The Art Of X

In this episode, I talk about:

* Quickly review the offseason moves by all four teams in the division

* Highlight how the defenses in this league are primed to make it interesting

* Introduce the DB Havoc metic

* Analyze the Coverage Matrix for all four teams as well as their DB Havoc Rates

* Review free agent signings along with current draft picks to give perspective on scheme

* Everyone is doing grades, but no one is giving you context, which is what this pod aims to do

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» Articles/Clinics on the above teams can be found at MatchQuarters.com using the search tool.

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* How would you define Patrick Graham’s philosophy after working with him and watching his film?

* How is Graham’s approach in ‘23 markedly different than previous years?

* How is Graham creating pressure in the passing game?

* How does the addition of iDL Christian Wilkins (Dolphins) affect the Raiders' defense's overall plan?

* What was the biggest reason for improvement during the season?

* What are the biggest needs for the Raiders defensively heading into the draft? 

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» Connect with Ted:

* Twitter

* YouTube

* Patrick Graham Article (The Athletic)

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» Articles on the above topics…

» Previous pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

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© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* Overall thoughts on the transition from Pete Carroll to Mike Macdonald

* The additions of Aden Durde & Leslie Frazier, plus the stability of Karl Scott

* Carroll-Adjacent defenses vs. what Macdonald might run in Seattle

* What is the Macdonald system?

* Analyze the Seahawks’ personnel a project what that might look like

* The loss of Quandre Diggs & Jamal Adams

* Devon Witherspoon as a Swiss army knife

* Matty is an expert on all things Seattle, so this is a must listen!

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Follow Matty:

» Twitter - @mattyfbrown

» Subscribe to his Substack -

» Listen to - The Seattle Overload Podcast

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* A step-by-step process for creating and naming defensive plays

* Why it doesn’t matter what you call things

* Why you should create ‘buckets’ or specific families before you name them

* How to create signals for each of your calls

* Building an inventory and why you should do it

* I go through my simulated pressure, or QB ‘family,’ of calls and their signals

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» Articles on the above topics…

WANT MORE ON THE PRESSURES? GET THE BOOK:

A Complete Guide to the Hybrid 4-2-5

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

» Previous pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

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In this episode, I talk about:

* Types of jargon

* Treat players as non-experts

* Context Clues & Visual Ques

* Building a system

* Technique over scheme

* Start small and build

* Creating an inventory

* Building an install

* Spring vs. Fall insertion

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» Articles on the above topics…

A Complete Guide to the Hybrid 4-2-5 (book)

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

» Previous pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* 5-year coverage review

* Coverage trends

* Post-hiring cycle review

* Are we moving on from the Fangio System?

* The ‘new’ Ravens Defense

* Macdonald vs. Minter

* The rise of split-field coverages in the NFL

* Other thoughts - Will we see more Cover 1?

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» Articles on the above topics…

» Previous pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, we talk about:

* How can the Chiefs design counters for the 49ers’ ‘static’ mentality on defense?

* What are some ways the Chiefs can attack San Fransisco’s defensive structure?

* Kansas City offenses run some of the highest rates of motion in the NFL and often use quick motion to create. We explain how the Chiefs use motion to set up plays.

* The Chiefs run the highest amount of split-field coverage in the NFL, focusing on playing MOFO coverages on most downs. How does Shanahan generally attack two-high structures?

* How have teams attacked the 49ers with pressure?

* The Chiefs overwhelmingly lead the league in blitzing the CBs at 10.3%, which is down from 11.3% pre-playoffs, mostly using them against reductions. What are some counters to these pressures?

* After watching some Chiefs tape, how do you feel the run game will differ heading into the Super Bowl for the 49ers?

* What is the general plan on 3rd Down for the 49ers, especially against a split-field defense?

* The Chiefs routinely attack a defense with stacks and bunches and utilize their TE, Travis Kelce, in various ways to gain the matchup or leverage they want. What are some concepts to look for?

* Utilizing the running back will be an important area for the Chiefs' offense against San Francisco, especially RB screens. What can you say about their screen game?

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Bobby has written extensively on the 49ers and is one of the best sources for offense in the NFL. He is a coach currently on sabbatical. Most recently, he was the offensive coordinator at Providence Catholic in New Lenox, Illinois, in 2022, which finished as state runner-up.

He is an author who breaks down NFL offenses in more detail than any other resource on the market and started a Substack in 2023 called Alert The Post.

» Substack: alertthepost.com

» Make sure to follow him on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/b_peters12

» Get his full line of books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bobby-Peters/author/B07S84Z3K8

» Last pod: https://www.matchquarters.com/p/nfl-trends-part-2-shawn-syed-sumer-sports

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* Hybridization on offenses, especially at the skill positions

* WRs at RB…?

* Offenses going heavier and defending 4-man surfaces

* Running 12p/21p packages while still leaning into the Spread passing game

* Problems within a movement-based scheme

* Deeper discussion on mobile QBs and the evolution of the game

* Non-Traditional Tampas (NTTs)

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» Articles on the above topics…

» Shawn’s article on the Shanahan offense: Shanahan Schemes

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» Follow Shawn on Twitter: Syed Schemes

» Last week’s pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2023 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* How Shawn & I became great friends

* The continued rise of the 2-high shell

* Why do we see fewer man-match zones in the NFL

* How mobile QBs are reshaping defenses

* How offenses are adjusting to more odd front looks

* Running the ball still matters

* Defending condensed sets

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» Articles on the above topics…

Shawn’s article on the Shanahan offense: Shanahan Schemes

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» Follow Shawn on Twitter: Syed Schemes

» Last week’s pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2023 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about:

* Building the language

* Creating Quarters tools in your Cover 3

* Buzz/Thumbs

* Match It!/Zone It!

* Route matches

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» Articles on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

» Last week’s pod…

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2023 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe