'INVENTOR' MIKE ZIMMER TO UNLEASH DOUBLE A-GAP PACKAGE

For the Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the name of the game is pressure. Now, after the draft, he is hoping he has the chess pieces needed to create the maximum amount of pressure on quarterbacks. ... so his co-invention - along with Bill Parcells, and really Marvin Lewis - can be unleashed once again.

Ever since Zimmer has drawn up blitz packages, no matter where he's been but starting with his work in Dallas under coach Bill Parcells, his most important package has been the Double A-Gap blitz.

How does it work? In Zimmer's own words:

"The Double-A Gap Blitz is a defensive maneuver where two defenders blitz through gaps between the center and the two guards – areas referred to as A gaps.''

And its invention?

"We said, “Let’s walk both linebackers up in the A gaps and see what happens.” What happened was that the center would point one way or the other, which told us just what we wanted to know. If he pointed left, then our left linebacker could come through the gap to his right and get right to the running back. Remember, the thrust of this package was to get one linebacker on a running back and the other into coverage.

"Once the offensive line showed where it was going, we knew what to do.''

To execute this blitz, Zimmer needed a few more pieces to the puzzle to make it effective in Dallas. He already had defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, safety Donovan Wilson, and linebacker/defensive end Micah Parsons.

But he needed more, so, Zimmer then went out and drafted another defensive end in Marshawn Kneeland, who can add more pressure. Then Zimmer drafted linebacker Marist Liufau, who has shown pass-rush ability as well.

So, hopefully what Dallas is adding are players who can play this scheme not just as pass-rushers, but as guys who can read the clues and jet into openings.

The additions of Kneeland and Liufau - if Dallas is right about this draft - may be the final pieces Zimmer needed to deploy his popular blitz package. The idea is that he has pass-rush capable defenders at all three levels with the speed to threaten and win off the snap. ...

But, also capable of dropping into coverage from the formation quickly, confusing quarterbacks, throwing off their timing and keeping them guessing the next time they see the formation.

The group that Zimmer has assembled gives him just that, but, also a critical chess piece to move around so he can attack the weakest area of opposing offensive lines ... in Parsons. Teams already take into account where he's lined up, sending help to that side; this alone gives the rest of the pass-rushers better odds of making plays.

By the end of the season, Zimmer may have one of the best defenses he's ever fielded, thanks to the athletic ability of the defenders on this Cowboys roster - and thanks to "The Double-A Gap Blitz.''

2024-05-08T13:50:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd