We get a lot of posts complaining about Butch's "MAC offense" not working in the SEC. It obviously doesn't unless you have a rocket scientist at quarterback who can improvise. But what exactly is Butch's offense? It isn't a true read option because the QB is apparently given some strict limits. It is often called a West Coast spread, but if that is true, then we haven't seen it run correctly.
No. It is a version of the west coast spread. The fundamental elements of a WC O are usually a zone blocking run game then lots of short passes meant to keep D's spread out. The "zone read" is NOT the O... it is incidental to the O being in a spread formation.
The WC O works across football. The spread works. Other versions of the WC spread work.
Jones has his own "take" on it.
I think there are two different ideas about why Jones' O has failed so badly. I've leaned toward the nuances of his particular version but it could be nothing more than he does not know how to coach players up. That would be a little surprising since he seemed to in the past but maybe that was just the residual from following B Kelly.
One thing that is certain, it is not designed for SEC offensive linemen. Big aggressive monsters are unable to thrive in this system.
This again could go two ways. Did he succeed because Kelly left him OL's that were already trained or did his scheme just work because it was mostly run against lesser athletes? I lean toward the latter but it could be either or both.
One thing is certain. It asks UT's OL's to do things that for 4 years they have been unable or unprepared to do. The only good OL Jones has had at UT was the one left to him... it was strongly rumored at the time that they refused to learn Jones' "techniques".
It is designed for smaller linemen who move well horizontally and simply redirect the defense. In fact, an offensive linemen who is aggressive in this system actually ends up leaving gaps for stunting D linemen and blitzing linebackers.
Don't know if that's the design but you've nailed the effect.
I would like some posters who truly understand football to tell us what Butch's system is really all about.
I won't claim to be any more knowledgeable than I am. You've already hit part of it with the OL's.
It only gets more complex for the receivers and QB's.
For the RB's, it is "different" somewhat but probably not more difficult. The way the OL is supposed to block should open holes at specific times and places for the RB. They have to play with a certain "technique" to be able to take advantage.
Jones' receiver route trees for the most part require them to get off coverage, read the D according to their route tree, run a perfect route in perfect timing,... then make a play on the ball. If those route trees don't work then there's not down field passing game. If they don't have that then D's play up on the LOS and stop the run game and short passes. Voila... you have the UGA and Bama game.
This is where Dobbs' running became the X factor. D's could stop the deep and intermediate passing game but then Dobbs would break contain and run for more yards than a pass would have gained. THIS is what allowed him to bail Jones' system out.
As for the QB's, they have to make good pre-snap reads (unless they can run like Dobbs). The O then gives them sight windows. None of this is uncommon. Within those sight windows you will have a convergence of routes and key defenders to read. The throw is supposed to be based on where the defenders are in the half second or so window when the ball is supposed to be delivered. Almost everything Jones' passing O does has some sort of timing element to it. Miss that throw window... and you better have Dobbs' hands on the ball.
What makes that much more difficult is that they have to make all of those post and pre-snap reads... then be in sync with receivers who may or may not be able to read the play correctly and be where they need to be for the play to succeed.
Early in the year, Dormady was throwing some passes to where they were supposed to go... but the receivers missed their assignments. It was kind of a theme for the coaches for a few weeks. Then Dormady started trying to compensate for the receivers... and things went rapidly down hill.
This is why I say JG isn't ready. He hasn't played great because they haven't taken any chances or given him a big playbook. That isn't his fault at all. He shouldn't need to know a scheme so nuanced and "fragile" as a RS Fr in college.
And don't say "crap". I think we know that. But there has to be a scheme to it or Brian Kelly wouldn't be using a variation of it at ND.
When Jones first arrived there was a repost here of an article by a pretty sharp Cincy fan discussing the differences between Jones' O and Kelly's. Both run a spread WC O. I'm not completely sure if Kelly uses different techniques with the OL... but their route trees aren't even built on the same foundations. The best I understand, Kelly's routes are designed to "scheme" players open whereas Jones' are designed to require execution to get them open.
IMHO, Jones tries to be "too NFL". I'm not saying he'd be good in the pros but much of what he asks these guys to do requires A LOT more time to perfect than college programs are allowed to practice. I think that's why emphasizes truly stupid stuff like "mental reps". Yes you want guys watching to learn... but there is a massive chasm between watching and doing when it comes to football practice.
