Tanier Diagrams Plays

Mike Tanier does a great job illustrating some of the non-wildcat plays from the game on Monday

Colts fans must be screaming at this diagram. Why are Freeney and Robert Mathis charging upfield to rush the passer? It’s first down, the Dolphins are a run-heavy team, and they’re in the wishbone, for goodness sake: maybe it’s time to play run defense? Remember that Pennington is a master of football detail, and his teams normally excel at play action, draws, and delays. The backward motion of the left and right tackle, plus Pennington’s convincing drop and look downfield, make this play look like a pass for a split second. Freeney and Mathis are reacting according to the rules of their scheme, and the Colts linebackers also hesitate on the play. The Colts certainly could have done a better job defending this run (and about 20 others), but give Sparano and the Dolphins credit for sound execution.