Wild NFL playoff game proves that the Tennessee Vols' offense under head coach Josh Heupel isn't a gimmick
Over the last several years, numerous critics of the Tennessee Vols and head coach Josh Heupel have suggested that UT's offense is a "gimmick". Those critics point to the Vols' wide splits (with wide receivers often lined up outside the numbers), which reduces the number of defenders in the box, as their primary reasoning for […]
Over the last several years, numerous critics of the Tennessee Vols and head coach Josh Heupel have suggested that UT's offense is a "gimmick".
Those critics point to the Vols' wide splits (with wide receivers often lined up outside the numbers), which reduces the number of defenders in the box, as their primary reasoning for calling the Vols' offense gimmicky.
Additionally, those critics have suggested that Tennessee's offense doesn't prepare players for the NFL because that style of offense isn't used in the NFL.
Well, those critics are going to have a hard time explaining what we saw on Saturday night in the Washington Commanders' win against the Detroit Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Former NFL player/current analyst Brian Baldinger broke down a play the Commanders' offense ran against the Lions on Saturday night and it looked exactly like a formation that Tennessee uses under Heupel.
Washington lined up four wide receivers (two receivers double stacked on each side of the field) outside of the numbers to create a numbers advantage in the box.
Baldinger pointed out how Washington was able to run a read-option play out of that formation that essentially took six defenders out of the play, resulting in an explosive run by Commanders running back Austin Ekeler.
That wasn't the only play that Washington ran against the Lions that will look familiar to Vols fans.
Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin's 58-yard touchdown reception in the first half came on a wide receiver screen that looked similar to a play that Tennessee often runs under Heupel.
Here's a similar look from the Vols.
Tennessee's offense under Heupel absolutely translates to the NFL. However, I think it's also true that the Vols need to be more diverse in their offensive approach. It feels like Heupel and his staff fall into predictable patterns at times, which eliminates the chess match that usually occurs between offensive and defensive play-callers.
The Vols would be wise to spend part of the offseason studying the Commanders' offense under Kliff Kingsbury. I think Kingsbury does a good job of mixing up looks, staying creative, and seemingly always having the right answer for the defensive looks that he's getting.
Tennessee doesn't need to totally reinvent its offense under Heupel, but it's clear after last season's struggles that mixing in some new concepts and new formations is a must (how about involving running backs more often in the passing game, or utilizing the middle of the field more).
The best offensive minds are always evolving. And it's time for Heupel, a coach that I still think is one of the best offensive minds in the sport, to evolve beyond what we've seen offensively from the Volunteers the last few seasons.
