A five-yard short pass found Boldin, and using Vernon's pick-up, Boldin broke through the three-man circle, successfully completed a ten-yard advance, and got the first attack.
A hard front rush from Marcus gained two yards.
A short screen pass found Logan, but he was unexpectedly trapped by a second-level defense that all stepped up and gained just five yards before being pinned to the ground.
Third gear and three codes.
"This is the first third-down transition for the San Francisco 49ers in this game. The intensity and state of the Carolina Panthers' defense have improved significantly. The frontline confrontation still failed to show intensity, but the pass defense has improved. However, the step blocking position became timely, avoiding the loss of large numbers of yards. Now, the key third-level defense is here, and both offense and defense must show their strength! The confrontation of the game has become exciting again. "
Facing three yards on third down, the San Francisco 49ers set up a double-wing attack formation - it can be clearly noticed that this is one of Jim Harbaugh's obvious adjustments in this game, targeting the relatively weak second line of the Carolina Panthers' defense. The adjustments made by the defense, even in a short-yardage situation on third down, still showed a posture of passing the ball with all their strength. So how should the opposing visiting team's defensive team respond?
Six pass rushers.
The Carolina Panthers set up a six-man pass rush, with four defensive frontmen and two inside linebackers standing at the forefront, facing the offensive line, seemingly not caring about the opponent's strong passing formation. , instead focusing all their attention on pressure and raids. As long as Lu Ke's footsteps are disrupted and even a sack is completed, the passing attack will collapse.
Start with the roots.
In addition to the six pass rushers, an outside linebacker and a safety guard were slightly behind about three to five yards. One stood in the left slot and the other stood in the right slot, forming a corner situation. , with only one diagonal dash forward, he can cut directly into the pocket and go all the way towards the quarterback.
Finally, there is the second line of defense. The two cornerbacks are facing the outermost receiver, but one is positioned forward and the other is behind; while the remaining safety guard stands fifteen yards away and makes a move. Preparation for deep and long pass defense.
Overall, the Carolina Panthers positioned a safety guard early, and then positioned the two inside linebackers early, releasing the pressure on the entire defense, even when facing the San Francisco 49ers' double-wing attack formation. They still adopted a posture of frontline confrontation and ground defense. They seemed to have cleared the backcourt, allowing Lu Ke to pass the ball and focus on deciding the outcome in the frontcourt.
So, is this a trap?
Lu Ke was modifying his tactics. He slowly moved back a little, changing from a pistol formation to a shotgun formation. From the shotgun formation to the double-wing attack formation, the passing posture was really impossible. It couldn't be clearer; at the same time, Lu Ke kept shouting tactics to both sides and seemed to be adjusting his running route.
Momentarily, the Carolina Panthers' cornerbacks, linebackers and safeties scattered on both sides retreated - except for the six most advanced defensive players. It can be seen from the small movements that they are still worried about Lu Ke's passing ability.
"attack!"
Lu Ke adjusted his steps slightly, holding the ball with both hands, and then noticed the defensive movement of the Carolina Panthers - even if he wanted to ignore it, it was difficult because the goal was so obvious: they actually only used two players to rush the pass. , all other players retreated in unison and started passing defense.
This means that all the defensive positioning arrangements just now are all bluffing; it also means that even one of the three defensive front players has retreated, and there are nine defensive players distributed in the backcourt. , they spread out layer by layer in the short passing, medium passing and long passing areas to provide comprehensive coverage.
Lu Ke's steps began to become calmer - five offensive linemen faced off against two defensive linemen, which was more than enough, and the entire pocket protection was impregnable.
However, Lu Ke's passing observation did not slow down. He stood in the pocket and adjusted his steps methodically in small steps. His eyes quickly swept across the field, taking in the entire layout of the players. He paused in place for about half a beat. He seemed to be thinking; then he moved half a step laterally to the right, raised his right hand and made a passing gesture, and then passed the ball.
He actually passed the ball directly like this?
When his pocket protection is repeatedly impacted, what Lu Ke is best at is to use continuous fake moves to get past the defensive player's first reaction and create more matchup advantages for his receiving players. Those fake moves are really It was hard to guard against; but now, with the absolute advantage in his pocket, Lu Ke chose to take action quickly?
Although there was a half-beat pause while standing in the pocket, the rhythm from observation to release was very smooth, and he completed the pass in one go.
The defensive players led by Kikli had all their eyes fixed on Lu Ke, following Lu Ke's movements to move their center of gravity, but did not dare to completely lose their position, lest it be a fake move, they must ensure that their footsteps are stable enough and can adjust at any time. The center of gravity completes the second start.
But this time, their plan failed again. Seeing Lu Ke pass the ball directly, their pause caused a slow reaction. Although it was only a quarter of a beat of muscle control, they still fell into the trap again. later. They didn't even have time to swear, they could only move quickly.
Who are the passing targets?
Not Vernon, not Logan, not Boldin, not Marcus, wait, who else is missing?
Ted Jean!
…
The nine defensive players of the Carolina Panthers are scattered in the entire backcourt space in a ladder form, but their defensive position cannot be a headless fly. The layout must be completed based on the running position of the receiving player; more What's more, defensive ends, inside linebackers, outside linebackers, etc., are not good at defending long passes in deep areas. Even if they move their positions back to form a crowd advantage, it is still difficult to complete the defense.
Vernon and Marcus on the left wing both ran in a straight line, and with sharp turns and stops, they got stuck in their positions five or six yards away.
Boldin and Logan on the right wing exchange positions in a cross: Boldin, who is standing on the outside, rushes forward for five yards in a straight line, and then turns 90 degrees and pulls laterally toward the inside; Logan, who is standing on the inside, rushes forward in a straight line for five yards. , also turned 90 degrees and pulled laterally towards the outside, watching the two people collide head on, but missed the position at the moment of intersection, and both turned 90 degrees again - Boldin turned back and ran towards the kickoff line. , Logan turned and ran towards the end zone.
The entire running route is like a cross boomerang.
But such a dazzling route running still stays in the short passing area.
Two tight ends, a large wide receiver, and a running back, all four receivers are players with matchup advantages in the short passing area, which also forced the Carolina Panthers defensive team to make a decision. corresponding defense.
There are five players piled up in the short passing area.
Three players appeared in the mid-pass area, two of whom were running back to help defend.
A player appeared in the long pass area, and he was also moving forward at this time.
Despite having an overwhelming numerical advantage, the Carolina Panthers' secondary defense was noticeably top-heavy, and then they realized they seemed to be missing a player.
At the moment of kick-off, Gene did not pause at all, and rushed forward in a straight line along the middle of the right wing. Before Logan and Boldin completed the cross-change, he had already rushed out of the ten-yard line, and then he looked When it comes to safety Mike Mitchell, who is alone behind the defense.
Mitchell noticed the abnormality immediately, because he stood at the back and had a panoramic view of the running situation of the whole field. He tried to help defend the mid-pass area, but then he noticed Gene's unstoppable forward steps. , so he began to retreat quickly, constantly adjusting his footsteps and position, trying to block Gene's position.
But Gene is so cunning.
After an outside sloping run, which shook Mitchell's running trend, Gene then made a change of direction and cut inside. His footsteps were as smooth as silk, going around Mitchell's back, forcing Mitchell to Chel had to turn around, keep running in the same direction as Gene, and then tilt his body to the left, trying to block Gene's forward movement laterally.
But Gene keenly caught Mitchell's footsteps, and he was half a beat ahead of schedule again, increasing the arc of the curve, from rushing straight to the end zone to cutting into the center with a curve - because Gene took the lead on the sideline, which made him on the sideline. The inside corner, while Mitchell tried to catch up on the outside corner.
step! Two steps! Three steps!
In just three long strides, Gene had already used the corner running technique to directly throw away the absolute physical distance between him and Mitchell, and came to the vertical line of the goal post, and then Lu Ke passed the ball. It has already been delivered.
This is a long pass of about thirty-five yards!
The Carolina Panthers defense made a fatal mistake. They did not create any pressure on the pocket protection, but forgot to cover the gap in their long passing area. They just focused on the thickest part of the receiver. But his attention was diverted by Lu Ke's simplest move, and then Jean appeared in the far-reaching area!
At this moment, Lu Ke's passing sword was unsheathed, like a dragon, sliding across the sky like a brilliant rainbow. The graceful and smooth arc can be called a work of art, and it accurately found Jean's progress. position, and then fell firmly into Gene's arms.
Just when the San Francisco 49ers' ground offense had steadily opened up the situation, just when Lu Ke stirred up the nerves of the defensive team with his continuous fake moves, just when the Carolina Panthers took the initiative to seek changes and started to defend, Lu Ke followed up with his first pass in the opening game. Once again showed off his long pass skills!
Seal the throat with one sword!
There was no challenge or any pressure. While running at a very fast speed, Gene put the football in his arms with light and dexterous hands, and completed the 35-yard long pass without any doubt!
