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 Thursday, November 18
Saints' I right 20 jab
 
By Sean Salisbury
Special to ESPN.com

 

<img src="hhttp://espn.go.com/i/nfl/playbook99/wk11_norjac_1.jpg" width=400 height=480 border=0>

About the play: The Saints have a big, fast running back in Ricky Williams, so he will carry the ball often. Mike Ditka will ride the success of Williams, whose running will greatly enhance New Orleans' chances of winning.

This play, "20 Jab," is a great way to get Williams running downhill. He is better between the tackles. His strength is straight ahead, making this play perfect for him.

Williams will make a jab step to the left, making it appear as if the play is headed in that direction. The fullback will lead to the left, making the defense think Williams will follow his lead back, but he doesn't. He comes back to the right and hits the hole right where the center vacated. This is a hard play to stop if the offensive linemen time their jab blocks well.

Key to the play: The blocking combination of the center and left guard. The center will block back on the defensive tackle, and the left guard will go second behind the center and go after the middle linebacker. Williams will use the left guard as his lead blocker. The left guard will hit the middle linebacker at full speed to give Williams a place to cut.

Critical player: Williams must sell his jab step and make this play look like it is headed left. A good jab will give the offensive line better angles to their blocking schemes.

Defensive strategy: This is a really physical play that is based on timing. The Jaguars' No. 1 ranked defense must read their line keys and not buy into the jab fake.

 


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