Running Game Scheme Question under Coach Zorn

[Bill B]

I know this has been discussed before but I wanted to see if anyone had answers to a couple of questions as it relates to Coach zorn and the implementation of a new offensive system. I saw that Jim Zorn said he was going to keep most of the running scheme that was in place before he was hired by the Redskins and the passing game is where most of the changes will occur.

1.) I was wondering though - is this in the best interest of Clinton Portis? It seems that Portis thrived under the Denver Broncos spread offense and I would think that a running attack that uses more of a spread would really improve his numbers.

2.) How different is the West Cost Offense than the Broncos spread offense? I just wanted to see if anyone could provide clarification as far as if these schemes are vastly different and if they are not and if the Skins are going to put in a new playbook why not adjust the running game to Portis's strengths?

[SmootSmack]

Good thread. I look forward to reading the answers

[MTK]

I doubt everything will stay the same despite what he's saying now. At the very least we're going to see different types of formations. I think what he's saying is the basic blocking schemes will remain the same, (i.e. zone blocking), but anytime you put in a new offense there are going to be some changes.

[Paintrain]

When you look at the running plays Seattle has employed over the past few years under Holmgren, it's been a running attack that's focused on getting to the edge and running off the guard/tackle gap.. Also, look for us to run more out of a 3 or 4 WR look.. I think we've seen the last of the counter trey and the super jumbo package as we've known it. (Thank GOD!)

It's going to be a combo of the Denver like stretch attack and the quick hitting power game off the guard's outside hip. Since we're going to pass a little more as well, expect more draws and screens..

Portis and Betts will get a full workout in this offense but may not absorb as much punishment.

[birdz4gibbs]

i get the feeling it,s going to be a spread offense type of feel with a running game thrown in there.

[SKINStoWIN]

Originally Posted by birdz4gibbs

i get the feeling it,s going to be a spread offense type of feel with a running game thrown in there.

I agree it will be more of a spread offense. The Counter and Jumbo plays are gonna be a thing of the past. "everything evolves eventually."

[70Chip]

I think the only thing Zorn has comitted to, is keeping the terminology of the running and blocking game the same. He didn't say he would call the same plays in the same order or in the same proportion. I think he will end up doing what he likes to do. Although, I suspect Bugel can be fairly persuasive.

As for Denver, their passing game was all west coast as that is Shanahan's background. Sprint Option Right, the Montana to Clarke pass,was their pet goalline play. Their running game was a departure from what Walsh had done in S.F as it emphasized zone rather than man blocking, most famously the stretch play. But, the reality is that all offenses emphasize different things and borrow from various systems. Al Saunders had West Coast elements in his system. Even within the West Coast there is a wide variation. If you were to watch just Andy Reid, you would think the West Coast was largely based on the screen pass. If you were to watch just Green Bay you would think it was based largely on the slant. And, if you were to watch Denver you would think it was a run-first system. The biggest change will be the terminology. That and the fact that he will bring the "fast break" approach that Seattle employed. I've been saying for a while that the Redskins could greatly help themselves by "playing faster" and Zorn is all about that. But in terms of the actual plays, I think a lot of it will be appear very similar. Santana will still go deep. Cooley will still attack the post, etc.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

When you look at the running plays Seattle has employed over the past few years under Holmgren, it's been a running attack that's focused on getting to the edge and running off the guard/tackle gap.. Also, look for us to run more out of a 3 or 4 WR look.. I think we've seen the last of the counter trey and the super jumbo package as we've known it. (Thank GOD!)

It's going to be a combo of the Denver like stretch attack and the quick hitting power game off the guard's outside hip. Since we're going to pass a little more as well, expect more draws and screens..

Portis and Betts will get a full workout in this offense but may not absorb as much punishment.

Yeah that jumbo crap has got to go. Seattle never ever runs jumbo when they get in short yardage.

[hagams]

Question, will the changes be able to be made with our current O-line guys?

I'm sure that Portis and Betts will be able to adapt and have success no matter how they run, as long as they can block for them.

[dmek25]

if Zorn runs the west coast that similar to the eagles, this is probably great news for Portis. most of its stretch plays, and draws. almost all of the stuff is towards the outside, between the guard and tackle.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by dmek25

if Zorn runs the west coast that similar to the eagles, this is probably great news for Portis. most of its stretch plays, and draws. almost all of the stuff is towards the outside, between the guard and tackle.

That's going to be an important key to this next season. Our center/guard run game is pretty pathetic right now.

[Sean"Big Hurt"Taylor]

I believe that the running game will totally look like the Seahawks running game and that is why we are going after their running backs coach. I really like there running game since it does not waste time getting our backs to the line and then explode. Shaun Alexander was just hurt and afraid of contact which is the complete opposite of Portis. I believe that Portis will have a good year like those Alexander's years. I do believe that this offense will be more finesse than power. I really am excited about this change since we will go away from the power and get more explosive with the finesse. I was watching some of Seattle games on their multimedia and there offense is sick. I believe our talent level is better than theirs but the most important, QB, is off the charts. If we can get Campbell to be half as good as Hasselbeck we will be in good shape. SORRY FOLKS WE WILL BE A FINESSE TEAM NEXT SEASON!!

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

I think the only thing Zorn has comitted to, is keeping the terminology of the running and blocking game the same. He didn't say he would call the same plays in the same order or in the same proportion. I think he will end up doing what he likes to do. Although, I suspect Bugel can be fairly persuasive.

As for Denver, their passing game was all west coast as that is Shanahan's background. Sprint Option Right, the Montana to Clarke pass,was their pet goalline play. Their running game was a departure from what Walsh had done in S.F as it emphasized zone rather than man blocking, most famously the stretch play. But, the reality is that all offenses emphasize different things and borrow from various systems. Al Saunders had West Coast elements in his system. Even within the West Coast there is a wide variation. If you were to watch just Andy Reid, you would think the West Coast was largely based on the screen pass. If you were to watch just Green Bay you would think it was based largely on the slant. And, if you were to watch Denver you would think it was a run-first system. The biggest change will be the terminology. That and the fact that he will bring the "fast break" approach that Seattle employed. I've been saying for a while that the Redskins could greatly help themselves by "playing faster" and Zorn is all about that. But in terms of the actual plays, I think a lot of it will be appear very similar. Santana will still go deep. Cooley will still attack the post, etc.

Good post. Every "modern" offense runs a lot of elements of the west coast. Being a "west coast" offense simply refers to the fact that you want to call yourself that. The offense that Atlanta ran during the Mora tenure was "west coast" even though it had about as much similarity to the Walsh-WCO as Martyball does.

It's a tweak in philosopy, but a good one. Basically, it means we aren't going to get Portis pounded into submission when it clearly isn't working.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Sean"Big Hurt"Taylor

SORRY FOLKS WE WILL BE A FINESSE TEAM NEXT SEASON!!

Care to explain what that actually means?

[Sean"Big Hurt"Taylor]

Finesse mean we will not be running power runs but more outside the tacke runs and more screens to the running back. We will see an o-line change next season. We will be having more mobile and agile olineman that get up the field. I believe that Thomas and Samuels stay but everyone else is in jeopardy of getting released. We will not be using anymore jumbo packages unless we are at the goal line. We will also be using more misdirection in our running plays. This is the Seattle West Coast running attack.