For starters, I can't begin to properly characterize Watson's Louisville offense. I don't think it's as easy as referring to it as a West Coast Offense (WCO), in it's pure form anyway. However, what I do see is a framework based on the modern NFL offense, an "NFL-Lite" offense if you will. That may be a good place to begin.
The reasons I characterize Watson's offensive framework as "NFL-Lite" are due to what I see on Sundays. NFL offenses utilize multiple personnel and formations in both traditional and spread sets. They often utilize shifts and motions to prognosticate defensive intent and gain small advantages in numbers, leverage, space, and confusion. NFL quarterbacks will line up under center and shotgun and will feature a greater variety of handoffs, drop backs, and play-action quarterback movement. The NFL passing game presents a mix of ball control, vertical concepts, and screens meant to attack all zones, short, intermediate, and deep. Lastly, NFL offenses have begun integrating modern read-option strategies and tactics, a welcome change for die-hard college football fans. All of the above are utilized by Watson, presumably in a much more compact and streamlined manner suitable for college football players limited by practice-time rules.
So, in short, it looks complicated. It's difficult to cover the breadth of Watson's offense in one post. So, instead it may be better to start watching plays and begin to see how personnel, formation, and play calls are tied together. It's my view that Watson runs the same concepts from multiple formations with a tiered organization based on down, distance, and situation. So, play series from formations meant more for early downs and ball control will differ from play series meant for vertical passing and late downs. However, that doesn't mean he won't flip personnel and formation on those same downs and within those same play series. Watson's intent is to completely control the initiative and make it so the defense must play honest at all times or get caught playing to a false tendency. That's my take anyway. This is no spread offense that dictates with tempo and spacing, though I wouldn't exclude those strategies. Watson's offense will dictate with a "surface game" of personnel, formations, shifts, and motion all meant to disguise a finite amount of offensive concepts that all coalesce to form the offensive framwork. Get it!? Let's start with some examples.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412676
Above we have "11" personnel, split-zone to the right. I chose this play because I anticipate this to be a staple for Texas in 2014 and it will serve as a basis for what is potentially our best personnel. On to the next one.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412693
Watson makes a similar call 3 plays later with the same personnel on 1st down. The scheme up front is changed to "wide zone" with the same "split" action from the wing player, but here he releases to the flat and the quarterback keeps the ball on the bootleg. Notice how much more space this creates for what is most likely a high-low read with a run or throw away option. Also, notice that the defensive end is completely fooled, ankles "broken". Again, a very basic example, but you can easily see how these two plays relate. The beauty? What if the other team can't stop the zone run? You can run these plays all game, that's what!
Let's turn to another personnel grouping and formation, "22" personnel and the "I" formation. I actually like the "I". I only question Texas' current roster's ability to fill the FB role. Again, another formation with a similar concept, zone. Let's take a look.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412717
In the next sequence, you'll note Watson run G-Lead, then afterward a play-action pass play off of the same lead run-action. Again, an illustration of how Watson will fit complimentary schemes together and run series from the same look and action. He will do this with regard to the pass game as well and work in draw and screen plays to prey on defensive overcommitment.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412723
Notice where the lead ends up on the 2nd play, besides hurt of course. Also, look at the defensive flow towards the run-action! The Mike is busted, but the Sam is there to save the day (at least I think that's Sam). Once again, you begin to see how a play series is set up in Watson's offense and how the same concepts can be run with different personnel and formations. This is the tip of the iceberg, but what I've gleaned thus far from Watson is that he runs complimentary concepts with various personnel and formations in order to keep defenses "flat-footed" and guessing wrong. It may not soothe many Longhorns fans' yearning for explosive plays and repeat appearances on ESPN highlight reels, but hey! We have our own network for that. I may continue my exploration of Watson's offense and since this is my first blog post ever, please feel free to give me constructive feedback.
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