Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens showcases Green Bay Packers RB Jamaal William’s savvy knowledge of angles on a pass protection assignment during his rookie year against the Bears.
A big reason Jamaal Williams was the Packers’ team rookie of the year was his pass protection. Whether it’s punching out a blitzing linebacker or safety one-on-one in an interior gap, or taking on an edge defender, Williams got the job done.
An assignment of underrated difficulty is helping a tackle with an edge rusher. Work outside too fast and the defender can earn an advantage to the inside. Chip a player too hard, and the running back can unintentionally give the opponent a free angle.
Williams handles this edge assignment with a savvy, inside-out approach that manipulates the defender further outside. When Williams reaches the position to take over the assignment from the tackle, he can widen the defender’s path around the quarterback.
Young running backs should work on approaches that begin inside and tight and gradually reach the outside shoulder. It prevents the defender from going inside the tackle as well as splitting the tackle and the back. A patient approach is also the one that manipulates the opponent the best.
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