If you were Weis, would you look to change from the power running to the ZBS?

 

A couple pros:

1. Look a Green Bay. They were able to switch with very young O-lineman in a very short period of time. Now their backs have holes that I could run through.

2. The ZBS is the new "sexy" scheme that high schoolers are looking at. We dont seem to have a problem recruiting the big uglies, but imagine having your pick of any prospect you want.

3. Anything has to be better than the reactionary scheme they ran last year. The line wasnt following their blocking assignments and seemed to react to the blitz which usually ended up with more than a few of them coming in free. If their natural tendency is to react, why not enact a scheme that rewards this trait rather than punishes them?

4. We have quite a few smart speedy backs who could benefit from the one cut and run. Even Aldridge could be useful as long as they were able to teach him to not charge for the first opponent he sees.

5. The ZBS is very successful when you have a team of smart players. Last I checked, there were no shortage of those on NDs squad.

 

The cons: Someone else want to support the con?

Given how the power blocking scheme worked last year, I don't think the "con" side has much to go on.

I like the ZBS, just need to right guy to teach it.

FYI - SC runs the zone blocking scheme. It's good in college if you can recruit the lighter but more athletic linemen, because it's easier to learn and pick up assignments.

Mike Shanahan runs the best ZBS period. He had produced more good running backs than anyone in the NFL. I definitely think its a great idea.

I thought i heard somthing about CW thinking of installing the zbs eventually. I can't remember when or where, but it was a long time ago. Im all for zbs...or anything that brings a NC.

I'm no expert on zone-blocking, but ANYTHING has to be better than last seasons style. Cut block, fall down, look back to watch QB get sacked, repeat.

I will take it.....it has to be better than the NBS (NO BLOCKING SCHEME) we used in 07.

 

 

Michigan made the switch to the ZBS last year......and it worked very well for them. I would imagine that we could make the switch.....but would that "require" a coaching change?

irishguy, sorry ther will be no coaching changes THIS YEAR. go irish

Is that in stone rick?

I remember earlier after the season that many people were saying no coaches would be fired (Minter) until after LOI day to keep the class together.

Is it true then that Rick will be here another year, and does he know anything about zone blocking?

And when do we get just one special teams coach?

 

Aye Caramba!

irishguy, sorry ther will be no coaching changes THIS YEAR. go irish

Sorry man, but soon after signing day, Latina's got to go. And we need a new special teams coach pretty badly too. The truth is it's gotta happen sometime soon.

The main con to the ZBS is it does require extremely athletic lineman. Chris Stewart would not be able to play in a ZBS. Another nice thing about the ZBS is the fact that if coached well you do not need extremely talented offensive lineman. The best example I can give you is the Raiders run game (my NFL team). We incorporated the ZBS this past season after we signed offensive line coach Tom Cable from the Atlanta Falcons. Despite being 4-12 the Raiders were ranked 6th in the NFL in rushing. In 2006 the Raiders ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing. The only major difference between the 06 and 07 seasons was the blocking scheme. We did have 1 new starting offensive lineman in Cooper Carlisle, but he is hardly a big time player.

 

LaMont Jordan started off the season leading the league in pretty much every rushing category before badly injuring his back. Justin Fargas, a former USC back, stepped in starting the first 7 games of his career and racked up 1009 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 4 TDs before getting injured for the season.

 

2007 Raiders team rushing statistics (w/ ZBS):

508 attempts 2,086 yards 11 TDs 4.1 YPC 130.4 YPG ranking 6th in the NFL.

 

2006 Raiders team rushing statistics (w/o ZBS):

394 attempts 1,519 yards 5 TDs 3.9 YPC 94.9 YPG ranking 29th in the NFL.

No we need a new line coach and S&C coach. Unfortunately it looks like Mendoza's here to stay and if Latina is still here I have to seriously question Weis' judgement.

No we need a new line coach and S&C coach. Unfortunately it looks like Mendoza's here to stay and if Latina is still here I have to seriously question Weis' judgement.

 

On a side issue regarding blocking: On kick off returns all year long, they were kicking away from Golden Tate, so he was the lead blocker. About 80% of the time he would slip through the hole without blocking anybody, and then the ball carrier behind him would get tackled.

 

I'm not an expert, but is that the way they draw it up?

No we need a new line coach and S&C coach. Unfortunately it looks like Mendoza's here to stay and if Latina is still here I have to seriously question Weis' judgement.

 

I'll be honest... No one here really has a right to question Weis' judgement.

 

We are fans on a message board. We have no idea what goes on in practice and why things really went wrong in 2007.