Feature article on OL coach Gordy Shaw

About encouraging his sensitive players not to read newspapers, listen to talk-radio shows, or go on Facebook or Twitter, OL coach Gordy Shaw said:
"Stupidity, is sometimes a blessing." (HSA)


About how Fresno State's DEs did not get a sack or even a QB hurry in their game, Shaw said:
"We basically stopped their ends from getting pressure." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Because of his long tenure at Minnesota, which relied mostly on power running, there was the widespread assumption Shaw would try to implement more rush-blocking techniques to the Warriors' four-wide offense. But Shaw said that when he was at Wyoming, the Cowboys ran empty-set plays about 25 times each game. That led to the offer from Minnesota, which initially was using a pro-style passing attack."


Shaw said that at UH:
"we teach a group of guys the fundamentals." (HSA)


About how their 5 OL and RB have to block one person each when the defense rushes 6 people, Shaw said:
"If they bring all six, then everybody has to be accountable and hold up for that play, blocking their guy from start to finish. That's the way it is." (HSA)


About changing their blocking scheme to have their guards start in a 3-point stance instead of a crouching stance (the tackles are still in a crouch), Shaw said:
"This group is good in their athletic ability and their ability to move their feet. We get on (defenders) and stay on them. (Quarterback Bryant) Moniz might get bumped around a little bit, but we're blocking the defensive line. They're not flying through free." (HSA)


About how he was confident that their OL would do well even when they hadn't selected their starters until right before the season, Shaw said:
"I've got eyeballs. You start out with the character of the players you're coaching. You can tell if it's not important to them or if it's very important to them. For this group, it meant a lot, it was important. They knew they couldn't take a step back or play the same every week. They knew they had to get better every week." (HSA)


About how they can beat Nevada, Mack said:
"We don't have to do anything superhuman. We played them close last year." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101011_offensive_line_improves_over_last_season_with_shaw.html

http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/furtherreview/20101011_salas_showed_bulldogs_what_warriors_are_made_of.html