Understanding Zone Blocking and Alex Gibbs
Lots of discussions on FG lately about what we might expect out of new OL Coach / Asst Head Coach Alex Gibbs. This is the most comprehensive article I've seen lately that addresses both zone blocking and how Alex Gibbs coaches it.
First of a multi-part article from FSUncensored at Tomahawk Nation.
over 2 years ago
Stevo's
11 comments
1 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Wow.
That is amazingly informative.
The diagrams to show the disengagement choices made by a double-team made this completely clear, when before I just knew some of the stereotypes of the ZBS and it’s players.
Besides that, they were very thorough in regards to why high talent running backs are often bad for this system, and what the requirements are to succeed as a HB in this system. Lateral movement is a no, just running to a spot is a no. Follow your blocks and run to the hole when it opens. To me it sounds like Julius Jones is not going to succeed in it…unless he changes a bit. Where as Force not only came from this system, he seems to fit one the profile as few will. Not only small and quick to the hole, but powers through arm tackles.
The intelligence and personality comments from Gibbs are also quite interesting. At C or G, no introverts, center must be a football genius, guards and C with a low center of gravity, and a whole lot more. He is very specific on certain characteristics, but it doesn’t seem like he is averse to drafting offensive linemen high, just that a lot of highly drafted linemen are going to lack the characteristics he needs. I have no idea what that will do to our line, I am guessing that it might change quite a bit, and it might take 2-3 years to see the first real Gibbs line, unless we get a little lucky.
I definitely don’t know how Spiller would be as a disciplined, patient back. I’m not convinced we won’t draft him, but I’m not going to expect it.
Stevo,
Thank you for posting this. Simply said, an amazing piece.
I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.
Maybe that's what I should have said.
Short and sweet. I feel like I went from knowing nothing about zone blocking to having a decent foundation. Luckily there is more coming.
In parts two, three, four, and five, I will review the “inside zone”, “outside zone/ stretch”, the “zone read”, and some various pass plays and protections.
I sent him an email asking about the others,
but he never got around to them. He (Bud’s his name) said that other stuff came up but he may revisit it this spring or summer. Let’s hope so.
I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.
I was just coming back to say that same thing, three hours later.
But can’t find them.
Oh, Dukeshire already answered that. I was getting ready to send off an email to the guy.
Excellent post and link
Makes me want Rodney Hudson even more in the 2011 draft. Makes me wonder which of our current O-line really fit this scheme. Is Unger the brilliant Center he references? He’s a little tall, but would seem to have the other requisites. How or where does Willis fit? Does Locklear have the athleticism? Do Sims and Spencer have the intelligence and athleticism. Can Frye be more than a backup? I also found the comments about stashing guys on the practice squad for a couple years notable. Does that mean the turnaround will take 2-3 years? Gibbs also said playing together as a group is critical. That tells me plugging in a new guy or two every year is counterproductive. It almost makes me think that they’ll patch together something for 1-2 years while stockpiling the line of the future as backups and on practice squad, and we may see a wholesale change 2-3 years from now. Perhaps save Unger, again, if he can become that brilliant Center who leads the O-line.
I would think so.
Remember that Ruskell typically drafted players with high football intelligence.
Unger also came from a ZB system at Oregon.
Talents that I covet:
Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Sam Bradford, Mike Iupati, Golden Tate, Earl Thomas, and Freddie Barnes
by Carl Shinyama on Jan 24, 2010 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
We have a few guys who fit the profile
For some reason, Coach Solari wasn’t able to teach our guys zone block in the way Gibbs’ lines are known for. Let’s hope that changes. But I don’t think we are devoid of talent that fits the scheme. The interior line of Sims-Unger-Spencer would seem ready and able to provide continuity under Gibbs’ system. Spencer, in particular, has the athleticism for this scheme (if only he can stay healthy long enough to use it). Sims’ final words upon leaving for the offseason were something like “I’ve got to work on getting faster in the offseason.” At Tackle, however, I’m not so sure Gibbs will like what he sees here. John Morgan seems to think Brandon Frye may have a future at ROT in a ZBS. I don’t know. But I have a feeling we may see a bunch of new OTs in camp this year.
"Football players are temperamental. That's 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental." - Doug Plank
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
