Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Anatomy Of A Play: Two Runs By DeAndra’ Cobb
Ticats linemen Simeon Rottier and Marwan Hage get great blocks and along with Jason Jimenez, open a huge hole for Cobb to run through. You can see that Cobb is looking the same way as the arrow, to the right of Rottier. However, he cuts the run back inside and bursts through the hole between Hage and Rottier.
Also worth noting is the block that receiver Marquay McDaniel gets on the edge, sealing that side and preventing any effective pursuit. Kevin Glenn also plays a role in this run, finishing the play fake and giving the defence something to think about next time they see a running play or play action fake.
Left guard Peter Dyakowski makes sure that Cobb isn’t touched from behind, and he has nothing but wide open space in front of him.
Cobb is eventually forced out of bounds by Sasktachewan’s James Patrick, but not before he gains 52 yards on his first run of the day, thanks to some stellar blocking by the big boys up front.
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This play sets up slightly unusually because of the positioning of the running back and the direction of the corresponding play. Traditionally, running plays out of the shotgun have the running back cross the face of the quarterback but in this play the run is more a “dive” than a “draw” and Cobb basically runs straight ahead through the B gap. Jason Jimenez leaves the defensive end unblocked and gets up field to make a block at the second level.
Jimenez gets a key block up field that allows Cobb to cut towards the side line and run to day light. This well-blocked run results in 22 of Cobb’s 166 yards on the day.
These two plays are great examples of how excellent blocking up front make as much of a difference as great running. There’s nothing that offensive linemen like better than run blocking and it’s been obvious over the last two games that the addition of Jason Jimenez has given the Ticats an edge in their running game. We can only hope to see more of the same as the season progresses.
