Pollack: "If the line looks like it's going to run block and they throw a pass, that's cheating. That's what it is. That turns all your defensive training against you. You can't use your eyes, your instincts betray you. It's not fair."
Similar to the argument made to me by a Bama fan who bitched about the "high school offense" even after we'd beaten them.
"If ya'll would run a REAL offense, people would be prepared for it and it could be stopped easily. But ya'll run that high school junk and real football teams can't waste all year preparing for that trick play stuff so you sneak up on people."
In other words, if we'd just stop executing our offense and start doing things they were ready for, they'd beat us. Okay.
Funny stuff. That said, I can tell you this about the OL down field. I expect it (now that Auburn has carried it to this level) to be addressed in the off season rules discussions. I've heard Gus (and several other HUNH coaches) talk about this. It's the new "option" wrinkle. They call 2 plays. One a run, one a pass. The line blocks the run. The QB can either read it, or the coach can signal it and they can run the run play, or throw the pass. The logic being (and it's true...for now) the refs virtually NEVER call OL down field except on busted plays involving a scrambling QB. IOW, the coaches have decided to take advantage of the non call (as opposed to any rule). The notion put forth that NM improvised on that play vs bammer is false. That was in fact a version of the triple option we are employing where one option is (instead of the pitch phase) a pass. Sometimes it's a screen, sometimes it's like you saw. Expect Sabbin to take this up with the SEC and NCAA regarding it being a point of emphasis to make these calls in the future. As of now...they don't.
The rest of the "gimmick" talk? Stupid. Gus run (about 75% or more of the time) 3 base run plays. IE same blocking. This year it's been inside zone...2 variations...and counter mostly, but we've also seen Power and Buck Sweep. I've heard him say they install 4 base run, and 6 base passes. The way they make such a simple (and what would be predictable) offense go is the pace, and the window dressing. Each week. Same base plays but new formations, and new motions and shifts, and new/slightly altered personnel sets. Much easier to install new formations and motions than "new plays". Gus perfects what they do best and keeps running it. On one drive against bammer he ran counter trey 3 times in a row. Age old counter trey (or counter GB "guard/back") and they couldn't stop it because of all the different motions and threat of sweeps they couldn't play their base technique to spill the play.
But yeah you're right. He's basically saying "quit executing such an offense at a high level and give everyone a chance to catch up".
15 Replies
4555 Views