Really good film breakdown of Luke

[SgtJoo]

The most impressive aspect of Kuechly's game is how quickly and correctly he reads the plays. He beats blockers not by "stacking and shedding" (though he can), he just sees the play as it happens and then gets to spots before the assigned blockers can get there. In this way, he is reminscent of Chris Spielman, playing as if he had a copy of the playbook. Play 11 is a nice example, he attacks the gap before the Center #64 Brian de la Puente can get in position to block him GFY . Play 13 is a nice one also; he reacts quickly, attacks the gap, and avoids the block of RG #75 Kyle Long. GFY 

 

He has surprising sideline-to-sideline chase speed. He tracks guys down or hustles after them on down-the-sideline plays like a madman. I'm sure Kuechly has very good speed, but on some of these plays he looks like the fastest man on the field. The reason is his understanding of the opposing offense; he is expecting and reacting to the play so very quickly that he gets 1 or 2 steps towards the play before anyone else. Some players have very good footspeed (ie., 40 yard times), but it doesn't show on the field. They "play slow" or they "don't play to their 40". This is generally because they take false steps, misread their keys, or take too long to read a fake/misdirection.

 

Kuechly is the opposite; he's getting a jump on the play. Play 6 is a great example. Even before the play, he's recognizing the WR screen potential. The play is a fake inside handoff and as Cutler pulls the ball out, Kuechly is already fully sprinting towards Alshon Jeffrey before the ball leaves Cutler's hand. This is when Football IQ and physical skills meet. GFY . For an example of the opposite, watch any Raiders' game and focus on #56 Miles Burris. (I like Burris. I really do; he's an all-out, try-hard player and I appreciate him leaving it all out on the field. But he's limited physically and his reactions are a bit slow.)

 

Screen plays against him are so tough. He reads them so well and he's so nimble and strong in space that it's hard to get on him and maintain a block. Play 2 is a nice example as he fights thru both blockers to make the tackle GFY

 

He is so strong and sound that he doesn't miss tackles. Vice grip arms help also. The wya he goes from full-speed chase to breaking down and tackling is amazing. Play 5 is a great example. Matt Forte may have been able to juke a mortal LB, but Kuechly simply crushes him in the back GFY .

 

 

 

http://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/2iq1oc/luke_kuechly_15_tackles_v_chicago/

 

I'm not OP btw. Just felt like sharing the really good writeup.

[jfo89]

It looks like Kyle Long is trying to show Dwan how much he loves him in the third .gif

[GRWatcher]

I love watching 59 play. I love watching him figure out what is going on and tell the rest of the defense before the ball is snapped. I've seen just a few times when an offense would try something that is "new" to him, i.e. wasn't on tape (an example is Patriots last year). By the 3rd time they run it, Luke has it figured out. And they don't try it again because it stops working.

 

Then there are the times when 59 & 58 seem to be sharing the same brain and !OMG! .............................

 

 

 

 

Thanks, SgtJoo, for sharing!

[Cam's New Arm]

It wouldn't have been possible.. but could you imagine if Beast was able to stick it on the outside? What a filthy fugging trio that would have been.

I'm pretty happy with sloppy seconds, though.

[GRWatcher]

It wouldn't have been possible.. but could you imagine if Beast was able to stick it on the outside? What a filthy fugging trio that would have been.

I'm pretty happy with sloppy seconds, though.

 

Yes I do. I watch Giants games just to watch Beason because he has made such a difference for them.

[RJK]

I love these type of breakdowns. They do a similar thing with mma and boxing and it's incredibly insightful

[PandaPancake]

I tried to breakdown film of Luke. It broke my finger and detached a retina.

[DaveThePanther2008]

What a great reader of offenses.

[Darth Biscuit]

That's a great write up and those gifs are awesome.

 

Luke's ability to read and diagnose plays so quickly is why he is the best in the NFL right now.  All of the players at this level are athletically gifted, Luke combines that with his natural football instincts and it's just amazing to watch.  He literally has two steps on the offense on every play.

[Mr. Scot]

Fun thing is I bet Luke himself could break it down even better

[dos poptarts]

Great breakdown.

Luke's ability to be in the right position/gap was noticeable in his rookie preseason.

[Mr. Scot]

From a 'Notes and Memos' thread last year...

 

Reporter: "So Luke, how do you...

Kuechly: "I watch a lot of film and study people's tendencies in detail in order to learn how they play so I can predict their next move."

Reporter: "...anticipate things so well?"

 

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

And we have the 23rd ranked defense.

 

[Mr. Scot]

 

You knew what to expect when you saw who posted.