Voodoo Magic

TODAY\'S SPREAD ATTACKS require defenses to be extremely flexible. Nowhere in the country is a defense more challenged by the spread then here in the Northwest. On a typical Saturday, we see three, four and even five wideouts stretching the field sideline-to-sideline while quarterbacks and receivers play pitch and catch at least 50 times a game.A defense must also contend with strong running games. A one- or two-back scheme, the inside zone, stretch or counter, power lead and even the option are all runs we have to deal with. If you overload to stop one phase of the attack, you leave yourself vulnerable to something else. Often, defenses find themselves straying from their regular packages to play some form of nickel or dime scheme to defend spread personnel. Many times, defenses aren\'t comfortable with this type of approach because they haven\'t spent enough time practicing it and