Done with the metaphors? So are we.
The move garnered hatred from nearly everybody involved. Not funny hatred, mind you, but the kind of hatred where you're uncomfortable if you're lucky enough to not be directly involved. Of course, this isn't what this post is about, and it's been beaten to death by everybody capable of typing. The upshot of the situation is this: Rich Rodriguez wears the M hat now - and his spread offense is coming with him.
What of this much-ballyhooed switch? Can Michigan pull if off without a mobile quarterback (or indeed, any quarterback)? Let's take a look at what Rich does with his spread in a perfect world (also known as the 2007 Mountaineers). FYI - I will be referring to Rich's spread as the "zone read," despite the fact that it can be called nearly anything you want it to be...
First, it's important to understand the base set that the zone read employs, because it is different than the run and shoot. The run and shoot employs 4 wide receivers, and is pass to set up the run. Rich's zone read is run first, run fast, and run always. I beg you to forgive the absolutely shoddy work on this, but I think you'll get the point:
Perhaps the most important thing to notice is the use of the shotgun. While Mouse started using the shot gun when he adapted his spread to modernity, it was not a staple of original spread offenses. There is still no true tight end, although for various blocking schemes one can be incorporated by taking out a slot receiver, or the full back.
The quarterback, upon taking the snap, will proceed to "read" the defensive end. He does this by seeing whether the end is shooting down the line of scrimmage in anticipation of an inside run, or shooting upfield in a pass rush. At the same time, the tailback gets ready for a hand off that may or may not be coming. If the defensive end shoots down the LOS, the quarterback tucks the ball, and runs around the end. If the defensive end shoots upfield, the quarterback gives the ball to his tailback to run between the tackles. This all happens in about a half second, and looks something like this (again, forgive the artwork):
If the end shoots down the line of scrimmage (yellow = ball carrier):
The halfback takes what has become a "play action" and sells it as long as he can, while the QB darts around the end of the line.
If the end shoots upfield, it looks like this:
The halfback takes the handoff, and runs as far as his legs can carry him.
Why does this work? It takes the defensive end out of the play without effectively blocking him. In a game that is defined (according to Lombardi) on blocking and tackling, if you can schematically remove a player (in this case, the defensive end) from the equation without utilizing one of your blockers on him, you're one up on the defense.
This is as basic as the zone read gets, and looks almost nothing like the run and shoot. This is because...well...it isn't the run and shoot. But it still employs some of the basic concepts of the original spread. First, it relies on options to get the ball into space. In the run and shoot, the QB and receiver must be on the same page because routes are run according to what the coverage is doing. In the zone read, running lanes are established based on a read of coverage. Also, both employ no-huddle strategy, and spread the field tactics. You simply won't find the power-I in the zone read.
What Rich does better than anyone (IMO) is make adjustments, and take things one step further. For example, what if you could eliminate two players on the defensive side schematically? Thats what I call the "triple-option read." It starts the same, the QB reads the defensive end. In this case, if he gets a "hand off" read, he hands it to his tailback the same as always. If he gets a "tuck it" read, he takes off, with the fullback pursuing. Here's where it gets fun. He's almost immediately in the 2nd level because the d-end on that side has taken himself out of the play. Once into that second level, he has another option: keep, or pitch to his fullback.
Depending on where that backer or corner is going, he can "remove" that player from the defense. If the tackler takes the QB, he can pitch it. If the tackler takes the pitch man, the QB keeps it, and it well on his way to scoring. Schools who are "out-talented" use this offense to great success because it neutralizes one of the beasts on defense you're trying to beat. It totally takes him out of the equation. With the right maneuvering, it can take 2 of those beasts out - significantly improving your odds of moving the football.
I'll let Rich explain. This video is worth its weight in gold (It doesn't weigh anything, but picture a VHS tape with a brick glued to it. Good for playback? no. Good for "weight in gold?" yes):
The offense works. Witness Appalachian State, Illinois, Oregon, West Virginia. It hasn't won a National Title game yet, but that's not for lack of effectiveness. The breaks haven't fallen its way yet, but it's only a matter of time before this type of offense runs the table. Why hasn't it yet?
For one thing, your quarterback is incredibly exposed. You'd better get a guy who can take hit after hit in this offense to play quarterback, because sliding isn't an option. Tim Tebow, who is 9 feet tall, bench presses Chevy Malibu's (I've seen it), and is fast as hell was hurt this year. Why? Excessive pounding, and we mean that in only the most non-sexual way. Pat White's dislocated thumb was probably the main reason why the worst team coached by the best mustache (Pitt and Wannstedt respectively) was able to beat WVU. Dennis Dixon ended his Heisman candidacy by blowing out his knee.
As you can see, the quarterback position can't be played by just anyone - it takes a kid who can make split-second decisions with accuracy. If you've found a kid who can do that, you'd better hope to God that he stays healthy, because chances are you don't have two.
Which brings us to Michigan, and what I think will be the most intriguing storyline of long-term college football for years to come. Until now, the zone read has been in place at traditionally marginal institutions (read: schools who couldn't compete without this system). Now it's come to one of the big boys who perennially gets pretty much whoever they want. At West Virginia, Rich got lucky with Pat White, who was a middling 3 star CORNERBACK. When Pat went down, Rich didn't have anyone to turn to because West Virginia isn't exactly a destination for top-flight fast as hell athletes.
Well, Michigan is a destination for those athletes. Not only that, but it's a destination for offensive linemen who eat bad ass for breakfast, receivers who block effectively, and running backs who leap over tacklers. In short, the talent at Michigan is there to run whatever system they want. Will the system that equalizes the field in a mismatch provide the same boost to a team who is already talented? We'll need to see it in action before we know, but the next 5 years or so will be very interesting for Michigan.
Of immediate concern, however, is what the hell Rich is going to do without a fast quarterback. His zone read absolutely requires speed at that position, and um, yeah...Rich don't got it. Threet's not going to be tucking and running. Find out what I think Rich is going to do when we take a deep look at Florida's Leak/Tebow combo in Part IV.
I leave you with this, the gayest highlight film I've ever seen. It's supposedly a film of Glenville State College: The Rich Rodriguez Years, but it's more male posturing than football. I don't understand it, and will pay $5 to the commenter who explains...
Coming Soon: Part IV - the Leak/Tebow Spread
Posts
0 comments: