Week in Review: Film Study: Bratkowski’s Back as Bengals Face Familiar Nemesis

The last passing concept that Bratkowski uses very heavily is the all-vertical play. This is Peyton Manning’s favorite play, as the receivers break off or extend their routes based on coverage. It is based on every receiver running go routes, but, as seen below, if the receiver’s defender remains on top of him then the receiver must cut his route short to take advantage of space underneath.

Again, with the lack of explosive deep threats, the Bengals’ defense can play tight coverage and not worry about being taken advantage of by the Jaguars’ wide receiver corps. However, even the most heads up play makes it hard to defend an adjustment like the Jaguars’ Cecil Shorts made to score a last-second, game-tying touchdown against the Vikings in Week 1.

Even though Shorts aligns tight to the formation, with plenty of space towards the sideline, the cornerback opens his hips to the inside when dropping back. While pushing the cornerback upfield, Shorts works back outside to grab Gabbert’s perfectly place throw where the cornerback has no chance of defending due to his positioning.

Lastly, Bratkowski loves to use the hooks concept to spread the defense horizontally. As mentioned, it beats man or zone, leaving Gabbert free to not occupy himself with audibles, and if the defender over commits it can lead to a running lane for the receiver.

All receivers run the come-back downhill to shield the throw from defenders, but an alert cornerback can identify the route and break on the ball for a pass defense or interception. Gabbert will make his decision by an over-commitment of an underneath defender, but disciplined play makes that decision difficult.

Even though the Bengals will likely not need to worry about bringing extra defenders to generate pressure, the Jaguars’ receivers will employ the deep crossing routes that Ochocinco made his living off of in Cincinnati.

With an enormous patch of real estate available, Ochocinco runs his defender up the field, then breaks downhill towards the middle of the field away from the cautions cornerback and single-high safety, both worried about the extra pressure to defend the deep ball.

Luckily, the Bengals will not face a receiver of Ochocinco’s caliber or speed, unless Justin Blackmon is able to miraculously mature to the state of a veteran receiver over the course of this week. Trusting in the pressure created by the front four, steady coverage should force Gabbert into hitting his hitches and running backs in the flats for minimal gains.