Behind The Play: In Praise Of Jeff Gladney

Press release from purplePTSD:

December 2, 2020

Before the Panthers game, I asked readers about how confident they were in Minnesota’s young corners: “What about Jeff Gladney trying to shadow D.J. Moore on a shallow crossing route?” I promptly answered my rhetorical question by explaining that I didn’t have very much confidence. Coincidentally, the game’s opening drive featured this precise scenario: Gladney was in man coverage against Moore on a crossing route. Gladney won his rep, proving me wrong. What went into this success?

Jeff Gladney’s PBU

Almost immediately, the Panthers found success running the ball. Mike Davis took his opening carry for ten yards, showing great vision as he cut back on an over-pursuing Vikings defense. On the next play, Teddy Bridgewater completed a short pass to TE Ian Thomas. Gladney stepped up to hold Thomas to a modest four-yard gain, forcing the Panthers into 2nd and 6.

In the clip below, you’ll notice a few things. First, the Panthers are in 11 personnel. The Vikings countered by deploying their nickel defense. Before the ball is snapped, Moore goes in motion from the right side to the left side. A main reason why teams send players in motion is to gather information before the play begins. If a corner travels with Moore, then it’s likely man coverage. Gladney follows him, so Bridgewater had likely already decided before the play that Moore was his #1 option.

#Vikings Rookie CB Jeff Gladney is playing so fast and playing with so much confidence right now. Every week he’s continues to grow. Whether it’s a run or pass. He’s flying to the ball, making solid open field tackles, contesting catches. He’s coming into his own #Skol pic.twitter.com/UBaJK8X85v
— Matt Anderson (@MattAndersonNFL) November 30, 2020

Offenses script their opening plays. Of course, the down & distance will dictate which play is called at which time, but teams know the 10-15 plays they’ll begin with. In all likelihood, Matt Rhule’s Panthers had this play prepared for this precise scenario. Moore is their best receiver, and Gladney has had his fair share of struggles in coverage. The Panthers were around midfield and looking to take a shot on 2nd down. Moore motions and Gladney follows; man coverage from the Vikings.

After the ball is snapped, Bridgewater fakes the hand off. Part of the purpose of the play-action is to get the linebackers to jump up. Doing so will give Bridgewater a bigger window to fit the ball into. As the play begins, you’ll see Eric Wilson slightly step up before he sinks into his zone. Everything is going perfectly for the Panthers at this point. Wilson’s reaction makes it easier for Bridgewater to fit the ball into a spot where Moore can catch it. The video below does a really nice job of showing Wilson’s movement:

Jeff Gladney's had some real ups and downs this year but the flashes are exciting. Great PBU here against a crossing route from DJ Moore: pic.twitter.com/X093O4oT43
— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) November 30, 2020

Carolina’s plan is coming together. The pre-snap motion gives Bridgewater the assurance that Moore is facing man coverage. The play action takes away Wilson, who would have made the completion more difficult. Bridgewater can thus look in Moore’s direction with confidence: this is precisely what Rhule was hoping for with this play. The issue, of course, is that Gladney played it perfectly.

Playing the slot in the NFL is not easy. Along the outside, corners have the benefit of using the sideline to their advantage. A smart corner will position his body in between the receiver and the quarterback, trying to force the outside receiver toward the sideline. It’s really difficult to make a play in any sport when you don’t have any room. Playing receiver is no different.

Slot corners don’t have the luxury of the sideline. On any given play, the receiver can go in any direction, making life pretty difficult for the corner. If a receiver can get a good release off the line of scrimmage, then the battle is likely over as soon as it begins. Fortunately for the Vikings, Gladney accurately read Moore’s route from the outset.

Gladney maintained good position on Moore throughout the route: slightly above his man and behind his outside hip, positioning that aims to nudge the receiver inward toward Gladney’s teammates. One of the teammates who was supposed to help him — Wilson — was already taken care of by the play action. Gladney, then, needed to make the play on his own. As the ball arrived, Gladney was close enough to extend himself for the PBU, forcing the critical third down. On third down, Bridgewater again looked for Moore, but Gladney had him covered; D.J. Wonnum‘s pressure forced Bridgewater to get rid of the ball.

Conclusion

On Sunday, Jeff Gladney was among the Minnesota Vikings’ worst defenders, per PFF. Keep in mind that injuries have forced the rookie first-round pick into a position that Zimmer likely wanted to avoid: Gladney is Minnesota’s #1 corner. On Sunday, he played 62 of 65 snaps.

Moreover, fans should remember that Gladney made all three plays that forced Carolina to punt. He tackled Thomas for a four-yard gain on first down, got the PBU on second down, and then covered Moore so well that Wonnum could get the QB pressure on third down. All of this suggests that the Panthers intentionally planned on targeting Gladney to begin the game. Their plan didn’t work. Jeff Gladney may still be making progress for these Minnesota Vikings, but Sunday’s performance ought to give fans plenty of hope.

This press release was produced by purplePTSD. The views expressed are the author's own.