Will the POWER running game make a comeback?

With the true linebacker a thing of the past (the 6'4 250 lbs guys), will the Power running game come back. Look at it this way... Most of the top linebacker recruits in recent years have been guys that are closer to 200 lbs than 250... these guys run 4.4's and are recruited to stop the spread...

With this in mind, I think that a strong I-back or a wishbone attack (not all the time, but as a change of pace, like LSU's power game mixed with spread) could be deadly. I believe this is the reason that Jacob Hester had so much success this year. Most teams are used to encountering a big bruiser anymore. They are used to the slasher-backs that run the zone read play from the spread...


Its the off-season... its time to discuss strategy i guess...

 

Spread teams are usually finesse teams. One way to defend the spread offense is with smash-mouth football. The big bruising RB provides time of possession, and wears down the defense. To me, it is equally as effective as the spread.

Teams are moving towards the spread because its sexier, points can come quicker, and more people get to touch the ball. If you're an offensive player the spread is more fun to play.

I wouldn't say the spread is a fad, but at some point in the near future, you'll see more teams go back to the bruisers in order to keep the spread offense off the field.

Styles make fights!!!

:crystal::champs::crystal::champs::crystal:

 

There's a counter to every style. Once it's figured out, you change your style. It all goes in cycles until someone adapts. That's why I love LSU's offense. They don't have one true offense, like the spread or the West Coast. They do it all, so it's much harder to defend.

 

That's one of the reasons I love this dynamic offense. We can spread the field and still wear defenses down with a power attack from guys like Charles Scott (I leave out Hester since he's gone). Which brings the question, can Scott pick up the bruising slack in the void left by Hester?

 

I don't think it has really left. Talking about the spread and highlights make more money by talking about the fancier plays.

Most think of USC as having a fancy offense but they will but you in the mouth running the ball. I just think teams can do both now, but when ti comes down to it they will still pound the rock.

 

USC uses a traditional running attack, but its still not the smashmouth football we saw up through the late 80s...

The main difference going back in style would be to get away from the zone blocking schemes and more toward the old school, down-block and pull power game... get the good old packer sweep with a couple of guards and a full back leading the RB to the outside...

The speed of the linebackers today is to beat the zone block (if you don't know what zone blocking is, here ya go... basically linemen are blocking their 'zones'... for instance, a guard blocks the DT, the center comes over to help... they read the linebacker... if the LB stays put, they just drive the DT back into him... if the LB charges to the OG side, the OG releases the DT to get to the LB with the C taking over on the DT). Fast linebackers beat zone blocking by outrunning the OL to the point of attack... With a power running game, you can double down on the DT and lead up on the LB with a FB or a pulling lineman form the backside, or both... then these 210 lbs speed guys get plowed by a 250 lbs fullback or an even bigger linemen...

 

I.

:tigereye:

 

Pulling guards doesn't just make it a power running game. It was obviously to utilize either misdirection or add another blocker. However, LB's today are faster and can fill holes better, along with OL being bigger, thus the lack of pulling.

Thanks for informing me on zone blocking though.