I think we may see the reemergence of an old position in the CFL-Tight End.
With problems in protecting the QB, the importance again of the run game and reliance of the shorter pass we will see a move again to a tight end. A large body who can block and catch lining up beside the OT.
Everything that goes around comes around again. We haven’t seen a dedicated TE in the CFL for what? 20-25 Years? Maybe since Herm Harrison. Old timers will remember him in Calgary. Maybe Peter Dalla Riva in Montreal. I think we will see one again soon.
The slot back began to replace the tight end around 1978, when Tom Scott was catching for the Eskimos, and Joe Poplawski with the Blue Bombers. It was so effective a weapon that it grew into the “six pack” employed by Calgary’s Doug Flutie offence.
With the disappearance of the tight end was lost another facet of the offence: the two running back set. This has become a scourge on today’s game, where the quarterback will hand to one tailback, or throw the ball. Winnipeg and Montreal are best at using more than one runner. Ottawa hands the ball almost exclusively to its feature back on ground plays.
The ground game is not boring, any more than defensive football is boring.
I favour a return to the tight end, and more conservative offences.
It opens up the possibility of the long strike, at some unexpected juncture.
Nick Aragki might have been the last, around 1986, in Montreal.
better blocker is a large running back like a wilder as he is 3 steps BEHIND the LOS ane [in theory] able to pick up intruding players - even those blitzes - but he doesnt do much blocking for the argos
Gabriel was a tight end. Incredibly, even at the end of his career, he lined up in a three point stance and blocked the defensive end or corner linebacker on running plays. The game was different; blocking was as important as complementary pass cuts.
Ray Elgaard had the tools to be a tight end but he played in the slot - big and tough man, unbelievable hands.
Rocky DiPietro another tough guy who might have played end, but played slot.
Because its proven the most effective for Canadian football.
Not too many years back, some dumbfounded American coaching staff (I forget which city) was lining a QB up under centre more often in the CFL. That offense went no where.
I’m surprised the shotgun is not used more down near the goal line. The field is still 65 yards wide and there’s 21 yards minimum (18 in Toronto) to the dead ball line. Spread the defense out and read-option the ball into the end zone.
And Darcy Brown from 2009 to 2012. Listed as a fullback, but usually lined up at the TE spot. Big guy at 6’4", 250 lbs. Unfortunately for him, he never seemed to grasp the whole blocking thing.
June Jones used a 6 man line for much of his time coaching the Ticats. But while that technically included a tight end, I don’t think he ever sent that player out for a pass; that player was strictly an extra blocker.
I was thinking the same thing. Was trying to find proof before I posted that comment. Once in a blue moon you will hear about a team having a TE on the roster but it seems only for short-yardage situations.
…Army ran an offense like that this past weekend against Michigan…basically put everyone except a receiver, QB and RB on the line, completely loading up one side and ran the ball that way, almost every down…3 yards here, 5 yards there, pick up of four, first down every three plays, and an algorithm that decided if running on fourth down was a valid decision or not…battle of will…I can envision the QB’s audibles being something like “Hey You Guys, We’re running to our Right, that’ll be your left, on Three, Ready Ready Ready” and then just go…
If you’re near the goal line, the best play would be to go undercenter, and have the tailback get a running start ( I think I heard of some old Bombers teams having their runningbacks getting a runup), and either fake it to him, or have him jump over the top and (essentially) dunk over the goal line over those defenders in a four point stance.
It seems counterintuitive to start your run from a standstill 5 or 6 yards behind the line, but that’s what they do here, and apparently the undercenter offense only works in short yardage
LOL!
Given what I have seen and read of Army’s offense over the past few years, I don’t think their play book has ANY passing plays.
Your description above has to be quite accurate about calling plays in the huddle.
Hey, they went to double overtime with a highly ranked Michigan team.
Something is working.
