CLEVELAND, Ohio — The addition of Mike Bloomgren to Kevin Stefanski’s staff is a strategic move aimed at revitalizing the Browns’ once-dominant run game.
With a background in both zone and gap-scheme run concepts from his time at Stanford, Rice, and the NFL, Bloomgren brings a physical, pro-style mentality that complements Stefanski’s offensive philosophy.
He also shares a strong coaching connection with former Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan, having worked under him with the New York Jets. This means the offensive line will once again play smart with great fundamentals, and most importantly, reestablish its physical identity.
A key piece of Bloomgren’s influence will be a renewed emphasis on the power run scheme, one of the foundational elements of gap-scheme football. Power, along with counter and trap, allows the Browns to impose their will with down blocks, double teams, and pulling guards. Bloomgren’s teaching ability and adaptability are especially valuable as the Browns prepare to lean on a three-headed platoon of Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Jerome Ford.
By building on the principles instilled by Callahan and tailoring the run game to a diverse, explosive backfield, Bloomgren provides Stefanski with the tools to reestablish the Browns’ identity as a tough, balanced, and efficient offense.
Let’s take a look at the power run scheme and how it works:
The play
Power, like all offensive plays, varies based on the coordinator’s system and personnel. While the core involves down blocks and a pulling guard, it can be adapted with reads, motions, or RPOs to fit modern offenses.
The power scheme begins with the play side of the line, including the center, creating a double team on a defensive tackle. One blocker from the double team then chips off to the second level to block the #2 linebacker within the box.
The fullback, or another skill player, will kick out or log the defensive end to the play side. The back side guard will pull, read the kick out or log, and block the #1 linebacker in the box. The backside tackle will step inside to protect his B-gap and hinge outside to help late on the defensive end.
In the diagrams below, I will show a standard power run scheme against a 4-man front (even) and 3-man front (odd).
Play Call – Rip I 54
Breakdown – 20 personnel (2 running backs, 0 tight ends, 3 receivers) “Rip” equals formation, and ”I” tells the running backs to line directly behind the quarterback, “54″ tells the running backs the landmarks to attack and where the play will go.
Below are the general rules on power vs. 4 front (over)
The general rules on power vs. 4 front (over).
The general rules on power vs. 4 front (over).cleveland.com
Right Tackle (RT) – Step with left foot directly at 3-technique, “Deuce” double team of 3-technique with right guard. Right tackle or right guard will chip off to the #2 linebacker in the box. Must create vertical displacement backwards before leaving double team.
Right Guard (RG) – Step with right foot directly at 3-technique, “Deuce” double team of 3-technique with right tackle. Right guard or right tackle will chip off to the #2 linebacker in the box. Must create vertical displacement backwards before leaving double team.
Center (C) – Step with left foot, block back on the 2i-technique.
Left Guard (LG) – “Skip” pull around to the right and block the #1 linebacker in the box. Read the block of the fullback.
Left Tackle (LT) – Step inside with right foot, protect B-gap from blitz then hinge outside to help late on backside 5-technique.
Fullback (FB) – Kick out or log frontside 5-technique.
1 Weak Receiver (Y) – Block the play side safety (always make corners tackle).
2 Strong Receiver (Z) – Block the backside safety, take a great angle.
1 Strong Receiver (X) – Try to block nickel defender, peel late to backside corner if nickel leaves fast.
Quarterback – Reverse out and get the football to the tailback as deep as possible. Carry out fake away from the play to hold backside 5-technique.
Tailback – Follow the guard, attack the 4-hole, read the double team for correct lane to run.
Below are the general rules on power vs. 4 front (under)
The general rules on power vs. 4 front (under).
The general rules on power vs. 4 front (under).cleveland.com
Right Tackle (RT) – Step with left foot, take great angle to block #2 linebacker in the box.
Right Guard (RG) – Step with left foot, block down on 2i-technique.
Center (C) – Step with left foot, block back on the 3-technique, very hard block that requires flat, horizontal step to the left.
Left Guard (LG) – “Skip” pull around to the right and block the #1 linebacker in the box. Read the block of the fullback.
Left Tackle (LT) – Step inside with right foot, to help on 3-technique if needed, then hinge outside to help late on backside 5-technique.
Fullback (FB) – Kick out or log frontside 5-technique.
1 Weak Receiver (Y) – Block the play side safety (always make corners tackle).
2 Strong Receiver (Z) – Block the backside safety, take a great angle.
1 Strong Receiver (X) – Try to block nickel defender, peel late to backside corner if nickel leaves fast.
Quarterback – Reverse out and get the football to the tailback as deep as possible. Carry out fake away from the play to hold backside 5-technique.
Tailback – Follow the guard, attack the 4-hole, read the double team for correct lane to run.
Below are the general rules on power vs. 3 front (odd)
The general rules on power vs. 3 front (odd).
The general rules on power vs. 3 front (odd).cleveland.com
Right Tackle (RT) – Step with right foot, arc block to the play side linebacker, arc block will widen 4-technique for easy kickout block for fullback on play side 4-technique.
Right Guard (RG) – Step with left foot directly at the 0-technique, “Ace” double team with the center.
Center (C) – Step with right foot directly at the 0-technique, “Ace” double team with the right guard.
Left Guard (LG) – “Skip” pull around to the right and block the #1 linebacker in the box. Read the block of the fullback.
Left Tackle (LT) – Step inside with right foot to protect B-gap from blitz then latch on to backside 4-technique.
Fullback (FB) – Kick out or log frontside 4-technique.
1 Weak Receiver (Y) – Block the play side safety (always make corners tackle).
2 Strong Receiver (Z) – Block the backside safety, take a great angle.
1 Strong Receiver (X) – Try to block nickel defender, peel late to backside corner if nickel leaves fast.
Quarterback – Reverse out and get the football to the tailback as deep as possible. Carry out fake away from the play to hold backside 5-technique.
Tailback – Follow the guard, attack the 4-hole, read the double team for correct lane to run.
What we learned
The Browns will look to reestablish their physical identity as Stefanski returns to calling plays. Power is truly the foundation for physicality in the run game at all levels of football.
Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.
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