I’ve seen a lot of frustration about why Vandy chooses to flip the guards and tackle based on the play that is called. Most of it is simply is not understanding why Beck/kill are choosing to implement this system.
Simple definitions-
Strong- bigger slower lineman
Quick- leaner more athletic lineman
The number one reason why this system is being ran is because of a talent problem. Plainly put Vandy does not have 5 competent starters on the line. There are multiple players on that line who simply can’t do particular plays. As simple as -guard- pull or -tackle- pass protect on the edge 1v1. So instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, you create an Oline scheme that plays to the players strength (or in some cases, simply eliminate those worse traits and get more reps at what you are better at). The concept of “playing to your players strengths” is not a new idea. Teams just don’t utilize it with their Oline. If you have a 6’6 WR, you aren’t going to make that player run routes from the slot where they primarily are working shallow and quick direction changes. That would be dumb. It’s also dumb to keep having Castillo pull on a counter, when he can’t make it past the center before the RB hits the “hole”. Instead you flip the line and your better pulling guard is now leading the way.
Second, on the lack of talent, your strong side tackle is typically a lesser pass protector who needs help. Instead of leaving that tackle on an island because you want to throw to the opposite hash, you flip the tackles, keep him partnered with a chip, or fully committed blocker, and still can operate the rest of the play with your better pass protector on the island.
Is this a product of running a more option based offense? No. But it’s a system that wouldn’t work with 10 personnel or spread them out mindset. There wouldn’t be much benefit to running a strong and quick if you always have 4 WRs or more on the field. Do you know what Vandy rarely (if ever does)? You guessed it, have 4 WRs on the field. Even if Vandy had the WRs who would warrant having a 4th on the field, Vandy doesn’t have the Oline to put everyone on an island.
Strong and quick allow for a quicker install since run plays are no longer “counter right” “counter left” and having to work on the play for both sides. Instead it’s strong left counter. The linemen know they flip the formation, and run their role. Simplicity and increase reps is the biggest plus to strong and quick. No matter the direction of the run, you do the same job.
Imo, the main reason why Vandy’s Oline has looked more competent is because of the strong and quick side concept. With Vandy always having TEs on the field, and able to chip while not giving up half the field it has opened up more opportunities in the pass game and created a more productive run game. It is still heavily reliant on Pavia but the Oline has had a pulse this year after a total flatline last year. If you never played in this style of offense it can be confusing and viewed as a con. Is it harder to pass set when you have to switch your feet? Sure. But it’s a lot harder for the QB to make plays when the defense is getting free shots because a weaker blocker isn’t getting help because of the side of the field the play is called to. Vandy can’t run a traditional “new” era offense. Everyone knows that. This is a real solution. Not just kicking a dead horse.
Remember strong is just a nice way of saying “you aren’t very good, so we are going to help you”.
And that’s my ted talk for the day.
Simple definitions-
Strong- bigger slower lineman
Quick- leaner more athletic lineman
The number one reason why this system is being ran is because of a talent problem. Plainly put Vandy does not have 5 competent starters on the line. There are multiple players on that line who simply can’t do particular plays. As simple as -guard- pull or -tackle- pass protect on the edge 1v1. So instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, you create an Oline scheme that plays to the players strength (or in some cases, simply eliminate those worse traits and get more reps at what you are better at). The concept of “playing to your players strengths” is not a new idea. Teams just don’t utilize it with their Oline. If you have a 6’6 WR, you aren’t going to make that player run routes from the slot where they primarily are working shallow and quick direction changes. That would be dumb. It’s also dumb to keep having Castillo pull on a counter, when he can’t make it past the center before the RB hits the “hole”. Instead you flip the line and your better pulling guard is now leading the way.
Second, on the lack of talent, your strong side tackle is typically a lesser pass protector who needs help. Instead of leaving that tackle on an island because you want to throw to the opposite hash, you flip the tackles, keep him partnered with a chip, or fully committed blocker, and still can operate the rest of the play with your better pass protector on the island.
Is this a product of running a more option based offense? No. But it’s a system that wouldn’t work with 10 personnel or spread them out mindset. There wouldn’t be much benefit to running a strong and quick if you always have 4 WRs or more on the field. Do you know what Vandy rarely (if ever does)? You guessed it, have 4 WRs on the field. Even if Vandy had the WRs who would warrant having a 4th on the field, Vandy doesn’t have the Oline to put everyone on an island.
Strong and quick allow for a quicker install since run plays are no longer “counter right” “counter left” and having to work on the play for both sides. Instead it’s strong left counter. The linemen know they flip the formation, and run their role. Simplicity and increase reps is the biggest plus to strong and quick. No matter the direction of the run, you do the same job.
Imo, the main reason why Vandy’s Oline has looked more competent is because of the strong and quick side concept. With Vandy always having TEs on the field, and able to chip while not giving up half the field it has opened up more opportunities in the pass game and created a more productive run game. It is still heavily reliant on Pavia but the Oline has had a pulse this year after a total flatline last year. If you never played in this style of offense it can be confusing and viewed as a con. Is it harder to pass set when you have to switch your feet? Sure. But it’s a lot harder for the QB to make plays when the defense is getting free shots because a weaker blocker isn’t getting help because of the side of the field the play is called to. Vandy can’t run a traditional “new” era offense. Everyone knows that. This is a real solution. Not just kicking a dead horse.
Remember strong is just a nice way of saying “you aren’t very good, so we are going to help you”.
And that’s my ted talk for the day.
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