The Watson Propagandist.., Why We Don't Have A Bad OC.

There's been a lot said about the 2014 "Watsline" Texas offense, much of it criticism of the Assistant Head Coach of Offense and Quarterbacks Coach, Shawn Watson. So, I decided to play devil's advocate and explain why I think much of the criticism has been hyperbolic. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the scheme, it was the players. When I first set out to do this I planned on creating cut-ups of Texas' offensive snaps in a couple of games, but that wasn't working out. Instead, draftbreakdown.com happens to have a great video of Paul Dawson terrorizing what I contend to be a poorly executed Texas offense. Below I have characterized the first 20 plays of the video. I'm not sure how well this format will work, but feel free to review the video or play descriptions first. Then we're set to begin the scheme-personnel kerfuffle.



The rest of this post will be generally bland. I will place a number for the play it is in the video in sequence (1st 20). Also, I'll try to mainly highlight crucial factors in the plays, so don't be overly critical if my untrained eyes miss something.

1) Lead Zone-Bubble packaged play is run w/ the HB missing a critical block. I for one liked what the bubble screen offered and w/ QB under center, can throw it out there pretty fast. 2) Lead Zone-Slant, another packaged play. The ball seems to come out a bit slow, maybe slightly tipped, but behind the WR. "Watsline" clearly asking QB to make quick post-snap decision in order to get the ball out early. 3) The QB makes a late high-low read on Mike, ball is late to released RB, tackled short. 4) Double-Screen run here, releasing OL fails to block Mike, Daje down! 5) Power-Bubble-Hitch, another packaged play, though QB doesn't appear to have a read on the "Cloud" CB. DL beats OL here, ugh! 6) 3rd & 14 vs obvious Cover-2, don't like route grouping, but checkdown is obvious play here once the underneath coverage vacated. QB, let the RB make the play. You are not Vince Young! 7) Split-Zone w/ reverse, the RB misses cutback lane on a play blocked at a mediocre level. 8) Sprint pass throwaway that ended badly for the QB. This didn't seem effective at all, but the QB made correct play. 9) First INT, ball out late, it needed to come out at or slightly before the break. If not, progress to the release player, on QB. 10) Lead Iso w/ decent blocking, but LT fails to seal his block outside and the RT fails to reach Mike, as if! 11) Bunch set w/ a better read from QB, Mike holds, RB makes great play. 12) Power out of spread set, RT cannot hold up, busted. 13) Spot concept from empty, great job of splitting the field to gain #s in the passing game. 14) Split-Zone + quick game, the speed-out wins w/ leverage on the safety. 15) I can't make out the concept, but QB is late, needs to progress to "3rd Fix". Also, checkdowns tend to be low-risk high-reward vs Cover-2. 16) This play would make for a great "Snuff-GIF". OL (G) fails to get in front of blitzing LB, let alone seemingly being unable to check out of this play. Also note, the QB may have had a "hot" read, the slot running a hitch. 17) Power+Quick, read Will, he stays out equals a "give" read for the QB, great concept from a spread formation. 18) QB holds ball too long on concept, eyes go down, but behold! The 3rd Fix is open! QB needs more composure in the pocket (eyes up progressing and moving to his help). 19) Pistol read-option, a killer! The DE bites and something funny, the strong safety doesn't want to tackle big Ty, lol! 20) RB flare protects QB from LB blitz, simplicity at it's finest. Also note the decent pass-pro and the Spot concept again.

There it is. This offense is comprised of many modern elements, read-option and packaged plays. It's my contention that it only needs improved execution to succeed, by the OL and especially the QB. I think, for the most part, the tape shows well-conceived concepts vs the defense and personnel presented to it. The staff appears to have put the players in a position to succeed. From there, it's up to them to execute and finish. This group simply could not. That's my case. I hope the formatting of this post wasn't too strange. Now, let's argue!!!