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Bengals' Film Session: Slowing Russell Wilson

Paul Dehner Jr.
pdehnerjr@enquirer.com
Former Bengals safety Chris Crocker joins The Enquirer to break down film every week.

Every week, we go into the film room with former Bengals safety Chris Crocker. He retired in 2013 after 11 seasons in the league and 71 games with the Bengals. He'll dive into the game film to provide his unique insight into what the Bengals are doing right and wrong as the season progresses.

This week, Crocker takes a look at the running plays set up for Russell Wilson, and how that alters the way the Bengals must defend Seattle's offense.

Wilson led the NFL in yards per rush last year at 7.2. Colin Kaepernick ranked second at 6.1. That's how much he could change a game with his legs. Often his yards come from scrambles, but the Seahawks designed a scheme to utilize his running skills as well.

"He's been a one-man wrecking crew with the offensive line being kind of shattered and not a lot of guys playing well up front he's really been the focal point of the offense," Crocker said. "He's quite impressive. The rest of the offense didn't really do much but if Marshawn Lynch plays he'll be more effective."

Zone option run

Game: Week 2 vs Green Bay

When: First Quarter, 3:56, 2nd &10

Result: Marshawn Lynch 7 yards

What: "This is what I consider their bread and butter. This is what they do. Their No. 1 running play."

Play 1.1
Play 2.2
Play 3.3

Crocker: "I call this the zone read jet screen. This is a simple offensive scheme and this is how the Seahawks like to use it. He has three options. He can give it to the running back, he can keep it or he can throw the screen outside. It's all zone blocking up front which allows the running back to make one cut and get up field when he gets the ball. The reason why this play is effective is it's a great equalizer when you have bad offensive line play and a great defensive line pass rush because it slows down the pass rush and forces the defensive to be sound in their responsibility.

"The quarterback is taught to read the defensive end. The offensive line intentionally leaves the defensive end unblocked. What the defensive end does determines what the quarterback does. If the defensive end gets up the field leaving a void, he gives it to the running back. If the defensive end chases the running back down the line he keeps the ball."

Zone option screen

Game: Week 1 vs Rams

When: First Quarter, 11:18, 2nd &10

Result: Tyler Lockett 7 yards

What: "Take a look at what they do off this play, this is sort of like their play action."

Play 2.1
Play 2.2
Play 2.3
Play 2.4

Crocker: "They don't take a lot of shots downfield. What they do is spread you out, get the defense to move so Russell Wilson all he has to do is just count. They go into the game, whether predetermined or not, if he sees enough defenders out there he won't throw it, but if he doesn't he does take a shot. This is another way to get the ball to the receivers and let them make a play.

"Everything stays the same. The zone action stays the same. It's all up to the quarterback and the receivers on this play. The good thing about his play is if you need to eat up the clock and still need to run the ball this is basically like a toss sweep."

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