I have some questions.
Going into the Loeffler era, all indications were that we would be moving towards a smash-mouth running attack. Yet last year we didn't seem to be geared that way. In reviews of our o-line execution I remember reading a lot about influence blocking, sweeps, veers, etc.
Didn't we put more emphasis on getting players to the edge than power running?
Is it harder to execute influence/zone blocking than straight man?
If so, is it possible that we spent last year working on executing more difficult o-line techniques to lay the foundation for more dynamic playcalling in the years to come? Or were we simply attempting to mask our inexperience in the backfield? Or was it a little bit of both?
I'd love to be a team that can attack a defense with any manner of offensive strategies. ie. Your dline is weak? We're going to jam it down your throat. or, you have an aggressive pass rush? we're going to fool you out of your shoes and beat you on mid-range play action.
Comments
In short, Loeffler had to adjust to move the ball down the field. He didn't want Logan Thomas running as much as he did and he had to go with short passes to act as the running game.
Hopefully we'll see more physical play this year, but I think it'll take another year or two to really see Loeffler's style.
Having more depth at TE will be big this year.
That's actual TE depth. Not converting TEs into things depth. Converting things into TEs? That's still acceptable.
I don't think we can really judge Loeffler's offense based on how we played last year. Loeffler recognized that LT3 was easily our most talented player on offense. He saw we were struggling to just hand the ball off and run so we centered the entire offense around Logan. That's where the veer plays and influence blocking were coming from. The offense was catering specifically to our quarterback. As EddieVT said, we also had to start passing short because we struggled so badly to gain a few yards running the ball. No one was threatened by our receivers going deep, so the just stacked the box and dared us to take the top off the defense (which we couldn't do).
I think we'll see a much more typical Loeffler offense this year, especially if we can consistently gain yards on the ground with our RBs.
Honestly, I think our progress towards an offensive rebound is pretty much meeting expectations. I didn't honestly expect a huge overnight shift from 2012 to 2013, but what did please me was the creativity Lefty showed. We'll be building on these improvements in coaching, recruiting, and play-making this year and the year after. But I don't at all think it is unreasonable to expect improved stats in production, protection, turnovers, and scoring this season.
This O-Line could have a breakout performance any game now (though Alabama 2013 was certainly a good performance). It's only a matter of when, not if.
I think Lefty and Beamer want a power run game. But we might be spending a couple years to get there as we have to recruit and develop the talent for that. Right now, I just want an offense that works to score more points than the other team, and if that means that we need to run a run and shoot Mike Leach offense I will take it.
I'm expecting the power run game to be emphasized more this season. Definitely agree last year it was a problem with personnel and Loeffler had to go with what VT could win with which was a LT focused offense with the short passing game. This year with the depth at RB, OL, and TE I'd be disappointed if VT didn't try to go in that direction of trying to be the "Stanford of the east" type offense that Beamer states in his book he wants to be.
In fall camp last year when most of the offense installation was to occur there was no RB depth/experience (especially after JC got injured w/ Holmes already kicked off the team and Mangus/Caleb starting off practice at WR), no OL depth (especially after Shuman was injured), and no experienced TEs (especially after Malleck was injured). To play physical you have to practice physical and I'd imagine if I was a Loeffler in mid-August w/ the injuries/depth issues it would be more palatable to not be as physical in practice so there could be some healthy bodies to play the #1 team in the country. I think there are enough bodies now for VT to practice the power run game this fall without worry.
Without TEs that are both competent blockers and pass catchers it's really hard to have a pro style offense. This year I love VT having Malleck/Cline/Hodges as complete TEs as well as a bigger Redman as a blocking TE. For 2015 it's awesome that all 4 of them are coming back. I hope that Loeffler has watched a lot of tape on the Patriots from a couple years back when they had Gronk/Hernandez.
Looking at the OL group for VT it's the best one VT has had the past few years. There won't be a need for any true freshman in the 2 deep or for any DL to be switched over this fall camp as well all of these linemen have prototypical size (well if Gibson comes back in the fall at the weight he was last year) . I like that Shuman and Wang can step in as capable experienced replacements if any of the starters get injured.
Last year going into the Alabama game at RB there was only Trey Edmunds in his first game and Chris Mangus who had practiced a lot at WR, Caleb was suspended and JC injured. Having too many RBs this year is a lot better problem than having too few. Seems as if Shane hinted that he'd primarily just rep the top 3 RBs likely to be Marshawn, JC, and Edmunds.
I sure hope Shane can finally prove himself as a Running back Coach. The Running game has been sluggish and inconsistent the past two years. We really haven't had a clear #1 and in 2012 it was a guessing game almost every offensive series of who would be in the backfield. Best running plays that stand out to me is the long run by Magnus against Western Carolina and of course the Edmunds run against Bama.
Seems we were on the edge last year. If Brewer passing can provide better accuracy/consistency/touch, combined with improvements/experience gained at RB, OL, and TE/WR, the offense could explode....oh please, oh please, oh please!