Offensive lineman in the spread

[Junkhead]

The thread about team speed made me wonder if OL recruiting will change now. ND under Weis had a big line, but they always played sluggish, very prone to the OTs getting beat by speed rushing DEs. Does the spread favor smaller, less lumbering lineman? I thought our huge OL would steamroll teams, but was it the playcalling or the line that was lacking? I haven't followed the spread offense very much. Thoughts.....

 

[TEXAS LOVES ND]

Smaller line = SPEED. Look at Boise,Utah and Oregons line their smaller overall but play well as a unit. If everybody ran a real prostyle offense then a bigger line would be better but since the spread has took over u need speed at all positions. SPEED KILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

I love the wider spacing that a lot of spread teams use in the offensive line.

I think our lack of running game was due to our running backs also.

The only way to have a power running game with a fat o-line is to have a quick accelerating running back who is also physical enough to break tons of tackles (like Mark Ingram, or Ryan Matthews). Basically an NFL type back. Adrian Peterson's style is the best example.

As soon as anyone touches our backs they go down. If you get Ingram through the line, he is going to beast a linebacker and pick up 7 yards. That linebacker is going to down our rb for a gain of ~3. Especially out of the single back set we ran.

Weis' pro style running was doomed without a pro style back.

 

[phgreek]

The thread about team speed made me wonder if OL recruiting will change now. ND under Weis had a big line, but they always played sluggish, very prone to the OTs getting beat by speed rushing DEs. Does the spread favor smaller, less lumbering lineman? I thought our huge OL would steamroll teams, but was it the playcalling or the line that was lacking? I haven't followed the spread offense very much. Thoughts.....

first of all, thanks for posting this...I just came from that thread on speed...this seems a constructive spin to that discussion.

I wondered the same thing. I see Utah and Boise state fairly regularly. I'm not an expert on the spread by any means, but have noticed the Lineman are smaller, seem more agile. Also noticed the formation/scheme itself seems to help the QB...it helps him recognize open spots, and get the ball out when the heat is on from the edge...also, it seems to make it harder for an overloaded/conflicted dback/backer to cover for a blitzer. Anyway, I think we'll change our profile of what a tackle is for sure....and that may not be bad.

All-in-all, I don't see us having an imposing offensive line (but as you said, even when we did, we didn't use them)...But, I think our line will actually play better next year...its wide open best I can tell...the scheme seems to say a smaller, more agile guy can realistically beat out the bigger, more classically featured lineman...that means EVERY lineman is in play...and competition every day...can only be good.

 

[WabashFalcon]

It's not really about speed in the line for a spread team. You need guys that are good in space... great lateral movement... ability to make a single block. You don't need straight line speed... you need big guys that can slide from side-to-side. If he runs a 7.4 forty but is fantastic in lateral space, offer him.

 

[alleycat9]

is it too much for me to want them to come out in an i formation and run the iso 25 times a game with some option and play action mixed in.

one can dream

 

[irish0227]

th spread is slowly taking over colege football and with its new home in south bend it will allow floyd to flurish, also armando allen will get bigger gains on the ground with teams playing only 5 or 6 in the box

 

[Ben E.]

big lineman can play in the spread offense. ie. texas tech has had some huge o-lineman over the last 5 years or so. left guard for the chargers for one is a TT football alum.

 

[TDHeysus]

scheme blockers rather than run blockers. They need to have good footwork, along with the strength, agility. They can be big or small, even if you run the spread you will still need the stud Tackles to keep those DE's off your QB.

running the spread really effects the QB and RB, and FB positions the most. FB is all but eliminated, at least the role of the traditional FB is all but eliminated. Those 3 positions change the most when compared to a more traditional offense.

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

From what I can tell, Henderson is a beast... how will he work in the spread if we land him?

 

[TDHeysus]

From what I can tell, Henderson is a beast... how will he work in the spread if we land him?

I heard he got owned by that dlineman from Corona Centienniel(CA). Cant think of that kids name, but he is one of the top guys out there, and he is headed to FLA.

To be fair, I heard that kid owned everyone on the field that day.

Henderson would prolly do really good in a spread offense. Being an AAU basketball star, I can only assume that he has the footwork and agility.

 

[BirdmanND06]

From what I can tell, Henderson is a beast... how will he work in the spread if we land him?

The most important thing for an OL in the spread is athleticism. What makes Henderson so special is that he is extremely athletic for his huge size. He could play LT for any team in the country regardless of system due to his very rare combination of size and athleticism.

 

[BirdmanND06]

I heard he got owned by that dlineman from Corona Centienniel(CA). Cant think of that kids name, but he is one of the top guys out there, and he is headed to FLA.

To be fair, I heard that kid owned everyone on the field that day.

Henderson would prolly do really good in a spread offense. Being an AAU basketball star, I can only assume that he has the footwork and agility.

do you mean Ronald Powell, rated the #1 overall prospect by Rivals and ESPN?

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

Why can't we get him to play for us?