Poor quarterback reads and bad exchanges aside, second year head coach Stan Brock is probably more disturbed by the subpar blocking of his charges. The offensive tackles were constantly jammed on their all-important releases to linebacker row. This was in part responsible for Williams’ miscues, as he couldn’t adequately determine if the jamming end was cracking down on the fullback or keeping contain on the quarterback.
Probably less obvious was the lack of blocking by Army’s halfbacks. In a scheme known for its devastating cut blocks by runners that are half-men/half-ballistic missiles, Army’s tandem seemed lost trying to decide who to block and often didn’t find anyone at all, which contributed to a lackluster outside running game.
As insufficient as the offense seemed last Friday, it still offers hope for a team that hasn’t crossed the .500 mark since 1996. Brock and his staff were wise to turn back to the option during the offseason.
Former coach Todd Berry’s decision to trade in the triple-option for a one-back spread offense proved disastrous, and Bobby Ross’ balanced, pro-style attack only showed marginal improvement. Brock’s scheme displays the uniqueness and creativity that may, in time, turn the Black Knights into a perennial winner.
But no scheme can replace sound fundamentals. To so many West Point fans, last Friday’s defeat looked awfully similar to last season—and the year before that, and the year before that.
It was the same turnovers that plagued Todd Berry’s reign. The same play-not-to-lose conservatism we saw under Bobby Ross, and the same promise of a team on the brink with renewed confidence and preparedness to win.
That promise fell short.
It was on a Carlos Santiago muffed punt in the first quarter of last Friday’s game against Temple that I heard that all-too-familiar phrase, “Here we go again,” echo in my head like those pre-game cannon blasts. But as I looked at players, coaches and other fans, I knew.
I knew they were thinking the same thing.
It was validated in the Black Knight’s performance. Miscues, conservative play calling, and the gradually emptying seats confirmed, in my mind, the real problem with Army football.
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