New Blocking Scheme Working Out Great For BC

Offensive right tackle Gosder Cherilus of Boston College discussed in August the new offensive zone blocking scheme initiated in 2007. Apparently it has worked in that BC has had a decent year so far rushing the ball and scoring rushing TDs.(By the way, Seminole offensive lines coach Rick Trickett is considered a master in the art of zone blocking.)

Coach Jagodzinski brought the zone-blocking scheme with him. You're an offensive lineman who has to learn and master this new system. Can you explain what the zone-blocking system is?

It's basically just what it sounds like. Say I'm working with you - you have a zone, I have a zone, or both of us have the same zone. If we do what we're supposed to do, it'll leave it up to the backs to make the right cut and everything. Sometimes later on in the block, one of us has to get off and pick up a linebacker, safety, or cornerback. It's not the easiest system. There are some techniques that we have to pick up and get a good feel for.

How big an adjustment is the new system? How hard has it been to learn?

It's not tough, but we're just used to doing things the old way, with more one-on-one blocking and muscling a guy out of the gap. It's been tough because we're still trying to learn the playbook. We're still trying to do things the old way, so it's a little tough right now.(This was in August)