SB Nation User Blog: Varmint

Hypocycloid

Varmint — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:06:13 -0000

I don’t know what Bruce Arians calls this play. Chris Collinsworth described it as a diamond. I’m going to call it "hypocycloid". In case anyone doesn’t already know, that’s the official term for the diamond-like shapes in the Steelers logo. It netted 34 yards the first time we employed it, and it bamboozled the defense something fierce. Anyway, here it is.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8132c313/Mike-Wallace-Highlight-WK-04-vs-Chargers-2009

Hypocycloid is the third play of the game. It features four "wide receivers" lined up in a diamond formation off to one side (as the hypocycloids appear on the helmets). The result of the play certainly brought the Wallace fans out into the open, but I think the design of the play and the timing of it were both fabulous. Credit should go to Bruce Arians and his coaching staff.

The play gives the defense fits for a few reasons. The four receivers include: Mike Wallace (speedy), Heath Miller (catchy), Hines Ward (crafty), and the big dog, Stefan Logan (shifty). Holmes lines up on the other sideline and is pretty much inconsequential on this play. The true receivers in the group give defenses pause in much the same manner as our three-man "bunch" formation. Defenders have little clue as to where the boys are heading. Adding Logan to the mix makes it look like a screen, especially with Heath and Hines out there.

As the play starts, the three receivers bolt downfield taking most of the defenders with them. Logan stay put on the outside. If anyone was betting on a screen, they’re left flat-footed. Cromartie may have bitten. He looks lost. You’ll see him hesitating; jumping back and forth on the balls of his feet. The threat of Logan in open space makes Cromartie pass Wallace off to the safety way too soon. The safety can’t get to him fast enough. Wallace leaves behind a big chunk of Hienz field when he pulls the ball in.

If that wasn’t enough, Heath appeared to be wide open a few yards underneath Wallace. Ben has Wallace for 34, Heath for about 25, or Logan for check down out in the flat.

The other aspect of the timing that made me smile was the field position. We had a first down on the 50 - that magical place where the defense starts to think, we need to start thinking about a stop. I don’t have ESP, but I’m thinking the fact that Ben and the boys had just covered 28 yards in two plays was also not lost on San Diego as they were backpedalling. The play calling went something like: insult, insult, injury.

The whole thing looks like a gadget waiting to happen, but it’s really just a well-disguised option play. The real beauty is what comes next. Having just been burned by Wallace on a trick play, the defense gets to watch him run behind the formation as though it were a reverse. It’s not. Mendenhaul carries it up the middle with a bruising run. Great play calling by Bruce Arians. The SD defense doesn’t know which endzone they should have their backs to.

The second time we run Hypocycloid is late in the fourth quarter. This time, it’s Mewelde Moore instead of Logan. Miller and Ward return with a third receiver I can’t make out. In this play, Ben calls Moore back to the pocket and the play develops as a run. Instead of taking off downfield, the receivers shuffle forward and run block. Their motions suggest it was intended as a run from the start. The defense sniffs it out and Waltzing Mewelde ekes out a measly 2 yards.

Despite the lack of success with the second Hypocycloid, the fact that it morphed into a run suggests there may be room for it in a number of situations. I like it. I want more.

Best Rivalries

Varmint — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:45:52 -0000

Best Rivalries

More listmania - this time focused on the best NFL rivalries. Our Steelers are involved in the #4 (Flaming Thumbtacks) and #1 (Purple Browns).

Rooneys would push for changes to OT rules

Varmint — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:47:03 -0000

Rooneys would push for changes to OT rules

Always a controversial topic... Here's the Rooney take on overtime.

The Unmentionables Vol 2: William Gay

Varmint — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:13:39 -0000

When I wrote my original Unmentionable post (Brett Kiesel), I was thinking of players who have been doing a solid job but rarely make the headlines. Volume 2 was originally tagged for Larry Foote, but with the draft, free agency, and rumors about trading him, he's been covered quite a bit. Instead, volume 2 has me covering a guy who hasn't been on the field long enough to be considered solid and, oddly enough, has been getting mild attention simply because we're hoping not to need him. Luckily, I think there's still enough left unsaid about this guy. Let's take a look at William Gay.

First, the history... this part is easy because he's only been with us 2 seasons. Still, it turns out young William had modest notoriety while at the University of Louisville. He got flagged for offsides during a field goal attempt (which failed) and gave his opponents a second chance at it (which succeeded). That was in the final minute of a game vs Rutgers and the resulting loss killed his team's shot at a championship berth. Luckily, I don't recall him Coloning any big plays while wearing black and gold.

William joined the Steelers via the 2007 draft. We took him in the 5th round (170th overall). His rookie year included considerable time on the field both as part of our nickel package and as a part of the special teams unit. Apparently, he played in all 16 games, but I don't recall seeing that much of him. I assume a good chunk of his work was done while on special teams. He recorded 19 tackles (total) and 2 pass defenses during the regular season. In the preseason, he managed a promising pair of interceptions.

Corners take a while to get up to spec for the NFL so having William Gay on the field in 2007 wasn't a bad sign. 2008 was an even better year in terms of game time. With injuries to Townsend and McFadden, William was listed as our starter during four consecutive games. Opposite Ike Taylor, he helped us win against SD, CIN, NE, and DAL - not an insignificant stretch. I would be remise in my duties if I didn't mention that management also brought in Fernando Bryant as a veteran CB to help out in the backfield and, apparently, to maintain our "Bryant" quota. In my humble opinion, this suggests a little hesitation to dump all our trust on this second year player. But, when you look at the game stats, William Gay recorded 19 tackles and 3 pass defenses during those four games. Fernando Bryant collected 3 tackles (nothing else) during the first two games before he began warming the bench. Deshea was back for the games against NE and DAL. This explains where 'Nando went, but William was still listed as our starter. With the obvious exception of Deshea's pick-6 against DAL, Gay was also more productive in those games.

via www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

William got his own INT in our week 15 game against BAL. He picked off Derrick Mason in the end zone and dutifully returned it out to our 11 yard line. The play ended what could have been a winning drive for BAL. When the smoke cleared and we were allowed a few weeks to assess the regular season, William Gay's report card included 7 pass defenses, one INT, and 41 total tackles.

During our 3-game run through the post season, William was back to special teams, nickel defenses, and substitution play. He recorded a few tackles, but not much more. Regardless, the season as a whole was not a bad showing for a 2nd year CB and special teams contributor.

But is he ready to be our starter?

Well now, that's the ~~64 thousand dollar~~ McFadden salary question. I doubt we'll get an answer to it without actually playing a whole season with William as the starter. Having written the mandatory caveat, let's get those silly numbers out of the way...

At 5'10" and 190 lbs, William isn't a big fellah. His 40 at the 2007 Combine was between 4.45 (low) and 4.55 (high) with an average at 4.49. His vertical was 38.5". The digits for his most recent season are included a few paragraphs above.

McFadden is listed at 6'0" and 190 lbs. His 40 (2005 Combine) averaged out at 4.53, which is slower than William, but his vert was superior at 39.5". Plus, McFadden is taller. If we compare William's second year to McFadden's second, we'll find that McFadden had 13 more tackles, 4 extra pass defenses, and was +2 on interceptions. McFadden was simply better in all categories. However, it's worth noting that he also started in 9 games versus the 4 that Gay started.

Okay there, those are the numbers, which, IMO, rarely tell the full story. The true measure of a CB is whether or not QBs will risk throwing in their direction. This is something no one seems to track. Frankly, I don't trust my own memory well enough to even speculate on that one. But the general consensus is that McFadden is on his way to being the real deal: a shut down corner. No one is talking that way about William Gay. The real question we have is whether or not William can develop into the guy who replaces McFadden, or do we need to draft/trade our way into a new starting CB.

And I expect that question is the one that will dominate any comments below. So, have at it.

Nice image for a desktop.

Varmint — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:47:03 -0000

Nice image for a desktop.

The Unmentionables Vol 1

Varmint — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:34:19 -0000

The media, in the form of news outlets and bloggers alike, has already spent a great deal of ink and bandwidth heaping both praise and condemnation on the star players within the Steelers franchise. Google Troy Polamalu and you've get about 623,000 hits, or take Ben Roethlisberger for 1,590,000. But apply the mighty Goog to a name like Brett Keisel or Larry Foote and the results are... shall we say... "unfulfilling".

So, I thought it would be worthwhile to examine the play of Pittsburgh's lesser known players. These are The Unmentionables: players who don't get a lot of press. My hope is that the comments section will provide insight into these players as well as the responsibilities of the positions where they play. Besides, we still have a week to fill before the big game...

In this edition of The Unmentionables, I hope to spark some discussion about Brett "Diesel" Keisel.

Now, before I get started, I'll be the first to say that I don't know much about Mr. Keisel. (I had a dream last night where I called him Diesel and he delivered a purple nurple to my pancreas. So, "Mr. Keisel" it is!) Given my limited expertise, digging up dirt on the big man started as something of an academic exercise. I'll begin with a short overview of those basics.

At age 30, Mr Keisel is listed at 6'5" and 285 lbs. He was a 7th round draft pick (2002) and has worked his way to a starter position at Defensive End. His most productive years were 2006 and 2007 where he started in all 32 games. However, productivity in the years before and after has suffered at the hands of the injury gods. In 2008, he missed a good chunk of the season (6 games).

Then again, maybe his lack of productivity results from another problem. Perhaps he's simply not that good. Let's take a look.

One source informs me the Steelers organization brought in Mr. Keisel with the goal of developing him into a strong pass rusher. Over the years, that achievement has never materialized. Match-ups (like this) suggest that he owns a full complement of skills, but not a great deal of speed or power. Against the Ravens, he did a nice bit of pushing, but he also got backed up a number of time. One play in his favor is the first Woodley sack. Keisel pushes two members of the O-line into the pocket creating a wall that pins Flacco in place. Mr. Keisel sets him up, the Wookie knocks 'em down. I've read mention of him using a "swim move", which is something I'd never heard before. I had to go back and watch the game versus SD to see it in action. Sure enough, swim move is the perfect description.

At 6'5" tall with orangutan arms, I'd like to see Mr. Keisel batting down more passes. Like the one he graciously deflected for Rivers - transforming Sproles' excellent punt return into a game footnote rather than points. The highlight reel for Mr. Keisel shows a few bats, but highlight reels are... well... only the highlights.

I'll allow those better equipped to pick apart line-play add more ammunition to the discussion, but I am left with a few questions. Is he a good player who goes unnoticed on a great team? I mean, Aaron Smith gets over-looked. Would Mr. Keisel be more effective in a 4-3 defense with less need for him to produce pressure all by his onesie? Obviously, not every position can be filled with a superstar. So, can we reasonably expect to find someone better?

I'll go on record as a fan who likes Mr. Keisel... as long as he stays away from my tender parts. He's got balance. He doesn't excel in any one area, but, at a cursory glance, he seems to be minding his responsibilities effectively. Diesel engines aren't sexy, fast, or clean, but you can find them in all sorts of applications: cars, boats, planes, etc. Mr. Keisel is something like that. A player we can squeeze under the hood of just about any play.

Dear Hasbro Product Planners,

Varmint — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:44:56 -0000

Dear Hasbro Product Planners,

The world needs a Dick LeBeau action figure. It's true. You know this has been a long time coming and, frankly, I think you've been stubbornly dodging your responsibility for providing high-quality, positive role model toys. There is an enormous void in the hearts of football fans across this great nation and only a little LeBeau can fill it.

I'm not talking about some crappy bobble-head doll, either. I'm talking about an indestructible steel figurine with both ball and swivel joints for the arms and legs. Yeah, that's right. Bring back "kung-fu grip" while you're at it. Adorn the mightiest of Coordinators in a black windbreaker and a clipboard containing the ten commandments of defense. The LeBeau action figure doesn't need an extensive wardrobe, a fast car, or a house in Malibu. If you absolutely feel it necessary to pad your profits with a few extras, I would suggest a Bruce Ariens doll tethered to the great one's side with a black and gold leash. (A soft-sculpture Wade Phillips to rest his feet upon is another marketable idea.)

Production of the Dick LeBeau action figure would generate manufacturing jobs in areas badly in need of economic aid. Such an iconic figure could only be produced by the most skilled artisans of the world, not some cheap sweat shop in the backwoods of Asia. An American dream carved by American talent for the most American of sports. That is what the world craves.

Now, I understand this may seem like a daunting task. So was winning five superbowl rings, but you don't hear the Steelers moaning about it. To help motivate you in this intensely important project, I have assigned Inside Linebacker Larry Foote to watch over your shoulder and insure proper quality standards. Yes, he will have his cleats and instructions to use them as necessary.

Thank you, Hasbro Product Planners.