GATA44

Navy Memphis game is proving my point.. Less talent then Memphis not as many athletes but controls the game with the style of offense they run. Some of DB's best years I almost guarantee DB did not have the most athletes or best talent. Played as a team and ran a unique offense. If you have been watching DB a while I remember a loaded oak ridge team that came to Kingsport they had several D-1 players and A running back by the name of Fred Powell along with a good O-Line sent them packing. No way DB had the same level of athletes that year. Could say the same for a few other years after that ended with some semi-final runs.

Back when DB was playing in the Big East and going deep in the playoffs there was one thing different people rarely talk about. DB ran the triple option and Clark was a master at coaching the different reads. It was the norm to see the power I or double slots, rarely did DB get in the gun. It was hard for teams to prepare for, especially if they didn't see it often. (that is why the academies give the big schools trouble in college). It is an offense that could put a less talented team at an advantage if they executed properly. This type of offense kept the defense off the field and always led to winning the time of possession game. This led to some great defenses back in the day. Think about it today's game is score in 3-4 plays or 3 and out punt, this puts the defense coming on the field every 2 minutes or so. Watson was a great D Coordinator and also a great o-line coach when it came to blocking schemes for the option. Seems like the last Science Hill game we saw some flashes of smash mouth football and time of possession which led to keeping a high powered offense in check. Somewhere along the line we lost that identity and thought we were a better tempo team? Maybe it was a QB that came along that wasn't suited to run the option or Clark just got bored and wanted to prove he could win in other ways. Anyone remember the great triple option and double slot QB's and back combos?

Agree. Watson was top notch great coach and great man. Just get tired of all the finger pointing at the D-Coordinator. Lots a great men on the current staff. But also a lot of coaches stuck in their old ways, have personal agendas and let their egos get in the way. Watson had no agenda but winning and developing/teaching young men. He would ask players and other coaches in practice and game situations what they thought of certain situations. Championships won't come to Kingsport until the coaching staff can get it together. There are a lot of smart young coaches out there that are ready to step up. Great coaches surround their self with a staff that they trust and will LISTEN to when needed. Too much talent the last 15 years not to have a title.

The type of offense you run can have a direct impact on your defense. Some of you have referenced how good Watson's defenses were (and there was some very good ones) but seem to forget that the offense was always a very run oriented/ball controlled offense. Power I formations and the triple option was the norm. This limited the series that the defense saw. Field position was always coached in practice and made a priority throughout the game. It is tough on the defense when you go 3 and out or quick scores all the time. Great teams control the game by winning the time of possession and limiting the amount of time their defense is on the field. Synergy on a coaching staff is important, it has been lacking over the past few years.

Tornado.... I agree but the 98 team did not have as many offensive weapons. The thing they did have was a ton of heart and played as one. Defense was stingy and the offense knew how to control the game. The offensive line in 98 is similar to this years group. Its a 5 game season from here on out.