-No pistol offense and in fact there was some shotgun spread zone/read plays, but the use of a fullback that I had not heard of before, Stephen Gabbard. In years past, the tight end would/could be utilized like a h-back but there was more of definite fullback look today. Andy Silsby was also on the field as well with the first teamers. Interesting enough, D.J. Harper lined up as fullback on Kellen Moore's first play of the day. It ended up as a play action completion but do not be surprised if Avery and Harper are the tandem in the backfield of next year.
- Some of the unknown younger running backs touched the rock, Drew Wright, Mitch Burroughs and Matt Kaiserman,, but the work was basically handled by the experienced crew of Ian Johnson, Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin and D. J Harper.
- Good news was the lack of turnovers. There was a fumble by Moore on a blitz and then there was the 3 fumbles by Titus ( one for sure on a reverse-see below, and one for sure on special teams). No interceptions was nice to see.
- The defense should be ahead of the offense at this point due to timing. The defense did not allow any huge runs which was good to see. There was a lack of tackling on the Vinny Perretta touchdown scamper ( started as 10 yard hitch, see below). The play consisted of the cornerback, I believe it was Brandyn Thompson, let Vinny elude him or Thompson simply did not wrap up. Initially I thought Thompson just "hugged" the wideout as not to knock out his teammate but on second look, I think Vinny just shook him off.
-Saw a lot of the fake zone run play and swing out the rock to the trips side where the #3 wr would run a bubble screen. Sometimes it made positive yardage, sometimes it got blown up. Critical play to master in the spread offense. Below, we have the sequence
- Speaking of screens, a lot of screens from the 5 wide formation were thrown to Avery, as seen below ( Avery ended up dropping the ball in the first half of the scrimmage, but the coaching staff kept going to the well later on...)
- Seemed like Tommy Smith (see below) was always rushing the QB, 3rd and 4th Stringers but still. I noticed he was in a lot of these pics, usually closing in on the QB, sometimes airborne
- I want to compliment Tanyon Bissell for a being smart QB/Athlete/whatever when on a busted play, Bissell took the snap up field and got positive yardage when the two running backs were discombobulated. Below we have Bissell dishing out to Harper. There was also a hot route for Bissell to fake the option and throw it to Hawkins. This might have been the play where J Hawkins got lit up by Jeron Johnson.
-leaving on a positive note, the center snap exchange was a non-issue
There will be several opinions by bloggers, real media and the unabashed fans but this scrimmage is just the first test to get out the rust and see what is working. The adjustments from here on out should be the most interesting thing to watch for.