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| "BOB" protection against a six-man front |
In the above image, it means that C Gradkowski and RG Yanda will work together to block both the defensive tackle and MIKE linebacker. LG Shipley is blocking his head-up defensive tackle (2-technique) and the two tackles are blocking the edge rushers.
A particular MIKE is selected pre-snap because he is either a) the second-level player most likely to blitz or b) the player that the QB prefers to not be responsible for. This varies from situation-to-situation.
HB Pierce in this scheme, has a dual responsibility. If the weak-side inside linebacker blitzes, Pierce will pick him up. If that linebacker drops into coverage, Pierce will opt into a pattern. The term for Pierce's responsibility is "check release." For clarity, HBs do not always block the 'backer lined up in front of them. To disrupt blitz schemes, the HB will often "cross the QB's face" in order to block the opposite interior linebacker.
The QB using BOB protection against a 6-man front can feel at ease, as each rushing threat has at least one assigned blocker. This is not always the case:
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| BOB protection against a seven-man front |
With the MIKE walked up to the line of scrimmage, there is no "combo" in this scenario. C Gradkowski will block the MIKE on his own. HB Rice is "dual reading" LB Rey and SS Crocker. If they both blitz Rice will pick up the immediate threat and QB Flacco will need to throw "hot", meaning he is responsible for a blitzer and must get the ball out.
BOB rules change depending on the offensive philosophy or the defensive front. Defenses have numerous ways to defeat BOB protection such as using twists/stunts to take advantage of the man-blocking principles in this type of protection. Additionally, "overload" blitzes can force distant blockers to attempt to pick up rushers from poor angles and/or linebackers can "snatch blitz" or rush simply to keep a versatile pass-catcher from entering into a pattern.
Outside References
