NFL focus: playbook update

Sporting News, The, August 12, 2005

New Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard wants to use more of the team's weapons this season and plans to get the ball to TE Ernie Conwell, RB Aaron Stecker and FB Mike Karney more often. Sheppard is a big fan of Stecker, an underrated all-around back who has excellent playmaking skills as a receiver out of the backfield and the speed to turn the corner on wide runs.

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Stecker has become even more effective by improving his interior running this offseason. Look for the team to pair Stecker and McAllister in the backfield to exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties.... Though Falcons coordinator Ed Donatell prefers to use safeties on blitzes, he might consider using CB DeAngelo Hall from either side, especially given the team's uncertainty at both safety spots. Hall might be the team's fastest player, and he's athletic enough to make the tackle against elusive runners.... Under new coach Romeo Crennel, the Browns' offense will put a premium on play-action. Last year, the team couldn't execute play-action because it didn't suit QB Jeff Garcia's style and the running game was poor. But new QB Trent Dilfer has the mind-set and experience to sell the fake, and WR Braylon Edwards has the talent to get open and hurt teams off play-action.... The Buccaneers, who like to change their blitz schemes every year, might blitz their linebackers more this season. Because they have strong corners and safeties in coverage, the Bucs can afford to use their linebackers to go after the quarterback.... The Bengals' offense will show multiple looks and change up personnel to take advantage of an arsenal of talent. Coordinator Bob Bratkowski will spread the field with three and four wideouts, creating run-pass options that will keep defenses off-balance. The scheme will allow strong-armed QB Carson Palmer to use play-action, go through his progressions and get the ball downfield. The spread formation also will generate running lanes for RB Rudi Johnson, who is effective on draw plays because of his vision, power and leg strength.... Dolphins coach Nick Saban, who played defensive back in college, keeps a close eye on the secondary and constantly tinkers with the coverage schemes. According to the defensive backs, his coverage schemes include 30 to 40 permutations of blitzes alone. CB Reggie Howard says he had to take about 10 hours extra per week to learn all of the new schemes.... The Vikings will have to make adjustments in their vertical passing attack because of the departure of WR Randy Moss. They might have to use more play-action to give WRs Nate Burleson, Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor an extra advantage against opponents. The team also might call for more routes that are conducive to receivers' getting yards after the catch.... To take advantage of RB DeShaun Foster's speed, the Panthers will try to get him outside on sweeps, pitches and screens.

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NFL focus: playbook update

Sporting News, The, August 12, 2005

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