Earnest Byner | Coach Byner

Winning Dimension

BUY IN BY PLAYERS
While watching the Seawhaws vs 49ers game on game rewind, a couple things stuck out. One that is well known is that Lynch leaves a lot of people in his wake when he muscles his way down the field.
The below picture is the beginning of some carnage left on this jaunt by down the right sideline for 33 yards. He has used his strength to kick out of the tackle and his balance to continue to attack the 49ers secondary. In the picture, note that Kearse is positioning himself to be Lynch’s next lead blocker.

Kearse has gotten his block and Marshawn is down the sideline. A common practice of runners that get the ball to the below spot is to run out of bounds. Most of the time Lynch shows no fear. He stays in bounds and maximizes the run to the last degree. I admire how he confronts every opportunity like it may be his last. One other aspect of this team is they fight for each other.

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The below picture shows again how the Seahawks’ players go above and beyond for each other. They are not doing anything that shouldn’t be done, but it’s rare to really see it in action.

Russell has done one of his masterful spend moves to avoid a sack and scrambled around well enough to throw a dime to Moeaki. He gets a screen from the receiver in the yellow circle so he can continue down the sideline. Turbin is in full stride. Hustle Mode. Russell is in hot pursuit as well.

Moeaki has made his way down the sideline but wait…there is Turbin getting a block on #20. He has out hustled him to get to this spot. The other amazing part of the picture is in the bottom right. Russell is continuing to follow just in case. This type of action is not common. Most players do their job then either jog slightly towards the action or not pursue at all. These guys are in full stride and giving maximum effort for each other.

That type of play is, to me, two parts. They have bought into what their coaches have been preaching and they have a real care for each other.

Love it and enjoy as the Hawks continue to develop.

Coach EB

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The Way

By Earnest Byner Ebyner
April 3, 2015
Football,NFL

By Coach Byner

Long lasting and consistent production is a rarity in life. It’s even more rare in the NFL. Few organizations have found the magic or right spirit that produces consistently year after year.

Egos of tremendous size seems to find its way into the equation. When success happens it’s rare for people to go back to what they know has gotten them to the promise land.

Baltimore for instance, has found an answer to the riddle. Over the last 10-12 years they have consistently been in the mix at the end of the year. My feel is that the foundation was set by Mr. Modell before and during the transition of the team to Steve Bisciotti. Steve was humble enough to seek understanding from someone that he knew knew more than him. There is a consistency in employees that goes from GM to janitor. That consistency in belief and action starts at the top.

You don’t see a lot of knee jerk reactions when things get a little or a lot out of whack. It’s a steady slow moving entity that doesn’t waver. They are similar to the Steelers.

The Steelers are another team that seems to stay the course. They build through the draft and operate with the thought of tolerate until you can replace with players that get to big for the team.

The Rooneys seem to be very humble people. The mentality of fairness presides with the chief operator of the organization. I would dare to say that within there organization a sense of loyalty resides. There coaching staff have some of the longest tenured assistant coaches, that have been with them, in the league. They also have two former Steeler players as coaches.

The third team that has been a consistent contender for the Lombardi Trophy is the Patriots. They, like the Steelers, replenish through the draft. They have a great coach and we all know the type of buy in leadership that Tom Brady has exemplified.

Year in and year out they produce. They replace the players that grow out of the system but also do a great job of developing the talent they have accrued. You don’t see a lot of knee jerking with them either. Steady is the word. They find ways to rise to the occasion and are extremely disappointed when the success they prepare for is not attained.

To me it takes an evolved approach to have this type of consistency and commitment to winning. This approach can be studied but seldom replicated unless the willingness to humble the ego is priced and paid for with actions.

Rooney, Bisciotti and Kraft have done a magnificent job with their people and businesses. The production and consistency speaks volumes.

Understanding and appreciating the basic needs and desires of the human being is the catalysis. For the love of the game and mankind.

Coach EB

Body, Mind,Spirit

By Earnest Byner Ebyner
April 2, 2015
Browns,Food & Health,Football,Health,Motivation

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Continual Rehabilitation Poem

A body will return to its natural state of rest Naturally, it’s not wanting to stand for a test. It’s not always agreeing to do it’s best. Push it, coddle it or give it a caress.

When I pulled my hamstring during the Brown’s summer camp in 1994, I found myself looking at some of the healthy players and wondering why they were healthy and I’m not.

I had to be in the training room healing, instead of on the field competing for the starting job. Rehab was tedious. It was a weakening then a strengthening and healing process.

Working my way back from my first hamstring injury was totally different than, lets say, an ankle sprang. I thought I could work through it just like I had done with my other injuries. It was different!

Pinched nerves from my neck…no problem, ligament damage in my knee…come onnnn, dislocated fingers…piece of cake. That left hamstring!!! I tried to work through that and bam! I’m down another two weeks. It still hurts me to this day.

It still needs rehab. If I don’t workout, stretch or give it ice and the hot tub, it lets me know. Shiggadee…it hurts without that. Imagine how it would be if I didn’t rehab. The process is continual.

As we continue in the aging process, the natural inclination of the body is to lose muscle and tone. Atrophy happens quickly to a body that is at rest consistently.According to my studies, exercise in general is recommended for us all. For me, it’s most important for those that have played sports and suffered injuries. Yes! It’s going to hurt, but the alternative may be even worse.

Getting overweight, losing all your flexibility and dealing with the issues that come with those, is your alternative. Quality of life is at stake.

I’ve always been a little vain. I like to fit into some of my old clothes and like how I look in them. Is Coogi out of style? Hmmmm

Whatever the motivation, get yourself some rehab for your body, mind and soul. Self efficacy, health, vanity or rehabbing an old injury, may be your motivation. What ever it is, get it done.

NFL Play 60 does a good job encouraging our youth. Getting kids started in sports or exercise in general is key. Starting a lifestyle of exercise early is important. On the other hand, it’s never to late to get started.

Check with your Doctors first!

Take care of you so… “You” can take care of others.

Spirit, Mind, Body

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Old School and Team Building

By Earnest Byner Ebyner
March 17, 2015
Motivation

Blount was in Tampa when the team drafted Doug Martin. He was caught up with being done wrong when Doug came in. As a matter of fact he was bothered with the thought of any back being drafted. Doug had to earn the spot. It wasn’t just given to him by the team. Some of 27s play assisted in 22 becoming the starter. Check out my thoughts on this process.

New players earning respect has been done away with in regards to the old way of doing things. Fighting for your life was a way I use to look at my job or my starting position.

I remember having to actually fight for the respect of the players on the team. I remember, Eddie Johnson, challenging me because he was the tough head hunter on defense at the time. The “Georgia Assassin” was his nickname. “You not coming up in here young man.” I went right back up in there. That was where a bond, that would never be broken, got established. #fortheloveofthegame

I can remember the transition began to happen when I became the player development director/coach/scout..etc. It was 2003/04. The Ravens had drafted a brand new, polished up QB in the first round. (Kyle Boller) We had played a season, but he hadn’t made the cut to win the job.

We had a personnel meeting during the off-season, to discuss the team. One of the topics was the QB position and who would be named the starter. The thought from management and some of the other scouts was, we drafted this guy to be our QB so let’s make him the guy. I spoke up, crazily, that a competition should be had, thus making the young fellow win the job and earn the respect of the players. My thought regarding the subject hinged on the thought that competition makes everybody better. If the youngster was worth his salt, then he would win the job as opposed to it being silver spooned to him.

Coming up in a era where you had to win your starting job, no matter where you were drafted, served to build a different type of character for me.

The leadership of the team made you earn your way. Veteran players or guys that had the position, had a fighting chance. They could work the off-season to battle for the job. Competition within the team, made everybody better. The players on the team appreciated the jobs they had even more so because they did and had to win it.

Nowadays, when a guy is drafted in the first three rounds, he is almost automatically placed in a starting position. What does that have the potential to do with the other players mind? How are they to look at themselves and their new teammates?

To me that stands as a potential way of building animosity between players, not a healthy respect and appreciation. Character is definitely checked during these times. Even when the players are giving a chance at battling for the position, the inner man is challenged.

The salary cap has definitely made the process of building a team more delicate. Yes, it was delicate anyway. The intricacies of any “team” sport are layered with all types of challenges. The NFL has a few more.

I feel the old school ways still have a relevance in some aspects of the game. Building character, respect and understanding within the team is a continual process. Earning your job should continue to be part of that.

Additional Motivation… Game within The Game

By Earnest Byner Ebyner
March 16, 2015
Motivation

A form of motivation and inspiration is playing a former team. Another is playing against a team that has someone good that plays the same position. Sunday night we saw Mark Ingram and Eddie Lacy show out. They are former teammates that both shined for The Crimson Tide.

I’m sure they had a couple conversations during the week and a bet or two about production. What ever was said between them, rest assured they were motivated to play their absolute best.

To me Mark was especially zoned in. His 2-4 yard runs were some of the best of the night. His ability to create some space verses unblocked defenders then finish a run powerfully, was amazing to me.

Let me show you a couple.

The design of this run calls for one defender to be left for the runner. It’s a form of power without a puller. Check the dbl teams inside then the single blocks by the two tight ends and the receiver. Mark (22) does a good job of rolling then cutting to the outside to defeat the defender circled in white. Result 10 yd gain.

The next play is a 4yd gain. What makes this good is Mark presses the first block enough to get the defense going. He knows based on the number count that the backside is free. He cuts back defeats the defensive end at the LOS, then powers his way to a four yard gain. Nice work!

The last one that I have for Mark is a run that happen early in the game. To me it’s a tone setter for what’s to come latter. #21 attacked #22 at the line of scrimmage and delivered all he had but…bounced off and layer on the turf. It was no jumping up trying to get back in the play. He layer there as the action finished and finally got up and walked off slowly. It was a 2-3 yd gain but will be more later because of the affect on the defense. Esp #21

The below clip shows #21 coming in to face Mark Ingram in the hole. This one on one encounter has been decided on the play just above. The defender comes in and ducks his head as you see. Mark cuts up and gains 9yds. The way he felt after hitting Mark and bouncing off, let him know he didn’t want it the next time. The mentality was set!

We can’t forget Eddie Lacy although I felt Mark was special on SNF.

On the counter play that is pictured, the timing got off some. Eddie had the patience to stay on the back hip of his puller. This made the defender peak inside, which allowed Eddie to run for 8-10 yards outside of the peaking defender.

Both guys were special but it seemed #22 had a little more in his running Sunday night. Just as it seemed Drew Brees had a little more than AR.

The interesting aspect of this is whether or not both guys can continue to play at this level. Can they continue to tap into the source that provided the inspiration to play as they did Sunday?

I hope you all enjoy the game within the game.

Coach EB

Steelers Beat

Breakdown on the game

We started the last blog on the Steelers by looking at the depth or initial alignment of Bell. As stated, MOST runners, when behind the QB, align 7-7 1/2 yards deep. As you can see in the picture he is at least 8yds deep. Sometimes he is at 8 1/2 almost 9. This depths help him in the run game but may end up hurting him when he has to pass protect.

As mentioned, He does a good job being consistent with his alignment. The game within the game states that he has to line up at the same depth whether it’s run or pass. The offenses that I have been in calls for different alignments for certain plays and especially pass plays that call for pass protection.

This is a look at the deficiency that aligning at 8-8 1/2yds has. When there is a linebacker dog or a blitz, the runner takes on the defender closer to the QB. This may not have been an issue is this game but may produce pressure and sacks later in the season. Especially when the team meets better rush defenders if they are to make the post season.

You can see, in the picture above, that the ball in on the 31yd line.

Ben has taken a 7 step drop and has to scuffle up to throw the ball. Le’Veron is taking on the defender just pass the 38 yard line. In his initial alignment his heels on on the 40. He has gained only 2yds and has no room to give.

Two things benefit the Steelers here. SIZE AND SIZE. Both Ben and Bell have excellent size for the positions they play. Although they may be playing with fire with the depth of alignments and the lack of closing the gap by 26 after the snap. You can see how close LB is to Ben. During this play Ben is able to slide up and to the left to avoid pressure. LB is fighting his butt off while providing protection.

Keep an eye on this game within the game note as the season progresses.

For the love of the game

Coach EB

Browns Beat…Defense

Having a chance to look at the defense from a game within the game perspective has shown to be challenging. The defense looks for tips, clues and tendencies just like the O. There are wins and losses or victories and defeats on each play.

In the below picture the Browns defense is facing a 3 wides set by the Texans. The Texans have six blockers and the runner while the Browns D has the front 6 and the safety. The defensive play call is designed to funnel the ball back to #31Whitner. The arrows show the gaps that each defender has. If things work out right, Donte should be waiting for the runner in his gap.

In the below picture the blocking responsibilities have been drawn. You can see that everyone is accounted for in the front six. The seventh defender…#31… Belongs to the runner. The ball has been snapped and everyone has started to attack their assignment. Who will win this game within the game match up.

When you look at the picture below, you will see that all the gaps have been taken. The assignments are being executed by the Browns D. Everyone is in their gaps. Wait…Whitner is coming, but it seems as if he is breaking down instead of meeting the runner in the hole. Why is he having second thoughts? He should be firing his gun.

Look in the white circle. You will see #31 bending down getting ready to cut the runner. Instead of this being a three yard gain…max…it’s a six yard gain. Instead of it being a tempo setter for the game, for the Browns, it’s a game within the game victory for the Texans.

Taking care of your responsibilities on each play and trusting your teammates to do the same is a crucial part of the game within the game. Once things break down, guys will try to do to much. Then that’s when play gets really ugly. Getting off to a good start is not critical but highly recommended. Blue was able to get a positive feel with his first carry instead of being stuck in the hole and feeling like it’s going to be a long one.

Coach EB

Redskins Game Within The Game

In this Game Within The Game look at the Redskin offense I break down some of there action during the game. Victory and Defeat are within each play.

On the opening offensive play in the Washington vs Vikings game, Redskins RGIII dispelled any notion that he was limited in regards to his movement. Below he shows beautiful action in this boot leg to his left with his split legged square shoulder throw. BEAUTIFUL

On the first 3rd down the Redskins lined up in this gun formation and are facing a possible “DOUBLE BLOW” blitz by the Vikings. The pass protection called makes the center work with his left guard and left tackle to pick up the linebacker on his left shoulder and the two down lineman. Hulu has the linebacker on the right side of the center to any safety blitz so he has to jump to this possible threat.

After the ball is snapped the linebackers bail. The bass protection is being executed and the route concept is taking its action. Helu checks his linebacker than releases into his pattern. His assignment is to get outside the right tackle so he can effect the underneath coverage.

Below we can see that the pass pro is in affect and Helu has released into his pattern, the receivers have gotten to their spots. He has widened the underneath coverage so the ball can be delivered. BY THE WAY…RGIII is under pressure but is not phased by it. He throws a ball where the receiver can catch it and get up the field for the first down.

The ball is delivered and the receiver catches it then immediately gets vertical, just like he is taught and which is typically most effective. Completion of a Game within the game Victory.

I hope you have enjoyed this #everybodyfumbles game within the game breakdown. Stay tuned.

Coach EB

Browns Beat II

Game within the game for the Browns continues with this look at their third down pass protection. This is where they may miss the veteran presence of Ben Tate.

This is a six man pass protection which includes the 5 offensive lineman and the back. The center is working opposite the running back on this play. Ben has the linebacker left of the center.

After the snap the pass rush becomes a three man charge. Ben’s linebacker drops out. (Circled in red) He feels a stunt to his left. The stunt has worked for the Texans and picks Joe Thomas. Ben has experience enough to check this before he releases and saves a sack.

The play ends with Hoyer scrambling to the right and eventually throwing the ball away. Because the runner was aware it didn’t end with Clowney getting his first sack.

The game within the game play by Ben is going to have to be taken up by West and Crow. As you can see, playing the role of a starter has a lot of responsibilities that come with it.

Coach EB

Colts Game Within a Game

There has been a lot of focus on the Colts run game. Some have blamed the runners without taking a closer look at what they see after they get the ball. They have gone as far as to say that Trent Richardson can’t run. That may be the case but let’s see what the pictures show.

This game within the game look will give you a feel.

The first picture is from the first quarter of the Sunday Night Football battle that focused mostly on Luck and Brady. Take a look at what Trent has to hit here. The left tackle is jacked up by the outside backer and Wolfaulk is controlling the center. NO GAIN.

The next play has Bradshaw as the runner. He has just gotten the ball and already has a defensive lineman in his face. His ability to make this defender miss is the challenge. His ability to run the ball is challenged before he can get going,

You can see the offensive lineman on the ground looking back. He has over reached his assignment and provided entry into the backfield. They are lucky this didn’t end worst.

The last picture shows a play later in the game. It’s a toss to the left. Observe the penetration that has already occurred. It’s going to take a Herculean effort to get back to the line of scrimmage. Trent is trying to get in between the kick out and lineman being driven back. NO GAIN!

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