Friday, May 20, 2016

How teams protect brilliant receiving TEs from blocking duty

In a new post over at Football Study Hall I talk about how teams protect guys like Jake Butt (or Gronk for that matter) who are brilliant match-up weapons in the passing game but only so-so as blockers in the run game.

Could the article conclude in any other way than highlighting how RPOs give offenses the best of both worlds?

4 comments:

  1. This has nothing to do with this article but I don't know where else to post it. In 2005, Texas' offense looked real simple. It looked like they ran 5 concepts out of maybe 3 formations. How simple was that offense really? I know they had VY but still. Thanks

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    1. Ha! I'd have to go back and watch more to answer that question well but they weren't quite as simple as you think but they weren't very complicated either.

      Ran some west-coast passing plays and a few varieties of inside zone and I think some outside zone. Maybe about as simple as an Air Raid team if you consider the wider breadth of running plays they had then Leach's teams did.

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    2. Thanks. One last thing. Most offenses are designed around two schools of thought: a few concepts run out many formations (pro style, some spread) or many concepts ran out of only a few formations (Flexbone, Run N Shoot, Veer & Shoot: Baylor). I see the merits for both. What is your take on both philosophies? Do you have a preference? Thanks

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    3. I think in all places in life, the ideology is less important than the people executing the plan. Some philosophies fit better for different people.

      The best coaches teach what they're best at and find players that share their strengths.

      That said, for most college programs simplicity is better so whatever allows simplicity and for players that react quickly is best.

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