong guy allowing a big hit on Rivers, or better yet a sack/strip The more I think about it, the more I think this game is all about the front 7. Specifically the front 3 and Pace. They have to get to the Qb early, and often and quickly for us to win this game
Sproles has been most dangerous as a checkdown receiver... 11 YPC and almost 500 yards receiving this season. On blitzes, I would be stunned to see them leaving Sproles able to sneak out for a pass.
The question (and I believe the CS has an answer) is...do we have an eye on Sproles, when he lets Harris blow right by him. (and into Rivers Chin....) How sweet would that be...a delayed safety blitz behind Harris with Harris crushing Rivers, and Eric Smith planting Sproles as the ball gets there... Then a Lights Out Dance duet....
I've been saying this in a few places too. We've covered the RB screen quite well this year with the exception of the first Mia game. The Pats got us with the WR screen a little after they head hunted strickland out of the game.
Sproles is crafty. Can't ignore him. He can pick up a block, yeah, but we still have to watch him in the flats.
I do give him credit for his size, but I heard Bart Scott loves midget tossing. A lucky fan could be going home with a great souvenir, a genuine Darren Sproles.
Sproles has picked up better blitzing players than the Jets have.. In fact.. you guys are 18th in the league in sacks, yet you blitz more than anyone. What makes you think you'll be able to get to Rivers?? One of the least sacked QB's in the league?
