"Well, we used to go downhill running and then we got to this wide-zone and mid-zone kind of stuff. That kind of changed up how our mentality was, I guess. Now, we're back to downhill running and moving the rock, I think that's a huge part of why we have that new discovered toughness and meanness about us." - Wyatt Teller
What did everyone think of this comment? French? Anyone? Is this an indictment on Newsome / Grimes / Loefller or someone else entirely? Or is this what Searles is all about?
Did our blocking philosophy change last year? Is this what led to JC's success the last 4 games of the season?
Regardless, me likey. Wyatt getting downhill is a scary thought.
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I am sure it is coaching related but also personnel. You need big, strong and mean big uglies for this kind of attack and that is what we have this year (at least on the first team)
I have no clue but did anyone else watch the vtfootba snapchat yesterday? Saw some good things and bad things as far as pass protection went. Pfaff was struggling a little in the interior but man JC coleman picked up a blitz like a champ, Darius redman was a blocking machine and got a lot of praise, and teller did teller things
Also didn't look like Wade Hansen was having a very good day, getting beat twice.
Sounds like a reference to the bucket step. The OL did get better as the year progressed when it comes to angle of first steps on run blocking. I think the way an aggressive Teller was able to come in and manhandle people really helped facilitate the change. Playing faster and taking a more aggressive initial step will make the running game look more downhill. Ironically, I thought that was the weakest part of Searels' philosophy before he came here, especially coming a few years after one of the worst OL coaches from a technique standpoint that I have seen at the D1 level. I hope to see it from the start this year.
Agree across the board, and it sounds good, but the plays I am seeing on video clips are still more horizontal blocking-wise. And, that isn't a bad thing IF the OL can stay on their angle and the backs see the cutback lanes (see Humes, Cedric.) Both Trey Edmunds and Travon McMillian look like they are seeing holes really well based on the few clips that I have watched.
It sounds like I need to get a Snapchat account. I understand going mostly horizontal but a cometely lateral step can easily be ome backwards step. I am not a fan of putting guys in a position where they are stepping laterally or even backwards against a DL that gets a good jump on the ball or a blitzing LB. in that situation it doesn't matter who the OL is... they are going to get driven into the backfield.
Taking a step somewhat upfield, even if slight gives you a chance against a stunt or blitz... We might not get the reach quite as often but it will limit the negative plays. Either way, if we are good enough up front to get movement consistently the running game will be effective. I don't want to see us fighting to reach a defender that is trying to string the play out, drive him the direction he is already going and let the backs make a cut.
vtfootball has done a pretty good job of snapping a lot of the practice - it's been pretty cool so far seeing the work going in.
When I went to Tech we had Jake Grove and Lee Suggs. They hit people in the mouth with a 2x4 and ran it at them. Then the line went downhill and we lost our smash mouth attitude.
Sounds like Loeffler is still trying to figure out what kind of offense he wants to run.
Depends on what day of the week it is.