When the Ducks face a potent running game, how does the secondary adapt? In my first analysis we discussed the Cover 2 Shell and the coverage strategies that Oregon’s Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti runs in the secondary. Today, we will take a look at how Coach Aliotti injects the Single High Safety alignment into the secondary to stifle offenses with …
There is a misconception in the pass game that the more wordy and complex the play call sounds, the more effective it is. Generations of fans and coaches grew up on NFL Films and remember audio of long and seemingly never-ending play calls by legendary coaches. These intricate sounding schemes allegedly created wide open receivers, yet this perception is quite …
How do the Ducks stop 1,200 pounds of defensive muscle with exceptional speed from crushing our quarterback? What are the tactics to stop blitzes? It is only fitting to give some recognition to the big boys up front, since this is not an easy assignment. The men who battle in the trenches every single offensive play are the reason big …
My feathered friends…here is stunning back-to-back analysis by guest coaches to build on our understanding of Oregon football. These coaches have personally studied the Ducks on digital and implemented these concepts into their own team’s attack. Today we break down the fascinating coverages that Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti utilizes to make Oregon one of the nation’s best defenses at creating …
This is THE definitive analysis for understanding the Bubble Zone Read–a key component of the Oregon Offense. For those who take the time to learn from this analysis, a massive number of questions will be answered in this keystone article. This will be included in the Tutorial Series in the Directory. My personal thanks to Coach Brian Flinn of Villanova …
No play calls are more scrutinized than those made on 4th down and this subject provides an interesting study for students of the Oregon Offense. The decision to “Go For It” (and what type of play to run in that situation) often faces a head-on battle with conventional offensive wisdom. Often this wisdom is overly conservative, unimaginative, and in direct …
Imagine my surprise to find ANOTHER new play in the USC game, the Quarterback Sweep! Last week we enjoyed the revelation of “Sucker Plays”. As I reviewed it, I began to think about the other plays that the Oregon QB serves as the ball carrier and began to wonder about at what point is it too risky to be putting …
That is a bit provocative of a title, but what if it was true? Did Oregon hammer USC so badly with the running game in the past that it set up Southern Cal for their own Trojan horses? For the first time since the season ended, I enjoyed the company of the Grizzled Ole’ Coach as we worked through a …
Have you ever wondered why Oregon’s offense is so successful? There are a multitude of reasons, but one that we are going to look at today is how the running and passing game form such a wonderful marriage. It is no secret that we have many weapons on the offensive side of the ball as the offensive staff at Oregon …
As you know we Duck fans did not have much to cheer for when it came to kickoff returns for touchdowns this year, or kick off returns in general. It is very frustrating when we have such explosive players back there such as De’Anthony Thomas. Hopefully, De’Anthony’s 94-yard return for a touchdown in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will give us something …
Coaching surprises in the Spring Game? Besides the obvious of Mark Helfrich in charge, and more passes than usual – what is new that was unexpected? This unforeseen development is one I anticipated observing in the fall during our games, and did not expect to see it so soon. While it does not come directly from head coach Helfrich, we can …
It makes sense in our offseason to look again at the play that the entire Oregon offense is centered around, and the video that has been seen by so many coaches and fans worldwide over the last year and a half. Has it been awhile? Watch again and remember the fine points that make the Inside Zone Read so important to Oregon, …