It is always fun to see new plays introduced over the course of the season, and to occasionally get some commentary about them from the TV analysts covering the games. We witnessed a new play against the Huskies in the first drive that was fun to watch develop, and then see what the analysts had to say about it, but there was a glaring omission that actually drove the success of the play.
In addition, this component ignored by the sportscasters may make a big difference in our upcoming B1G Championship game. Let’s take a look!
Yes, there are pulling offensive linemen, but what about the backside of the play? (Screenshot from NBC Sports Video)
It was correctly pointed out how the offside guard and tackle pulled to blast the right side, and create a running lane for Jordan James. Moving in space and blasting blocks is common in a “Gap Scheme” blocking strategy. As an old offensive lineman, I loved pulling, getting a head of steam and blasting a linebacker or defensive end, as opposed to trying to root out a defensive tackle in front of me via a “Zone Blocking” scheme.
The graphics were cool in the game to show the Gap Blocking, but what about the Backside of the play? If there are no blockers to seal the backside of the play, then the backside defenders will swamp your running play as it barely gets started. Remember my analysis after the Idaho game where I showed how deficient the backside blocking was, and how it turned potential six-to-eight yard plays into short two yard gains instead?
Sealing the backside defenders from the play is crucial, and in the screenshot above, there is a Red Arrow pointing to the defender who will be on the backside of the play. Who is going to block him? Josh Conerly Jr. No. 76, and to the right of him, Nishad Strothers No. 50 are pulling, and little Tez Johnson No. 15 is taking off into the flat as the play begins. So who accounts for this backside defender?
Dillon Gabriel is “reading” the defender, and thus immobilizing him. (Screenshot from NBC Sports Video)
What the TV analysts did not notice or mention is how this backside defender was being “read” by Dillon Gabriel above. (Yellow dotted line and arrow) If he “sits” as he is in this screenshot above, then Gabriel hands the ball off because this backside defender is not going to chase the running back. If the defender does decide to dart inside to catch the running back, then Gabriel pulls the ball, and now runs through the open lane created by the vacating defender.
The defensive coordinators of opposing teams do not want a quarterback with the speed of Dillion Gabriel running down the backside of their defense, thus instructing the defensive end or linebacker to “sit,” is common. Thus Oregon does not have to block the backside defender, and the pulling guard and tackle create a blocking imbalance, and advantage on the right side.
Close to the goal line, the “reading” occurs again! (Screenshot from NBC Sports Video)
Later in the drive, the Ducks run the same play that scores Noah Whittington, and it is clear that Dillon Gabriel is “reading” the backside defender again. (Yellow dotted line and arrow above) Thus we pick up an extra blocker on the playside, (the right side) that overwhelms the Washington defense. Reading the defender is a pretty significant element of the play to ignore! While I was cursing the TV analysts, I was also in admiration of how Offensive Coordinator Will Stein combined aspects of two plays together.
It reminds quite a bit of the Sweep Read play that I covered 13 years ago in the old Chip Kelly videos I created. Pulling offensive linemen, and reading defenders to create an advantage in a running play–I love it!
Now, let’s look at the two plays in the video above, and watch for the defender being “read” at the beginning of both plays. With all the movement of the blockers, and the excitement of the big gain or scoring, it is easy to overlook what I believe is a key element of success in the play. Such a smart play design! I’m going to call it the, “GT C-Gap Read” as we have the guard and tackle pulling. (GT)
When Oregon plays Penn State in the B1G Championship game tomorrow, they will face the No. 1 Edge Rusher in the nation, Abdul Carter No. 11, who is a beast on the defensive line. He is incredibly fast, who blows up running plays and creates sacks routinely. One way that Oregon can neutralize him is to “read” him as you see above. Whatever he does, Gabriel can make it wrong. If Carter chases the running back? Dillon pulls the ball during the mesh, and takes off running through the open gap.
If Carter sits? Now this ‘Lion star will have no impact on the play, hence the result for Oregon is Good-or-Good regardless of what he does. Do watch for this, and let me know your reactions in only free, civilized Oregon football forum because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!“
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Eric Becker
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…