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UT tailback, Tauren Poole, talks about the new practice regime under Coach Kiffin. March 26, 2009 Interview by Drew Edwards/News Sentinel Watch »
Video
UT offensive coordinator, Jim Chaney, speaks with the media after practice, March 26, 2009 Watch »
The job description for Tennessee's offensive linemen these days is pretty simple. When in doubt, hit somebody, and the harder the better.
"A lot of the coaches say if you don't know what to do just come out and hit somebody in front of you," tackle Cody Pope says. "It's pretty simple."
As spring practice continues this morning, the offensive line will continue working on what coach Lane Kiffin wants to become the Vols' calling card - a physical, zone-blocking scheme.
"We've got to be a physical offense, and that starts up front with the way we go about it in the running game," Kiffin said. "We've got to learn how to run zone. We've got to learn to be so good at it that it doesn't matter who you play and where you play and what front they're in, that you can do it."
Zone blocking, used widely in the NFL, is based mostly on a few simple principles. If a defensive player lines up directly in front of an offensive lineman, that player is his primary responsibility. If an offensive player isn't "covered" by a defensive player, he double-teams a defender in the direction the play is supposed to go.
The most important part - and toughest to master - comes after both players have initially engaged the defender. The two linemen then must decide who will peel off their current block and move upfield to take on a second-level defender, usually a linebacker.
Other zone concepts focus on players taking a designated path after the snap and blocking anyone who crosses their path.
So far, it's been all zone all the time, and the early returns have been good, says offensive coordinator and line coach Jim Chaney.
"I think they're picking it up very good," he said. "It's foreign to them, it really has been. But they're learning and trying hard and doing everything we've asked them to do and ultimately that's all we can ask of them. They're trying hard and by the end of spring I think they'll understand conceptually what we're trying to get done and they'll be fine."
UT has used some zone concepts in the past, but zone has been at the heart of everything UT has done on the practice field so far.
"It's 100 percent zone," Chaney said. "That's what we're trying to do. We're trying to hang our hat and get them involved with that and see where it goes."
One of the advantages of zone blocking is that a play can go almost anywhere.
Inside runs in particular quite often result in cutback lanes for running backs, which means that backs must quickly pick their opening and move upfield.
"(Running backs) coach (Eddie) Gran just emphasizes that we've got to read the down linemen," tailback Tauren Poole said. "That's what we do. He tells us to hit the nearest crease. We just come out here every day and listen to his coaching."
Another benefit to zone blocking is that it values quickness and athleticism on the offensive line over sheer size.
"You can play with some guys that run fast, don't have to be 375 pounds to run these schemes," Chaney said. "That's the fun part of it - you're playing with more athletic players on the football field, which coach (Kiffin) believes in strongly philosophically and I adhere to that myself. We agree on that, and it's fun to see as we develop the young athletes to see who can be the best one to get on the field."
While UT has little proven depth on the offensive line, center Josh McNeil sees plenty of players who fit the description up front.
"You snap the ball and fire off and you go," McNeil says. "Whoever you see first, you knock the fire out of him. It just allows you to go 100 percent.
"We got a lot of boys that come off the ball 100 percent that can definitely do their jobs."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 111
volfan2002 writes:
First
Anyway hit somebody what a unique idea.
imw8n4u writes:
KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid (not to be confused with what Tebow and his roomates do)
tigervol77 writes:
Hit them and make sure they don't get up!
bobbytodd writes:
It sounds good as long as the smaller lineman don't bounce off. I would still like some 300 pounders up there to get the defense tired for the 4th quarter.
Voluvr writes:
Okay coach, but let's not reveal any more to the other teams. Just get it done and we'll talk about it at the banquet.
Volomatic writes:
Sure glad we don't have slow poke, fumblin bumblin Foster in the backfield with this scheme. Even if he were here I don't think he could start. He would shift to 7th string behind the freshmen.
elizabethtonvol72 writes:
Snot bubbles baby!! Thats what I am talking about! Getya some line! Can't wait to see them in action.
Has anyone heard anything on Amhad Paige?
Voluvr writes:
Yep, he seems to fit the profile of the SEC back, big and durable, but he couldn't seem to get to the corner quick enough.
MANVOL writes:
i like it when in doubt "hit somebody"!!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
He was at practice but not in any contact drills the other day.
gohawks1 writes:
When in doubt, knock 'em out.
TommyJack writes:
zz4
bluetick writes:
What about an all out blitz? Think Crompton will recognize it?
I wonder what Fulmer is doing in his office with his secretary now a days. hehe
elizabethtonvol72 writes:
Thanks!
iowavol writes:
Perfect message and good article. If anything stands out as a definitive from last year, it was the fact our O-line was confused which led to an incredibly confused offensive. It all starts with the o-line. If they do their job, then Crompton, Stephens or Coleman can do their job along with the backs. OMG, how many times did our RBs get hit when they were handed the ball in the backfield when an Olineman was looking was for someone to touch? Just hit someone.
DennisVols writes:
Hit em hard and bury em deep
justafan writes:
were they zone blocking from the spread or from the I-formation? There is a big difference but I didn't get to see Clemson much this past year, so I can't remember. It seems to me that out of the I-form, the linemen are going downhill now whereas in the spread it's about feeling where the d-line is going and sealing people off and cutting from the backside, which means the OL has to be extremely quick, which Clemson might not have had. I couldn't tell you one way or the other how good there linemen were or weren't, but it doesn't matter how good your RBs are if your OL is subpar.
smokey101 writes:
Hahaha
VAvolfanRON writes:
arrgh.....kick em were you need to....lol....get ugly.....GO VOLS
croweman writes:
Let's just play some ball. See ya at the Orange & White Game.
RockyTopBoy writes:
It seems to me that all the players are excited about this system and are buying into it. It also seems like players are doing what is best for the team (like Wes Brown). You got to love their enthusiasm and team effort.
GahLee writes:
Zone blocking has had great success for an immense amount of teams...USC being one of them at the college level...it sounds simple, which takes all the thinking out of the equation. Our backs should flourish in this system if the O-Line can grasp and execute the scheme. These guys can hit the crease and have the ability to hit the cutback lanes and bust some big runs, really excited to see Brown and Oku in this system, they should do some special things in the future. As always...Go Vols!!!
GahLee writes:
Spikes has nothing...I mean nothing what-so-ever on Al Wilson.
orangevolz writes:
What a jerk you are! Does it make you feel good to trash the second all-time leading rusher at UT. Foster was a great Vol. Yes, he fumbled some, just like all RBs do, but he gave it his all.
GahLee writes:
Foster was no great, he racked up those yards cause we didn't have anybody better to run the ball. He never would have seen the field back in the day...never! That being said he had some good games and could have had better if he just ran between the tackles instead of thinking he was a home-run threat and trying to break everything to the outside. You will see great play at the running back position in the very near future.
orangevolz writes:
When you kiss Tebow, is your mouth open?
volunteermailman writes:
Jerod Mayo owns brandon spikes in EVERYTHING
GahLee writes:
Must make you all warm inside to see a video like that...sort of like the Tebow Fathead that you probably drool over and do God knows what else to/with. Bet you wish you were an uncircumcised little Philippeno boy right about now don't you.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
We ran the same type of blocking scheme in high school (yea I know, high school). Anyways, it was gap inside the linebacker. If there wasn't anybody lined up in front of you, you were supposed to hit the the second level.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
I like the sound of the ending!!!
chaos001 writes:
those poor children...and he was glorified for mutilating them. sick.
swordandshield27#325334 writes:
You are right, Foster had the worst vision of any tailback that I have seen in recent memory. I recall 2 or 3 times last year, he blatantly missed a wide open hole. If it was bad enough to see on TV without studying tape, then think of how many holes he missed that TV cameras/angles didn't get!
teampenny#658108 writes:
Every thing new this year. With the same players as last year and little depth on the lines. Throw in poking the bears so a five and seven team will get every ones best shot. Sounds like the perfect recipe to me. I suspect we will go 8 and 4. Could be one game better or worse. The bet I will make we will get as much press as anyone in the SEC. On GAME DAY in Florida. Most of press is not likely to be positive press. Being legal to have guns in Neyland stadium in 2010 may not be a good idea when Ala and Fla come to town. Us against the world usually does not work. go vols
Rick4UT writes:
I would think that zone blocking would help get the
younger/great athlete in the game before he a junior.
this would also give quicker depth. This too should help
in recruiting and help make the lineman more prepared to
play pro. GO VOLS !!!!!!!!!
belayvol writes:
Remember when Ron Zook was your huckleberry?
belayvol writes:
Heck, i bet you guy's are even considering bronzing ol Timmy's jock strap to hang in the hall.
belayvol writes:
Today the rest of the Vol fan's will discover as i did in an older thread, that Queef's can actually type. Like most of us, we knew they could talk but who would have thought that they could type? Just check out the various Gator lopers and your proof is complete.
belayvol writes:
That ought to attract all the squirrels in Gainseville come Fall. Look, an empty sock to store our nuts in!
tnbigg writes:
If this line gels...LOOK OUT!
murrayvol writes:
The defense will be plenty tired from chasing backs who can find creases and take advantage of them.
txvolsfan writes:
YAWN
jimr07 writes:
have you expressed your concern to the vol coaching staff? I am sure with your coaching background they would appreciate your help.
BigMix writes:
161 days till FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!!!!
kabzs writes:
"You snap the ball and fire off and you go," McNeil says. "Whoever you see first, you knock the fire out of him. It just allows you to go 100 percent.
"We got a lot of boys that come off the ball 100 percent that can definitely do their jobs."
That a baby. Hey Coach Claw; Remember the axiom:"K.I.S.S." Keep it simple stupid.
BigMix writes:
I wonder if those dumb yankees up North in Michigan still bash Loyd Carr the way some of the dumb Hillbillies down here still bash Fulmer.
TommyJack writes:
Where do you fall in that mix, Mix?
mdsleeper writes:
The Denver Broncos have yearly been highly successful running the ball. They are consistently near the top and have accomplished it with backs that were relatively unknown. They zone block you as you get off the plane. They use athletic linemen that in many previous years were considered small by NFL standards. This staff knows what they're doing. This is going to be a great running offense and it want take 3 or 4 years.
spivol writes:
Dude, go take your Prosac and lay down. It will all be fine. Change is not the worst thing that could happen to UT Football. I will look forward to your pesimistic outlooks on our better than expected season (nowhere to go but up) and our second top ten recruiting class next year. Now man the h*ll up chicken little and be a VOL.
ORANGE SWARM!
EAT 'EM UP VOLS!
GO BIG ORANGE!
BigMix writes:
He won 152 games in the toughest division of the toughest conference in the nation. Lets move on and respect the man that let us celebrate a NC for the first time in 50 years.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
I cringe everytime I see you post. The only thing terrible is you cheering for both Tennessee and Clemson. How hard is it to pick one major college to cheer for? I don't believe you attended both let alone one university. I'll sway you in the right direction... the Clemson Gas Pumpers. Cheer for them. You'd be doing the Tennessee fan base a big favor. Thanks :)
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