Football scouting methods Quotes

“With the defensive backfield set, you have now determined the alignment of seven of the eleven defensive players. By then turning your attention to the inside men, you can establish that one man on the line of scrimmage is in the gap between the center and guard, and one linebacker is in the gap between the center and other guard. Nine of the eleven men are now placed, so it can be assumed, until confirmed, that the tackles are also in the gap. As the scout observes this defense develop, he can identify it as a concealed Gap 8.”
― Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods

“This happened in a recent football season when Navy was to meet a team that used the Eagle 5–4 defense, one which had not been used against Navy to any extent in the recent past.”
― Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods

“Often where the middle guard lines up will determine the alignment of the defensive backfield. Since the position of the middle guard on an odd defense can be varied, many different pictures can result, and the scout should be familiar with all of them. It is a good idea to take all the defenses that you are learning and set them up against both a balanced and unbalanced line, and learn them accordingly.”
― Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods

“For example, it is not uncommon to see the middle guard, and one or both ends, drop off into pass defense from the Oklahoma 5–4 defense on certain long-yardage situations.”
― Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods

“Usually when there is uniformity and stability, there is efficiency, and that can help win football games.”
― Steve Belichick, Football Scouting Methods