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Air Force football: Wednesday’s training camp report
August 10th, 2011, 9:36 pm · 8 Comments · posted by Frank Schwab
Some interesting things from the scrimmage today, although it was almost entirely second- and third-team players. Still some developments that will affect the depth chart:
- Links: Here’s about everything you want to know about the Air Force offensive line situation. Haven’t said too much about that group, because it’s such a steady, quiet group. I don’t think there’s the slightest bit of concern from the Falcons over the offensive line.
- The player of the day was cornerback Chris Miller. He had two pick-six interceptions in a passing drill and another interception during the 11-on-11 scrimmage. That has to be a great sign for the coaches, who want competition at the cornerback spot opposite Anthony Wright. Josh Hall has held that spot, Steffon Batts moved up the depth chart early in camp, and this practice might signal that Miller is ready to make his move.
- Coming in second in that player of the day race might be freshman tailback Jon Lee. He looked very good, especially on a 29-yard touchdown run (a penalty flag came in late in the play, but give him credit for the run). Lee had a good season at the prep school last year. The competition behind Asher Clark is wide open. I don’t think you’ve heard the last of Lee’s name this season.
- The other impressive part of the day was the kickers. They hit all their field goals in the scrimmage situation, including a 44-yarder from Erik Soderberg. Zach Hoffmann also got some early reps at kicker. Soderberg has had a solid camp, and says he feels confident and is excited for the season.
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About this blog …
I'm Frank Schwab, Air Force beat reporter for The Gazette. I've been at the paper since 2003, and covered the Broncos for seven seasons. I covered the University of Wisconsin in the late 1990s, so I'm well versed in running football teams (Ron Dayne) and defensive basketball teams (Dick Bennett). I love to chat on www.twitter.com/GazetteAirForce, and will respond to comments and emails at frank.schwab@gazette.com.
For more coverage, visit The Gazette's Air Force Academy Sports page
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Good Article on the O-line – but one thing you didn’t mention – which I am still amazed by – is how small they are. They are tiny for college offensive lineman. Only one starter >255lbs?! How do they handle the 300lb behemoths in the trenches? I can’t wait to watch them get down field and spring Jefferson, Clark, and Warzeka for some long runs.
TE 81 Joshua Freeman 6-3, 200, Sr.
LT 75 Jason Kons 6-4, 255, Jr.
LG 67 Jordan Eason 6-3, 255, Jr.
C 63 Jeffrey Benson 6-0, 255, Sr.
RG 73 A.J. Wallerstein 6-4 280, Sr.
RT 70 Kevin Whitt 6-3, 255, Sr.
Ditto on the offensive line piece – a good read about a solid group. Yes, they are smaller than typical div I lines; but you really don’t need 300 lb plus guys along the line when you play option offense. W/ option offense football, the line doesn’t necessarily have to hold their blocks for long periods of time. I think that’s one reason the Academies have all gone to the option set.
What makes this year’s O-Line any different than every other year at AFA? They’re always on the smaller side (for O-lineman anyway) and they always figure out a way to get it done. AFA is never going to have 300-pound lineman, and they’ll generally be fairly successful with the mid-size athletes they bring in.
The size differential is why I believe so many other teams complain about the service academies’ blocking schemes. They simply don’t like that their defenses are getting shredded by guys that size, so it gives them an excuse. Interestingly, since Calhoun was on their staff, it was the same with the Broncos under Shanahan. By NFL standards that was always a small line, but they made up for it with athleticism and technique.
These guys are small even by AFA standards – and bucks a trend of ever increasing size. Even AFA was getting bigger under Deberry, with several players pushing 300lbs (Huyser, Weaver, Kray) . I love to hear about techniques and schemes that allow smaller players to compete, and challenges the conventional wisdom.
Mostly didn’t mention the size of the offensive line because it’s something that’s always mentioned and I mostly want to write about Air Force without harping too often on their size disadvantages. I think they deserve to be (and probably want to be) judged based on their results – which were very good last year.
And Ted, truly, I don’t think it’s frustration that leads to teams not liking Air Force’s blocking scheme – defensive players don’t like offensive players blocking them low, especially at the knees, regardless of size or how the game is going. Really think it’s that simple.
Given that BYU was often the most vociferous in their protests, you’re probably right Frank. That might have been a silly comment on my part.
Jimbo is exactly correct–the linemen don’t have to hold the blocks for as long running the pure option. In addition, at least in the past, AF has used some complex blocking schemes that almost never have one guy pushing head-to-head against a defensive counterpart at the point(s) of attack. Instead they trap, fold, double team (and then slide off once they get a seam to go after the ‘backer), and generally do a great job of hitting the other guy at just enough of an angle to create some daylight. Those types of blocking patterns also create problems for the defensive front that is trying to maintain its run lanes.
As for size, it’s an issue, of course, but in generating force (momentum), you square the “v”, not the “m”. Really, where you see the size issue really show up is in pass blocking, especially with deep drops.