Ratt's big moment

by rotovibe on Oct 12, 2009 5:55 PM CDT

" '...I never tried it before,' Ratliff said, deflecting credit to his teammates..."

Yup. Some credit is due to Igor and Spencer.
I've never seen this done before (successfully) but it has been talked about and strategized for even in the teams that I have been involved with.
It's the old "pin the blockers down" trick.
Ratliff lines up in the snapper/guard gap - in this case, the one gap - while two flanking players hold the blockers down in their 3 point stances so Ratliff can leap over without getting up-ended by the blockers who are taught to "square up" during the kick.

Stances are tight on the special teams line so there is no shooting gaps.

The best way to penetrate is to go "up top".

A sure fire way to do that is to pin the blockers' noses to the dirt. And O'le!!!

JoeD Camilis is earning his keep on this staff. We're lucky to have such a strategist for the specialists play.

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they tried it on the second FG too

and he didn’t quite make it, but you can see the same thing starting at 2:00 on these highlights.

They nearly got a block coming off the edge on the first FG as well, can’t see who it was but Scandrick I suspect.

by scottmaui on Oct 12, 2009 6:15 PM CDT reply actions

on in those highlights

starting at about 3:00 is the blocked FG, and on the slow motion replay you can clearly see Igor and Spencer pinning their guys down with Rat hurdles.

In his post game interview with Brad and Babe, Rat says he used to be a hurdler and high jumper lol

by scottmaui on Oct 12, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

him and felix

are the most athletic players on the team lol tell me he couldnt play opposite of ware

It's not cocky if it's a lie.

by FelixFanclub on Oct 12, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

he could play opposite ware, but

his pressure up the middle is so much more needed and effective, in my opinion. Pressure up the middle terrorizes QBs the most.

by BishopWest on Oct 13, 2009 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions

and pressure up the middle

keeps QBs from being able to step up in the pocket to avoid the outside rush, making life easier on the OLBs

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

He tried it on the first one, too.

You can see it in the highlights around 40 seconds in. He tried to go over top and didn’t quite make it.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 12, 2009 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Scandrick blocked a lot of kicks in college

He’ll get his eventually

by Joon on Oct 13, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

that's awesome!

presumably nothing illegal about this… do other teams try it?

by Scoobay on Oct 13, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions

Only illegal to use your teammates to get up

You can’t climb them or leap using them as leverage. You can use opponents as leverage, which is what Rat did.

I’m sure it’s been attempted, but I’ve personally never seen it before in the pros.

by Leon on Oct 13, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

teams usually try to breach from the edges. It’s a little easier to overload an edge blocker. We used to line up CBs on the edges and let them go after it. Of course, you usually pick from your defensive personnel. But anyone who is fast and athletic would do in my opinion.
This middle breach has been tried but not with much success. If the offensive linemen play their techniques right and lock into their blocking position, this type of breach technique is almost impossible.
Most teams have this blocking down. KC apparently didn’t so we took advantage of it.

by rotovibe on Oct 13, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Nice quick breakdown, Roto

Gotta love DeCamillis, biggest addition to the team this season. Nice to have a ST coach who can
1) strategize and pick out weaknesses on opposing teams to attack.
2) have his ST unit prepared to execute the play as designed

I agree with ScottMaui, I think Scandrick will block a FG attempt or punt at some point this year.

3-2 headed for the bye week.

by APerfectStar on Oct 13, 2009 9:28 PM CDT reply actions