The best thing about the flexbone

[beej67]

I've been thinking a lot about this. The best thing about the flexbone vs the shotgun spread option is this:

Other teams run the shotgun spread option.

Shotgun spread speed option is the new fad, and with so many teams moving toward it, defenses are going to move toward it as well. Most teams incorporate some elements of it in their offense, so it's something they're more likely to see in practice. Auburn's going spread, UGA already runs some shotgun QB-Choice style option, (scored on us this year with it) LSU runs it a little, Florida runs it a lot. But nobody else runs the flexbone, so nobody practices how to defend it.

Offenses go in fads, and defenses catch up. Zone blitzing was a response to pro set offenses. Shotgun option was a response in some ways to zone blitzing. But nobody's defense is really set up to stop triple option anymore, because defending it is all about discipline and familiarity with your assignments, and you can't get familiar with it when you never see it.


That's just my opinion, though, and I'm still a relative newb to flex compared to some of you guys.

 

[33jacket]

The worst thing...is our D practices against the 3-0 in spring and fall; and over time (not next year) over time, may lose the discipline and quality of play at real speed vs passing offenses and spreads!!!!

That is my concern. The only real speed play the D gets is in fall and spring when the 1s go against the 1s....during the year...its scout team which can't ever simulate the speed or discipline needed!

In fact the UGA game the commentators made that comment. How hawaii D only practices against the spread passing O; and b/c of it their Run D is very suspect and out of position.

 

[ncjacket]

Well, I think their run D is suspect and out of position because they just aren't very good period.

 

[beej67]

Hawaii wasn't out of position, they were just a bunch of little weenies who couldn't tackle or get off a block.

 

[33jacket]

Well, I think their run D is suspect and out of position because they just aren't very good period.

when u are out of position...that means you either aren't coached well, or u are not used to playing that type of D.

I am going with alot of #2 and some of #1.

Throw in the wimp part and you have what happened.

 

[ncjacket]

You can also be out of position if you just aren't good enough to get to where you need to be when you need to be there. That's my vote.

But seriously, there are plenty of teams with good defenses who also play some kind of spread offense.

 

[WracerX]

I didn't watch the game. What I read said that Hawaii got burned by the run early, then adjusted. That would make me think that UGA adjusted their O based on what they thought UH would do. Maybe the UH coaches got beat in addition to their players.

 

[beej67]

What I read said that Hawaii got burned by the run early, then adjusted.

What I saw, as much as I could bear to watch, was Hawaii got burned on the run whenever UGA decided to run, and later on in the game they figured they'd pass some too, because they could clearly have their way with Hawaii no matter what they were doing. Hence less rushing yards later in the game. But whatever..

 

[Allen Koholic]

I think the fact that Hawaii's defense spent the entire season playing against WAC offenses might have played a small part in being decimated by UGA's run game. For what it's worth, the only adjustment I saw any rainbow warrior make was Colt Brennan having his spinal column "adjusted" into funny shapes.

 

[midatlantech]

Hawaii was severly undermanned on defense. They actually reminded me of Navy in that the defense couldn't stop anyone. They outscore you.

But against UGA, their OT couldn't handle UGA's DE's at all. UGA was rushing three and putting incredible pressure on Brennan. Too bad because I don't think Hawaii was that bad and I don't think UGA was that good.

 

[gnats67]

The best thing is that you don't have to run it all the time. You can incorporate other sets into your offense and entirely throw the defense for a loop. It's the basis for your run offense. It doesn't mean you can't line up in another formation (heaven forbid!) and throw the ball (or run a sneak! EEEEEK! that makes me wet my pants a little!)

Hold my hand. I'm skeert. :rolleyes:

 

[ramblinwreck24]

I played defense in college and have coached it as well and the best trait a defense can have is to be disciplined. Going against the triple O in the spring and early fall will only cause our players to be more disciplined but should not really hurt the D at all because once they get closer to games, they will split off anyway and practice against the other teams offensive formations. IMO the discipline that practicing against the 3-O will bring will be a huge asset because I think that discipline has been one of the few things our defense has lacked the past few years.

 

[PJ_RULZ]

The worst thing...is our D practices against the 3-0 in spring and fall; and over time (not next year) over time, may lose the discipline and quality of play at real speed vs passing offenses and spreads!!!!

When CPJ was at GSU they played good defense against traditional offenses.