The Las Vegas Raiders On US Sports Radio - Offseason Recap, Numbers To Know and Slowing the Dolphins’ Run Game

 

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Head Coach Klint Kubiak and QB Kirk Cousins address the media.

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US Sports Football: The misunderstood Yet Powerful Run Scheme - Duo and San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Preseason

 

• By Coach Keith
 

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Duo may be one of the most misunderstood plays in football.  Many coaches identify it as an inside zone, but it is actually a gap scheme.  The rules, footwork, hand placement, and read of the running back are distinctly different than on a zone play.  

The teams that understand it best utilize a certain kind of formation structure that creates advantages and allows them to run the ball against what even appears to be a stacked box.

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NFL veteran offensive line coach Paul Alexander explains the duo and how it is different than inside zone in this video.  Alexander explains, “Most call it an INSIDE ZONE play… even many coaches and television analysts have it confused. But it’s not ZONE. It’s GAP.”’s GAP.” If you want to run gap schemes but are not comfortable with your linemen pulling, then Duo is the play for you.Why Duo?

While it may be misunderstood, it is an extremely valuable play for an offense to run the ball effectively.  Doug Socha, head coach at Keiser University explains why you should utilize the Duo play in this video.  Are you an RPO offense? Perfect!  You can utilize Duo in your RPO game.

There’s no one better to answer that question than long time NFL coach and offensive line guru, Jim McNally.  This is an especially good run against the 3-4 and under front which have increasingly been utilized by defenses.  McNally diagrams the play against both fronts and gives some technique coaching points in this video:

The best running teams are using it!

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It is used extensively in the NFL, but that does not mean it is complex. One of the best offenses in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens, used it extensively last season because it fits their philosophy of being simple. The Pistol set with Lamar Jackson is a big part of the equation in creating the advantage.  Coach Alexander explains how it fits into the philosophy and strategy of the Ravens offense in this video.

If you are looking for that one play that can provide your offense simplicity, versatility, and an attitude, then the Duo play is worth researching further.

Best of luck as the re-opening of football nears!

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US Sports Football - Wylie, McNally and Alexander Key Coaching Points on the Wide Zone Play And #2 Bishop Gorman knocks out #1 St John Bosco season opener

• By Keith Grabowski
 

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Chances are that you will either be running a wide zone yourself or facing it at some point in the future.  It’s a play that teams use from the NFL through high school because of its ability to distort the defense and create running lanes for the back.  The nature of the movement caused by the scheme makes it one of the best runs to execute RPO and Play Action off of as well.

Three offensive line experts, and original members of “The C.O.O.L. Mushroom Society” know this play better than anyone and continue to innovate their coaching points and techniques on the play.

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Let’s start with Jim “Mouse” McNally, long time NFL line coach, now NFL consultant teaching the techniques on the front side of the play.

When blocking a defender aligned outside, the first step is critical.  Done right it puts the blocker on the path to reach or distort that defender to open the running lane. The images show varying alignment techniques and the variations in technique required.  

The first shows a wide aligned defender.  It starts with a drop step that allows the blocker to get on an angle that he can reach the defender or if the defender runs to stay outside, the lineman is in a position to use force to distort him out.

As the width of the defender alignment decreases, the drop step will still be deep to set an angle to cover the defender up, but the variation will be in the punch. In this example, McNally demonstrates the step and then a punch to the outside number:

In this next example, the defender is tightly aligned to head up.  The drop step is executed, and then the blocker will rip with his backside arm to get in a position to avoid and climb to level 2 knowing that he has a lineman coming from behind.  If the defender runs to not get reached, he will stay square on him and run him.

McNally explains these techniques and more in this video (click on the image to play):

Taking it a step further, Paul Alexander believes the key to sustaining the block is the backside drag hand.  He learned from Alex Gibbs how the drag hand should be used to grab the inside of the chest plate.  He teaches that in this video and includes a technique he learned from Howard Mudd on how to reach a wide aligned defender:

The wide zone is a team scheme.  Everyone needs to do their job properly because the ball could actually hit behind any of their blocks.  This is certainly true with the backside.  Bob Wylie illustrates on video how Kevin Zeitler helps open a lane with his block as the backside guard by taking the defender past the “read spot of the back.” 

Since the 80’s these coaches have been getting together annually to continue to share ideas and innovate at the C.O.O.L. Clinic. In 2021, the Wide Zone ruled as the topic of interest.  Packers Coach Adam Stenavich, Titans Coach Keith Carter, Notre Dame Coach Jeff Quinn, Oregon Coach Alex Mirabal and Ohio State Coach Greg Studrawa all presented on the wide zone play.   

Here are other resources on the Wide Zone Play:

Allen Rudolph, Ohio University - The WIDE ZONE - MAXIMIZE EXPLOSIVES & MINIMIZE NEGATIVE PLAYS

Jason Houghtaling, Tennessee Titans - Teaching the Wide Zone 

Matt Duffy, Willoughby South HS - Wide, Mid and Tight Zone taught as one play

Mike Chavez - The Outside Zone 

Jeff Fox, Nordonia HS, Outside Zone and the Path of Trust 

Juan Johnson, Hewitt-Trussville HS  - Build Your Offense Around the Outside Zone 

Eric Marty, Reedley College - Outside Zone 

David Walker, retired NFL - The Outside Zone - Executing the play

Loren Endsley, South Dakota St. - Techniques Used for Stretch

The schemes we’ve learned throughout the boom in virtual clinics have definitely increased our football knowledge especially in “what” the scheme is.  Now it’s time to refine and research the “how” and there’s no one better to learn that from  than the originators of the “Mushroom Society.”

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US Sports Football - How To Implement A Running-Back-By-Committee Scheme and Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans Preseason Week 2 Presented on US Sports by GritrSports!

 

• By Brandon Ogle
 

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In recent years, football has seen an uptick in the awareness of injuries. Football is a difficult game and one that can quickly take a physical toll on players.

This isn’t just at the professional level. Coaches at all levels should be implementing game plans that are designed to protect the safety of all players. In reality, unless you’re a punter or kicker, you are susceptible to the taxing nature of football.

In this article, I’ll break down how a running back by committee scheme can lighten the load at one of the most difficult positions in football.

Bell-Cow Back

The term “bell-cow” is actually most often used in fantasy football circles, but it can be transferred over to actual football matters. In short, a bell-cow back is someone that handles all of the carries.

Obviously, in a committee, this guy won’t be a literal bell-cow as he’ll be splitting carries, but each team needs a guy at the top of the depth chart. Rather than handling the normal three downs, a bell-cow in a committee will take first and second downs.

For this spot, the priority is finding a consistent back who doesn’t fumble and is able to run between the tackles. While hands and big-play ability can help, they are not nearly as important as the capability to pick up tough yards in the trenches.

In terms of current bell-cows, the best professional example has to be DeMarco Murray during his past season with the Dallas Cowboys.

Scatback

Scatbacks are the smaller backs who possess superior speed and elusiveness.

They may not have the strength of the bell-cow, but what they do have is the ability to make big-time football plays.

Scatbacks are capable of serving in pass protection, as well as being yet another option in the passing game for the quarterback. While the bell-cow is going to traditionally run between the tackles, the scatback will take his carries outside the hashes. Their elusiveness allows them to consistently make tacklers miss in the open field.

Finally, scatbacks can also provide value on special teams to justify their spot on the roster. A perfect NFL example is Darren Sproles. Sproles has carved out a steady NFL career for his exceptional work on third-downs, in the passing game, and as a kick returner on special teams.

Goal-Line Back

The final type of back a coach can add to his committee is a goal-line back, which in most cases will simply be your full-back. The goal-line back can be thought of as a short-yardage specialist. His primary playing time will come on 3rd or 4th and short when the offense finds itself inside the five yard line.

The two most important qualities a goal-line back can have are massive strength, to avoid getting stopped on these short-yardage situations, and a sure-hand grip that never fumbles. A miscue by the goal-line back usually takes points off the board, so you want someone with reliable consistency.

Many players have held this role in recent years, including Mike Tolbert. Even though Tolbert was able to handle additional carries, his primary value came in his ability to convert short-yardage situations and put points on the board.

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Minimizing Injury Risk For Your Players

Running backs are inherently injury prone due to the nature of their football position. Handling 20 carries a game puts a significant toll on the body. Furthermore, expecting that same player to assist in pass protection and add a few more touches in the passing game is difficult. There’s no way of getting around the fact that injuries are a definite possibility.

Meanwhile, you can’t abandon the run game completely as a passing-dominant team is easy to plan for. It allows the opposing coach to add in more defensive backs and makes your offense one-dimensional.

The only way to overcome this massive injury risk associated with ball-carriers is to implement a committee scheme. It spreads out the touches amongst three or more players and prevents one player from taking all the punishment. It also allows you to utilize a wider number of strengths on your roster.

Maximizing Yards-Per-Carry For Your Team

YPC stands for yards per carry. It is a key barometer of success in football. While a significant deal of the YPC depends on the ability of an offensive line to open up holes, much depends on the running back’s ability to exploit openings and achieve big gains.

A player may be in top-notch physical condition, but if he is nicked up and has been carrying the rock for three quarters, isn’t it fair to say that he may be a little fatigued by the fourth? To combat this and achieve a higher YPC, the committee will keep players fresher.

The San Diego Chargers experimented with a committee back in 2011 that featured Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert. The duo combined for 1,582 rushing yards, 888 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns. It is highly unlikely either of these two would have been able to put up those numbers on their own. However, a committee made it doable because they were able to maintain a steady YPC that encouraged the coach to put his faith in the running game.

Personnel Decisions

Before making any changes to one’s offensive or defensive game plan, coaches must have a clear understanding of their personnel.

In terms of committee, it’s going to be different for each team. If a team doesn’t have an elite, sturdy back that can handle a full load of carries, a committee is going to make sense. Conversely, if a team has an Adrian Peterson, then a true committee scheme makes no sense.

Certain players possess the durability to handle a full load and the type of talent that makes them difficult to remove from the field. In a similar fashion, if a team operates on a heavy passing attack, it might make sense to keep the scatback out there for some early downs to add another weapon. It all depends on the horses you have in your stable.

And be sure to run your stable of backs through these running back drills.

Successful Running Back By Committee Examples

As I previously mentioned, running back committees are becoming more and more common at all levels of football, largely due to the fact that awareness of injuries is finally coming to the forefront.  Here are some successful examples that demonstrate what’s possible.

2014 New York Jets – While the 2014 season was a disaster for the Jets’ offense, I do believe they found some success when they implemented a committee. Despite playing behind an abysmal quarterback performance this year (though I don’t blame this entirely on Geno Smith), the duo of Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson managed to amass nearly 1,500 yards and 7 touchdowns, with both averaging over 4 yards per carry. These two guys complemented each other perfectly with Ivory’s tough between-the-tackles running style and Johnson’s home-run ability.

2014 Alabama Crimson Tide – On a college scale, you can never go wrong with an Alabama example. Here, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin designed a committee that featured a powerful between-the-tackles runner in Derrick Henry and a jack-of-all-trades in T.J. Yeldon. Obviously, it helps to have the talent level of these two guys, but I believe the way Kiffin utilized their individual talents allowed them to flourish. Henry finished with 990 yards (5.8 YPC) and 11 touchdowns, while Yeldon racked up 979 yards (5.0 YPC) and 11 touchdowns.

Final Take

Some of the old-school football people may disagree with a committee scheme, but I believe it is the only way to ensure longevity for running backs, maximizing their career potential and preserving their health for life after football.

At any level, whether you're coaching high school kids or a youth football team, coaches need to do their best to protect players from serious injuries. Along with some of the protective equipment that has been hitting the market, I believe a committee scheme is one of the best possible tactical adjustments to lessen the risk of injury for your running backs while simultaneously maximizing their benefit to your team on the field.

Sports help kids #GetActive and learn new skills – but don’t forget about fun! Learn about @HealthGov’s National Youth Sports Strategy and help make fun the top priority in #YouthSports: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc