What to expect from a Cutcliffe offense

[CobbVol]

I think we all agree that the offense should be more disciplined in their approach and execution this coming season. The offensive staff has been upgraded. PW, JRS, and RS have been replaced with TT, Adkins, and Cutcliffe respectfully. So what else should be expected? Here are a few that I think will happen:

1) More draw plays. Cutcliffe has used the draw play extensively in the past and I think it will be used a great deal more starting this coming season. When I say draw, it is a different draw than used by Sanders. RS would like to use it from the shotgun with the QB basically standing up then handing off to the RB to pick his hole. With Cutcliffe, he likes to execute this play from the I-formation and letting the FB lead through a specific hole. This play has been a plus in past Cutcliffe offenses and it will be this coming season as well.

2) Watch for the return of the Waggle. The waggle was a Cutcliffe favorite against a zone defense. He would run the play to the side of the slot. The outside WR would run deep, the slot would run a deep out and the FB would run a quick out – all to the same side with the play being ran from play-action. The play forces the safety to make a decision between covering two different receivers. Past Cutcliffe QB’s (especially Shuler) made a living off this play.

3) The FB will be more of a focus in a Cutcliffe offense. With this in mind, whoever wins the starting FB job will do so because of blocking. Too many times last season and in seasons past the FB has led through the hole with only one job to do – eliminate the LB in the hole. Any too many times they whiffed in their block. I can almost guarantee that if any of our FB’s cannot evaporate a LB in the hole on the Iso-play they will see very little playing time.

4) Ditto for WR’s blocking CB’s and Safetys.

5) A lot has been said about the OL being leaner and quicker under Cutcliffe. The reason being is to run the counter-trey and traps like Cutcliffe’s offense ran in the 90’s. These type plays were almost always in the game plan on Saturday’s when Cutcliffe offenses took the field and if the opposing DC did not stop it he would run them all day long.

6) The other need for leaner/quicker OL is to run more effective screens. Randy Sanders ran some screens but they were more or less ineffective since the OL were not always to get to the corner to make the critical block. I think you will see more screens to both the WR’s and RB’s in Cutcliffe’s offense.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Very insightful. Thanks for a good post.

 

[GAVol]

Very, VERY insightful. Welcome to the board.

I think the Tennessee offense will be sort of like the show "Pimp My Ride". We are going to recognize that it's the same car, but it's going to be shined up and with a lot of accessories.

 

[orange+white=heaven]

I think the Tennessee offense will be sort of like the show "Pimp My Ride". We are going to recognize that it's the same car, but it's going to be shined up and with a lot of accessories.

No way you just said that GA..... :lol:

"Hello and welcome to 'Pimp My Offense', today we're gonna see what we can do about the hands on those receivers!"

I can't wait for the before and after shots!

 

[WA_Vol]

Cutcliffe said the "fast break offense" will have a lot of 4 and 5 WR sets but he does want to use the tight end more. The FB will be used less, and Cutcliffe wants to set-up the run with the pass, probably more 1st and 10 passing plays. The reality is, if the base offense is a 4 wr receiver set, that will be only a single back and no TE or FB most of the time.

 

[USAF_Vol]

Awesome post :hi:

Welcome

 

[Lexvol]

I will settle for play action that may actually freeze a linebacker, and getting in and out of the huddle more cleanly. More attention to detail, better mechanics, and swifter adjustments to what the defense is offering are also high on the list.

 

[WA_Vol]

A lot of teams run a play like that "waggle play." We had one in high school. You flood one side of the field with 3 or more receivers, and the tight end or FB coming across the field is normally open.

That play works well when the opposing team plays a zone defense, but last year I think most teams were playing a lot of man to man coverage, they didn't respect UT's passing game. I don't think that play works as well against man to man defense.

I think instead UT will run a lot of slants with the slot wr's, hoping they can get a step on the man coverage, and some crossing patterns.

 

[BLEEDS ORANGE]

hopefully a LOT of points "GIVE HIM 6". :td:

 

[Freak]

I think we all agree that the offense should be more disciplined in their approach and execution this coming season. The offensive staff has been upgraded. PW, JRS, and RS have been replaced with TT, Adkins, and Cutcliffe respectfully. So what else should be expected? Here are a few that I think will happen:

1) More draw plays. Cutcliffe has used the draw play extensively in the past and I think it will be used a great deal more starting this coming season. When I say draw, it is a different draw than used by Sanders. RS would like to use it from the shotgun with the QB basically standing up then handing off to the RB to pick his hole. With Cutcliffe, he likes to execute this play from the I-formation and letting the FB lead through a specific hole. This play has been a plus in past Cutcliffe offenses and it will be this coming season as well.

2) Watch for the return of the Waggle. The waggle was a Cutcliffe favorite against a zone defense. He would run the play to the side of the slot. The outside WR would run deep, the slot would run a deep out and the FB would run a quick out – all to the same side with the play being ran from play-action. The play forces the safety to make a decision between covering two different receivers. Past Cutcliffe QB’s (especially Shuler) made a living off this play.

3) The FB will be more of a focus in a Cutcliffe offense. With this in mind, whoever wins the starting FB job will do so because of blocking. Too many times last season and in seasons past the FB has led through the hole with only one job to do – eliminate the LB in the hole. Any too many times they whiffed in their block. I can almost guarantee that if any of our FB’s cannot evaporate a LB in the hole on the Iso-play they will see very little playing time.

4) Ditto for WR’s blocking CB’s and Safetys.

5) A lot has been said about the OL being leaner and quicker under Cutcliffe. The reason being is to run the counter-trey and traps like Cutcliffe’s offense ran in the 90’s. These type plays were almost always in the game plan on Saturday’s when Cutcliffe offenses took the field and if the opposing DC did not stop it he would run them all day long.

6) The other need for leaner/quicker OL is to run more effective screens. Randy Sanders ran some screens but they were more or less ineffective since the OL were not always to get to the corner to make the critical block. I think you will see more screens to both the WR’s and RB’s in Cutcliffe’s offense.

Nice post CobbVol

 

[VolinArizona]

I don't doubt we'll see improvement, but I think 2007 is when we'll see the real surprising changes. Hopefully, it will improve enough for us to play in the SEC CG this season.

 

[allvol]

I don't doubt we'll see improvement, but I think 2007 is when we'll see the real surprising changes. Hopefully, it will improve enough for us to play in the SEC CG this season.

Depends on the definition of "surprise". Those that expect the Vols to finish 5-6 again will be very surprised in 2006. I however, especially after being called an "eternal optimist smurf" in another thread, am expecting great things out of this 2006 squad. With talent comparable to the 2004 squad that played toe-to-toe with Auburn in the SECCG plus the wisdom and nitpickiness of Cutcliffe.... I believe the offense will do much better this season. Chief will have the defense playing good as always... and the Vols will be in the thick of the championship hunt.

 

[Freak]

I however, especially after being called an "eternal optimist smurf" in another thread, am expecting great things out of this 2006 squad.

Somebody needs to photoshop an orange smurf. That would be funny. :biggrin2:

That said, I guess I also would be classified as an "eternal optimist smurf"...at least until our first loss.

 

[VolinArizona]

Depends on the definition of "surprise". Those that expect the Vols to finish 5-6 again will be very surprised in 2006. I however, especially after being called an "eternal optimist smurf" in another thread, am expecting great things out of this 2006 squad. With talent comparable to the 2004 squad that played toe-to-toe with Auburn in the SECCG plus the wisdom and nitpickiness of Cutcliffe.... I believe the offense will do much better this season. Chief will have the defense playing good as always... and the Vols will be in the thick of the championship hunt.

See, I predicted Tennessee to go 11-1 in 2006, so I think we will improve, obviously. I think our offense will do much better, but the defense will win games on the road. In 2007, I think the offense will carry the team more so than they have in a long time.

 

[GAVol]

I will settle for play action that may actually freeze a linebacker

I think it will be amazing how "innovative" the offense looks if we actually complete a deep ball or two and make teams pay for playing single coverage. Play action was meaningless last year because we couldn't get the ball down the field on time, and on the rare occasions when we did, we didn't catch it. Execution, execution, execution . . .

 

[dan4vols]

I think it will be amazing how "innovative" the offense looks if we actually complete a deep ball or two and make teams pay for playing single coverage. Play action was meaningless last year because we couldn't get the ball down the field on time, and on the rare occasions when we did, we didn't catch it. Execution, execution, execution . . .

100% agree.....I go further to say its a wink and a wake up call on a defensive coordinator if the 1st play from scrimmage Ainge hurls one deep on the sidelines. Even if its incomplete it plants the seed that we might outta rethink 8 in the box and man to man......thats and its a great nerves settler right outta the gate.

 

[checkerboard_charly]

Very, VERY insightful. Welcome to the board.

I think the Tennessee offense will be sort of like the show "Pimp My Ride". We are going to recognize that it's the same car, but it's going to be shined up and with a lot of accessories.

nice analogy

 

[utvolpj]

I will be interested to see what Cut does without UT's NFL all-star team of the 90's. I don't know if a coach ever had more to work with.

I wasn't a fan of his the first time (along with many, many others in Knoxville) but I hope he proves me wrong. He was too safe a hire. :dunno:

 

[Mr. Rockytop]

I think we all agree that the offense should be more disciplined in their approach and execution this coming season. The offensive staff has been upgraded. PW, JRS, and RS have been replaced with TT, Adkins, and Cutcliffe respectfully. So what else should be expected? Here are a few that I think will happen:

1) More draw plays. Cutcliffe has used the draw play extensively in the past and I think it will be used a great deal more starting this coming season. When I say draw, it is a different draw than used by Sanders. RS would like to use it from the shotgun with the QB basically standing up then handing off to the RB to pick his hole. With Cutcliffe, he likes to execute this play from the I-formation and letting the FB lead through a specific hole. This play has been a plus in past Cutcliffe offenses and it will be this coming season as well.

2) Watch for the return of the Waggle. The waggle was a Cutcliffe favorite against a zone defense. He would run the play to the side of the slot. The outside WR would run deep, the slot would run a deep out and the FB would run a quick out – all to the same side with the play being ran from play-action. The play forces the safety to make a decision between covering two different receivers. Past Cutcliffe QB’s (especially Shuler) made a living off this play.

3) The FB will be more of a focus in a Cutcliffe offense. With this in mind, whoever wins the starting FB job will do so because of blocking. Too many times last season and in seasons past the FB has led through the hole with only one job to do – eliminate the LB in the hole. Any too many times they whiffed in their block. I can almost guarantee that if any of our FB’s cannot evaporate a LB in the hole on the Iso-play they will see very little playing time.

4) Ditto for WR’s blocking CB’s and Safetys.

5) A lot has been said about the OL being leaner and quicker under Cutcliffe. The reason being is to run the counter-trey and traps like Cutcliffe’s offense ran in the 90’s. These type plays were almost always in the game plan on Saturday’s when Cutcliffe offenses took the field and if the opposing DC did not stop it he would run them all day long.

6) The other need for leaner/quicker OL is to run more effective screens. Randy Sanders ran some screens but they were more or less ineffective since the OL were not always to get to the corner to make the critical block. I think you will see more screens to both the WR’s and RB’s in Cutcliffe’s offense.

Well I hope you're wrong, as in the case of the rival teams looking at this board.

 

[vols2345]

yeah its hard to be a fan of someone who groomed two of the greatest sec and ncaa qb's all time that our now doing their thing in the NFL, and not to mention OC'd this team all the way to a national championship. God its hard to be a fan of that. I wish Randy sanders was still here. I love throwing to the flanks and the 5 yard passes over and over. also the run plays up the middle on every 1st down, gawd that is something to be a fan of right there.

 

[utvolpj]

yeah its hard to be a fan of someone who groomed two of the greatest sec and ncaa qb's all time that our now doing their thing in the NFL, and not to mention OC'd this team all the way to a national championship. God its hard to be a fan of that. I wish Randy sanders was still here. I love throwing to the flanks and the 5 yard passes over and over. also the run plays up the middle on every 1st down, gawd that is something to be a fan of right there.

I watched the "up the middle on 1st down" for years, it was called Johnny Ball. Cut and Fulmer were both bred in that system. I'm also pretty sure that the Mannings might have made it to the NFL without Cut.

His offenses were pretty vanilla during most of his tenure at UT. The players that UT had were amazing. I'm not saying he was bad but I don't remember anyone in Knox being that upset when he left. He was not thought of this highly when he was here the first time so it's just hard for me to buy now. I know I'm not off the mark with that.

But it's just an opinion...

 

[vols2345]

Well Im sure I can just give you some game tape of our offense since he left and help you change that opinion of yours.

 

[utvolpj]

Well Im sure I can just give you some game tape of our offense since he left and help you change that opinion of yours.

And I'll give you tape of Fulmer as OC and Cut as OC and you see if you can see the difference (not much). And believe me, I've struggled through every game too.

I also never said the RS was anywhere near as good as Cut.

 

[jakez4ut]

I think it will be amazing how "innovative" the offense looks if we actually complete a deep ball or two and make teams pay for playing single coverage. Play action was meaningless last year because we couldn't get the ball down the field on time, and on the rare occasions when we did, we didn't catch it. Execution, execution, execution . . .

agree 100%...the same could be said if we could complete more than 40% of our passes, regardless of where they are donw the feild. we didn't stand a chance of making a D respect us thru the air last season....i would expect more of that this year, cause i think the same will be true until we prove we can throw it effectively.

I think that most d's we face, especially early on, will run man to man to see if we can....i think they will try to test the "leaner" O line to see if they can get to EA....and having said that, i would try to get to EA as much as possible as a D to rattle him and not allow him any confidence.

And i think Cut probably knows this...which is why, i think the originator of this thread is correct, i expect to see a lot of screens both to the RB and WR's to back people off....

it will be interesting for sure....great post GaVol and Cobbvol.

 

[Lexvol]

I don't remember anyone in Knox being that upset when he left. He was not thought of this highly when he was here the first time so it's just hard for me to buy now. I know I'm not off the mark with that.

I for one was more upset by his replacement than his departure, however to totally dismiss the players that he developed like T Martin and Heath Shuler seems a little short sighted. I was also impressed with his tenure at Ole Miss considering what he had to work with. I am willing to be open minded for a little while anyway.