Coaches Corner: What kind of running back will fit in Coach Rod's offense?

Well first off to run the inside zone play successfully takes two key skills from your running backs. First is great vision, the running back must be able to see the seams open up. Many, if not most they will break open to the backside. Second skill, and this one is toughest to teach, is patience.

To illustrate how important these skills are lets review what the running back does on the inside zone. The running backs aiming point is the inside leg or hip of the play side offensive guard. The running back steps with his play side foot towards the inside leg of the offensive guard. His second step now starts down hill towards the line of scrimmage. Key here is for the running back to keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage as he attacks the line of scrimmage. If shoulders are not square he will not be able to see the holes as they open, or make the shallow cut to either the front or backside if the seam opens up there. Once receiving the hand off the running back must honor the hole or aiming point until he reaches the heels of the offensive guard. If he cuts before this the middle linebacker will not start down hill and will be next to impossible for any of the linemen to block. Also the backside linebacker will not start his scrap making it difficult for the backside offensive guard or offensive tackle to come off the double team and work to the second level. It is so important that the running back get that heel depth and make those linebackers attack the line of scrimmage. It is as they attempt to fill the seams that the offensive linemen have best opportunity to come off the doubles, or if uncovered take proper course and get to the linebackers.

With all this in mind here is how I see the running backs breaking out.

Kevin Grady:
Grady is much better fit in this offense than in old Michigan stretch play scheme offense. Grady is more of the downhill, shoulders square type of running back. He is also type of football player who takes the fight to the linebacker. He will not be the type to cut too early, or not let blocking develop. He is also not type to hit hole too quickly. Where he will need work is keeping his head up and actually seeing the seams developing. The course of the inside zone series, and how it is blocked should really help Kevin. Have not seen enough of Grady as receiver to be sure how fits there. You could also see Grady playing time as “Max” back. Having Kevin Grady, Brandon Minor or even Carlos Brown in the backfield at the same time would give defenses some different problems to deal with.

Brandon Minor:
Like Grady, the new scheme should be better fit for Minor than the outside zone offense we played with old Michigan. Minor does nice job keeping shoulders square and seeing the holes develop. He also makes those shallow cuts very well. He will need to work on his patience and making those little cuts too early. Just like Grady have not seen enough of Minor in passing game to judge him there. He has made a couple of nice blocks in protection. In fairness, he has also whiffed more than once also.

Carlos Brown:
Brown is ideal for the sweep part of the outside series. He at this point has not shown the vision or patience necessary to thrive running the inside zone series. He does do a nice job getting his shoulders square and getting downhill, but without the patience and vision he will have some problems. Where I could see Brown doing well is in the slot receiver position or as running back in empty set. If teams see him in huddle they will think straight spread offense. Now put Carlos into the slot and run empty. Defenses will not be able to substitute proper personnel. This is how USC used Reggie Bush so effectively. He caused a major mismatch problem. You could also see Brown excelling at screen game and even running circles routes out of the backfield. He will need to improve his blocking.

Avery Horn:
Definitely has the speed to be effective in the sweep series, but does he have the other necessary skills needed. At this time I would only be guessing at how effective Horn would be. There are some hints in his high school film. He got his shoulders square, but was a tad prone to bounce things way too early for this offense. That could simply be the desired result of his coaches, or something to that needs to be fixed. Should be able to tell once we see him this spring.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

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