An NFL offense in some ways is similar to a machine: there are many parts that need to work together for successful plays to happen. On run plays, the quarterback needs to execute the handoff, the running back needs to run hard and find the hole, while his blockers need to,well, block. If one of those things doesn't happen, a negative play is the result. The same goes on passing plays: pass-blockers need to block, the quarterback needs to throw an accurate ball, the receivers need to execute their routes. If one of those things, doesn't happen

And on interesting play past Sunday, one of those things didn't happen. Specifically, Kregg Lumpkin failed to execute a key block turning a possible touchdown pass into a sack and robbing the Bucs of their best chance to win the game. Not that it was a big chance, but at least it was something. 

This play illustrates a problem with Kregg Lumpkin: he's not a great pass blocker, and he's not a great pass receiver either - he does not do a good job finding the hole for extra yardage consistently. That's a little baffling for a player who is on the roster solely to be a third-down back, and who has been in the league for four years now - enough time to learn the skills necessary to thrive as a third-down back. 

That doesn't mean Lumpkin always blows his blocks in pass protection. He has had some great blocks too - but too often he whiffs or fails to stay in to protect Freeman, and that's a real problem. 

Hit the jump to see exactly what happened, and how the Bucs could have had a chance to win the game, even with just a minute left. 

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Legarrette's Blount's biggest weakness was not knowing the assignments last season. At times, that was his strength too, as it allowed to turn nothing into something. But over the long haul, running backs will gain more yards when they know their assignments and follow their blocking. Blount did not show the ability to do that - and he again failed to do so against the Chiefs. That's a problem. 

Being a good running back is more than just the ability to run and make people miss, it means understanding plays, knowing where the play is supposed to go, having the patience to let blocks develop and trust your blocking, and the vision to cut back and go outside the boundaries of the play when needed. On the very first play from scrimmage against the Chiefs, Blount failed to do that, and it's a great example of why he needs to improve. Hit the jump to see the footage. 

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Raheem Morris is very creative and pretty effective in his coverage schemes. He will call anything and everything in an attempt to confuse quarterbacks and play to the strengths of his players. So today, I thought I'd pick out a play to illustrate how creative Morris gets with his coverage schemes. Larry Asante's interception of Drew Brees in Week 17 of the regular season happened with a very unorthodox coverage scheme, and that's a good example of the type of variation Morris uses in his schemes. 

Right from the personnel grouping and the pre-snap alignment you can tell that this is an unconventional coverage. The Saints are down 10-7 with 52 seconds left in the second quarter. They have 3rd&10 at the Bucs' 25-yard line, so they're looking to score and the Bucs have to get a stop here. Hit the jump to see what's up. 

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