Mays Must Focus On His Pass Coverage

The Eagles have Joe Mays starting at the middle linebacker spot on first and second downs.  On third down Omar Gaither comes in and Mays and strongside linebacker Chris Gocong go off. Akeem Jordan stays in there.

Gaither showed why yesterday as he made a number of plays versus the pass.  He doved and knocked down a pass intended for tight end Brent Celek.

Omar read the route.  Celek came downfield ten yards, read the coverage and realized he was facing a zone.  Once he reads zone, he's supposed find the seam between the linebacker and the corner.

If he reads man-to-man, he's supposed to keep running away from the linebacker until he gets to the sideline. Gaither is smart enough to know that Celek is reading the coverage.

Gaither took a peek to see that the running back was going outside in the flat to occupy the corner. 

Once he saw this he knew the ball was going to the tight end or the inside receiver.  He was able to get there soon enough to knock the ball down.

Mays needs to get to the point where he recognizes patterns and pass plays based on formations.  He seems to have a good command of the defense versus the run, but he must make progress versus the pass or teams are going to target him.

The Eagles defensive coaches have been working with Mays to make sure he knows all of the adjustments which must be made in coverages versus motions and shifts before the ball is snapped.

I think teams are going to run play action passes against Mays because he's very aggressive at attacking running plays.  The key for his success will be his committment to study the habits of teams to find out when they like to run play action passes.

Another technique I always found successful was to look at the offensive tackles.  Many times the big guys get tired during games and they tip off whether it's going to be a run or pass by their stance.