Expert: Thom Brooks - 9/7/2006

Question
what are the advantages of the pistol offense

in which conditions do you put the pistol offense in your system

what are the disadvanteges
do you know a book about the pistol offense

Answer
Oscar, hello!

Below is my answer given to another that inquired about the Pistol Offense!  Hope it gets you started!  You need to find a school that uses it, then talk to the Coaches.  They can tell you the pros/cons and statistics.

Take care,

Thom Brooks

Answer
Louis, hey!

I'm not familiar with it, but below is a link to identify most of what you seek.


2005 Nevada Offense Preview

The Wolf Pack offense is changing a bit with the new "pistol" offense using more shotgun while using various formations to get more out of the running game. Expect even more from the nation's 17th ranked passing game with Jeff Rowe and Nichiren Flowers sure to be one of the nation's most productive combinations. Caleb Spencer and Mike McCoy aren't bad complementary receivers. The line will be an issue with several new starters to work with around tackle Adam Kiefer.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Jeff Rowe
230-394, 2,633 yds, 15 TD, 12 INT
Rushing: B.J. Mitchell
100 carries for 450 yds and 7 TDs
Receiving: Nichiren Flowers
91 catches, 1,126 yards, 6 TD

Star of the offense: Senior WR Nichiren Flowers
Player that has to step up and become a star: The entire offensive line
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman WR Mike McCoy
Best pro prospect: Flowers
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Flowers, 2) QB Jeff Rowe, 3) WR Caleb Spencer
Strength of the offense: Wide receiver
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line

Quarterbacks
Nevada quarterbacks always produce under Chris Ault, and incumbent Jeff Rowe should put up even bigger numbers in the new shotgun style and with a good receiving corps to throw to. He's a big passer with a great command of the attack. Travis Moore is one of the WAC's best backup quarterbacks and can step in and keep the offense rolling. True freshmen Ben Galbraith and Nick Graziano are even more talented than Rowe and Moore, but they need time.
Player to keep an eye on: Nick Graziano, Fr. ... Quarterback Rating: 7.5

Projected Starter
- Jeff Rowe, Jr. - Rowe had a good, but not great season running the high-octane Nevada passing attack, which finished 17th in the nation, throwing for 2,633 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 6-5, 220-pound junior appears ready to take his game up another notch in the new "pistol" offense looking more decisive and accurate this spring. Even at his size and with his passing skills, he's a good runner with 129 yards and three scores last year.

Top Backups
- Travis Moore, Jr. - The 6-2 Moore has been a steady backup and good reserve over the last few years, and has has seen more than enough practice time to step in if needed. He has a little bit of game experience throwing for 481 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions last year. Don't expect any rushing yards.
- Ben Galbraith, Fr. - At 6-4 and 240 pounds, Galbraith is a big, hulking passer with a big arm and good potential. He's impossible to bring down and will get every shot at the number three job.
- Nick Graziano, Fr. - While he isn't as big as Ben Galbraith, Graziano is a big passer with tremendous skills throwing for almost 6,000 yards and 71 scores over his last two seasons at Campolindo High in California.

Running Backs
Even though Nevada runs mostly a passing offense, the running game isn't neglected and is expected to be more effective this year in the new formation. B.J. Mitchell is the veteran ready to carry the load, but Robert Hubbard might be the better fit with more speed and better ability to hit the hole. Former receiver Kyle Eklund and high school hotshot Tommy Haug need to quickly develop to provide some depth.
Player to keep an eye on: Robert Hubbard, Jr. ... Running back rating: 5.5

Projected Starters
- B.J. Mitchell, Sr. - A good backup for the last few seasons, the 5-8 Mitchell finished second on the team with 450 yards and seven touchdowns playing behind Chance Kretschmer. He might be short, but he's powerful and can move the pile. He hasn't been used much as a receiver with only one catch for three yards last year.

Top Backups
- Robert Hubbard, Jr. - While the starting job is B.J. Mitchell's the 5-10, 195-pound junior will push for the role and even see time in two-back sets. He's faster than Mitchell providing a home run element the backfield has been missing.
- Tommy Haug, RFr. - The high school superstar is due to become a major factor after spending last year learning the offense. He has it all from speed and quickness to a little bit of power.

Receivers
This should be an ultra-productive corps led by All-America candidate Nichiren Flowers, who can do everything from flying deep to fighting for the midrange catch across the middle. Caleb Spencer and Mike McCoy are outstanding two and three receivers to take the heat off Flowers. The backups have a little bit of experience and should rotate in the mix freely. Anthony Pudwell should have a breakout year at tight end.
Player to keep an eye on: Mike McCoy, RFr. ... Receiver rating: 7.5

Projected Starters
- Nichiren Flowers, Sr. - The 6-3, 210-pound Flowers is a devastating receiver who should put up All-America numbers this year coming off a 91-catch, 1,126-yard, six touchdown season. He isn't just big, he's fast able to make deep plays as well as the tough grabs over the middle. 100 catches isn't out of the question.
- Caleb Spencer, Jr. - A bit overshadowed by Nichiren Flowers, Spencer is a solid running mate finishing second on the team with 67 grabs for 671 yards and four scores. He hasn't been much of a big play target, but he has the talent to become one at the Z.
- Mike McCoy, RFr. - Expected to be every bit as good as Nichiren Flowers, McCoy has great deep speed and great playmaking ability. He had a great spring looking ready to shine on the outside at the X.
- Anthony Pudwell, Jr. - Pudwell should be more involved in the offense as a receiver after catching 13 passes for 156 yards last year. He's 6-3 and 240 pounds with decent speed and nice hands. He's a solid blocker at the Y, which is Nevada's tight end.

Top Backups
- Kyle Sammons, Jr. - The JUCO transfer was a big-time producer at Santa Rosa CC over the last few years with great deep speed and nice hands. He'll push for time on the outside behind Mike McCoy at the X.
- Trevor Brackett, Sr. - A good backup last year and a solid kickoff returner, Brackett made 13 catches for 191 yards averaging a team-leading 14.7 yards per grab. He'll backup Nichiren Flowers at the F.
- Adam Rosenblum, Jr. - One of the team's top punt returners averaging 7.9 yards per try, Rosenblum is also a backup receiver making ten catches for 125 yards last season. He'll be an inside man at the Z.
- Adam Bishop, Soph. - A little bigger than Anthony Pudwell, Bishop is a nice target at tight end and should grow into a factor. He'll battle with Travis Branzell for the backup job, but he'll see plenty of passes come his way and should be good around the goal line.

Offensive Line
"The Union" could be a problem with only two starters returning to a line that allowed 32 sacks. Protecting the quarterback should be easier now that the offense is running more from the shotgun, but it'll take some time. JUCO transfers Fred White and Reid Jacobs should provide some instant help, while converted tight end Tony Moll appears to be ready to grow into the job at tackle.
Player to keep an eye on: T Tony Moll, Sr. ... Offensive line rating: 5.5

Projected Starters
- Tackle Adam Kiefer, Sr. - The 6-4, 300-pound senior is the line's top player as a top run blocker and the one the offense works behind for the tough yards. He could stand to be stronger in pass protection, but he's the best the team has.
- Guard Barrett Reznick, Jr. - The new starter at strong guard was a back up all of last year and got one starting call. He's strong enough to be reliable in the running game and has the feet to grow into a decent pass blocker.
- Center Jimmy Wadhams, Jr. - One of two returning starters to the line, the 6-3, 285-pound Wadhams stepped in early on and held down the position in the middle. He'll have to be stronger this year as one of the leaders up front.
- Guard Dominic Green, RFr. - Green spent last year getting bigger and stronger to be able to handle the workload as a starter. He's 6-3, 285 pounds and strong enough to quickly become one of the team's better blockers as the year goes on.
- Tackle Tony Moll, Sr. - Mill is a converted tight end who has 11 career catches and four touchdowns. The 280-pound senior was one of the surprises of spring ball and should be able to use his athleticism to become a much needed reliable pass blocker.

Top Backups
- C Kyle Gosselin, Sr. - A starter in the middle a few years ago, the 275-pound senior is working to get his job back after missing most of last year with a foot injury.
- T Adam Garcia, Jr. - At 290 pounds, Garcia has the size to be good for the running game, and the experience to step in if needed on the weakside. He'll combine with Tony Moll for the job.
- T Reid Jacobs, Jr. - The JUCO All-American is expected to challenge right away for the job behind Adam Kiefer. At the very least, the strong, athletic junior will be a strong backup and could see time on the other side.
- G Fred White, Jr. - White was the two-time Western State Conference MVP at Bakersfield CC. He's a punishing run blocker who'll challenge Dominic Green for the job on the weakside.



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