Watching the Clemson offensive line tonight

[JasonB]

1) Really complex blocking schemes. More than we saw from the team this year and even so our o-line looked dazed and confused a lot of the time. Really telling how simplistic the old scheme under June was and eye opening just how difficult the adjustment has been for our current players. I think our coaching staff did their best to dumb things down for the offensive linemen, but the adjustment was still huge.

2) I kind of get now why the zone read isn't a real staple of the offense. Offenses that run zone read really have pretty simple blocking schemes in order to allow choice. In this offense, there is a lot of misdirection but not a lot of true option. Can't do it too much with the line schemes. Mobile QB yes, but more power QB run or called fake handoff and run than option.

3) Running game isn't based on a shifty back. Lots of speed in the backfield, don't get me wrong. But more of the zone read running style where it is plant and go. Maybe a little shift when you plant, but that is about it. Plant the foot at some point, and shoot up field quickly. Watching Clemson run the ball you get even more excited about how well Jones and West both fit the scheme. Jones is more shifty and I think did better behind a bad offensive line, but West might be a little more of the plant and go back who will excel when the line eventually gets cranking.

4) The line relies on both athleticism and strength. Really good linemen. I don't think you will see freshmen OL come in and play because of the complexity alone. I expect that the OL will be better next season just because they will have another year in the system. But I don't know that we have anyone on the roster who do anything close to what I watched tonight.

[Rebel10]

Our blocking scheme is not that complex now. One of the complaints under June was that it was a complex blocking scheme and took a year to learn. Our blocking scheme is very similar to what most Texas high schools run so it will not be a high learning curve. We scored more points this year than last year under the June Jones scheme. . We just need more athletic players on the OL. Don't worry we will get them.

[Stallion]

I think Jones has one of the best plant moves I've seen in an SMU back in decades-but we do need a bigger back like Gallman to really run the power inside running game. When we establish an inside running game this offense will take off

[3rdGenPony]

The 90+ yard drives were fun to watch. When the got the offense going, they were hitting the defense from every direction and had them in their heels.

[Digetydog]

1) Really complex blocking schemes. More than we saw from the team this year and even so our o-line looked dazed and confused a lot of the time. Really telling how simplistic the old scheme under June was and eye opening just how difficult the adjustment has been for our current players. I think our coaching staff did their best to dumb things down for the offensive linemen, but the adjustment was still huge.

2) I kind of get now why the zone read isn't a real staple of the offense. Offenses that run zone read really have pretty simple blocking schemes in order to allow choice. In this offense, there is a lot of misdirection but not a lot of true option. Can't do it too much with the line schemes. Mobile QB yes, but more power QB run or called fake handoff and run than option.

3) Running game isn't based on a shifty back. Lots of speed in the backfield, don't get me wrong. But more of the zone read running style where it is plant and go. Maybe a little shift when you plant, but that is about it. Plant the foot at some point, and shoot up field quickly. Watching Clemson run the ball you get even more excited about how well Jones and West both fit the scheme. Jones is more shifty and I think did better behind a bad offensive line, but West might be a little more of the plant and go back who will excel when the line eventually gets cranking.

4) The line relies on both athleticism and strength. Really good linemen. I don't think you will see freshmen OL come in and play because of the complexity alone. I expect that the OL will be better next season just because they will have another year in the system. But I don't know that we have anyone on the roster who do anything close to what I watched tonight.

I would have liked to see how KC Klemchi did in the offense last year. He looked like a very good fit for the offense: some size, good speed, and a lot more shiftyness than Line.

It will be interesting to find out if he gets (or wants) a 6th year.

[jpe747]

. . We just need more athletic players on the OL. Don't worry we will get them.

Rebel 'nailed' it. (Recruiting 5 OL this year)

[footballdad]

Jones is the guy, West strictly a speed and special teams player. Jones/Thomas the future at RB.

[JasonB]

I think Jones has one of the best plant moves I've seen in an SMU back in decades-but we do need a bigger back like Gallman to really run the power inside running game. When we establish an inside running game this offense will take off

At Clemson they pull guards and tackles constantly. Lots of counters opposite the pull, but there are a lot of pulls. To be able to do it, you have to not only have a guard mobile and athletic enough to pull and get out front, but you also have to have good players on the back side to seal off. Watching 71 try and pull in the last game was painful. Not sure if McCarty or Brown or Hyder are really built for it. It might be a while before we have the line set up in a way to enable that inside run.

[Stallion]

you keep worrying about players who aren't the answer. They were recruited because of their pass blocking skills. The new offense requires a different skill set. We do have 5 answers-6 if you include TE/HBack-they are discussed on the recruiting board. Each and every one of them have great run blocking skills. This is the best offensive line class SMU has had in awhile. We are in a total rebuild -. 2015 and 2016 are simply steps in building the program that hopefully will start in 2017 if we can get the younger players into the mix early. Transitioning from a Run N Shoot to a Spread and installing a new defense requires re-tooling the team with players that fit their roles which often displaces many who no longer fit and can't re-mold their skills to fit the new requirements. The key is to transition to the younger players whose skill-set fits into the new offense and defense as soon a possible although that usually takes 1-2 years longer at the Offensive Line position. We likely aren't going to a bowl in 2016 and nobody should have expected one in 2015. Coaches know the talent level here-and a building the team with a eye toward who can help them in 2017-18. That's why they have not gone for short-term answers by signing a bunch of 2 year JUCOs. Why sign a bunch of players that won't be around when the party starts

[Rebel10]

They didn't pass block well last year under June's offense or this year either.

[Rebel10]

you keep worrying about players who aren't the answer. They were recruited because they didn't have hardly any P5 offers and were easy to get.

Fify

[leopold]

They didn't pass block well last year under June's offense or this year either.

Yeah, well, Stallion was being generous.

No offense or OL but they were recruited for their ability to say "Sure. I have no other offers. I'd love to come to play for you."

[Pony Boss]

you keep worrying about players who aren't the answer. They were recruited because they didn't have hardly any P5 offers and were easy to get.

Fify

They hardly had any fbs offers

[Digetydog]

They didn't pass block well last year under June's offense or this year either.

They were good at holding and jumping early.

[Junior]

They didn't pass block well last year under June's offense or this year either.

They were good at holding and jumping early.

And falling down.