By Marty Schottenheimer
Special to ESPN.com
Eddie George's running style lends itself to the nature of the Titans' blocking unit. The Tennessee offensive line is big and physical, with an ability to move people up front.
The problem defensively against George is that he will make yards if he gets into the hole. Even if a defender is in position to make the tackle, George will still gain four or five yards because he is so big and powerful.
Fletcher's difficulty will be always contending with a blocker to get to George. On the inside plays, he will have to shed the block of a guard, center or fullback on the inside plays. He has outstanding speed for a linebacker and can run the play down if he hangs back and waits for the ball to declare outside. The Titans, though, are primarily an inside running team. They run the gap play off tackle, where they block down, cut the defense and turn the off guard and another blocker in the hole where Fletcher will be hit at the point of attack.
There will always be someone for Fletcher to contend with. The important thing is who wins the battle of contact. Does the ballcarrier fall forward or does he go straight down or backward? Ultimately, every time a back gets forward yardage, it shortens the down and distance -- and George will rarely be denied.
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By Mike Golic
Special to ESPN.com
London Fletcher is about six inches shorter than Eddie George. He might not have the height, but the Rams linebacker has the weight and the speed to contend with the Titans running back.
Linebackers are taught to keep the running back in their hip pocket. If George is trying to go wide, a linebacker like Fletcher will try to flow out to stop him. Fletcher has 4.3 speed in the 40, so he can go behind or underneath the guard or tackle blocks and have the speed to catch George. Instead of flowing behind the line of scrimmage, where George can drive Fletcher and gain some extra yards, Fletcher can attack in a hurry and catch George either for a loss or a short gain before George can reach top speed.
Fletcher's speed gives him an advantage over other linebackers. To see how fast he is, all you have to do is watch a play against Minnesota. It was zone coverage, but he ended up running deep stride for stride with Cris Carter.
Not only does Fletcher have incredible speed, but he is also compact. Fletcher will not take on 300-pound blockers straight on, but will hit their edges and make them miss. He also has an instinctive willingness to take a chance. If a linebacker hesitates, it's too late. Fletcher doesn't have that problem. He can identify angles and where to attack and make the play.
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