GTmorris1970
09-29-2005, 01:04 AM
Posted on Wed, Sep. 28, 2005
Spurrier’s offense enters Twilight Zone
By RON MORRIS
Sports Columnist
DESPERATE TIMES CALL for desperate measures. Steve Spurrier will introduce a running quarterback to his offense when South Carolina plays Saturday at Auburn. The apocalypse truly is upon us.
Spurrier teaching a quarterback to run with the football is like Pavarotti teaching a tenor to rap orFrank Lloyd Wright teaching an architect to build a bridge.
“We’re learning some new plays around here,” Spurrier said Tuesday. “We’ve got some (plays), you know, go back and run around awhile and try to (pass to) somebody.
“I’ve never coached that play before, but it looks pretty darn good right now compared to standing in the pocket and look here and there, and then throwing. ... I don’t think I’ve gone into a game quite with the style of offense that we’re going in with (against Auburn).”
Suddenly, the Cock ’n’ Fire offense has been grounded. After 16 seasons of bringing an Air Force mentality to college football, Spurrier is endorsing the Army’s version of warfare.
The heart transplant for Spurrier’s offense came about when starting quarterback Blake Mitchell sprained his ankle during the third quarter of Saturday’s victory against Troy. Mitchell won the starting assignment during spring drills primarily because he recognized the secret to success was to drop back and sit in the pocket before throwing the football. Mitchell’s first option was to pass. His last-resort option was to run. That is the way Spurrier likes it.
Now, redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner gets the call. He has the stronger arm and quicker release of the two. Yet Heffner lost out to Mitchell in the spring primarily because his instinct when he dropped back to pass was to take off running. His second, or last, option was to pass. That is the surest way to prompt a visor-tossing show by Spurrier.
Nonetheless, Spurrier recognized the value of Heffner’s legs and installed a special package of running plays for his quarterback during the preseason. Against Central Florida, on his first play from scrimmage, Heffner ran for 5 yards on a quarterback draw that drew a collective moan from USC fans who thought they had seen the last of Lou Holtz’s conservative play calling.
Rest assured, this offense will resemble those of Holtz only vaguely. For one, Spurrier said USC must still pass the ball, and his receivers will continue to run patterns. Jump balls along the sideline will not be the staple of the passing game as it was under Holtz.
Also, Spurrier plans to use roll-out and bootleg passes with Heffner.
It is not the first time Spurrier has made adjustments in his offense.
Before the 1996 national championship game, Spurrier complained that his quarterback, Danny Wuerffel, was hit often and late by pass rushers during a regular-season loss to Florida State. Spurrier moved Wuerffel primarily to the shotgun formation, and the quarterback went virtually untouched during Florida’s Sugar Bowl victory over Florida State.
A few years later, when Florida had trouble with pass protection, Spurrier instituted a rolling pocket that allowed quarterback Rex Grossman time to throw.
Those changes were tweaks. Making his quarterback as much a runner as a passer is an overhaul.
You have to admire Spurrier for being flexible on this one. With few other options, Spurrier has adapted his offense to Heffner’s style. That is why, in limited playing time, Heffner has run the ball 16 times and thrown it 10 times. Mitchell, by contrast, has 16 running plays (including sacks) and has thrown 109 passes.
Asked who was his best running quarterback during his coaching stints at Duke and Florida, Spurrier was almost speechless. He stammered. He paused. He thought out loud.
“Ever coached? Ever coached?” he said, looking every bit as puzzled by the question as he sounded. “Best running quarterback? Coached? Ummh. No, maybe ... Antonio Heffner. Yes, I guess so.”
Steve Spurrier talking about his running quarterback. The moment was truly apocalyptic.
Spurrier’s offense enters Twilight Zone
By RON MORRIS
Sports Columnist
DESPERATE TIMES CALL for desperate measures. Steve Spurrier will introduce a running quarterback to his offense when South Carolina plays Saturday at Auburn. The apocalypse truly is upon us.
Spurrier teaching a quarterback to run with the football is like Pavarotti teaching a tenor to rap orFrank Lloyd Wright teaching an architect to build a bridge.
“We’re learning some new plays around here,” Spurrier said Tuesday. “We’ve got some (plays), you know, go back and run around awhile and try to (pass to) somebody.
“I’ve never coached that play before, but it looks pretty darn good right now compared to standing in the pocket and look here and there, and then throwing. ... I don’t think I’ve gone into a game quite with the style of offense that we’re going in with (against Auburn).”
Suddenly, the Cock ’n’ Fire offense has been grounded. After 16 seasons of bringing an Air Force mentality to college football, Spurrier is endorsing the Army’s version of warfare.
The heart transplant for Spurrier’s offense came about when starting quarterback Blake Mitchell sprained his ankle during the third quarter of Saturday’s victory against Troy. Mitchell won the starting assignment during spring drills primarily because he recognized the secret to success was to drop back and sit in the pocket before throwing the football. Mitchell’s first option was to pass. His last-resort option was to run. That is the way Spurrier likes it.
Now, redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner gets the call. He has the stronger arm and quicker release of the two. Yet Heffner lost out to Mitchell in the spring primarily because his instinct when he dropped back to pass was to take off running. His second, or last, option was to pass. That is the surest way to prompt a visor-tossing show by Spurrier.
Nonetheless, Spurrier recognized the value of Heffner’s legs and installed a special package of running plays for his quarterback during the preseason. Against Central Florida, on his first play from scrimmage, Heffner ran for 5 yards on a quarterback draw that drew a collective moan from USC fans who thought they had seen the last of Lou Holtz’s conservative play calling.
Rest assured, this offense will resemble those of Holtz only vaguely. For one, Spurrier said USC must still pass the ball, and his receivers will continue to run patterns. Jump balls along the sideline will not be the staple of the passing game as it was under Holtz.
Also, Spurrier plans to use roll-out and bootleg passes with Heffner.
It is not the first time Spurrier has made adjustments in his offense.
Before the 1996 national championship game, Spurrier complained that his quarterback, Danny Wuerffel, was hit often and late by pass rushers during a regular-season loss to Florida State. Spurrier moved Wuerffel primarily to the shotgun formation, and the quarterback went virtually untouched during Florida’s Sugar Bowl victory over Florida State.
A few years later, when Florida had trouble with pass protection, Spurrier instituted a rolling pocket that allowed quarterback Rex Grossman time to throw.
Those changes were tweaks. Making his quarterback as much a runner as a passer is an overhaul.
You have to admire Spurrier for being flexible on this one. With few other options, Spurrier has adapted his offense to Heffner’s style. That is why, in limited playing time, Heffner has run the ball 16 times and thrown it 10 times. Mitchell, by contrast, has 16 running plays (including sacks) and has thrown 109 passes.
Asked who was his best running quarterback during his coaching stints at Duke and Florida, Spurrier was almost speechless. He stammered. He paused. He thought out loud.
“Ever coached? Ever coached?” he said, looking every bit as puzzled by the question as he sounded. “Best running quarterback? Coached? Ummh. No, maybe ... Antonio Heffner. Yes, I guess so.”
Steve Spurrier talking about his running quarterback. The moment was truly apocalyptic.