Sunday, November 21, 1999Ravens' Lewis shows off to teacher
Linebacker coach meets his mento, LeBeau
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThere's a 4:15 p.m. seminar in the Cinergy Field auditorium today chaired by Bengals defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. The class is listed in the catalouge as Zone Blitz 343, but the problem for the Bengals is the guest lecturer is Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.
Lewis, who studied the scheme under LeBeau in Pittsburgh when they took a field trip to Super Bowl XXX, learned well enough to bring the NFL's top ranked defense to Cinergy today.
Lewis, a linebackers coach, and LeBeau, a secondary coach, joined the staff of Steelers defensive coordinator Dom Capers in 1992. When Capers left to coach the Carolina Panthers, LeBeau was his obvious successor as the primary inventor of the zone blitz.
“LeBeau was teaching it to everyone, even Dom Capers,” said Bengals safety Myron Bell, who played for LeBeau in Pittsburgh. “Now they're excelling using the defense he brought to them and we're not doing so good. It's sad.”
But not for Lewis, who runs his package out of a four-man line. The idea is the same as the Bengals' scheme, which this year has also been run mainly out of a four-man line and is still having trouble stopping the run.
The scheme tries to blitz one more rusher than the offense has blockers. The Ravens have guessed right more than Cincinnati, which has allowed a league-high 302 points.
For instance, Lewis is scheming this week to get a mismatch of Bengals running back Corey Dillon on Pro Bowl linebacker Peter Boulware, which can happen by overloading the defense to out-people the offense on either side. “In the four-man line, you've got more man-to-man coverage,” Lewis said earlier this week. “The 3-4 has been more zone coverage, but it's the same idea. Get the most pressure without giving up a big play.”
Lewis can go man-to-man because like his Steelers of the mid-90s, they have the best linebackers in the NFL on a defense that has suffocated people all year without allowing a 100-yard rusher or receiver.
“Obviously they spent a lot of money on defense,” said Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson. “(Middle backer) Ray Lewis makes damn near every tackle. Boulware and (right end Michael) McCrary are Pro Bowlers, too. They've got a Hal l of Fame safety in Rod Woodson, good corners, big tackles. They're great over there.”
Just as obvious is LeBeau doesn't have near talent, except at inside linebacker with Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons. Even before his cornerbacks got hurt, LeBeau had nobody who had played more than three years in the NFL at corner, or anybody near as dominating as McCrary, or as seasoned as Woodson, the former Steeler who grew up in this scheme.
“They're young and we've had our guys together for a few years now,” Lewis said. “If there's a guy that can get it done, it's Dick LeBeau. The one thing about him in Pittsburgh, players loved playing for him.”
Bell can see a little of the 62-year-old LeBeau in the 41-year-old Lewis. LeBeau is laid back, but even though Lewis is a little edgier and younger, Bell doesn't see Lewis cussing and fussing, either.
“Dick is always calm and collected,” Lewis said. “The great thing about him is something bad would happen, and he'd be moving on to the next play. He wouldn't get flustered during a game.”
Lewis was thrilled just meeting LeBeau when they came to Pittsburgh seven years ago. After all, Lewis had his football card as a kid. Imagine how he feels now, showing off to him with a defense allowing 238 yards per game?
“Being No. 1 is nice, but I'd rather be winning games,” Lewis said. Plus, Lewis knew LeBeau was at work this week coming up with something for Sunday. He laughed when told they were working the same long hours but Lewis probably still looked older than the youthful-looking LeBeau.
“I can just see him taking his orange juice and vitamins every morning at 8 right on the dot,” Lewis said. “I learned a lot from him. His influence is big and not just with me, but around the league.”
LeBeau said he talked to Lewis about three weeks ago. They phone each other often during the season, except when they're getting ready to play each other.
“We don't talk Xs and Os because we do the same thing,” LeBeau said. “Good coaching mind. He was in on it from day one in Pittsburgh and he was a contributor.”
LeBeau wouldn't buy the notion his pupil has more to work with than he does.
“They're more productive than we are right now,” LeBeau said. “But our guys are coming. We're going to catch them.”
By the end of class this evening, the Bengals will have an idea how much makeup work they need to do.
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