So how do we fit the Spread?

[slider]

With it basically inevitable that our next coach runs the "Spread," or something very similar, how does our personnel fit that scheme? QB will obviously be the #1 ?

 

[Duff Man]

Need to hope Abron is ready to take a big step forward to allow Powell to slide into a H-Back role. The WR situation is a bit trickier.

 

[Darth Snow]

With it basically inevitable that our next coach runs the "Spread," or something very similar, how does our personnel fit that scheme? QB will obviously be the #1 ?

OL will benefit from it... depends on how our TE situation shapes up

 

[buffaholic]

You have to define the spread, as there are many variations.

Jones' version he doesn't even call it that. He spreads WR's out, but doesn't do a lot of QB running off of it. He recruited Shane Dillon.

I'd say we fit it well, we just don't have the athletes yet that Cincy has. In fact, we don't have the athletes to fit ANY OFFENSE. No concerns with his offense though.

 

[buffaholic]

I actually see the Cincy offense being what EB was morphing more into.

The thing I like a lot about it is:

1. it's proven to work on the college level, with multiple QB's
2. it is pretty flexible, and can work with different talents
3. it is no huddle. That is the key.

 

[BartonBuff]

Yes Butch runs a good spread but it is also run heavy. Probably more similar to what you see from Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, etc. A lot of zone read!

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I kinda think it depends on which flavor of the spread the staff wants to run.

- spread with heavy reliance on the pass; need more WR's and need to look at the OL's ability to move

- spread with a balance of run/pass (basic zone read plays); Dillon may not fit the running style (altho, I read an article that said he was running it with scout team). Do we have capable slot receivers?

- spread with speed option game; lacking the fast playmakers to run this and would need a QB who is very athletic.

 

[Jaximus]

Step 1: Don't do a QB sneak on 1st down. The rest is easy.

 

[slider]

Although it will be a different system, the last few games this year gave us some nice game-experience running a "Spread" like offense

 

[buffaholic]

Yes Butch runs a good spread but it is also run heavy. Probably more similar to what you see from Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, etc. A lot of zone read!

I watched their game this weekend and they weren't running a lot of zone read.

 

[DeNiro]

Do we have capable slot receivers?

I think other than P-Rich that is all we have. Spruce will do well in that role.

 

[Fight CU]

Yes Butch runs a good spread but it is also run heavy. Probably more similar to what you see from Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, etc. A lot of zone read!

Do you know anyone by the name of Taylor out of Portland / Seattle?

 

[Buffnik]

The spread creates matchup problems in the passing game and natural spacing in the running game. It's better for CU, actually. My big question is whether we have enough playmakers who can turn a small crease in the run game or a quick hitch in the passing game into a big gain. It's all about creating 1-on-1 matchups in space and you have to have playmakers who can win those matchups.

 

[Jaximus]

We actually have decent personnel for a coach to work with. Obviously Embree and EB knew pro-style but were lost in the spread. Jones knows it and can make it a simple transition for our players.

QB: Our QB situation is TBD but hopefully Dillon steps up from day 1. Please GOD let that happen!

RB: I like our situation here. Pow becomes a flexible HBack and Power Back, he has great hands and is a great tool for a great offensive mind. Jones and Abron are capable small backs who can catch out of the backfield as well. Don't forget that we also have Creer, Payne, Ford and Crowder that could step up.

TE: Big time question mark. Slavin caught the most balls. Hobbs has shown some ability. Ray redshirted and we don't know if Thornton comes back. Man, it would be nice to have a local TE who could step up and take over this need from day one... WINK WINK!!!

WR: We need some more depth and speed here, but were not totally inept. PRich succeeds in any offense that throws the ball downfield, any OC will love him. Spruce is a capable possession WR. McCullough is a good redzone threat. Gerald Thomas is as fast as anyone in the PAC12, but needs to be utilized correctly.

OL: The spread can hide our weaknesses at OL. Our OL improved as our offense transitioned to the spread because their less vulnerable in that offense. The ball moves fast and thus doesn't put as much pressure on them. Nembot is a great asset at RT and is just barely scratching the surface of his ability. Alex Lewis should be a capable Guard or maybe even a Tackle. Hopefully Bak comes back, I'd expect his draft status isn't that great. Who know's about the rest.

MY GUARANTEE: This offense isn't 120th in scoring next year. Improvement!

 

[Duff Man]

The spread creates matchup problems in the passing game and natural spacing in the running game. It's better for CU, actually. My big question is whether we have enough playmakers who can turn a small crease in the run game or a quick hitch in the passing game into a big gain. It's all about creating 1-on-1 matchups in space and you have to have playmakers who can win those matchups.

:nod:All about getting players in space.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

:nod:All about getting players in space.

So then, would Arky's version be ..... Pigs in Space ?

 

[BuffClass90]

Although it will be a different system, the last few games this year gave us some nice game-experience running a "Spread" like offense

And we started to look competent on O. I think with a QB that fits that system and competent coaching, we have the raw materials to be a decent offense.

The question for me is really on D. I have no idea if we just lack experience (position skill) or talent (speed and strength) or if Brown was really that bad. Seems a combination of 1 and 3, but I really don't know. We seemed to get a little better toward the end of the year, but still pretty atrocious.

 

[DeNiro]

I wonder how Hirsch develops under Jones (assuming he comes). Hirsch has the leg up going into the spring and a RS JR vs a RS Fresh.

 

[leftybuff]

I agree with Nik and Jax, the spread can work in a lot of differnt ways from the Oregon QB is as much of a run threat as anybody, to the Mike Leach pass happy variety where the QB hardly ever runs.

In that vien, Hirsch, Wood and Dillon could do well, it just a matter of who gets the O down the best.

As far as being short of WR to run it, PRich, Spruce, GT and McCullogh are known quantities. Slavin and Hobbs can play the slot. Mc Cullogh partcularly could be a real mismatch problem in the slot and probably more effective there than matching him up with a CB as he has been doing. Add in Canty and there is enough on the roster right now to spread it out.

RB's. there ar eplenty now, the OL remains the weak link, but spreads tend to make it harder to blitz, so maybe they will actually improve.

 

[bigbang2]

Butch Jones version requires the QB to run the ball more, not Mike Leach version. Not in a favor of strictly the spread offense until we get more play makers into the program. I will actually go with mostly pro-style with some spread concepts.

 

[Buffskier]

I do think that running an up tempo offense here in Boulder would absolutely kill sea level opponents. We jut have to have a competent coaching staff to implement it. We do have some talent coming back (hopefully), and I hope Butch is able to hang onto Sefo- he sounds like a straight baller.

I agree that the biggest questions are on defense. We have young talent up front and in the backfield, but lbs scare me.

 

[93Buff]

Shane Dillon runs a 4.6 40. Manziel 4.53. Mariota 4.7. Tebow 4.6.

Not comparing him to these guys...but his speed is fine for a spread offense.

 

[Walter White]

I'll take a running spread over a passing spread.

 

[Ozbuff]

Shane Dillon runs a 4.6 40. Manziel 4.53. Mariota 4.7. Tebow 4.6.

Not comparing him to these guys...but his speed is fine for a spread offense.

I'm surprised Mariota isn't faster than that. I take your point, though. You don't have to be RGIII to run the spread. Of course, if you are RGIII, you're basically unstoppable at the college level.

 

[leftybuff]

If anybody remembers what the spread lookd like with Booger Daniel running it at Mizzou, that is what I would like to see with Dillon. Daniel ran when the running lanes were wide open. When not, he hit his outlet. Given the arm Dillon supposedly has and the decent foot speed, that could click. I don't envision Dillon running the spread like Ricky Hundley at fUCLA.

 

[dio]

I'm surprised Mariota isn't faster than that. I take your point, though. You don't have to be RGIII to run the spread. Of course, if you are RGIII, you're basically unstoppable at the college level.

I still have nightmares about him running zone-reads against us over and and over and over the last time BU was in Boulder

 

[somebody]

you literally have no idea what you are saying. Shut up.

I can count his coherent posts on one hand. And I lost both of my hands in a freak accident with 5 dead hookers (allegedly).

 

[Tea Rex]

Zach Collaros was pretty effective in Jones' offense

 

[J.R. Ewing]

We actually have decent personnel for a coach to work with. Obviously Embree and EB knew pro-style but were lost in the spread. Jones knows it and can make it a simple transition for our players.

QB: Our QB situation is TBD but hopefully Dillon steps up from day 1. Please GOD let that happen!

RB: I like our situation here. Pow becomes a flexible HBack and Power Back, he has great hands and is a great tool for a great offensive mind. Jones and Abron are capable small backs who can catch out of the backfield as well. Don't forget that we also have Creer, Payne, Ford and Crowder that could step up.

TE: Big time question mark. Slavin caught the most balls. Hobbs has shown some ability. Ray redshirted and we don't know if Thornton comes back. Man, it would be nice to have a local TE who could step up and take over this need from day one... WINK WINK!!!

WR: We need some more depth and speed here, but were not totally inept. PRich succeeds in any offense that throws the ball downfield, any OC will love him. Spruce is a capable possession WR. McCullough is a good redzone threat. Gerald Thomas is as fast as anyone in the PAC12, but needs to be utilized correctly.

OL: The spread can hide our weaknesses at OL. Our OL improved as our offense transitioned to the spread because their less vulnerable in that offense. The ball moves fast and thus doesn't put as much pressure on them. Nembot is a great asset at RT and is just barely scratching the surface of his ability. Alex Lewis should be a capable Guard or maybe even a Tackle. Hopefully Bak comes back, I'd expect his draft status isn't that great. Who know's about the rest.

MY GUARANTEE: This offense isn't 120th in scoring next year. Improvement!

I suppose we could technically be 124th next year.:huh:

 

[13Buff]

And we started to look competent on O. I think with a QB that fits that system and competent coaching, we have the raw materials to be a decent offense.

The question for me is really on D. I have no idea if we just lack experience (position skill) or talent (speed and strength) or if Brown was really that bad. Seems a combination of 1 and 3, but I really don't know. We seemed to get a little better toward the end of the year, but still pretty atrocious.

Hopefully practicing against a 1st Team Spread(as apposed to the scout team) Sunday - Friday will help out the D on Saturdays.