Running Game to Carry Vols

Watching the Orange and White game last evening, my heart quickened a bit as I saw Tennessee's running backs continually make good yardage.

Yes, we all like the big downfield passing plays, and they're certainly pretty to watch, and I've been a staunch proponent of Tennessee doing more of that in past years. But if there was ever a year Tennessee needs to establish the running game, this is it, given their poor quarterback play last season.

The zone blocking scheme, which Lane Kiffin has brought to Tennessee, could be the saving grace not only for the overall offense, but for these struggling quarterbacks as well. It could help open up the passing game with less pressure on them.

But I digress. Let's talk about the running backs and the offensive line.

Montario Hardesty, and more notably Turean Poole and Toney Williams, have grasped the "one cut and go" mentality you have to have when running behind the zone blocking scheme.

This is the same scheme that brought the Denver Broncos their first Super Bowl title, and made Terrell Davis a Super Bowl MVP. It's also the same scheme used to free the likes of Reggie Bush and Lendale White at USC.

It's design is twofold.....one, it gives the offensive line a real chance to make those 3rd shorts, especially one as underachieving as Tennessee's has been the last 2-3 years. Secondly, it gives slashing, breakaway runners a chance to string out a play a bit, then make the one cut behind that zone blocking, then go north and south against the grain. This is a perfect recipe for long gains.

The offensive line, even when blocking in such a scheme, doesn't have to remember a third as much as they did a year ago with all of the flip-flopping they were doing. They can each concentrate on their own particular jobs, and play instead of thinking and reacting.

Thus, this offensive line, despite having to learn yet another system, has taken to it with great excitement, and has already become rather accomplished at it, given the short time they've had to learn and execute.

This year, I believe the running game will more important to Tennessee's success than at any time in recent memory. The Vol quarterbacks still have a lot of growing to do, and a lot of confidence yet to gain, and a good, solid running game is just what the doctor ordered for them.

There are still some unknowns certainly, because SEC foes like Florida, Georgia, and Alabama will crowd the line of scrimmage, and try to force UT's quarterbacks to beat them. And the offensive line will have to prove they can get it done in the SEC. However, given the way Tennessee's defensive front has been performing, running well against that consistently could bode well for the Vols come September.