As much as I want Cal to win, I also enjoy watching former Golden Bears play in the NFL. Say what you want about Tedford, but he prepared his players to be successful on Sundays.

I consider the "Air Raid" Offense as gimmicky and one that doesn't translate well to the NFL. In particular, I worry about the football education the QB's and RB's will receive in this offense. Will Kline become the next Graham Harrell (one trick pony)? I can't even think of any RB's in this type of system that have had success in the NFL.

Once again, I want this to go well, but I hope that our players don't become "system" players similar to the ones that come out of Oregon. After all, many recruits choose schools hoping that their football education will help them get to the NFL. I guess in the end, I'm just partial to the Pro-Style Offense, but hopefully, Dykes will change my mind.

I think you need more than a few skill players who are NFL quality to win with that style in college. Then again Welker and Gronkowski aren't doing too badly.

If you're good, you're going to find your way to the next level regardless.

I much rather have a "gimmicky" offense that leads us to exciting games and eventually a Rose Bowl than a "traditional" offense that leads us to 3-9 seasons and a bunch of NFL players.

u play to win the game, not how many guys u make look good for the nfl

How many quarterbacks does Tedford currently have in the NFL?

Aaron Rodgers


How many quarterbacks does Dykes have in the NFL?

Graham Harrell (Rodgers' backup)

Nick Foles (who led a game-winning drive for the Eagles today).

even then we arent running a true air raid but a spread hybrid bunch of teams are running the spread now in the nfl

gimmicky=anything innovative that teams have a tough time defending because of an advanced scheme

okaydo;842038260 said:

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How many quarterbacks does Tedford currently have in the NFL?

Aaron Rodgers


How many quarterbacks does Dykes have in the NFL?

Graham Harrell (Rodgers' backup)

Nick Foles (who led a game-winning drive for the Eagles today).

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What about running backs?

With the (B)Air Raid the best players are on the field. They get the exposure. Doesn't hurt an athlete.

I spent a little time today reading about the Air Raid offense. Each of the three core plays (mesh, shallow cross and receiver screen) are staples of NFL offenses. Shotgun snaps are not novel in the NFL, nor is the philosophy of passing to set up a running game. Only the uptempo no-huddle element seems gimmicky.

I'm watching the Packers now, and seems most of their offense could be considered "Air Raid".

patriots run an up tempo offense. the best coach in the league is resorting to gimmicky tactics.

Watched the Skins and Giants last weekend. Skins won and clearly had a "gimmick" offensive plan by NFL standards. The game appears to be evolving.

BlueAndGold;842038246 said:

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If you're good, you're going to find your way to the next level regardless.

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Seriously, look at all the Holmoe's graduates.

theres nothing wrong with sitting in an I formation and running it straight at someone and just flat out being more physical than someone but you have to recruit the lineman and te's up front to do that. we dont have those kinds of players right now and the chances of us outrecruiting stanford or usc for those kinds of players is slim. thisis the best way to go for now

So when Tedford was fired, you guys were pining for somebody to install an Air Raid or Hybrid Air Raid Offense? I'm looking at the punch bowl, but I haven't taken a sip yet...

Another point, the QB of probably the most gimicky offense in college is the starter for the 9ers in his second year.

1. We don't have an air raid offense.

gobears725;842038290 said:

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theres nothing wrong with sitting in an I formation and running it straight at someone and just flat out being more physical than someone but you have to recruit the lineman and te's up front to do that. we dont have those kinds of players right now and the chances of us outrecruiting stanford or usc for those kinds of players is slim. thisis the best way to go for now

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Well said...

cbadbear;842038295 said:

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So when Tedford was fired, you guys were pining for somebody to install an Air Raid or Hybrid Air Raid Offense? I'm looking at the punch bowl, but I haven't taken a sip yet...

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Actually, I was. Before he was fired. Just seems more exciting.

cbadbear;842038295 said:

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So when Tedford was fired, you guys were pining for somebody to install an Air Raid or Hybrid Air Raid Offense? I'm looking at the punch bowl, but I haven't taken a sip yet...

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I was pining for a clear offensive identity, rather than an overly complicated offense trying to do everything. Bobby Bowden once said that a defense which tries to stop everything stops nothing -- I think that aphorism also applies to the offense.

cbadbear;842038240 said:

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As much as I want Cal to win, I also enjoy watching former Golden Bears play in the NFL. Say what you want about Tedford, but he prepared his players to be successful on Sundays.

I consider the "Air Raid" Offense as gimmicky and one that doesn't translate well to the NFL. In particular, I worry about the football education the QB's and RB's will receive in this offense. Will Kline become the next Graham Harrell (one trick pony)? I can't even think of any RB's in this type of system that have had success in the NFL.

Once again, I want this to go well, but I hope that our players don't become "system" players similar to the ones that come out of Oregon. After all, many recruits choose schools hoping that their football education will help them get to the NFL. I guess in the end, I'm just partial to the Pro-Style Offense, but hopefully, Dykes will change my mind.

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Now, go up to the chalkboard and write, at least 50 times...

Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl...

:gobears:

if you wanted prostyle hue jackson was your man

Cal players in the NFL is over-rated as far as excitement...I had a bunch to root for with the Eagles, and guess what, didn't help.

I expect to see a dropoff of cal players drafted to the nfl. Tedford's complexities translate well for the next level. But it is obviously too complex for the college level. It trains studs for the pros but it doesnt win championships in the p12, let alone nationally.

There aren't a lot of air raid guys in the NFL because TT and LA Tech don't have a lot of athletes, not because the system makes them deficient somehow. We can add Crabtree and plenty of Urban Meyer's UF offensive starters to the list of "gimmick" players in the NFL. Dana Holgorsen was another Leach disciple, and he coached freakin' Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. Running back will be different, because we are actually running an air raid in the sense that we will throw short first and run only when numbers favor it, but again if Cam Newton can start after running Auburn's simple-ass offense, a RB can play coming out of Cal.

Pro style is going out of style in the NFL. Air raid, pistol, and Oregon offense are the ones being adopted by the NFL. Washington, niners, patriots and others are adopting more of these plays. Pro style will eventually go the way of the wing T, wish bone, etc. NFL evolves as well, not always constant formations decade after decade.

okaydo;842038260 said:

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How many quarterbacks does Tedford currently have in the NFL?

Aaron Rodgers


How many quarterbacks does Dykes have in the NFL?

Graham Harrell (Rodgers' backup)

Nick Foles (who led a game-winning drive for the Eagles today).

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Not bad. QB is the position that would be most impacted by the adoption of a simple offense, and yet even then Dykes' offense has done well.

For any other position it doesn't really matter. We will make up for fewer drafted RBs by putting out more drafted WRs.

We'll be the only team in California that will be running this offense. California is loaded with talent and for those wanting to stay home, it should help.

Good point. And once Tony Franklin sells his "system" to dozens of CA high schools our offense will be even more well known in the State.

im for a system that simplifies things, too often, we looked confused on our blocking assignments. id rather run a well designed play perfectly than have 5 different plays and run them below average.

At some point in the past, before football was significantly different from rugby, it was 'gimmicky' to throw a forward pass. Oh, how the times have changed.

Cal Panda Bear;842038247 said:

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I much rather have a "gimmicky" offense that leads us to exciting games and eventually a Rose Bowl than a "traditional" offense that leads us to 3-9 seasons and a bunch of NFL players.

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Same argument logic as saying, dont fire Tedford or we'll end up with another Holmoe.

There are more than those two options...

Etchebeary;842038518 said:

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At some point in the past, before football was significantly different from rugby, it was 'gimmicky' to throw a forward pass. Oh, how the times have changed.

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I started another thread on this topic specifically about the MNF game tonight. Everyone interested on this topic should watch the game tonight to see these two contrasting styles at work.

gobears725;842038256 said:

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u play to win the game, not how many guys u make look good for the nfl

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+1
Cal football will hopefully again become a source of entertainment.
Fun will come from that - not from how many players the Cal farm team supplies to the NFL.
Perhaps some Cal "fans" need to choose another NFL-feeder school.

The renewed push towards academic progress and graduation may limit commits from those who look at Cal as a path to the NFL. Student-athletes and fun football are back.