'AIR GUN' OFFENCE HAS SEEN IT"S DAY
The days of ?air gun? football offence, with spread formations, empty backfields, ?run and shoot? or '?pass and catch? are slowly receding into obscurity. The Indianopolis Colts finally won the Superbowl when they recognized that running on third and three was going to be more successful, at times, than passing on third and three. Our Leos finally won the Grey Cup we?d been seeking for the past three seasons when they finally established a running attack to go along with an aggressive, smart, defense.
BALANCED OFFENCES ARE BACK IN VOGUE
Balanced offences are back in vogue! The recognition that the running game is critical to offensive success is firmly cemented in professional coaches heads again. The running game wears down defenses, keeps the opposition offence on the sidelines for longer periods of time, and sets up play action. It puts pressure on defensive backs and linebackers. If forces them to play both the run and the pass. Play action creates a special bind. It doesn?t allow defensive lineman to tee off and do their favorite thing??search and destroy the quarterback! Balanced offences force defensive backs to do something more than backpedal and try to set up interceptions...they have to get bruised taking on big blockers and hard running backs.
Quarterbacks are appreciating it too, when their team has a balanced attack. While the introduction of the 'shotgun" gave them a little more time to look at different defensive blitzes and changing defensive formations they were still became sitting ducks, trying to get rid of the football that split second before the blitz. Their time in the pocket became shorter, as offences went with only five offensive blockers against six and seven man package blitzes. The beating they took increased (as we saw with Dave Dickenson two season ago) as they made their best decision of which of six recievers to throw to.
THE 'ACE" OR SINGLE BACK OFFENCE
However, teams are approaching it differently now. The single back offence now predominates in both the NFL and CFL. However, one difference, is that in the NFL, the tight end is even more in vogue. In fact NFL teams not only line up with one or two of them but some formations even include three tight ends (and we?re not just talking down at the goal line or short yardage situations. The stretch running play often relies on a single or double tight end set.
THE DAYS OF THE CFL TIGHT END
For a long time the tight end was a critical offensive position for CFL teams. Players like Pat Claridge, Herm Harrison, Peter Dalla Riva,Tony Gabriel, and Mel Profit played the position with skill and toughness. The position of tight end has been refered to by many football experts as the most difficult and demanding spot in football. A tight end must have the size and speed of a middle linebacker, the blocking ability of an offensive lineman, and the "hands" of a wide receiver.
PAT CLARIDGE WAS THE TOUGHEST LEO EVER!
At a B.C. Lions training camp a number of years ago Pat Claridge and I went out on the town for a few beers. Clariidge, was in my opinion, not only the Leos best tight end ever. He was also probably the toughest player to ever wear a Leos uniform. Talking about the tight end position with him was fascinating! However, the term tight end almost disappeared from the terminology of the CFL along with the position. In his day teams lined up with a tight end, a split end, and a flanker. CFL teams virtually eliminated the position as offensive coordinators moved to two lighter slotbacks and two wide receivers, Eventually, the fullback was removed on second downs to bring in a fifth receiver. The transition continued to ?air gun? football with teams going with empty backfields and six receiver sets and the fullback position also almost disappeared from sight. Presently CFL teams have begun to return to a single back in the backfield. This was forced by CFL defenses bringing in extra defensive backs, blitzing the hell out of quarterbacks, or dropping nine into coverage. The running game became important again.
"JUMBO' SETS BEGIN THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN OF THE TIGHT END
In order to run more effectively teams in short yardage situations CFL teams began to bring in extra offensive lineman on short yardage situations. Often refered to as ?jumbo sets? these huge offensive lineman lined up as tight ends to help out with blocking. CFL teams did not have a player who was a pure tight end. CFL teams had slotbacks on their roster who were light and fast but not built for tough line blocking. The experimenting continued with defensive ends as Brent Johnson, who were faster than most offensive lineman, being used as tight ends in short yardage situations. They could block effectively and also had the quickness to slip out into a pass pattern to catch a defense ?napping?! The touchdowns scored by these ?surrogate? tight ends were not only effective but also popular with players and fans.
CFL OFFENCES BEGIN TO USE TIGHT END SETS
CFL teams have recently began to use more single and double tight end formations on regular downs to improve their running game. With the inability to use players both ways, except in short yardage situations, the double tight formations have usually involved extra offensive lineman. While helping out the running game these offensive lineman do not have the ability to also double as pass recieivers and their role has been limited to blocking for the single back in the ?ace? backfield. However, the utilization of these formations will ultimately lead to the return of the 'pure' tight end again.
THE TIME HAS ARRIVED
The time has arrived for the reintroduction of the tight end into the CFL offensive thought process. A pure tight end or two on an offence can very effectivly block for the running game and also be a threat in the passing game. They can split out at the last second to spread out the field. They provide difficult match up problems to today?s light, fast, smaller defensive backs. They make it more difficult for defenses to key pass or run.
TIGHT END FORMATIONS THAT CAUSE MATCH UP PROBLEMS!
The initial alignment floods the right side of the formation with four eligible receivers (three receivers and one tight end or four receivers) and no one split wide at the far side of the field. But pre-snap, the right tight end splits wide. Suddenly, the defense is placed in a difficult situation. If the defense is going with extra defensive backs the offence can run the football very effectively with this formation. However, if the defense has stayed with a regular five defensive back set up you have forced single coverage or if they are double covering a receiver the offense will have forced a linebacker to cover one of the receivers.
A second formation involves two tight ends, two wide receivers and a slotbak or fifth receiver. The two wide receivers line up close to the tight ends. On one side it will look like a bunch formation.These ?tight? receivers are in great position to attack the weaknesses in two-deep coverage schemes. The formation, known as an ?Ace Tight? allows the receivers to block effectively for the running game. A cornerback aligned head-up on the receiver is vulnerable to a corner route, . The tight formation gives the receiver extra room to run after he makes his break on the corner route or other sideline routes. It also allows the opportunity to get a tight end lined up against a linebacker who can be taken deep.
A third offensive formation involves a three tight end look. Defenses generally think of a one or two tight end formation as a running formation. Three tight ends will definitely cause all kinds of hell for today?s lighter CFL defenses. However an offence can be unpredictable in a three-tight end package and the tight ends can be dangerous weapons in the passing game as well.
There are of course many more formations that can utilize two or three tight end sets. The flexibility of having a tight end who can line up tight and block or release on a pass pattern... or split out and take it deep or block down inside on linebackers is a tremendous weapon.
THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING!
CFL offenses got ahead of CFL defenses when they eliminated their tight ends and fullbacks and isolated fast slotbacks and fifth recivers on slower linebackers. They overwhelmed what were very one dimensional defenses at the time. No longer! CFL scoring was down big time this season as I predicted. Defenses, using specialists as sixth, seventh, and eight defensive backs, ?tweener? linebacekers (converted defensive backs) who can cover and blitz, and multiple defensive formations which utilize three down lineman while using combination man/zone coverages or blitzing fast defensive backs and linebackers against only five blockers has taken away the advantage offences once enjoyed.
DEFENSES WILL LOSE THEIR PRESENT ADVANTAGES
The reintroduction of the tight end position will cause all kinds of problems for defenses. They will find it challenging because they will not have the personel to do it. The tight end position will cause all kinds of headaches stopping the running attack with small defensive backs, light defensive ends, and ?tweener? linebackers. More importantly they won?t have the ability to change defensive personel when a fifth or sixth receiver comes in. With three fast receivers and two multipurpose tight ends who can line up tight or split out, block for the running attack, also catch the ball in a crowd over the middle or take it deep..defenses will lose the advantage they presently have.
THE TIGHT END AS AN ALL PUROSE WEAPON
Multi-tight end sets are everywhere in the NFL and they are being used in every possible situation. And as U.S.colleges keep churning out tight ends who are as bigger than fullbacks and as fast as wide receivers CFL offensive coordinators will need to develop offensive schemes to use these athletic specimens as all-purpose weapons. The CIS will eventually do the same when they begin to see tight ends remerge in the CFL.
JASON CLERMONT IS A PROTYPE CFL TIGHT END
In the CFL, the tight end is still a glorified right tackle or defensive player who only plays in short-yardage situations or predictable running situations. There are outstanding tight ends out there who can block, run routes, and sprint up the seam on a deep route just when you least expect it. The pure tight end will return to the CFL. He will be able to lineup tight or split out. He will look more like a Jason Clermont who was used lined up tight against Montreal this year and will also be split out as Clermont was at times during that game.
WRAP
The brief glimpse of Clermont this season as a tight end was something that needs to happen more and will once an offensive coordinator is able to break the present CFL mould. Hufnagel and Cortez broke a mould in Calgary when brought in a different style of offence that was innovative at the time. The time has arrived for that kind of innovation again but in a different way. Pat Claridge?we hope you?ll be watching when it happens!!!
THE RETURN OF THE TIGHT END!!!!
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Last edited by Blitz on Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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Funny how more things change, the more they remain the same.
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Just like the way they did it to Montreal couple of seasons back.Lion Guy wrote:I like it!! Run it down their throats I say Blitz.
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Blitz, I don't think the game can tolerate the return of the "tight" end. Players today require to be in terrific physical condition and the days of the drinking tight end are gone for good.
Just kidding but in the old days there were lots of partiers at more positions than end.
Good overall coverage of the topic. It is funny how defences have got to the point where offenses have had to reconsider going back to FBs and TEs.
Just kidding but in the old days there were lots of partiers at more positions than end.
Good overall coverage of the topic. It is funny how defences have got to the point where offenses have had to reconsider going back to FBs and TEs.
Wish it was...seems too long to wait for training camp LionGuy I long for the smell of fresh cut grass and the sound of pads hitting each other!Is it June yet??
It's interesting that you and I and so many others remember that game so well. They used the same strategy in Montreal this season and Buck had a great game throwing to Clermont, who lined up at tight end.Just like the way they did it to Montreal couple of seasons back.
Tight ends deserved to drink more in those days Toppy Vann...they had to do something to help the bruises seem less painful. I agree Toppy that it is a different pro athlete these days...they really have to look after themselves to be able to compete... and the wild days of old are gone!Blitz, I don't think the game can tolerate the return of the "tight" end. Players today require to be in terrific physical condition and the days of the drinking tight end are gone for good.
Just kidding but in the old days there were lots of partiers at more positions than end.
The game is one of constant adjustment...sometimes that means trying something new or going back to something old that worked or a combination of the two. However, like evolution, those that adapt slowest...lose!
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
It's very admirable that you think Pat Claridge was the best tight end, Blitz. But apparently, the majority of Lions fans may not agree with you because they chose Harry Holt as the best tight end for the Lions 50th Season Dream Team.Blitz wrote:PAT CLARIDGE WAS THE TOUGHEST LEO EVER!
At a B.C. Lions training camp a number of years ago Pat Claridge and I went out on the town for a few beers. Clariidge, was in my opinion, not only the Leos best tight end ever.
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Harry Holt had a lot of potential but really never showed it while he was with the Lions. He drove Vic Rapp nuts with his work ethics or lack of. Perhaps it's due to his maturity. He dropped out of college to join the Lions.
Thanks for posting the fact that Harry Holt was the Leos fans choice as 'best tight end' Robbie. I was aware of that.It's very admirable that you think Pat Claridge was the best tight end, Blitz. But apparently, the majority of Lions fans may not agree with you because they chose Harry Holt as the best tight end for the Lions 50th Season Dream Team.
However, I agree with TheLionKing, that Harry Holt may have been the most talented Leos tight end who had lots of potential but he was not the 'best'. Holt would have been enough to drive any coach crazy but for the hot tempered Vic Rapp...there were days I thought he wanted to kill Harry Holt.Harry Holt had a lot of potential but really never showed it while he was with the Lions. He drove Vic Rapp nuts with his work ethics or lack of. Perhaps it's due to his maturity. He dropped out of college to join the Lions.
If Holt would have been half as tough as Claridge, or as determined, or caught balls in a crowd and took hits like Claridge, or came through in the clutch like Claridge did it would have been no contest. However Holt didn't and Claridge did and to me there is no contest between the two!
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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I totally agree with Blitz about Pat Claridge. He was one tough SOB.