Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

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So, what exactly is a ZBS? It’s actually exactly what it sounds like. Think defensive coverages. Where man (or "power") blocking is simply finding your assignment and taking him out of the play, a ZBS calls on its offensive linemen to cover an area and eliminate players coming into that area. The ZBS slightly abandons size and strength in lieu of quickness and lateral movement. There is more technique and deception involved in a ZBS.

For starters, double teams are actually favorable in ZBS. The backside defensive end (or the "jack" in most 3-4 schemes) is left to run free into the backfield, while the line slides towards the side they’re rushing. A player may also perform a "reach block" in which he steps 45 degrees at the snap before attempting to step inside of a defender’s leg and engaging him. This is also called a "shield block," since it eliminates a defender’s ability to read the play.

Ingram, of course, hails from Alabama, who famously run the best ZBS in the country. Other running backs out of ‘Bama include Eddie Lacy of Green Bay and, infamously, Trent Richardson, drafted in the first round by Cleveland before being traded for a first round pick to Indianapolis. Green Bay runs a ZBS, Cleveland and Indianapolis don’t. The comparative success of Lacy and Richardson should speak for itself in terms of which works better for Alabama products.

To know if it’s man or zone blocking at the snap, watch the first step. If their hips immediately open to the strong side, it will be ZBS. If their first step is down the field to engage someone, it’s man to man.

Asking a running back to switch to running in a man scheme from a zone one is like asking Rob Ryan to coach the offense for a season. It requires an entirely different skill set for an RB to run through a line that is creating holes through physicality rather than through coordination. This is where Ingram suffered. It’s admirable that Payton has taken such large strides to benefit his player’s strengths, especially since the transition from man blocking to zone is relatively easy for an offensive lineman.

Rest of a really really good article from CanalStreetChronicles...
Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints Offense - Canal Street Chronicles

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

I thought that I read on here that we abandoned the ZBS at some point in the season and run game got better.

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

According to the article, we just got better at it as the season went on, using both. The Philly game was our best ZBS game of the season (ignoring the Dallas scrimmage).

I'm curious to know which Centers in the draft come from ZBS schemes?

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

Ingram has his issue but the pale in comparison to the system. always said it was more the system to blame than the player.

plus if he could catch the ball better it would help out. thats my #1 knock on him besides the injury bug. Ingram is in and 8 in the box and run blitz is the defensive call.

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

Did you read the comments? Some of the posters asked questions and the person who wrote the article answers them Very informative. He answered a couple of mine.

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

No I didn't, but I will now. Thanks

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

Is is, did it benefit Drew? I'm not convinced on that part.

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

Makes me wonder if it's just hard for some to play when carrying that many bags of cash around with them. There was a reason Cleveland let him go...

Re: Conversion From Man to Zone Blocking Benefits Mark Ingram, Saints Offense
 

As he stated, both Cleveland and Indy do not run ZBS.

The only RB from Bama that went to a ZBS was Eddie Lacy, who has looked very good.

In fact, I would have guessed the worst of the Bama 3 would have been Lacy, then Ingram with Richardson being the cream of the crop. I got it exactly backwards, so far.