One Man Bracket: The Ultimate Joy for a DB, Player Spotlight, Latest Member Topics & More

Hey Defender of the Airways,

What’s the Deal?

Get 20% off of my annual All American All Eyes DB Camp Member’s package when you use the discount code: HOLIDAYAA - This is my biggest and best online membership package. Intended to make you an All American Player or a coach of the year candidate. Everything you need to reach the elite level - Click here to JOIN (must choose the annual option and don’t forget the discount code!)

BONUS: Join today and get a FREE copy of The Ultimate 7on7 Defensive Playbook E-Book

DB Yoda

The Real Fun in Playing DB is in Knowing What to Do

Bobby Salla Jr. is a senior defensive back for Florida International University (FIU). Like many defensive backs going into camp, he was involved in a position battle. He spent his whole offseason training on the techniques with our group of college and pros. Armed with that knowledge, he went into spring practice to get ready for the season.

He said he’d never had as much fun in practice as he did this spring. He got a lot of joy out of watching a play unfold and knowing exactly what was about to happen. There was a certain power in watching a receiver run his route and being able to know how to combat his moves.

Many defensive backs miss out on this joy, but I am telling you to chase it. Improving your bench press is fun. Lowering your 40-time certainly gives an uptick to the ego, and a faster time in the shuttle drill gives the feeling of progress. But nothing will lift your mind and spirits like knowing what is about to happen.

When you make the commit to being a smarter DB, this will happen to you. Developing a hunger to perfect the techniques, learn the scheme, and unwrap the offense's attacks gives you the mindset of the Ed Reeds, Tyrann Mathieus, and Darrelle Revis. This is where greatness is found. Make your commitment to that level of being a DB ASAP.

You Didn’t Know this But

We talk a lot about the value of a high Football IQ and a commitment to technique. Why? Because that combination is what creates turnovers, and turnovers are the fastest path to winning games.

When we look for the definition of the ultimate defensive back playmaker, we look at the career of Hall of Famer Ed Reed. Reed didn't just cover receivers; he was an offensive coordinator's nightmare because he was always hunting the ball.

Here is the combined total of turnovers Reed was personally responsible for in his incredible NFL career:

A Total of 88 Turnovers

Ed Reed combined for 88 interceptions, forced fumbles, and recovered fumbles over his NFL career. That's an average of nearly six turnovers per season over his 15 years in the league—a staggering impact on field position and momentum.

The Breakdown of Ball-Hunting Excellence:

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DB See ME

Darquin Windom 5’7” 155 lbs - CB - McQuaid Jesuit HS, Rochester, NY

Small in stature but tall in knowledge and big in quickness. Darquin’s father signed him up for the All Eyes DB Camp Membership last offseason to up his son’s knowledge in technique, schemes and coverages. Boy did it pay off.

Darquin turned into an absolute playmaker on Friday nights this past season. Cut the film on and watch him snagging interceptions, sticking to receiver’s hips and making tackles. His solid technique, knowledge of coverage and toughness really stand out on film.

I am sure many offenses thought it would be easy going to his side but quickly found out that this was not a recipe for success. His ability to neutralize receivers at the line of scrimmage, get over the top of them on deep balls and find himself in position on throws turned him into an A+ defender. It is going to be fun to see what he brings to the table in his final season for McQuaid.

Check out his highlight video here

Ask Chad

Q: I keep hearing the term “combo coverage” what does it mean?

A: Combo coverage means you’re playing two different coverages at the same time—usually one to the field/formation strength and another to the weak side. Think of it as split-field defense: each side has its own rules.

Common combos

• 2/4 (“Cover 2” to one side, “Quarters” to the other): Soft corner + flat help to trips, quarters rules away.

• 6 (“Quarter–Quarter–Half”): Quarters to strength, Cover 2/half-field away.

• Man/Zone split: Press-man on the X, zone or match principles to the trips.

• Bracket side / Zone side: Double a dude on one side, spot-drop or match on the other.

What Are We Talking About

Here are some recent topics in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area that you might find intersting:

• Linebackers Have to Cover Too - Use this Drill to Improve in Zone (Starter)
• Struggling in the Deep Zones as a safety, use these drills (Starter’s Space)
• Sam Fire Cover 8 Example (Indiana) - (Playmaker Space)
• Stay in Your Circle - Jeremiah Smith vs D’Angelo Ponds - (Playmaker Space)

Hella Technique

Sometimes you can’t work yourself into position to look for the ball on a play. When that happens fight to close as much space as you can while focusing on the hands of the receiver. If the ball hits his hands before you can look back, punch your hands through his hands to get the ball out. Excellent rep by Marlon Humphrey

Many more 1v1 Rep breakdowns with more detail in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area.

Hey, Answer this for Me

Since You Like Watching Stuff

Oh That’ll. Fix it

Improve your ball skills with these simple drills. It is important to locate a ball that is already in flight. That is most of what happens to us at defensive back.

Many more drills with explanations and emphasis in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area