Wouldn't it be better to play 1 gap and get our linemen into the backfield to disrupt the play, block passes, etc? 2 gap sounds like too much guessing to me and relies on linebackers too much. It also doesn't sound like a good way to generate a pass rush. Do most teams use 2 gap or what?
You could, yes, but if the backs get by those DL's, and the OL's have gotten to the LB's (which is what some of them are trying to do), then you get gashed.
We ran this in high school out of a 44. We didnt really call it 2gap, but that's what it was. The 4down's job was to gobble up all the blockers and let the LB's run free. We'd even have our DT's on a consistent basis just submarine the guard and center on trap plays. Read a pull, and just dive for legs. Create a pile. Guard cant get around, center cant block down. Total mayhem. If you got caught shooting a gap, you were on the bench. That program has one of if not the best defense in c-1 year after year after year. They consistently have multiple linebackers in the top 10 in the state in tackles. I played 12 years ago. Last year they only allowed 2 touchdowns the entire regular season. It's just the deal that it has to be executed right. Bo and Pap are at a loss for words right now because they dont understand why they cant get the guys to execute it in games. Something tells me they perform it well in practice.