[Langdude]

More broadly, I am amused that suddenly more Ogre with fewer play-maker options is being called for on a fan board. For years, the extra OL formations were one of the main message board complaints, often made specific by decrying the lack of other options to be exploited to fool defenses.

Let me provide you with more amusement, then. The extra OL formations used by Harbaugh were because we lacked "skill" players, and sought to strategically exploit one of three things: 1) sometimes we had better OL-men than the opponent's DL-men, 2) sometimes the opposing defenses were not experienced or equipped against such formations, and 3) sometimes we needed to run clock, and the other side knew that. In other words, given our personnel and theirs, it was the best play call option, at least if in the mix with other more traditional sets.

However, I think now it is different. We have - arguably, anyway - never had such a deep OL. This formation exploits that fact. So, this formation, IMHO, gets a significant number "play-makers," to use your term, on the field at once, no less than traditional sets.

-m.

[Langdude]

More broadly, I am amused that suddenly more Ogre with fewer play-maker options is being called for on a fan board. For years, the extra OL formations were one of the main message board complaints, often made specific by decrying the lack of other options to be exploited to fool defenses.

Let me provide you with more amusement, then. The extra OL formations used by Harbaugh were because we lacked "skill" players, and sought to strategically exploit one of three things: 1) sometimes we had better OL-men than the opponent's DL-men, 2) sometimes the opposing defenses were not experienced or equipped against such formations, and 3) sometimes we needed to run clock, and the other side knew that. In other words, given our personnel and theirs, it was the best play call option, at least if in the mix with other more traditional sets.

However, I think now it is different. We have - arguably, anyway - never had such a deep OL. This formation exploits that fact. So, this formation, IMHO, gets a significant number "play-makers," to use your term, on the field at once, no less than traditional sets.

-m.