Emerging Trends: The A-11 Offense

Kurt Bryan, Piedmont High School (California) head coach, and Steve Humphries, director of football operations, developed an offense in which all 11 players on the field are potentially eligible to catch the ball. Though they weren't certain it was legal when they first concocted the idea they decided to move forward with the A-11 concept.

Bryan and Humphries installed the A-11 offense a little more than two years ago, drawing interest from college coaches - and even some from the NFL - almost immediately. Bryan said coaches from 35 to 40 Division I-A schools, and from every conference, have contacted him and Humphries looking for information on the offense. Humphries said he saw San Jose State run multiple A-11 plays last season against Stanford. Florida ran an offensive play recalling the A-11 against LSU. As well as Rutgers and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers ran punt plays containing aspects of Piedmont's offense.

The A-11 Offense (All Eleven Players Potentially Eligible) is an innovative new offense that blends aspects of almost every type of offense in the history of football such as the West Coast, Spread Option, Run and Shoot, Shotgun Zone Fly, Wing-T, Single Wing, Notre Dame Box, Triple Option and Veer just to name a few. The A-11 Offense employs two quarterbacks in a “shotgun”-like formation that is permissible because it emulates a legal punt formation. The A-11 offense has the potential to the be the equalizing offense that was the wishbone in the 70’s, the Wing T was in the 50’s, the veer in the 60’s and the spread in our current day.

HOW IT WORKS



The A-11 features up to all eleven players wearing an eligible receiver jersey number, either 1-49 or 80-99, with two quarterbacks in the shotgun formation at 7 yards, and with nobody under center - thereby meeting the criteria for a scrimmage kick formation. In “base” sets, the A-11 Offense has a center, and a tight end on each side, and three wide receivers to the right, and left respectively. By spreading the potentially eligible receivers across the entire field, it forces the defense to account for every possible receiver on each play. Of course, on any given play, only six of those players can go downfield to catch a pass, and the five “covered” players remain ineligible to catch a downfield pass.
A-11 and College Football.

"The A-11 Offense is legal in the NCAA, but for now only on a limited basis, such as 4th downs, any conversion or FG attempt, any end of the half or end of game type of play, and in some cases on 3rd down a very long. Realistically, in your average collegiate game, roughly 12 - 15 possible opportunities they will be able to use true A-11 personnel and numbering. Kurt Bryan, Head Coach at Piedmont High School."

6 Magazine is committed to providing the most updated information relating to football anywhere. The A-11 offense may be the wave of the future but, it will have an immediate impact on high school football across the united states. Its limited availability in the collegiate world may slow its rise, but it will become commonplace in the football diaspora because it gives teams with less talent a chance to compete. This offense is legal in 40 states and will continue to gain notoriety as its popularity increases. Hats off to Coach Bryan and Coach Humphries for bringing a new offense to the table that will be fun to watch in the coming years.

Peace Dr. Clayborne

Week 3 Preview

#13 Kansas at #19 USF

Whomever said they predicted USF and Kansas being a big game even two or three years ago is a liar. I believe that the rise of traditionally marginal programs is directly related to scholarship limitations instituted by the NCAA in the last twenty years. Programs like Kansas and USF to name a few have thrived on the NCAA “spreading the wealth” and now aspire to join the ranks of the elite college football programs. USF is at home and has marvelous speed on defense but I think that Kansas gets the job done 27-24

#2 Georgia at South Carolina

What’s a goon to a goblin? I assure you the Gamecocks will be able to tell you after this SEC east clash. USC has a very good defense especially their interior line and linebacking core, however Georgia led by Knowshon Moreno has too many weapons to be stopped. Georgia wins 42-17

#16 Oregon at Purdue

Oregon has not been tested this year so a lot is riding on this game for the Ducks. Joe Tiller always keeps it interesting on the offensive side of the ball. Look for the Ducks to win in a shootout

UCLA at #18 BYU

UCLA really found itself in the second half against Tennessee in week one. I’m sure Norm Chow UCLA offensive coordinator threw some new wrinkles in Bruin attack during their off week. and BYU will not be able to squeak by another Pac-10 opponent. UCLA by 14

Notre Dame at Michigan

Nobody cares how sad it that? The Fighting Irish and Wolverine programs are in a state of flux, especially Michigan. These two will be back in the nation limelight but how long will it take Rich Rod to get it done in Ann Arbor? Charlie Weiss, at least in my opinion, is on the hot seat after barley scraping past SDSU last week. I hate watching NBC college football it really does suck I don’t care who sues me. Regardless, I'm calling Michigan by three 17-14.

SMU at # 12 Texas Tech

This game may last 15 or 16 hours the way June Jones and Mike Leach like to pass the ball around. Expect Graham Harrell to post at least 500 yards in the air against a suspect Pony secondary. The final on Sunday afternoon will be Tech winning 65-21

#5 Ohio State At #1 USC

Beanie or no Beanie, unless Tyrelle Pryor plays the game of his life OSU gets thumped in the newly remodeled Coliseum. Take home assignment: Google USC’s record after an off week in the last 6 years. Trojans 35-13

#3 Oklahoma At Washington
Oklahoma will once again score 84753740583 points and hold Washington to less than 28. Will this be the Oklahoma team that can display some consistency in offensive prowess until the end of the season? We have all seen this early season Sooner offensive explosion more than a few years in the past only to fade like the color in the trees in late autumn. Sam Bradford may be the QB to change all that OU by a lot.

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

Pat Hill has to earn some respect he will take his Bulldogs anywhere and play anybody. That being said FSU finally gets a marquee home game, expect the Dogs’ from the Valley to capitalize on their opportunity in one of the most physical games of the year. FSU 27-17

Your Secret Lover, C Jizzle

Jimmy Awards for the Week

We at 6magazineOnline nominate the best players of the week with a Jimmy Award. A Jimmy is tribute to the best football player of all-time, Mr. Jim Brown. Thank you for paving the way Mr. Brown and showing us fans and players what greatness really is.

NFL Jimmys

Eddie Royal: Denver Broncos

Royal had nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in a Bronco victory over the Raiders in Thizzville

Donovan McNabb: Philadelphia Eagles

Donovan McNabb threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns, three wideouts had 100 yards receiving and the Eagles routed the St. Louis Rams 38-3 on Sunday.

Michael Turner: Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner rushed for a team-record 220 yards in his debut for the Falcons.

College Jimmys

Ryan Broyles: Oklahoma Sooners

Broyles turned in the best showing by a freshman receiver in Oklahoma history. He had seven catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in his team's woodshed job over Cincinnati

Jahvid Best: Cal Bears

Best carried the ball 14 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-3 rout of Washington State.

Knowshon Moreno: Georgia Bulldogs

Moreno rushed for 168 yards on 18 carries and a career-high tying three touchdowns in Georgia’s 56-17 win over Central Michigan. Through two games Moreno has 6 touchdowns leading the country in this category.

Winners and Losers: Week 3 College Football

Winners:

ECU Pirates: The Pirates moved up to #14 in the country after beating their second top 25 opponent of the season. The Pirates stifled the explosive West Virginia attack holding the Mountaineers to only three points.

BYU Cougars: The beneficiaries of a “controversial” call at the end of the game at Washington. The Cougars move closer to being the BCS Buster they have the potential to be at the end of the season.

Cal Bears: Simply destroyed Washington Sate 66-3 at Washington State ….. Nuff Said.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores beat South Carolina for the second straight season. Vandy got a big win at home against a good SEC team something they have been so close to in the last few years.

Losers:

Cincinnati: Letting Oklahoma hang 50+ points on is not the bad news. Losing your starting quarterback for the season is the bad news.

Washington: Jack Locker’s touchdown penalty may have cost Tyrone Willingham his job. Its sad one penalty may have cost the Huskies a victory and a head coach.

Maryland: Lost to Middle Tennessee State by ten is simply unacceptable.

Texas Southern: Arkansas State fresh of their upset of Texas A&M last week put up 83 pts on a lousy Texas Southern team…… why are you still playing football. I wonder what the coach said in the locker room at the end of the game?

The Football gods Giveth and Taketh

Thank the Lord I didn't draft Tom Brady this year in my Fantasy Football league. Not to sound insensitive, but this is a huge blow to the football world. I mean T-Brady is the man. He's got the classic look of a QB, he's marketable, he plays in a big market. The NFL needs him.

I am a stickler for happy endings and when I say I was past crushed last year when they lost the Super Bowl that is an understatement. We all know the story. They came to within an Asante Samuel interception of winning the Super Bowl. Yes, yes I am hating on Asante. I love dude, but then he dashed the dream for the money. Eagles aint winning nothing no time soon.

I try to understand why the football God's giveth and taketh. I mean, there is a reason for everything, but the Patriots were coming back to avenge the loss in the Superbowl. They were not going to go 19-0, but they were going to be back and win the Superbowl, Randy Moss was going to be the MVP and order was going to be restored. As selfish as this sounds, even if they do win with Matt Cassel it won't even be the same.

So what if I'm whining. It's my blog and I'll whine if I want to!

Peace in the Middle East,

Ricky Writer

No Fun Leagues

Deion Sanders, Billy White Shoes Johnson, Ickey Woods and many more men like them had fun when they played football. They knew how to celebrate and make the game fun. It was apart of the game. Now a days, the NFL and NCAA are taking the fun right out of the game.

This past weekend two incidents happened that made me wonder what the football world is coming too? In the BYU vs. Washington game this past Saturday, the Huskies led an emotional charge on the arm and legs of their star QB Jake Locker. Inside BYU's 10 yard line, Husker made a dramatic dash to the endzone to pull the game to within one point, with the "easy" extra point remaining to tie the game. Then I nearly got whiplash from the motions my neck made once I saw a flag get thrown in the air for unsportsman like conduct. When Locker scored, he jumped in the air in jubilation and flung the ball over his shoulder in the air. Mind you, he was jumping in the air with his teammate the whole time. Also, Locker is not a small man, a mere flip over the shoulder will seem like an average man put all his might into it. The official, Larry Farnia, who threw the flag was quoted as saying,

"After scoring the touchdown, the player threw the ball into the air, and we are required, by rule, to assess a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. It is a celebration rule that we are required to call. It was not a judgment call."

The Huskies were penalized 15 yards, and the game tieing extra point was blocked. Are you kidding me? In the emotion of a game the official makes that call. Wow. Can you say "fixed" or Tim Donaghy has a NCAA football cousin? Please forgive me, lets commend this official for his ability to keep his composure during all the emotion and stick to the rules and let nothing slide. The rules clearly states if a player throws a ball in the air he must be penalized, and Ferina "followed those rules" but as Rece Davis of ESPN stated on Saturday, every call an official makes is a judgement call. Although the letter of the law state one thing, the official should have had enough sense to realize Locker wasnt tauting only celebrating.

The next incident was Terrell Owens, who scored a touchdown yesterday. I was happy because he's on my fantasy football team. I was waiting to see what T.O. was going to do so I could celebrate with him at home. He put himself in a sprinter stance in honor of the Olympics and ran out of his "air" blocks. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty came within seconds. A new NFL rule is that if a player touches the ground in celebration he will penalized. I hope this doesn't include the "kneel down prayer".

The irony of all this celebration chaos is this, Chad Johnson legally changed his name to Ocho Cinco. Yes, that man is wild, but nevertheless, the NFL announced that Ocho Cinco would be placed on the back of his jersey. Before the game, he was ordered by the NFL to wear the Jersey that said Johson. Why you ask. Because the NFL has an exclusive contract to Reebok and many fans have bought "Johnson 85" jerseys and they have much more in stock.

So what happens when someone is traded mid-season? You have out of date jersey's out of stock as well. Chad Johnson has one of the top selling NFL jerseys, and if he were your run of the mill Marvin Harrison type, he would not have a top selling jersey. He is Chad Johson, super flamboyant, celebration artist extrodinare. What is the NFL going to do when players stop celebrating? How are jerseys going to be sold then?

Peace,

Ricky Writer