Chapter 756: Turning Their Plan Against Them
In a screen pass play, the quarterback uses the pressure from the defensive line as bait, luring the defensive line and linebackers closer and weakening the defense in the short-pass area.
At the same time, the receiver runs along a predetermined route that was practiced in training, using the advantage of having more players to tear open a passing lane. Furthermore, they use player-to-player screens to create more running room for the receiver and make a long-yardage gain.
However, at this moment, the defensive linemen did not easily rush forward. After the initial clash at the snap, they only made a symbolic hit on the offensive line and then immediately began to adjust their footwork and position, tightly sealing off the running back's space and the holes in the slot. The linebackers quickly spread out, setting up a net in the short-pass area and cutting off all potential passing routes.
Clearly, the Detroit Lions' defense was well-prepared.
Facing the team with the highest scoring rate on the opening drive in the entire league, the Lions' defense intentionally focused more on pass defense and strictly blocked and intercepted the offensive players' running routes. This was especially true when they noticed the receivers' lineup.
The wide receivers were Ted Ginn and Randy Moss. The tight ends were Vernon Davis and Logan Newman.
The 49ers had unusually sent out veteran Randy Moss for the first drive instead of Michael Crabtree. The difference between the two wide receivers was that Moss's zone running ability and extreme catch ability were better, while Crabtree's short-pass positioning and powerful drive were superior.
So, with Moss paired with a two-tight end strategy, the intention immediately became clear. They would use Ginn to distract the defense from the medium and long pass routes, then Vernon and Logan would wait in the short pass area to receive the ball, and Moss would be an uncertain variable, disrupting the defense's strategy.
All of this was a result of the tactical analysis done on paper after watching game film before the game. It was only the first drive, and both sides were naturally playing more according to their pregame plans.
In the tactical preparation, the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator had the upper hand. Furthermore, they were unfazed by Lu Ke's on-the-spot tactical adjustments, and Lu Ke was the one who stepped into the trap. The symptoms of the "sophomore slump" had begun to show. Relying on experience was indeed not a good idea.
Lu Ke was still moving his feet. The screen pass didn't work, but he wasn't flustered at all. He quickly moved sideways to his left, continuing to widen the distance between himself and Ndamukong.
What Lu Ke didn't notice was that Boone, who had been pushed aside in the first head-on collision, still hadn't given up. After adjusting his footwork, he hit Ndamukong again. Although he didn't have an advantage in terms of absolute strength, Boone skillfully used his body's momentum to knock Ndamukong's center of gravity off its course.
This bought Lu Ke more time.
After voluntarily leaving the pocket, Lu Ke continued to move horizontally, raising his chin to quickly scan the entire field. Almost every receiver was in a difficult situation, either being double-teamed or surrounded. The passing lanes were limited. He could take a risk and force a pass, but the result wouldn't be very good.
But...
A large empty space appeared in front of him!
Vernon and Logan were both gathered on the right side. Logan was running back, as if to receive Lu Ke, while Vernon was moving quickly toward the middle of the field, making a gesture to catch the ball.
Marcus's footwork paused slightly. He stood in the slot on the right side, close to the offensive line, as if he was thinking about whether he should rush forward or retreat.
Ginn's running on the left was a bit passive. A cornerback was marking him closely, and a safety was also following him closely. His running space was completely compressed, making it difficult for him to move freely. But he was still trying to push forward, leaving the short-pass area and entering the medium-pass area, and trying to break through the defensive line to move toward the middle of the field.
Moss, on the other hand, appeared in the middle of the medium-pass area, his elusive running route tearing through the zone defense.
This was a screen pass play. Lu Ke ran to the left, and the receivers ran to the right, creating a mismatch. The Lions' defense did not easily change their tactics. They adapted and moved with the offensive players, trying to cut off all passing routes. Naturally, they were all gathered on one side.
The short-pass area on the left was completely empty!
There was a clear path ahead. Only Ginn and two players were engaged, but their running had already pushed them out fifteen yards, and they were still moving forward as Ginn relentlessly kept running.
This also meant... Lu Ke had found an empty zone of about fifteen yards. He could—run the ball!
In a flash, Lu Ke's brain made an accurate judgment of the entire field's layout. After a comprehensive assessment of the passes, open spaces, and positions, he immediately reacted. This was the direct result of his hard work on his footwork during the offseason, which gave him more combinations for tactical choices and plays.
Without any unnecessary feints, Lu Ke pulled back his right hand, which was ready to throw the ball. He held the football close to his chest, took on a running posture, adjusted his small steps, and then started running straight forward.
With such an obvious move, all the defensive players saw it clearly.
Shock!
Everyone was shocked.
No one should forget Lu Ke's ability to run. Although Lu Ke was a traditional pocket quarterback and his running wasn't his strong suit, at critical moments, Lu Ke's courage and boldness never faltered. He was often able to create a miracle with an unexpected move. His twenty-nine-yard touchdown run in the divisional game last year was the best proof.
Just like this moment.
Suddenly seeing Lu Ke running with the ball, followed by a fifteen-yard empty zone, an alarm went off. Their brains instantly reacted. All the players near the Lions' right side swarmed in, pushing and shoving on the running path in the short-pass area, trying to tackle Lu Ke in place, or at least force him out of bounds in time.
Sprint. All the nearby defensive players were sprinting.
But this was not an easy task. Only two defensive linemen were sprinting right now, and for players their size, it was almost impossible to get up to full speed.
So, the safety and cornerback who were defending Ginn also reacted immediately and quickly retreated. Like an eagle catching a chick, they spread their arms, directly blocking all of Lu Ke's forward routes.
Then, a second surprise occurred.
Lu Ke had only sprinted forward for less than four steps. His running momentum was incredibly fierce, but he then made an emergency stop. The powerful momentum came to a sudden halt, and his feet didn't stop. He quickly moved diagonally backward to his right.
What was going on?
A quarterback wasn't allowed to throw the ball after crossing the line of scrimmage, right?
Wait, Lu Ke hadn't crossed the line of scrimmage!
This was a shotgun formation. Lu Ke's initial position was about seven yards away from the line of scrimmage. After the snap, Lu Ke's feet had moved slightly to the back and left. So, after running with the ball, his posture seemed fierce but was actually controlled. His fake running stance confused everyone's thoughts, but his footwork was completely under control and had not crossed the line of scrimmage at all!
Damn it!
A warning sounded in the hearts of almost every Lions' defensive player, but Lu Ke didn't give them time to adjust their center of gravity a third time. While moving sideways, he used an unconventional and awkward posture to throw the football in a high rainbow arc.
This... was a deep pass?
After the emergency stop, Lu Ke's feet quickly moved sideways to the right. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the ferocious-looking Ndamukong. He had completely lost his balance and was about to fall to the ground, but at the last moment, he forcefully twisted his center of gravity and pounced toward Lu Ke.
Lu Ke didn't have time to hesitate. He decisively raised his hand and threw the football. The next second, he jumped high in the air, flying over Ndamukong's head.
Everything was like a slow-motion replay. The two of them crossed paths, one up and one down. The flying grass and the moving air became incredibly clear.
Lu Ke glanced at the football's arc out of the corner of his eye, his eyes fixed on the receiver's route, and prayed sincerely: that Ted Ginn could understand his pass choice and that his injury from last season wouldn't ruin their passing chemistry.
Ginn got the telepathy.
When the safety and cornerback who were marking him closely both left, it was only a fleeting open space, but for Ginn, it was enough. He knew that something had changed, but no matter what it was, he had to immediately speed up and shake off the defensive players. Only then could he create a possibility for the subsequent pass.
Speed up! Speed up! Speed up!
This was Ginn's greatest strength. He started running like a madman, pulling away for seven or eight yards in one go, then quickly turned his head, looking for Lu Ke's position to make a basic judgment on the passing route. He then saw the football had already left Lu Ke's hand and was flying high in the air.
The pass was heading directly toward Ginn's location!
Every cell in his body was pulsating. Ginn pushed his speed to the limit. With no defensive players to interfere and seemingly no physical injuries to hold him back, he was like Peter Pan from a fairy tale, running carefree and then soaring on the wind.
The wind whistled past his ears. While adjusting his footwork, he looked back to the sky, searching for the football's landing spot. After constantly adjusting, it got closer, and closer. Then he stretched out his hands, and the football landed in his arms!
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