Yeah, I know we're still a couple of weeks away, but I just can't help but to look forward to what Coach Klein and staff are going to be able to do with the talent we have. Every time I watch KSU film I not only get a greater respect for Coach Klein's ability to call plays but the precision with which his calls were executed (at least most of the time). I strongly recommend y'all go take a look at some of the video. These games were not just games against the Sisters of the Poor, either. tu was in there, as well as, others. In re-watching the clips sometimes, I catch nuances I often missed before. Some thoughts...
- Simplicity and Complexity at the same time - Coach Klein isn't reinventing the offensive wheel. Many of the plays, especially in the run game, are as old as football itself. Traps, counters, sweeps, and off tackle slants or quick hitters (often called power these days...), call them what you will, they will always be basic staples of a good running game. Terry Bradshaw was asked why the great Steeler teams seemed to only run the same 4 running plays. He looked quizzically at the camera and quipped, "Because that's all we had." Coach Klein has a unique ability to take those "simple" plays and make them his own, by maximizing blocking schemes to gain leverage or punish the defense for over aggressiveness; motion to move defensive personnel or at least confirm what appears to be the defensive call; and, establish an "All Day Mentality" on the line of scrimmage. My Dad used loved to say this about the great Lombardi Packer Championship Teams (and this coming from a lifelong Bears fan until he went to his real Home with the Lord...) "Yeah heck, everybody knew what they were gonna run. They just couldn't stop it."
- Disguise is Good - In the past few years, I believe what really, really got a lot of us Ags watching the games was the staleness of our offense. It got a little better last year, in spots, but certainly not enough to warrant keeping Jimbo. Coach Klein is a little bit in the Shanahan coaching mold, if not in style then certainly philosophy. Number one, he wants to be physical, from the biggest guy on offense to the smallest guy. Look at his previous teams. You can see it plainly. Secondly, he wants to run the ball as effectively as he can. Everything else hinges off that; we have to be able to do it. It's what he uses to set up play action and especially deep shots. Lastly, he wants defenses to "see the same pictures," over and over but still have no clue what's coming. It's why the Niners were so good (Credit to the Chiefs for having the best player...). It's also why Harbaugh won a Natty at Michigan. Pretty simple formula, run when they think pass and vice versa. If we can run over them, when they know it's comin' so much the better....
- Good Blocking is Soooo Much Fun to Watch! - I'm going to start with the TEs. I've watched probably 100-150 plays of KSU and I can't tell you the percentage of when a wing/HB/TE lines up on the formation, but it is doggone high! I think all the receivers, RBs and TEs are going to be told early and often, don't wanna block, well, there's a seat over there by the Gatorade. They'll get their chances in the passing game and probably some in the run game, too, for the receivers and TEs, that is. But you gotta block, because you may called to wham block on a DT (TE) for a trap or crack back on a DE (WR) on a sweep. It's just part of what this offense is! For the line, we've all said it a million times on here, our success is largely going to rest on how those young men play and that's why I believe the competition is so open. I watched our line and compared it with KSU's line from last year closely. There is not a reason in this world we should not execute those blocking schemes equal to or better then KSU's line! NONE WHATSOVEVER!!! This is not a round hole - square peg deal at all. All our guys have the physical abilities to carry off the blocking schemes they will be required to do and do them at a very high level. It's not rocket surgery, folks!
