The Falcons let go of offensive line coach/consultant Alex Gibbs Wednesday. Gibbs is the "godfather" of the zone blocking scheme. It looks like Atlanta will go away from the highly productive system that helped the Falcons lead the league in rushing all three seasons Gibbs was on the staff. It's a major blow for Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood. http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/01/31/0131gibbs.html Falcons' blocking guru Gibbs let go By STEVE WYCHE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 01/31/07 Alex Gibbs, the former offensive line coach/consultant who implemented a zone-blocking scheme that contributed to the Falcons leading the NFL in rushing the past three seasons, will not be back with the team. Though coach Bobby Petrino has overhauled the coaching staff since being hired Jan. 8, Gibbs had been listed as an offensive line consultant, his title the past two seasons. The Falcons confirmed Wednesday that Gibbs, who came to Atlanta in 2004 with then-coach Jim Mora as the offensive line coach, was not retained. Mike Summers, who was on Petrino's staff at Louisville, was hired as the offensive line coach. Gibbs' departure signals a likely change in blocking philosophy from the zone/cut-blocking scheme to more of a traditional power game. Petrino has previously based his offense around a physical running game. The Falcons also will begin the transition to bigger, more physical offensive linemen from the sleeker, smaller linemen that fit better into Gibbs' scheme, Petrino has said in interviews since being hired. I actually wouldn't mind going with Gibbs if we felt we could use an upgrade with the OL coach.
I asked KurtTheJetsFan this question about a month ago after reading an article about Gibbs being available. Here's what his response was:
He just might be going to the Raiders. Alex gibbs only does it parttime. Tom Cable is going to be their main Oline coach. Cable and gibbs i believe have a good working relationship.
The switch from zone to man blocking is huge. Not as big of a problem as switching from man to zone, but still, you look for a very different sort of offensive linemen for each scheme. This will set their running game back, and I think by a lot, especially given that both Dunn and Norwood are perfect RB's for the zone blocking scheme. They are both smallish cut back guys, not power RB's. I think the Falcons are going to be a very bad team for a few years. Personally, I don't like zone blocking, but once you're in it, and established through several years of drafting O linemen suited for the scheme... it will take at least a couple years to make man blocking work. Changing is very difficult. That is why I would not want Gibbs more than any other reason... the time it takes to make the switch.
Maybe with the possibility that the Browns select Adrian Peterson that they go to Cleveland tries to get Alex Gibbs.
