Coach Dooley changes offensive philosophy

[zjcvols]

You made a good point about clock control and the running versus passing style.

I compared UT in their two games, to Bama in their two. Here is what I found: in both games UT spent more time with the football, in our fast up-tempo offense. I am not saying this is a definitive statement, but it is an interesting way to look at things.


UT 34:18 to GSU 25:42
UT 31:47 to NCSU 28:13

By contrast:
Bama 27:32 to WKU 32:28
Bama 31:26 to UM 28:34

I do have one, unrelated question, that struck me while I was driving around tonight. Our brand of no-huddle offense, is really about getting to the LOS, checking with the coaches, and calling the play that they see based on defensive formations and/or gameplan. I wonder if this is not even more ingenious than we can imagine. What if, as some have suspected, Tyler Bray really can't read defensive formations well? In other words, he isn't perfect at determining when to check out of a pass to a run, so the coaches found a way to do it for him? I am not saying this to disparage Bray in anyway, he is one of my favorite Vols. I just wonder if that is the real reason behind it.

Regardless of why, if it works...go for it.

It's possible. Remember last year when we couldn't run the ball with Bray, then Simms came in and we were semi-effective?

I doubt it though. Honestly, I think it's for rhythm, tempo, and to get our offense as much of the ball as possible.

 

[1world1love]

It's possible. Remember last year when we couldn't run the ball with Bray, then Simms came in and we were semi-effective?

I doubt it though. Honestly, I think it's for rhythm, tempo, and to get our offense as much of the ball as possible.

I agree. It may help take some of the pressure off Bray as far as making the correct reads, but I think it is mostly about running as many plays as possible and preventing the defense from getting in a comfort zone.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

Actually, even Cutcliffe changed things up a bit and went up-tempo/no huddle most of the time, the last season he was here. That by the way, was the last time we had a good season (and SEC CG appearance).

It serves a few purposes. Keeps a defense from substituting and makes it hard for them to show different pre-snap looks (forces them to show their hand much of the time). By the end of the game, it usually wears a defense down, even if they are deep...because you keep their best players on the field longer, since they can't sub as often.

It also allows teams to score quickly, which can demoralize a defense. We should know from playing the Gators in the 90's. They would strike early, quickly, and often. That made it seem nearly impossible to keep up...and thus you can get inside your opponent's head.

Lastly, Peyton Manning made a living off of this type of offensive system. If you want to eat up the clock, you can just milk it at the LOS.

 

[BaldBiker]

The one that produces the most wins.

Right now....we're tied.

 

[GhostVol]

Some numbers that would seem to support this philosophy "change":

TN scoring drives: 46.66% of 30 total
Opp scoring drives: 20.69% of 29 total

Points per time of possession:

TN: Scoring 1 pt every 46.10 secs of TOP
Opp: 1 pt / 95.15

These numbers are season to date. Of course they'll change given the caliber of competition but they do seem to support the "score as much as you can as fast as you can" mentality.

And a disclaimer: my math skills are suspect at best

 

[warrior]

Oh. I just sell cell phones and played a little football in high school. If I knew the exact answer to that I would be on staff somewhere.

But since you asked, a very talented defense with physical corners that could get pressure with the front 4 and create turnovers would be a good start. Throw in an offense that methodically marches down the field with a bruising tailback, a deep and physical offensive line, and a smart game managing quarterback would have a pretty good chance.

Yea that did not work so well for the Steelers Sunday night

 

[sanddune50]

TO BE GREAT YOU MUST BE DIFFERENT!

We cannot take our football team and beat a team like Alabama, by running the football and playing good defense. It would be like taking a high school you knew was out atheleted, in a league of teams that all run the wing t, and deciding that you're going to run the wing t too. You can't beat superior teams, by trying to do exactly what they do. We are not Alabama. We are not LSU. We have to do what we do best.

I remember a guy about a decade ago that consistently won championships in the SEC with this kind of approach. Think he resides in Columbia now.

 

[bigorange]

Actually, even Cutcliffe changed things up a bit and went up-tempo/no huddle most of the time, the last season he was here. That by the way, was the last time we had a good season (and SEC CG appearance).

It serves a few purposes. Keeps a defense from substituting and makes it hard for them to show different pre-snap looks (forces them to show their hand much of the time). By the end of the game, it usually wears a defense down, even if they are deep...because you keep their best players on the field longer, since they can't sub as often.

It also allows teams to score quickly, which can demoralize a defense. We should know from playing the Gators in the 90's. They would strike early, quickly, and often. That made it seem nearly impossible to keep up...and thus you can get inside your opponent's head.

Lastly, Peyton Manning made a living off of this type of offensive system. If you want to eat up the clock, you can just milk it at the LOS.

Yea that did not work so well for the Steelers Sunday night

Yes and yes

 

[C-town Vol]

I think the philosophy goes much deeper than the offensive side of the ball. CDD said Sal has bought in...the talk about defense has been "making impact plays". Basically, the opponent's offense may hit a few bigs ones on you but the defense will get a couple of turnovers and sacks that will even things out and get the ball back to the high-octane offense. Whereas with Wilcox our defense was death by 1000 cuts...with Sal it is get the ball back to our offense one way or the other...high risk-high reward defense to go with a fast paced offense...it is going to be fun to watch.

 

[Nashvol2]

It's possible. Remember last year when we couldn't run the ball with Bray, then Simms came in and we were semi-effective?

I doubt it though. Honestly, I think it's for rhythm, tempo, and to get our offense as much of the ball as possible.

I think it has more to do with not allowing defensive subs. Once you have a defensive personel package on the field, it's easier to get a play in that takes advantage of it's weakness.

 

[Nashvol2]

Yea that did not work so well for the Steelers Sunday night

It doesn't help when you the qb throws a pick six in the last few minutes. Not much of a game managing qb.

Look scheme and philosophy will only take you so far. You have to have talent and you have to execute. That's why the game is played.

 

[Nashvol2]

I think the philosophy goes much deeper than the offensive side of the ball. CDD said Sal has bought in...the talk about defense has been "making impact plays". Basically, the opponent's offense may hit a few bigs ones on you but the defense will get a couple of turnovers and sacks that will even things out and get the ball back to the high-octane offense. Whereas with Wilcox our defense was death by 1000 cuts...with Sal it is get the ball back to our offense one way or the other...high risk-high reward defense to go with a fast paced offense...it is going to be fun to watch.

That's exactly right and I think Sal will love it. I know he would like to have some more time to rest the front 7 but part of the scheme is having different looks with different personel. Substitution will rest the players. The key though, will be depth in the front 7.

 

[emzeeee]

You made a good point about clock control and the running versus passing style.

I compared UT in their two games, to Bama in their two. Here is what I found: in both games UT spent more time with the football, in our fast up-tempo offense. I am not saying this is a definitive statement, but it is an interesting way to look at things.


UT 34:18 to GSU 25:42
UT 31:47 to NCSU 28:13

By contrast:
Bama 27:32 to WKU 32:28
Bama 31:26 to UM 28:34

Your possession times with GSU and UT are wrong.
UT had 25:42 and GSU had 34:18.

Thus making your point nearly wrong because it gives UT an average possession time lower than Alabama. But, whatever.

 

[P.O.T.S. VOL]

I was watching the end of the LSU-Washington game saturday and the talking heads were saying something along the lines of "Washington knows what is about to happen, they know its going to be a run, but they just can't stop it. LSU is going to run right at them and there is nothing they can do about it."

I think what we may be seeing here at Tennessee is the same as you see at Bama and LSU with their power running game. They pass the ball just enough to make the defense know there is a threat but their bread and butter is the power running game. Our thing is exactly opposite. We will run enough to keep them honest but our bread and butter is passing. It is just how the roster is set up and Dooley knows it. Our best players lend towards the passing attack. Big, athletic recievers. Big, athletic TE with hands. An O-line that is capable of creating holes but is nearly flawless in pass protection. Fast, shifty backs/slot guys. A tall QB with a laser arm and fearless attitude.

They know what's coming. They know Tennessee is about to throw the ball, but they don't know how to stop it. UT is going to throw it all over the field and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Great post!

 

[VolFanInHawaii]

the way I see it, we gotta play to our strengths, cause that gives us the best chance to win. if we gotta throw the ball 40-50 times a game to make that happen, I don't care. Just win baby win.

 

[mtvernon63]

A quick scoring offense doesn't mean no running game, but rather a pass first, spread, no-huddle offense where the QB changes the play at the line depending on what the defense is going to "allow" or do (meaning run if they play pass, etc). We just need some hogs on the d-line and some speed at linebacker (which I think we have this year) to get the other team's offense off the field or Bray & Co will be on the sideline watching most of the game. Any of you watch my Broncos beat the Steelers the other night will know what I mean, and the Steelers actually had about the only game plan the oppent OF a quick-scoring spread / no-huddle offense can have (unless they too try and make it a track meet).

But remember guys we almost beat Bama 2 years ago playing their game (why didn't we just back the holder up 2 more yards on the second attempt!)... Just food for thought

Go Vols!

 

[Tenacguy50]

Funny, seven seconds or less is what my wife calls me.

But truthfully, she always gets the full 8 second ride.

lol: lol: lol:

 

[sanddune50]

That's exactly right and I think Sal will love it. I know he would like to have some more time to rest the front 7 but part of the scheme is having different looks with different personel. Substitution will rest the players. The key though, will be depth in the front 7.

Speaking of. Hear that Christian Harris will be suited up and eligible to play if needed this Saturday.

 

[Tenacguy50]

Great post OP. WE ARE TENNESSEE! :rock:

 

[9296potsguy]

I ad hear to the latter. I think you have to be pretty **** cocky to assume you can do what everyone else does better than they do it, especially if you have lesser talent.

*add here

 

[warrior]

It doesn't help when you the qb throws a pick six in the last few minutes. Not much of a game managing qb.

That is the point though. When he threw the pick six, it was not clock/game management time, it was drive and score to win the game down by 6 time. Putting points on the board forces the opposing QB into that situation.

 

[warrior]

Denver had 10 minutes less time of Possession than the Steelers. Ben did fine managing the clock and maintaining possession. Peyton just did a better job throwing TDs.

 

[Tux]

I was watching the end of the LSU-Washington game saturday and the talking heads were saying something along the lines of "Washington knows what is about to happen, they know its going to be a run, but they just can't stop it. LSU is going to run right at them and there is nothing they can do about it."

I think what we may be seeing here at Tennessee is the same as you see at Bama and LSU with their power running game. They pass the ball just enough to make the defense know there is a threat but their bread and butter is the power running game. Our thing is exactly opposite. We will run enough to keep them honest but our bread and butter is passing. It is just how the roster is set up and Dooley knows it. Our best players lend towards the passing attack. Big, athletic recievers. Big, athletic TE with hands. An O-line that is capable of creating holes but is nearly flawless in pass protection. Fast, shifty backs/slot guys. A tall QB with a laser arm and fearless attitude.

They know what's coming. They know Tennessee is about to throw the ball, but they don't know how to stop it. UT is going to throw it all over the field and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Many other people whom I correspond with on another message board, including myself have always believed and felt that Dooley's philosophy at UT has always been to score quickly and score often. I don't see anything that has changed other than people are just now realizing and understanding what Dooley has been doing all along and coming to terms with the fact that he is not going to try and beat the Alabamas or LSUs by being just like them. He just did not have the personnel ready to do everything that he has wanted to implement and use until this season.

 

[JD05]

I didn't see this discussed. Mods please merge if necessary.

I know it's been discussed in the "can we win without a strong running game" threads but I found some things that were interesting in today's media presser that maypoint to the direction that coach Dooley is heading.

When asked about the up-tempo offense, this is what he had to say:

"It is a good question. It is a little bit philosophy and I used to be that philosophy. I am not anymore - I want to score. I did a lot of soul searching in the off season about all that. Defense has to go and stop them, but if you keep scoring it is harder and harder for the other team. I know that because I have been on the other side of it. I am not going to slow our guys down. I want them to play fast and I want them to have fun. If they score, let's go stop them."

The offense enjoying the change:

"I know the offense does. I told Sal [Sunseri] when I hired him that it was going to look a little different than he is used to. Sal understands it - he is in. It is philosophy, doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. But given what we have on our football team I just think that gives us the best chance to win and that is why we are doing what we do. "

Allowing the defense to prepare:

"That was the challenge - how do you have an up tempo offense and still give the defense a chance to go prepare to go play. Time will tell if we got it right. We haven't really changed how we do our practice structure much but we have changed how we do the offense. We could get it done a lot quicker but I am not going to compromise the defense."''

A few things stick out to me about the comments. One, it sounds like Coach Dooley is willing to change. It sounds like he understands what he has with the personel.

Two, it's just my opinion but I think the necessity to win now helped him along the decision making process. I think analyzing your performance, and making adjustments is important in any performance based position. Many coaches are criticized for their in-action and in some cases, for their changes but it sounds like Coach Dooley understands that he will be judged on the teams results.

I've posted before that I thought Dooley wanted to play more 2 tight ends with more single back formations and motion, but atleast for now, he seems to have changed his approach. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years if we have that opportunity.

Dooley said it best, "Time will tell if we got it right." Thoughts?

There is one thing about Dooley: He will tell you the truth. Some people just don't like it.

 

[VFL1953]

No one loves smashmouth football more than I do. I was a middle LB in high school and in semi pro (walked on at UT.....crawled off). A 10-7 game is ambrosia to me.

BUT.......Dooley is doing the right thing. This team is not Alabama or even Georgia. It's a fast, nimble team with great receivers and QB, use em. Probably won't win us a national title, but it will damn sure win us more football games than we have seen in a few years. Hopefully we win 9 regular season games and Dooley has time to recruit the slobberknockers he needs to play the physical game he (and I) enjoy.