Pretty much every college team, and most of the NFL now runs some "Malzahn stuff" ($1 to John Gruden) as part of their offenses. Truth be known, the argument can be made that Gus is the most influential coach in all of football over the past 5 years. Like him or not, he is an innovator and a wonk. Gus can coach and he hasn't forgotten how overnight. That's the good news.
The bad news is that, again, Gus is so influential. With "Malzahn stuff" being so ubiquitous that has prompted defenses to work to catch up, which they inevitably do. Does that mean the Gus Bus is suddenly obsolete? Absolutely not. Gus just needs to adjust to the adjustments, as it were.
I'm a former HS basketball coach who only coached a little football as an assistant (WRs/DBs), so I'll leave the Xs and Os to the venerable Bunker football coaches (Kenews/PFD/Hunter, et al), but my observation is that the days of being successful in this system with a one-dimensional QB may be over. We put up good numbers with Chris Todd (before his bum shoulder acted up), but if defenses are able to load up on our RBs and ignore the QB run that will work out badly. No matter how well the O-Line blocks they will be outnumbered, and play-action is less effective as LBs/Safeties can drop deeper without accounting for the QB.
On the other extreme if a QB can't make them pay with his arm, then defenses can effectively deal with a running QB as well.
Nick was successful obviously because of his running ability... but also the fact that, despite his maddening inconsistency, Nick could wing it deep. DBs knew that if they cheated up they could be on the wrong end of a bomb to Sammie, Duke or Rico. The vertical passing game is a vital element in Gus's system.
In other words, whether the QB is a runner who can pass (Nick), or a passer who can run (Sean, JJ), IMO Gus needs to utilize BOTH dimensions to give the QB and thus the team their best chance of success. Defensive adjustments now demand a full use of Gus Bus weapons
Sean doesn't have to bust an ESPN-highlight 60 yd TD scamper. Just picking up 6-8 yds on keepers off reads, scrambles for first downs, extending plays, and the occasional QB draw will do the trick. Let Safeties cheat up at their own peril. He sure as hell has the arm to make them pay. My hope is that Gus makes sure Sean is a legit run threat and doesn't try to protect him... same if JJ works his way back into playing time. As Gus says, he needs to give the QB his best chance to succeed. There, I believe, it is.
The bad news is that, again, Gus is so influential. With "Malzahn stuff" being so ubiquitous that has prompted defenses to work to catch up, which they inevitably do. Does that mean the Gus Bus is suddenly obsolete? Absolutely not. Gus just needs to adjust to the adjustments, as it were.
I'm a former HS basketball coach who only coached a little football as an assistant (WRs/DBs), so I'll leave the Xs and Os to the venerable Bunker football coaches (Kenews/PFD/Hunter, et al), but my observation is that the days of being successful in this system with a one-dimensional QB may be over. We put up good numbers with Chris Todd (before his bum shoulder acted up), but if defenses are able to load up on our RBs and ignore the QB run that will work out badly. No matter how well the O-Line blocks they will be outnumbered, and play-action is less effective as LBs/Safeties can drop deeper without accounting for the QB.
On the other extreme if a QB can't make them pay with his arm, then defenses can effectively deal with a running QB as well.
Nick was successful obviously because of his running ability... but also the fact that, despite his maddening inconsistency, Nick could wing it deep. DBs knew that if they cheated up they could be on the wrong end of a bomb to Sammie, Duke or Rico. The vertical passing game is a vital element in Gus's system.
In other words, whether the QB is a runner who can pass (Nick), or a passer who can run (Sean, JJ), IMO Gus needs to utilize BOTH dimensions to give the QB and thus the team their best chance of success. Defensive adjustments now demand a full use of Gus Bus weapons
Sean doesn't have to bust an ESPN-highlight 60 yd TD scamper. Just picking up 6-8 yds on keepers off reads, scrambles for first downs, extending plays, and the occasional QB draw will do the trick. Let Safeties cheat up at their own peril. He sure as hell has the arm to make them pay. My hope is that Gus makes sure Sean is a legit run threat and doesn't try to protect him... same if JJ works his way back into playing time. As Gus says, he needs to give the QB his best chance to succeed. There, I believe, it is.
