All-22: Run blocking vs the Patriots, AKA the Fire Keith Carter edition

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 36](https://streamable.com/pqfz2o)

The first run of the day brings Kenny Yeboah in motion across the formation to kick out the left edge defender. The play is designed to hit right between that kickout block and Mekhi Becton, with Nick Bawden leading up to take the first second-level defender inside. Yeboah’s angle is way too far upfield and it’s very easy for the defender move right around it and step into the hole, forcing Breece Hall to cut to the outside, where there’s an unblocked corner waiting for him.

[2nd and 9 from the NYJ 37](https://streamable.com/j4x3u0)

The Jets are running outside zone to the left, and Tyler Conklin has the edge defender 1 on 1, while Mekhi Becton and Laken Tomlinson work a deuce block to the playside linebacker. Conklin gets stood up and shed almost immediately, and Becton and Tomlinson are too far apart, as Becton is either leaving the block too early or Tomlinson isn’t getting in the right position to take over the block. Both of these defenders force Breece Hall to once again cut to the outside into an unblocked corner, although this time the corner is unblocked because Garrett Wilson misses his block badly.

[2nd and 9 from the NE 37](https://streamable.com/u1k0vv)

Trevor Siemian checks the Jets into an outside zone play with Tyler Conklin shifting into a wing position on the right side. They have the numbers, and get good blocks from most of the offensive line (everybody but Laken Tomlinson). Breece Hall picks up a nice gain, but if Conklin and Kenny Yeboah can get a better double team, this play has a chance to pick up a lot more yards. Conklin does a good job coming off to the corner, but he doesn’t get enough of the wide 9 to allow Yeboah to take the block over, and Yeboah could probably put himself in a better position as well.

[1st and 10 from the NE 27](https://streamable.com/pjv7ve)

And now we start the missed assignments. Another outside zone, this time from a 2×2 formation. Whatever the run assignments are, they’re clearly not accounting for #23. He’s deeper than the rest of the second level defenders, but he’s very clearly in the box and I would call him the Sam LB in this front. If that’s the case, Xavier Newman should be working up to him, and Laken Tomlinson should be working to the Mike LB, #8. Instead, Newman works to the Mike, Tomlinson doesn’t really look like he works to anybody, #23 fills the hole, and Tyler Conklin also gets stacked and shed by the playside edge defender.

[1st and goal from the NE 10](https://streamable.com/pe7ul2)

Outside zone again, this time away from the tight ends. These are not easy blocks for Laken Tomlinson and Joe Tippmann to make. Tomlinson has to reach a 4i tech, while Tippmann has to reach a 1 tech. It’s asking a lot for them to not only gain outside leverage on these blocks, but also anchor down to create a hole in the B gap. The only way this play succeeds is if Mekhi Becton moves the edge defender way out of the hole, or if he gets all the way outside and logs the edge, letting Breece bounce it out wide. The edge is out way too far for Becton to gain that leverage, and he doesn’t get quite enough movement to open up the B gap with Tippmann getting pushed into Tomlinson and Tomlinson getting pushed into the gap. I don’t really put this on any of the linemen, it’s just a difficult look to run outside zone to.

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 22](https://streamable.com/2fo54n)

This time, Trevor Siemian checks to the same outside zone play out of the same formation. If you thought the last look was difficult for this play, this one gives us absolutely no shot. There are 4 defenders in the box to the left of the center. So not only does the left side of the line have to make those same reach blocks, but Xavier Newman is trying to come from the right guard spot to make that block, and there isn’t a right guard in the league that would be able to do that on outside zone. Now, the way the Jets block it up, I’d argue that Newman is going to the wrong guy – Garrett Wilson is coming to crack the LB, and nobody blocks #8 – but that doesn’t really matter on this play. With Garrett coming inside, and those reach blocks having to go so far, Breece has to bounce it all the way out wide, right into the corner, who has tons of time to come up and force him out. The line actually does a perfectly fine job, they just don’t have the numbers or the leverage to make this a successful play. I’m not sure what Siemian saw to check into it. The worst part is that you can see the Patriots all calling it out. As soon as Siemian taps his helmet, three defenders on the right side of the offense start pointing that way, and they even shift away from the offense’s strength.

[1st and 10 from the NE 49](https://streamable.com/b6wba6)

This time, the Jets run outside zone with a numbers advantage. Before the play starts, #23 is lined up in the box as the Sam LB, and would be Mekhi Becton’s assignment, but right as the ball is about to be snapped, he starts to drop back. With a great reach block from Laken Tomlinson, and Tyler Conklin and Jason Brownlee taking care of the playside edge and corner, Becton doesn’t even have anyone to block now. The Mike LB shows up at the second level, so that’s who he takes. The only problem with this play is that that’s who Joe Tippmann is working to, and instead of making this a double team or trying to work past it, Tippmann runs straight into Becton, knocking him off the block. That allows #8 to slip outside and get to Breece Hall, and even though Breece breaks the tackle, it’s enough to force him out of bounds. This was a very good gain, but if Tippmann can manage to just hit the defender instead of Becton, this play might score, especially if Becton can still come off the block and toss #23 like he does at the end of the play.

[1st and 10 from the NE 37](https://streamable.com/uxqncj)

The next play, the Jets run Duo, and pick up another big chunk. The Patriots make it really easy by having nobody in the C or D gaps, but Carter Warren and Xavier Newman do a nice job on the key double team. They’re taking the 4i tech in the B gap and working up to the Mike LB. It’s not the best double team in the world, but they move the 4i back a little bit and it’s enough for Breece Hall to hit that gap and pick up another first down. It’s a nice play, but it’s really more of a case of the Patriots giving it to us.

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 36](https://streamable.com/2wlq3l)

Another outside zone, this time with Nick Bawden leading from the fullback spot. The Jets have numbers once again, and they get a decent gain, but there’s still more yardage they’re leaving on the field by missing an assignment. Right as the ball is snapped, the playside ILB starts to blitz into the A gap. He would be Tomlinson’s responsibility without the blitz, but on inside zone he’s responsible for the B gap, so once the linebacker comes inside, you’d expect Joe Tippmann to take that over, which he does a nice job of. Tomlinson should then continue on his track and take the first defender to show up, which would be the weakside ILB. We get a great reach block from Mekhi Becton and a nice kickout from Tyler Conklin with Bawden helping, but the weakside ILB comes over and makes the tackle. Maybe Bawden is supposed to hunt for the next defender instead of helping on the edge, but judging from Tomlinson’s reaction as #48 runs past him, that is his responsibility. It’s another good gain, but once again we miss an opportunity for a lot more.

[1st and 10 from the NE 43](https://streamable.com/1985rm)

This is a case of Breece Hall being Breece Hall. We actually block this outside zone up pretty well, aside from three blocks. Laken Tomlinson gets beat right off the snap, but it’s not the worst loss in the world since the defender goes outside and basically takes himself out of the play. The more detrimental loss on this play is Nick Bawden, who’s leading up to the Sam LB, #3. There’s a nice hole for him to run through, but he just gets stonewalled by the LB right back into Breece. Breece is able to take this hit, spin off another tackle from the Mike LB (who cut inside of Xavier Newman), and bounce it all the way back, hitting two stiff arms and picking up good yardage. Carter Warren and Joe Tippmann make some really nice blocks here, and Mekhi Becton and the tight ends also do a good job.

[2nd and 2 from the NE 35](https://streamable.com/alq205)

This time the Jets switch it up and go with a gap run, running Duo out of a bunch formation, and I’d say they block it incorrectly again. Typically in Duo, you want the three linemen on the backside to take the three most dangerous defenders. In this case, that’s the three defensive linemen from the nose tackle to the left edge from the offense’s perspective. Since there’s a fourth player to the left of the center, you’ll often see this become a 4-on-4 with the right guard instead of a 3-on-3. What the Jets do instead is have Xavier Newman and Carter Warren double the playside 4i tech up to that linebacker, instead of Newman and Joe Tippmann. That’s not necessarily the wrong way to do it. What *is* wrong is that nobody blocks the Sam LB. Instead, all three players in the bunch block the edge defender, who is also a safety. Jason Brownlee seems to try to come off of it late, but even if that is his responsibility and he just messed up, I wouldn’t want him inserting into the hole and blocking a Sam LB 1-on-1 anyway. The way I personally would block this (with the caveat that I don’t like Duo to this look) is to have Newman and Tippmann double to #48, Warren and Kenny Yeboah work to #8, and Brownlee and Xavier Gipson double the edge to #27. I’m not saying I’m right, but I do guarantee a triple team on an edge with an unblocked linebacker is wrong. The double team that actually happens between Warren and Newman isn’t bad either, it’s just that nobody blocks the most important second-level defender.

[2nd and 8 from the NE 30](https://streamable.com/bowo8o)

I didn’t include the sideline angle of this, but the Jets have trips to the right with a screen-run option called. Garrett Wilson is running a bubble, and in my opinion Trevor Siemian makes the wrong read, but we’re not here to look at Siemian. The run option of this play is an outside zone to the left, and all five linemen are out-leveraged for that. The right side of the line does a decent job, but Laken Tomlinson gets shed very easily and after a good initial punch, Mekhi Becton isn’t able to stay on the edge defender. Izzy Abanikanda’s only real chance here is to cut it back almost immediately, which he doesn’t do, and it’s a TFL.

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 30](https://streamable.com/337trk)

The Jets run Duo again, but there’s only one opportunity for a double team. As the Mike LB blitzes, every offensive lineman except for Carter Warren has a defender in their gap, so they all go gap down and actually all do a pretty solid job. Warren and Kenny Yeboah now can double team the 5 tech to the Sam LB, and if Conklin can hold up on the edge, Jason Brownlee is coming in to crack the safety. Unfortunately, Warren barely even tries to work the double. He puts his hand on the 5 tech and immediately moves up to the linebacker, who he also completely whiffs on. Yeboah is left alone with the 5 tech, who’s actually a defensive tackle playing wider than usual, and it’s a huge mismatch. Breece Hall is forced to bounce this outside, right into the corner we’re purposely leaving unblocked. I’ve come around on Carter Warren a bit as the season has gone on, but this was a rough rep.

[1st and 5 from the NYJ 25](https://streamable.com/ux8r6t)

Another lead outside zone, another TFL. This time it’s the backside 3 tech, who Mekhi Becton isn’t able to reach. It’s not an easy block by any means, and the problem is compounded by the fact that nobody on the right side of the offense can win their rep either. Kenny Yeboah and Carter Warren both get stood up, Nick Bawden just whiffs trying to help Warren and runs into Yeboah, and by the time Jason Brownlee shows up on the screen, he’s already on the ground with the corner past him. Joe Tippmann and Laken Tomlinson make some nice blocks, at least.

[2nd and 7 from the NYJ 36](https://streamable.com/dqwz0n)

Once again, we check into the outside zone where Tyler Conklin shifts into a wing position on the playside. This time, all 7 guys in the run blocking unit win their reps. Nobody gets near Breece Hall until the safety comes down, but by then it’s a first down.

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 30](https://streamable.com/e7thzw)

Back to the negative plays. This time we try to run a split flow inside zone to the left, with Kenny Yeboah coming across to block the weakside edge. The problem here is that when Yeboah leaves, we have three guys to block four defenders. Technically, if you were to run this play against this front, Mekhi Becton would be out to the wide 9, Laken Tomlinson would be blocking the 5 tech, Chris Glaser would block the 1 tech, and Xavier Newman would have to come all the way across the formation to the Sam LB. This last one is obviously an impossible block. Even if Glaser doesn’t lose his rep immediately, there’s still an unblocked defender in the playside A gap. The linebacker is able to pursue Breece Hall as he tries to cut it back, and Breece doesn’t have a chance to hit the backside A gap, where there is actually a hole (although this is partially due to the fact that Newman is there instead of the playside LB). There are too many plays like this where we’re running into a numbers disadvantage with seemingly no plan to adjust or check out of it.

[2nd and 9 from the NYJ 31](https://streamable.com/t9003q)

For the second time this game, Trevor Siemian checks into a play that the Patriots’ entire defense calls out immediately. Both defensive linemen on the new playside point out the direction of the run, and both linebackers shift over to that side. This time it isn’t even the numbers that kill us. Every single player but Mekhi Becton loses their rep, and Breece Hall is stopped for no gain.

[3rd and 9 from the NYJ 31](https://streamable.com/ccvmzd)

I purposely didn’t include any of the passing game, as there wasn’t much notable in terms of the offensive line, although the pass blocking was actually pretty solid this game. This is the one exception. The Jets call a swing screen to Breece Hall on 3rd and long. I actually don’t mind it in this situation, considering the weather, and I like that there’s also a slant as a backside alert. The problem is how we block it. With 6 guys in the box against 5 blockers, the line will have to leave one of them as the free runner. They choose to leave the Mike LB as the free runner and just block the 5 defensive linemen. This is fine if you have a running back in pass protection, but we don’t here. You never in any circumstance want that free runner coming up the middle, and by leaving that linebacker, that’s exactly what we have. What you usually want is to leave the widest player on the side that your hot throw is on, so that you can throw into the blitz. To make matters worse, the widest player on the side the hot throw is on is actually covering the hot throw. So not only are we letting a free runner come up the middle, we’re not even blocking the guy who has Breece Hall in man coverage. This play probably doesn’t have a chance regardless, but it would take a hit off of Trevor Siemian. Whoever’s call this is, whether it’s Siemian, Chris Glaser, Nathaniel Hackett, or somebody else, it can’t happen. This is a one-way ticket to getting your quarterback injured.

[1st and 10 from the NE 19](https://streamable.com/kj4hsh)

For a second time this game, Laken Tomlinson follows his man into the A gap on an outside zone play and lets the weakside ILB run through his gap to make the play. This is the same situation as the previous time. The playside ILB walks up and blitzes into the A gap right as the ball is snapped. Chris Glaser should take this over, but it looks like he has tunnel vision for the weakside ILB and isn’t prepared for the playside backer. If these two can correctly pass this off, and Jason Brownlee can actually come crack the safety on time, this play would have had a chance to hit big.

[2nd and 3 from the NE 39](https://streamable.com/tk9xea)

On this outside zone, there should be a chance for Breece Hall to cut this into the backside A gap. For a couple reasons, that doesn’t happen. The biggest one is that Mekhi Becton is working to the same second-level defender that Laken Tomlinson is, instead of blocking the 4 tech that’s head up on him. That same 4 tech comes across and makes the tackle. And it’s not like Becton is the only one not on the same page here, because Kenny Yeboah and Tyler Conklin are both coming down to try to take that 4 tech and the edge in the D gap. Chris Glaser also gets tossed out of the way, so even if we did block it correctly, this play probably doesn’t go far. But there are just too many plays where we just don’t look like we know who we’re blocking, and it happens too often and to too many players for me to feel like there isn’t a behind-the-scenes issue going on.

[3rd and 4 from the NE 40](https://streamable.com/vjrf2o)

This is one of the most mind-numbing reps of the entire day. The Jets are running Duo again, and from the back view, it looks like a perfect defensive front for it. We should have Mekhi Becton and Tyler Conklin taking the edges 1-on-1, and two double teams to the two linebackers. This is the front that offensive coordinators draw up when they’re installing it in the playbook. And for god knows what reason, Mekhi Becton works to a player that’s not even on the screen. You can actually see him point outside right after the shift, indicating where they’re going. Laken Tomlinson works to the 4i tech instead of doubling with Chris Glaser, and instead of working to the playside LB, Xavier Newman and Carter Warren double to the weakside LB. And guess what – the unblocked Sam LB makes a run stop on third and short. This is once again the entire offensive line blocking the play incorrectly as a group. I should not be able to point stuff out like this consistently for an NFL offensive line.

[1st and 10 from the NYJ 47](https://streamable.com/ry76w2)

This time we run Duo again, and actually get our assignments correct. Unfortunately, that’s not enough in this case. Laken Tomlinson gets hit with a swim move, and his man jumps into the A gap and forces Breece to cut back, although Tomlinson does manage to stay on the block. Mekhi Becton makes a good initial block, but he gets too far outside and lets the edge beat him inside to make the tackle. If that doesn’t happen, Chris Glaser is a little late getting off the double team to the Mike LB, who also gets in on the tackle. We do gain a couple yards at least, but even when we’re not making mental mistakes, we’re missing blocks as well.

[2nd and 7 from the 50](https://streamable.com/kq5sdg)

To end it on a high note, here’s the Breece Hall touchdown. It’s a weakside outside zone once again with Nick Bawden leading, and there are a number of excellent blocks leading to the score. Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton make some nice reach blocks, pinning their defenders inside and allowing Breece to get to the edge. Becton is helped by Irvin Charles, who comes in and lights up the safety right into the edge, taking them both out. Nick Bawden joins in on the pancake party, taking out the corner, and Breece lets his speed do the rest. Of course, we can’t have a play like this without somebody messing up. We actually leave the Sam LB unblocked yet again. I’d expect that to be Chris Glaser’s man, but he’s working up to the weakside ILB. That looks like Carter Warren’s assignment on this play, but he tries to help Conklin on his block, whiffs, and then it’s too late to get up to the linebacker. Thankfully, Breece is fast enough to simply outrun the unblocked defender, and Glaser’s technically-incorrect block ends up cutting off a defender who could’ve potentially made a touchdown-saving tackle.

[2 point conversion from the 2](https://streamable.com/kz6wvm)

The conversion after the touchdown is just another simple Duo call. We actually get really lucky that the Patriots shift the line at the last second, because Mekhi Becton would not be able to get to the weakside ILB otherwise. This may be the best run block I’ve ever seen Laken Tomlinson make. When you talk about wanting to get movement on a double team, this is what you’re hoping for. The 1 tech is in a stalemate with Chris Glaser, and Tomlinson just comes in and drives him into the end zone, opening a huge hole for Breece Hall to run through. Becton also does a nice job being patient and coming off his double team just at the right time to block the playside ILB. The only reason this almost doesn’t score is because the single-high safety comes down into the hole, but he doesn’t get there in time. Carter Warren misses his block as well, but fortunately it’s far enough away from the play that it doesn’t affect it.

—

Overall, this was one of the more successful days for the offensive line, and that’s pretty sad to say because it was still littered with mistakes. There are a number of problems with the players, but I’m not really going to get into them, since in an ideal world, exactly one player on this line should be a starter next year. The biggest problem for me is the coaching. Not only are we constantly missing assignments and blocking plays incorrectly, but we consistently run the ball into disadvantageous situations without a plan to adjust or check out of a play. When you combine this offensive ineptitude with what’s coming out from players on social media, it’s a terrible look for our offensive staff and organization as a whole. Running it back with these same coaches is simply not good enough, and Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh are basically staking their jobs on the hope that Aaron Rodgers will not only play all 17 games and the playoffs, but also that he’ll be elite enough to overcome this absolute embarrassment of an offense that we put onto the field this year.