West Coryell: Blocking Versus Receiving
As stated the other day, we’ll be looking at what very well might be the new offense for the Jets in 2008, something we are terming the “West Coryell” an amalgamation of vertical downfield offense combined with the ball control passing game of the West Coast.
So aren’t these offenses mutually exclusive? Not necessarily so, there was once a time when a passing based ball control offense was considered oxymoronic, we now know that as Bill Walsh’s West Coast. As we explore over the next few days, certain aspects will play big parts if this is what we think Schottenheimer might be doing.
One of the biggest single differences between the Coryell and the West Coast is the use of the extra skill players on the field at any given time. In the Coryell, blockers are needed to both establish the run and protect for the pass. In the West Coast, maximizing the amount of available receivers to find an open man in a short pace is paramount.
So how do you bridge the two, to even attempt at combining the offenses?
In any offense, there are six players that are static between the offensive line and quarterback, beyond that, an offense spreads around the other players as necessary (2 WRs, 2RBs, 1 TE), so basically you need players who can both catch the ball and players who can give the QB a few more fractions of a second with good blocking skills.
The most likely players to be used in a dual capacity are the backs and the Tight Ends. This offseason, the Jets acquired four players specifically in this area. Bubba Franks, Tony Richardson, Jesse Chatman and Dustin Keller. As it now stands, all are likely to make the team.
Let’s look at the Jets current roster and guys likely to make the team and assess.
Running Backs
Thomas Jones — Power runner, good blocker, fair receiver
Leon Washington — Shifty runner, fair blocker, excellent receiver
Jesse Chatman — Power runner, good blocker, fair receiver
Tight Ends
Chris Baker — Good blocker, good receiver
Bubba Franks — Fair blocker, good receiver
Dustin Keller — Poor blocker, excellent receiver
Fullbacks
Tony Richardson — Power runner, excellent blocker, good receiver
As you can see, now more than any time in this current regime, the team has the personnel to mix and match units, as well as mix and match formations while on the field. I know that I might be going out on a limb with this stuff, but we’ll see …
15 Responses to West Coryell: Blocking Versus Receiving
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I think Jones is a good blocker, but there were just too many times when the line allowed players to leak through. When a fair amount of players are there for him to block, i think he’ll do better.
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18andOne says:
I agree with Bassett. There is only so much an RB can do to block. If defenders are coming in from all angles like last year, then there isn’t much a RB can do to stop them. Also, you can’t expect a RB to block a DT coming straight down the middle, which happened offen last year thanks to Adrain Clarke. Hopefully with the new o-line our skill players won’t have to block as much this year.
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seanmac says:
Bubba Franks is no longer even close to being a good receiver. He’s strictly a blocker and goal line target (because of his height).
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ramble914 says:
Bassett,
I don’t think you are going out on a limb at all. I agree that we now seem to have the players, both on the line and at the skill positions to be a dynamic offensive.
If our defense can play like I think it can, then it will not be neceaasry for our offense to put up 30 points a game. With a strong D, our O will only need to efficient, crisp and finish off drives, which I think is entirely within their capabilities.
I also have confidense in whichever QB starts, I think either one will manage the offense productively.
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SackDance99 says:
seanmac, Franks had a bit of the injury bug the last few seasons. I’m wondering if it’s possible that a healthy Bubba will be, say, 90% of Pro Bowl Bubba? And, if he is, then he’s a much better all-around TE than Baker.
I’m predicting a methodical, ball control offense designed to keep the opposing offense (like the Pats) off the field. To me, there’s nothing more beautiful than a 10 minute drive capped off by a goal line plunge by the RB. I don’t want a dynamic offense as much as I want an OL that will dominate the line of scrimmage.
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I wouldn’t expect it. Franks used to make the Pro Bowl because he caught a lot of touchdown passes that went around five yards in the air, not because he was in any way a dynamic receiving target. As far as the numbers go, here Franks stacked up with Baker the last four years:
2007:
Baker DPAR 11th, DVOA 10th
Franks DPAR 35th, DVOA 35th2006:
Baker DPAR 12th, DVOA 5th
Franks DPAR 43rd, DVOA 42nd2005:
Baker DPAR 12th, DVOA 1st
Franks DPAR 37th, DVOA 37th2004:
Baker DPAR 20th, DVOA 14th
Franks DPAR 10th, 8thBasically, at his best, Franks wasn’t any better than Baker is now, and Franks hasn’t been at his best for a long time. He’s been really awful the last few seasons, and has been either the second or third best tight end on his own team. That’s very much what I expect here as well. Franks is there to be our version of Pats-vintage Kyle Brady. I’m not sure he’s going to make the team, honestly.
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KevT says:
Excellent analysis. I just wish some of the ex-jock talking heads on ESPN did stuff like this.
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Freeman24 says:
Ramble,
If they truly adopt this type of offense only with Clemens who can provide the deep passing threat needed to soften up the underneath game for both running and “ball control” passing offense. Unless I’m understanding the proposed blended offense incorrectly.
I actually love thr idea and hope they go with it. I’ve posted several times my disatisfaction with the way Clemens was used last year.
I even like the Fouts comparison throwing motion, fast release, Fouts was less mobile, probably taller, the beard is close. Obviously he was one of the best, KC’s got a lot to prove.
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pat d says:
Comparing Clemens to one of the greats is a little premature. Maybe Ryan Leaf is a little closer of a comparison. I agree KC has a lot to prove.
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Freeman24,
Agreed, KC brings the verticle threat this type of offense needs. If CP is the QB our O will be mostly west coast, which I am not in favor of.
I am really keeping my fingers crossed that KC can be even a semblence Dan Fouts. If I had to put money down I would bet that KC will be the real deal.
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Dan Fouts? May I ask where do you get this. Is it just wishing on a star.
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pat d,
Read what we are saying:
“I even like the Fouts comparison throwing motion, fast release, Fouts was less mobile, probably taller, the beard is close. Obviously he was one of the best, KC’s got a lot to prove.”
“I am really keeping my fingers crossed that KC can be even a semblence Dan Fouts. If I had to put money down I would bet that KC will be the real deal.”
Please note the use of terms like “obviously he has a lot to prove” and “a semblence of Dan Fouts”.
No body is saying he is DF, but it has been said that there are some similiar traits between the two.
I would just like to see KC become a good, productive QB this season, and maybe evolve into something special in the future. I think he has that potential.
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I would love to see KC evolve into something special because we have all the other pieces now. Starting eight games behind a terrible line is not enough to write off KC but he was one of the worst QB’s last year. Lets see how he does with the Jets improved line. Behind this line I think CP could take this team to the playoffs as a widcard team but no further. Been there done that. Lets see what we have in KC. I really don’t want to have to wait for another QB to develop.
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Granted he was one of the worst last season. But, it amounte to what was his rookie season, and as you mentioned, a terrible line, did you expect anything else? Nobody could have performed under those circumstances. I think he learned a lot from the experience, like what it takes to be a NFL QB, and worked hard this offseason, both in the weight room and the film room, at least that;s what I’ve been hearing. Hopefully it will pay dividends during the season.
I am very happy to have Thomas Jones on our roster and I am confident he will be a major contributor; however as I watched last year it seemed that he was not a very effective blocker. Perhaps too much was falling!