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Ramblinwreck.com has a new interview (video and transcript) with co-OL Coach Mike Sewak. I have not watched the video, but did read the Q&A. While I found some of the wording in the written version strange and hard-to-follow, I did lock in on this statement about the triple-option:
Q: ... What are the things that are going to be most important to offensive play at Georgia Tech?
A: There are a lot of things. First, we have to analyze and evaluate the (players) we have right here now, because they all came highly recommended. They have played really well and they have had some success. They have had a thousand-yard rusher. So, we are going to try to mold those kids into our scheme and as we go out to recruit for our offense, we will try to find some guys that can slide a little bit more. Not so much lateral movement but more up the field movement. So, I think the terminology will be conducive to making the change work because the kids understand offense. When they are running the zone plays they understand A-gap, B-gap. The thing about option is you try to go where you have the numbers, then you try to go where you have the angles, then you try to find any personnel mismatches. Where sometimes in the other offenses you try to find the personnel mismatches first, then try to either elevate them or not elevate them. For us the personnel mismatches aren't something that we are trying to get to because we try to put ourselves in positions to make good plays. Let your athletes make the plays. That is what we are going to try to look for and try to find in our guys and slide our offensive line to that.
Ok, so we now have an "order of priority" for the Triple-Option offense.
1. Go for the numbers advantage first
Can you get the guy with the ball to a part of the field where there are 4 blockers for 3 defenders? That's priority #1.
2. Go for the angles second
The TO Offense is about angles. Can you create a pitch-lane, keep the defenders on their heels waiting to figure out who is going to get the ball, then put your guys in a position to create advantageous angles - where a fast guy can just use his speed if he points himself in the right direction.
3. Lastly, look for personnel mismatches.
Traditional pro-set offenses basically require your people to ALL make a play against "their guy". Everyone has to do their job or the back gets tackled - or is forced to use his God-given talent to "make something happen". Defenses are predicated on guys shedding their man and making a play. That's the game. But with this modus-operandi for traditional offenses, it becomes critical to have the "best" guys; the strongest players; the fastest players; the most athletic players. That's where the recruiting arms race plays out........... With the Triple-Option and/or spread offenses, talent is important, but superior talent is not always required......... So after you find the numbers advantage, and find the right angles, then you start picking on that weak LB or weak DE the opponent is bringing to town.
One last thing - Coach Sewak referred to this offense as very "aerobic". In the context of his statement, I wasn't sure if he was talking about for the players or the fans. However, I'm sure Jane Fonda would be proud. Maybe the theme song should be "Let's Get Phsyical".