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Cleveland Browns using power run to neutralize outside linebackers

By Joel W. Cade

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 7, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson yells to the team during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson yells to the team during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The traditional struggle of pass protection is space and time. The traditional answer to Lawrence Taylor quickly closing space has been more athletic and bigger offensive lineman. The defensive response to bigger athletic linemen has been to get a Lawrence Taylor for each side of the defense.

The offense’s response is purely reactionary. Maintain space and time by getting better linemen to pass block outside linebackers, slowing down or containing the edge rusher in the passing game.

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But even this solution is still playing Taylor’s game. The smaller outside linebackers still set the tone by attacking from the edge. The offense is still passive in pass protection.

But Jackson is solving a different question: How can we neutralize the smaller and faster type of  linebacker?

The answer: instead of trying to stop the smaller, faster outside linebacker, attack the outside linebacker in order to schematically change the way space and time are created in the passing game.

Smaller, faster outside linebackers have a difficult time holding an edge against bigger, athletic offensive lineman. With this approach, the outdated power running scheme returns to establish the passing game.

Schematically, the best way to neutralize a speedy aggressive defender is to trap him. The power run specializes at putting more numbers at the point of attack than a defense can handle. By pulling a 300-pound athletic lineman, the scheme gives an offensive lineman a running start to trap a 240-pound outside linebacker off the edge. This is a mismatch that creates an advantage for the offense.

After getting smashed a few times at the point of attack, an outside linebacker is acutely aware of a pulling lineman. The outside linebacker is now a step slower off the ball in pass-rush situations because he must protect himself in the run game. This allows more time and space when throwing the ball downfield in passing situations. Thus, the offense has effectively controlled space and time by attacking the outside linebacker with pulling linemen.

In order to take advantage of a dominant outside linebacker, an offensive line must be built to execute the power run. As Jackson proved in Cincinnati, an offensive line built to execute a traditional power run scheme can produce an outstanding passing attack. All of this goes against the logic that an offensive line must be built to pass block.

Next: Browns training camp preview: Center

The Browns have rebuilt their offensive line to fit the power run attack. By pulling and trapping smaller outside linebackers, the offensive effectively slows them down in the passing game. The sun is setting on the smaller outside linebacker in the AFC North as the NFL has gone back to its roots, bringing back smash-mouth football as a means of establishing an effective passing attack.

For all the talk of the NFL being a passing league, it is still the power run that makes it possible.

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