Bill Callahan's WCO (it's Jon Gruden's in reality)

[Bluestang]

Jon Gruden's playbook was the one that Callahan used in his time with the Raiders. There is no "Bill Callahan" offense per se but it was all Gruden's WCO.

I browsed through a minicamp playbook from the 1998 Oakland Raiders and the terminology is completely different from the Coryell offense. There is no practical way to implement that offense without having the players learn the terminology. While it may be easy for the wide receivers, the OL will have to learn two new sets of protection calls which again is pretty impractical. The only way I can see it work is if Callahan actually translates one play at a time and converts into Coryell terminology. That is entirely way too much work on one person to do by themselves and if the protection schemes are different in any way, well now Callahan is "making up" new terminology.

WCO's do not use a numbering system to designate routes but instead use the actual word like "dig, corner, go...etc" so it would be pretty easy for the WRs to pick it up, however, some of the playcalls are incredibly lengthy. This presents a problem for Romo having to digest this and the Coryell while relaying the plays on the field.

For example:

HARVEY FAR WEST RIGHT ZOOM 200 JET HAMMER is play from a 3WR set that attacks the seams with TE and slot WR while the outside corners running stop routes or fade routes on cloud coverage (cover 3).


Callahan should be able to use the most basic plays in Gruden's scheme and find something in the Coryell book that has the same attacking concept. All playbooks have the same principles when attacking the defense (man or zone) The differences are how they do it in the formations.

Something else to consider is that with Callahan calling plays it gives a new "set of eyes" to look at the Coryell scheme and figure out the strong suits of it with our current personnel/future personnel.

Sometimes when you do something a certain way for a long time you can get complacent with it. I've had that happen to me a few times in my job and I'm always open to learning a new method of doing things.

Hope this clears up some confusion.

[DandyDon1722]

That was awesome. I love reading stuff like that. Overall, what is the philosophy of the offense? Where does it like to attack the defense?

I read where Chip Kelly's offensive play calls are one word in order to run his plays in 13 seconds (at Oregon).

Thanks for posting that. I learned something new about football today.

[Nirvana]

Tim Brown just said on the radio (discussing the Super Bowl game controversy from years back of the Raiders vs Bucs) that Callahan was the biggest offensive genius he had ever been around and that it should be a great move for the Cowboys to have him calling plays, provided Romo can handle coming to the line with 4 plays in mind.

[jnday]

There was several directions that Dallas could have went with the OC. Callahan was at the bottom of my long list. I have never thought that he is a good fit for the Cowboys on any level.

[Bluestang]

Originally Posted by DandyDon1722

That was awesome. I love reading stuff like that. Overall, what is the philosophy of the offense? Where does it like to attack the defense?

Gruden used his WCO to move Tim Brown all over the formation. There was even a section that was written for him to make it idiot proof so he would know where to line up on any play call. Also many of the plays have 4 different audibles with different concepts. I'm pretty sure that was what Tim referred to with the 4 plays comment.

I read where Chip Kelly's offensive play calls are one word in order to run his plays in 13 seconds (at Oregon).

Thanks for posting that. I learned something new about football today.

The one word calls are part of his hurry-up packages. It makes is incredibly easy for all of the offense to be on the same page with those calls.

Here's a vid to get you started on Kelly's scheme at Oregon:

[Bluestang]

Originally Posted by Nirvana

Tim Brown just said on the radio (discussing the Super Bowl game controversy from years back of the Raiders vs Bucs) that Callahan was the biggest offensive genius he had ever been around and that it should be a great move for the Cowboys to have him calling plays, provided Romo can handle coming to the line with 4 plays in mind.

It's a great concept on paper, but I really have doubts that we are switching to the WCO scheme.

We may see a few plays here and there but my in my OP I expressed my doubts about making a full switch.

[funkytown]

Bluestang, nice video.

That was interesting overview of the Oregon Offense.

[VACowboy]

This is what I mean by an offensive scheme that puts the players in positions to make plays. The Oregon offense manipulates and dictates to the defense, creating running lanes and space for receivers. Garrett's offense just doesn't. Garrett's offense is a personnel offense. It requires a great OL, a great QB and great skill guys who beat you in large part because they're better. The best offenses in the NFL create opportunities for great players. Dallas needs a lot of work on both ends.

[CATCH17]

Originally Posted by VACowboy

This is what I mean by an offensive scheme that puts the players in positions to make plays. The Oregon offense manipulates and dictates to the defense, creating running lanes and space for receivers. Garrett's offense just doesn't. Garrett's offense is a personnel offense. It requires a great OL, a great QB and great skill guys who beat you in large part because they're better. The best offenses in the NFL create opportunities for great players. Dallas needs a lot of work on both ends.

Yep. It relies too much on winning a 1 on 1 battle. The play itself is never going to win part of the battle for you.

[theogt]

I don't suspect we're changing systems. I would think there were some changes implemented when Callahan was hired as OC. And there will be some changes that naturally occur from season to season, like with most teams. But this is just about changing who calls plays within the system that already exists, not changing systems.

[CyberB0b]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

It's a great concept on paper, but I really have doubts that we are switching to the WCO scheme.

We may see a few plays here and there but my in my OP I expressed my doubts about making a full switch.

The traditional WCO is dead, with more and more Shotgun and Singleback sets being used. I agree, I don't see us completely switching the offense and core, maybe just some things like more zone blocking on runs and hopefully, better situational calls.

One thing to remember is that Callahan WAS the offensive coordinator last year, he just didn't call the plays. He helped with the gameplan and knows the overall philosophy of what Garrett wants.

[Joe Rod]

Originally Posted by theogt

I don't suspect we're changing systems. I would think there were some changes implemented when Callahan was hired as OC. And there will be some changes that naturally occur from season to season, like with most teams. But this is just about changing who calls plays within the system that already exists, not changing systems.

Honestly, I think a fair amount of this is Jerry Hedging his bets. Based on his comments at the Senior Bowl, He needs someone between Garrett and Romo in order to feel comfortable canning him.

If all of these changes work out, then everything will be great. If not, you have a staff custom made for Jon Gruden or Lovie Smith to step right in and run with next year and the offense, particularly Romo, will have the seemless transition that Jerry feels is necessary to cut ties with Garrett.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

I browsed through a minicamp playbook from the 1998 Oakland Raiders and the terminology is completely different from the Coryell offense. There is no practical way to implement that offense without having the players learn the terminology. While it may be easy for the wide receivers, the OL will have to learn two new sets of protection calls which again is pretty impractical. The only way I can see it work is if Callahan actually translates one play at a time and converts into Coryell terminology. That is entirely way too much work on one person to do by themselves and if the protection schemes are different in any way, well now Callahan is "making up" new terminology.

Some of the OL talked about Callahan adding terminology in training camp last year.

As far as converting the actual playbook, he will have help. He probably has a lot of help from other coaches and in terms of administrative assistance.

[reddyuta]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

It's a great concept on paper, but I really have doubts that we are switching to the WCO scheme.

We may see a few plays here and there but my in my OP I expressed my doubts about making a full switch.

Indeed.i think its the same offense with callahan calling plays.

[JeffInDC]

Originally Posted by CyberB0b

The traditional WCO is dead, with more and more Shotgun and Singleback sets being used. I agree, I don't see us completely switching the offense and core, maybe just some things like more zone blocking on runs and hopefully, better situational calls.

One thing to remember is that Callahan WAS the offensive coordinator last year, he just didn't call the plays. He helped with the gameplan and knows the overall philosophy of what Garrett wants.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have this strange feeling that there were many times Callahan was on that sideline like,"why are we running this RIGHT NOW?" I also am a proponent of him being in the booth calling the plays and not on the sidelines. Just a much better view of the entirety of the action