Coleman Feeley
On the line
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- Dec 21, 2013
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submitted Today, 06:06 PM in Texas Longhorns Football By Coleman Feeley
This year’s annual Orange-White Game was an exciting showcase of young talent and veteran performances. As expected, the Texas offense (in orange) stayed fairly simple while presenting its new spread, up-tempo scheme.
The defense (in white), however, remained fairly active and unpredictable most of the game. Vance Bedford disguised a majority of his coverages by ‘rolling’ secondary players as well as utilizing the zone blitz. The simplicity of the offense paired against the complexity of the defense will give coaches a great look at what they need to evaluate.
The newly implemented spread system allows Texas to gain two distinct advantages. The first is the ability to obtain what’s known as “favorable numbers†in the running and passing game. In a spread offense there are normally three to four wide receivers on the field on any given play, forcing the defense to have to have at least three to four players out wide as well. With the defense spread to match the offense, there is an even number of blockers and defenders, which is ideal for run plays (Fig 1). The second advantage of spread offense is the ability to utilize mobile quarterbacks.
In the Orange-White game, the first team offensive line consisted of (left to right) #65 Marcus Hutchins, #66 Sedrick Flowers, #74 Taylor Doyle, #76 Kent Perkins, and #55 Connor Williams. The second group was #58 Brandon Hodges, #51 Darius James, #50 Jake Raulerson, #72 Elijah Rodriguez, and #75 Tristan Nickelson. Overall these groups preformed fairly well but lacked consistency in pass protection and the ability to reach second level defenders in the run game.
Taylor Doyle (#74), Marcus Hutchins (#65), and Brandon Hodges (#58) all played very well and were my top performers grade wise. Aside from the physical play of Taylor Doyle, give him a lot of credit for calling the correct pass protections. Texas’ defense used a wide variety of zone blitzes and about 90% of the time the first string offensive line was in the correct protection.
Hutchins handled the diverse pass rush from Malik Jefferson and Hassan Ridgeway admirably for a majority of the game. He kept a solid base throughout the game and in each pass set. Brandon Hodges’ outstanding use of his hands was surprising and could easily put him in the playing rotation. Hodges didn’t always use good technique; however, he was able to make up for it with quick, violent, and accurate hands.
Run Game
The Texas run game showcased all three blocking schemes (man, gap, and zone) to perform zone reads, counters, veers, power plays, sweeps, and zone runs. Almost exclusively in ‘11’ (one tight end, one running back) personnel, the offense relied heavily on its five offensive lineman to get the job done.
In the scrimmage, it was clear that this first team OL played with improved fundamentals and technique. Each lineman’s first step was precise and sudden, directly corresponding to the play.
For offensive linemen, speed is not a highlighted physical attribute; therefore, each step becomes more important because if a lineman falls a step behind he’s unlikely to be able to make it up. Assisting Texas’ lineman in this speed mismatch, Coach Wickline has implemented another system of alignment in regards to a lineman’s vertical spacing (instead of only the familiar horizontal ‘splits’).
In the official rule book it states that players on the line of scrimmage must have their helmet break the ‘belt line’ of the center. So, Coach Wickline is having his offensive line take full advantage of this alignment by using what most coaches refer to as ‘on’ and ‘off’ alignment (Fig 2).
When ‘on’ the ball, linemen reduce the space between themselves and a defender that helps assist with both man blocked and gap blocked plays (fig 3).
When ‘off’ the ball, linemen are able to move a few more steps before contact is made. This allows linemen to stretch and reach defenders in zone blocked plays (fig 4).
Pass Game
Texas’ pass protection was decent in the Orange-White game, however, it lacked consistency. Pass protection is unique due to the fact it’s imperative that all five linemen engage and maintain their blocks in unison. If four linemen are perfect and one lineman gets beat, the quarterback is forced to break the pocket, or worse, take a sack. Texas’ linemen were consistently in the right place at the right time, but lost blocks late. For example, Flowers (#66) and Perkins (#76) played with great explosion and a great first punch, but both lost battles to a defender’s second move.
Tackles Hutchins (65) and Williams (55) played very differently on Saturday, however, both played fairly well. Hutchins played with good technique and deadly hands. Williams, however, reverted back to high school techniques as he back-pedaled instead of kick-sliding. The execution of a proper kick-slide is crucial to the success of pass protection at the tackle position. When linemen back-pedal their momentum moves backwards too quickly and doesn’t allow the blocker to deliver a punch. If a lineman allows a defender to get close to his body, then the lineman almost always loses the pass rush.
Texas’ defense really tested the communication skills of the offensive line. The first group responded well, however, the second group found its greatest struggle in setting the correct protection. As Coach Bedford rolled his coverages and blitzed secondary players, Texas’ protection was strained (fig 5).
The life blood of every team is its offensive line. Without solid blocking every play turns into a failed attempt. Coach Wickline is making great strides with his players and is determining who should be in the starting lineup.
Spring practices were a time to evaluate and educate – as Coach Strong said before the game, he’s trying to “see if guys fit into what [we’re] trying to do.†With spring camp concluded it will be an important offseason stretch for the team. Many players will be focusing on rehab, others will focus on developing their strength, and some will focus on playing technique, but one thing is certain: everyone is preparing for game time.
