Pro Style vs Spread

Hey everyone. I've haven't posted in a while but another topic here on the board influenced me to ask this question.

I've heard others express their desire for changes on the offense and some have suggested we move to a spread. I just want to know why. My observations regarding the spread/spread-option are as follows: You need a once in a lifetime QB to run it. Scam and Tebow were without a doubt a special blend of player. The entire offense revolves around one guy. Once they leave then you end up having problems. Florida this year and Auburn more than likely next season as examples. From a recruiting stand point I think it would be easier to find the traditional drop back passer than it would be to find a guy with linebacker proportions who can also run and throw the ball.

Personally I don't think the Dawgs need to move to a spread. Someone mentioned that we should incorporate more West Coast offense into the system. I agree fully. Where is the short QB drop, the swing routes, timing passes and routes to the TE. It seems to me that it is all or nothing with our offense. Why can't we just break off chunks 3-5 yards at a time?

I've been a sunshine pumper all season but after watching the abysmal performance of the offense in the Liberty Bowl I'm beginning to rethink my position. I'm looking at you Mike Bobo.

Anyway just let me know what you guys think.

Getdown11.....I totally agree with you. Do like the West Coast idea and have always been a pro-style offense guy. First of all, you get the better recruits and get them more consistently.....secondly, the reason you get them more consistently is the fact all recruits want to go to the next level.

I believe in the pro-style with "spreading the field" with 4-5 wideouts occassionally and not the tricked up spreads you referred to with TT and CN......and especially UF's spread that is tricked up beyond belief.

Pro-style with a few wrinkles is best with me.

Getdown11, you bring up some good points.

When the spread is suggested, it does not necessarily mean that the ball won't be thrown. To suggest that Tebow did not throw the ball is a huge mistake. He did. A lot.

Cam, the same thing can be said about him. Tremendous strength, however a lot of that strength was in his right arm. He also threw the pigskin, and did so effectively. He will be a first round draft choice, same as Tebow was. Neither being drafted to run a spread offense.

High school and college are running many variations in their offensive schemes in the past 5/10 years. One reason for that is the learning process is much simpler. When you have to develop receivers and quarterbacks to the point that they are on the same page, takes a lot of time. X amount of practice time in high school and college. Rules you know. NCAA.

The most effective in my opinion is the West Coast. Even in the West Coast there are many different variations, but it still comes down to being able to throw the football effectively, whether it is a 5 yard toss or a 50 yard toss. West Coast forces a lot of teams into a cover two or similar situation, and that of course leaves the middle vulnerable to tight ends and slants from receivers. At that point it is yac, tackling versus running ability.

Using AM as an example Getdown11, he is perfect for any variation of the West Coast. He reminds me of Rodgers that is quarterbacking Green Bay so successfully at this point. Young man has wheels, proven more than one time this past season. While he prefers to pass, he has the talent to keep the chains moving. It also makes it easier for the offensive line if they have a quarterback that is mobile, that is fact.

Another misconception about the West Coast is that it is a "ball control offense" only. It can be used effectively that way, and that is when you see the defense moving out of a cover two and going more to man coverage.

Richt has a brother-in-law that understands the West Coast as well as anyone, including Jon Gruden and others. In Athens we have AM and my bet is he stays at UGA through his senior year. Bring the right coach in with the right system and it would be lights out in Athens. UGA has the material on campus right now, say that again, right now to run an awesome West Coast Offense.

One more thought, SS returned Florida to respectability actually using a version of the West Coast. It was not being called that, but if you look at film of UF under his tutelage, that was what they were doing. Also, he did not have quarterbacks that could run and throw like AM can. SS was forcing the defense to play the game the way he wanted them to.

Under the Richt/Bobo system it leaves me scratching my head and screaming at the plays they are running. Simply, I don't think that they have the ability at this point to match players with a system. Remember, they were on AM's butt about running the football. AM knows more about offensive football than the two combined. It was a special treat to watch AM run his high school team, they were hands down better than what is being exhibited by Richt/Bobo.

Buc,

I agree CN and TT were both accomplished passers in their own right. I just feel that the threat to run especially on those read-option plays opens up the secondary and linebacking corp which is why they were so successful.

I remember the fun-and-gun that SS used at UF back in the day I was always under the impression it was similar to the run-and-shoot (4 and 5-wide sets and lots of shotgun formations and vertical passing philosophy) as opposed to a pro style and a west coast with lots of underneath and short routes.. Again from a recruiting stand point I feel that recruits would prefer to learn under a pro style system. Granted Newton and Tebow will be/are playing in NFL time will tell if they pan out.

It seems like system guys like Timmy Change, Dave Klingler, Danny Wuerfful, Colt Brennan etc. never have the skills to make it into the league. They put up big numbers mostly by taking advantage of mis-matches in college secondaries.

Agree that we should design more bootlegs, quick drops etc. and start breaking yards off in chunks. Use AM's mobility. The consecutive play-action passes are getting a little old I must admit.

amen. how many times can a team run a play action on 3rd and long in a game and wonder why the LBers don't bite?

The west coast is my choice. Can you see marlon brown on the 1 or 3 route with his size? if he is between the ball and the defender it is at least 7 yards or pass interference. Same with charles.

I would die to see 2nd a 4 a lot; with our 7 step drop, and obligatory holding penalty, we always see 2nd and 20.

CMR/Bobo seem to think there is something wrong with 2nd and 6. With them, its either 15 yards or bust.

Getdown11 appears that you and I are on the same page, or close.

I agree CN and TT were both accomplished passers in their own right. I just feel that the threat to run especially on those read-option plays opens up the secondary and linebacking corp which is why they were so successful.

No doubt when you have a 6'6" quarterback in the 240 range, with the speed and agility CM has opens up a lot of offensive plays. Tebow at 6'3" or 4" and good speed, weight around 230/240 also too tough and commited to go down.

Wishbone used some of the same read options that these "new" formations are using. Single wing many, many years ago doing a lot of the same.

Some of the plays that Meyer was running came from Jon Gruden. He spent time in Tampa, and JG spent some time in Gainesville. What I personally think is Meyer let the program get away from what Meyer does best and that is not coaching fundamental football. He sure did not give Brantley much of a chance. He lost Tebow to Denver and that ended his sitting on top of the college flag pole. Bigger loss to UM was losing his offensive coordinator to Miss State. That came back to haunt him. Meyer was smart enough to leave and not get covered up with what was headed his way. Some never learn, or check history to understand what can and will happen.

He had a quarterback drafted in the first round when he was at Utah, young man named Smith. If memory serves me, he was #1 in the NFL draft. Chosen in that same draft was a young man from California that is running the show in Green Bay. Rodgers.

It will be a damn shame for Orson Charles to spend his time with coaches that don't know how to utilize his or some of his friends talents. I keep going back in my mind to KM.

Getdown11, would love to see UGA's predictable offense change course as sadlerdawg has suggested. I hold my breath.