Ask Jim Owczarski

[EatonFan]

(05-26-2016, 01:06 AM)jowczarski Wrote: My question is how often do the coaches come up with new plays, formations, etc. Plus how long do they practice these before they show up in a game? I'm sure there is technical tweaks they do to old favorites too. Any insight would be welcome.

I think it’s a grey area. For instance, the Bengals offense isn’t going to be that markedly different. Now, I’m sure Zampese will add in new routes or formations but off the same basic structures that already existed. And they liked that Lazor came off the Chip Kelly tree and I’m sure you’ll see some stuff that looks like that – so it’s “new to you” but in reality it’s an offshoot of something that already was run. Are you talking about pure, pure innovation? Like, making up something that never existed? That’s far more rare.  The practice time in the NFL is so restricted now and cut down that an established team like the Bengals will add wrinkles, but it’s part of a larger fabric that’s already been created. I’m trying to think … I mean, Gary Crowton was the first guy I saw really bring the bubble screen to the league back when he was OC with the Bears in 1999 but it was never executed like it is now (and, the rules for defensive contact were far different). But he came from college. Same with Chip Kelly. He did all that mess in college first. Great question. Zamp would be a great one to ask because his old man was the one who basically created the “Air Coryell” offense.

A bit of a followup question:  Hue Jackson was incredibly inventive with pre-snap shifts in order to get the defense to reveal their hand and give cues as to what type of D they were running.  He would also shift to get great matchups when the personnel was right.  Do you see Zampese doing this as well or will he play it more traditional?  Just your gut.