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Unger: Head ofthe center class
Path to the Draft Cont.
OL: If you are looking for help on the offensive line, specificallytackle and center, this is the year for you. There are sixpotential first round tackle prospects in Jason Smith, AndreSmith, Michael Oher, Eugene Monroe, William Beatty and EbenBritton. The centers offer experience and versatility, headed upby Eric Wood, Max Unger and Alex Mack. There are someintriguing late-round tackle prospects, such as Ohio State’s AlexBoone and Illinois’ Xavier Fulton.LB: Much like the QB’s, if you want an impact linebacker, you’ll need to do it inthe first two rounds. Each has their own unique talents, such as the bruising ReyMaualuga, the intensity of James Laurinaitis, and the all-around play of AaronCurry. USC boasts three potential first rounders in Maualuga, Brian Cushing andClay Matthews.
Gaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…Oh My!h My!h My!h My!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!
Unless you’ve played organized football or coach it, you may be a bit confusedwhen hearing the experts using terms like “2-gap player’ or “3-technique.” Haveno fear! We’re here to break it down for you.Gaps: Gaps refer to the potential holes each defender is assigned to fill. They arelabeled alphabetically “A” through “E” and start from the inside. The A gap is oneither side of the center. B gaps are between the guard and tackle. C gaps areoutside the tackles and between the tackle and tight end if one is on the line.Techniques: These don’t actually refer to a scheme, but rather where a defensivelineman will line up. They are labeled numerically from 1 to 7, and like gaps, startfrom the inside out. In a 0 technique, the defender lines up directly on top of thecenter. A 1 technique lines up between the center and guard, but closer to thecenter. A 2 technique also lines up between the center and guard, but closer tothe guard. The pattern continues as 3 and 4 techniques line up between guardand tackle, with 3 closer to the guard and 4 closer to the tackle. A 5 techniquelines up outside the tackle – these are typically pass rushing DE’s. On the strongside a 6 technique lines up between the tackle and tight end.
The numbers on top represent “techniques” whilethe letters represent gaps defenders must fill
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