I hate to tell Knute, but things have changed a bit. Misdirection, creating numerical advantages, yada yada yada, are all now part of game strategy. Coaching and play calling are now as important as attempting to physically dominate your opponent.
From my previous reading (but not verified for this post)... I think Knute already beat you to the punch on every one of those points. True, he never envisioned spread offenses, but his teaching on O-line was incredibly well thought out on misdirection, creating numerical advantages, coaching and play calling. He did rightly believe that once you achieved the first three then the last one was easier (and sometimes permitted calling the same play over and over because... oh, yeah, the other points made it work over and over).
In case you think your points are brand new, try looking up the history of the single wing and the wishbone/triple option.
TO as an example relies on numerical advantage *at the point of attack* (where it counts) by both the O-line (e.g. student body right) and backs (3 of them blocking for each other when appropriate). It also relies on misdirection by sending 3 backs running in the same area to hit any available hole and overload the defense's decision making ability.
These are the same concepts.
Knute could also not imagine the amazing physical improvements in strength and speed (see the NFL) that neutralized these relatively simple implementations. The sophistication of today's schemes is amazing, but the concepts are not new.
My dad played for Clemson in the early 1950's. Having talked football with him for nearly 50 years (he is now dead) I can say with personal knowledge that football has massively changed (mostly for the better IMO) in how it is played, but not in how it is conceived.
A good coach beats you with his guys and then can take your guys and beat you with them. I don't think Knute being magically transported into the 21st century would impart knowledge of current trends and techniques, but given some time to learn I would bet real money he could beat Wilcox with CAL players... (I'm no football coach. Anybody could probably beat me with any players...)
"The essence of football is blocking, tackling, and execution based on timing, rhythm and deception."
Knute Rockne
and speed.
I hate to tell Knute, but things have changed a bit. Misdirection, creating numerical advantages, yada yada yada, are all now part of game strategy. Coaching and play calling are now as important as attempting to physically dominate your opponent.
From my previous reading (but not verified for this post)... I think Knute already beat you to the punch on every one of those points. True, he never envisioned spread offenses, but his teaching on O-line was incredibly well thought out on misdirection, creating numerical advantages, coaching and play calling. He did rightly believe that once you achieved the first three then the last one was easier (and sometimes permitted calling the same play over and over because... oh, yeah, the other points made it work over and over).
In case you think your points are brand new, try looking up the history of the single wing and the wishbone/triple option.
TO as an example relies on numerical advantage *at the point of attack* (where it counts) by both the O-line (e.g. student body right) and backs (3 of them blocking for each other when appropriate). It also relies on misdirection by sending 3 backs running in the same area to hit any available hole and overload the defense's decision making ability.
These are the same concepts.
Knute could also not imagine the amazing physical improvements in strength and speed (see the NFL) that neutralized these relatively simple implementations. The sophistication of today's schemes is amazing, but the concepts are not new.
My dad played for Clemson in the early 1950's. Having talked football with him for nearly 50 years (he is now dead) I can say with personal knowledge that football has massively changed (mostly for the better IMO) in how it is played, but not in how it is conceived.
A good coach beats you with his guys and then can take your guys and beat you with them. I don't think Knute being magically transported into the 21st century would impart knowledge of current trends and techniques, but given some time to learn I would bet real money he could beat Wilcox with CAL players... (I'm no football coach. Anybody could probably beat me with any players...)