Richt and Personnel Groupings for the Game

Before each snap, the defensive coaches for any team are counting how many RBs, WRs, FBs and TEs does the offense have in the huddle? Which personnel grouping is in the game.

In the weeks or months leading up to the game, the defensive coaches have studied film to know which personnel groupings are more likely to mean which formations and plays.

For UGA, a 1 RB, 1 FB, 1 TE and 2 WR set usually means traditional I formation. However, it can also mean Shotgun with the 2 backs on either side of the QB.

Offensive coordinators have the opportunity to create confusion and mismatches by moving versatile players around.

In the Boise Game, we had players all over the place. All 3 Tailbacks lined up at WR in different personnel groupings, and both TEs lined up at WR at different times. That said, the most interesting new personnel group of all was the new 5 wide set. We came out of the huddle with 2 WRs, 2 TEs and 1 RB. That usually means that we're running a simple/base set that is staffed by an equally base defense (depending on down and distance).

However, last night personnel grouping meant a 5 Wide set. The question for the defense then became who should cover whom? At the end of the first half, Boise didn't have an answer for that question and DJ hit Ware on the wheel route for a TD.

As Ralph Friedgen once said, versatile and talented players can make an offensive coordinator look very smart.

If Martez Milner continues to evolve his game, there will be even more opportunities for us to mix things up and confuse defenses.

Tweet