The "WCO" and the Huskers

[DaveH]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_ga...nside_football/

I know the article is old, but most of the stuff talked about in the article is even older. The roots of the so called West Coast Offense.

I'd like to point out one part of the article:

"That's another thing that's critical to the system," Martz says. "Power running. You've got to be able to run the ball when you go to a three-wide receiver set, and you've got to run with power. By that I mean behind zone blocking, which is a big departure from the San Francisco system. Theirs was man-blocking, with a lot of cut-blocks and misdirection. Ours is straight power. Not many people realize this, but if we hadn't have gotten Marshall we were prepared to go with another excellent zone-blocking runner,  Robert Holcombe.  It takes a certain type, a guy who can run with power, who's good at picking his way through.  Stephen Davis  is doing that in Washington now, and that's a big reason why their offense is so good.  Terry Allen 's starting to come around in New England.

Does NU use more zone or man blocking? Or both? In the case of zone blocking, are our backs good at "picking their way through"? Granted the blocking, whether man or zone has been less than desirable in most games this year.

I'm looking for a good discussion on this, so don't turn this into one of the following: a) a WC type offense won't work in college; B) Callahan doesn't know anything about the WCO; c)I like me some biscuits. This is about football schemes, period.

Discuss.

 

[DaveH]

Bump.

 

[formerfan]

Im not sure for a fact, but from everything I have heard, read, and witnessed, it seems like NU uses zone blocking more than it would man blocking.

Which back that NU currently has would be "ideal" for this type of "power running" attack, Glenn, B Jackson???

 

[DaveH]

Im not sure for a fact, but from everything I have heard, read, and witnessed, it seems like NU uses zone blocking more than it would man blocking.
Which back that NU currently has would be "ideal" for this type of "power running" attack, Glenn, B Jackson???

I think they all bring something to the table, but I think guys like Ross and Lucky are good for zone blocking. Lucky getting the edge in the size department. Given that they need to be able to find openings, etc. Glenn so far is good on short yardage in that it seems pretty difficult to deny this guy a yard if he wants it.

I am beginning to think Jackson isn't 100% after that shoulder problem.

 

[mjmartin1970]

Hi - Newbie here, logging in from WAY to close to Buff land (Denver, CO).

This is one of the more intriguing post to me on all of the Husker message boards that I read from time to time. The reason being that everyone believes we should run the ball more, and run the ball better because we have done it in the past. However, if we have switched from man to zone blocking (which in my comparison between our running game and the donkey's errr I mean broncos I believe we have), then it is similar to the issues/inexperience we are seeing with pass blocking. Something new and different our o-line is not use to.

In fact, I would even take it a step further and state that our inexperience with zone blocking in the run game is hurting our pass game. The reason being that ALL good WCO teams can run well. Look at Green Bay without a solid run game, look at difference in Denver when they can run the ball. It is an essential part of the WCO. Therefore, until our line understands this better, and we can establish a solid running game, the WCO will sputter.

Question - Is Wags experienced at teaching WCO zone blocking techniques? Not to disrespect him because I think he is a very good coach. Just an honest question.

 

[BigRedDallasTexan]

I think it depends a lot on our linemen. Whatever our big uglies can do best that's what we should run. I think between Glenn and Lucky, we can make things work, it's just up to the guys up front.

 

[DaveH]

Question - Is Wags experienced at teaching WCO zone blocking techniques? Not to disrespect him because I think he is a very good coach. Just an honest question.

Good question. The guy had quite a large resume when it comes to line coaching, so I am sure the concept is must less than foreign. Couple that with Callahans background in coaching lines I think Wags is the right guy. I would be interesting to see what blocking schemes were used on Wagner's previous teams.

Dennis Wagner's bio from Husker.com

 

[mjmartin1970]

From http://espn.go.com/ncf/columns/davie/1440703.html - Bob Davie

on zone blocking:

"Zone blocking initially starts out as a double team at the point of attack on the down defensive linemen, but the beauty of it is that one of the offensive linemen will leave to attack the linebacker while one stays to take over the defensive lineman. The key is for the two offensive linemen working in unison to double-team the defensive lineman to decide who and when one of them will leave to block the linebacker."

Now there is a reason Bob Davie is analyzing and not coaching anymore, but I still respect him enough to be able to teach me a thing or two about football.

Any way, this technique seems that it would be significantly more difficult to teach/learn than man blocking. The reason - you can easily teach the lineman, individually, who to block in a one-on-one situation. Also, it would be a lot easier to dissect which blocking assignment was "blown", and who was the culpert. Zone blocking seems that it would be much more difficult to teach, which lineman is not doing their job/needs additional assistance, and to learn, to be able to "feel" which lineman should leave to block the linebacker.

Further, we have not topped 200 yards net rushing in a game yet this year. Thus, I contend it is our inexperience in the zone blocking scheme that is hindering our consistency on offense at this point in time. Thus, as our linemen have time "in the system" and time working together, we will continue to get better and better.