University of North Carolina Athletics
Robbie Caldwell Looks Forward To Spring Practice
February 13, 2000 | Football
Feb. 13, 2000
To meet Robbie Caldwell is to like him.
The folksy Pageland, S.C. native exudes a warmth and friendliness that make
one feel right at home in his office overlooking Kenan Stadium. In fact,
Caldwell himself seems more than at home in his new location.
Caldwell, who recently followed Mike O'Cain from N.C. State to Chapel Hill, will
coach the offensive line, an area of concern at Carolina in recent years.
Caldwell talks about his offensive philosophy, his players'
responsibilities, and how he is adjusting to the move to Carolina.
y: Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue:
I've always felt that offensive line play was one of the least appreciated and least
understood areas of football. What do you think?
Robbie Caldwell:
"It is, it definitely is. I'll tell you what I like about it is that some of the most
special people you'll meet in the game play on the offensive line. We know we're not going
to get our name in the paper. We know when the offense doesn't move we're going to get
blamed whether it's our fault or not.
"If a guy gets tackled for a loss, it's the offensive line's fault, but if he goes 60
yards for a TD it's like,'whew, what a guy!'.
"The great part is the offensive line understands that. Where they get their reward is
from the team and the coaches. Coach Torbush appreciates what they do because he's fought
against the offensive line for years from the other side of the ball. All our coaches,
particularly Coach O'Cain, know what can make your team go.
"And I told my guys the other day, and it kind of surprised them, is that one of my goals
is to make our defense the number one defense in America. Now we know that we're going
to have play good defense because we've got great coaches and great players, but we also
know that if we keep the ball and keep them off the field, we can only help.
"That way they don't have to play so much and when they do, they can really turn it loose.
O-linemen are team players, and that's what we want to stress. We take the mindset that the
team's going to go as we go, because if we've got the ball, the other team can't score.
Then if we do score, it takes a little stress off the defense.
"So it all fits together. We all have a key role (on the
offensive line). I love the way it all fits
together like a puzzle. You know four can do a great job, but if one doesn't,
it all breaks down. That's why unity is so important in the offensive line."
TarHeelBlue:
Have you had a chance to meet with your players yet?
Robbie Caldwell:
"Most of them. We've had meetings in an academic setting, and I've tried to sit down
and get a chance to talk to them informally. It's been kind of hectic with recruiting
going on, but it'll settle down and I'll get to know them better as we head into
the spring."
TarHeelBlue:
We lost a lot of seniors off last year's line. Have you been able to watch
enough film to evaluate the talent you have coming back?
Robbie Caldwell:
"One thing I don't want to do is watch too much film. I've certainly listened to all that
the coaches have had to say about each one, but I haven't watched much film because I don't
want to form any opinions yet.
"I want everybody to start with a clean slate, and thus have a competitive group.
Success is bred by competition, and the more competition we've got at each spot, then the
better we're going to be.
"I just think it's important that each offensive lineman gets his chance.
"Right now I'm getting excited listening to the Strength & Conditioning coaches talk
about them. But I do think, and I think everyone will agree, we're a little too heavy
right now, the younger bunch. You can just look at them and tell. We've got some big guys.
"I haven't seen them move up close yet, and they may be able to carry that weight, but I don't
think so. In 23 years of doing this you can just about tell by looking at one.
"But I've got to tell you they are some nice kids. This program is phenomenal as far as
the people, everyone I've met is just wonderful. I'm looking for great things."
TarHeelBlue:
You mentioned your system. Could you describe it for us?
Robbie Caldwell:
"You know we like to have a power game which means two backs and a fullback blocking,
something you can slam at them when you need those tough yards.
"We'll have a zone scheme where the linemen can lock up and run, and the backs have got
to find the soft spot, it won't always be in one little area. It takes a back with vision
to be successful at that.
"We'll run a trap scheme, where we'll trap some people and take advantage of penetrators
that really charge up the field.
"And, we'll run some option. I know Coach Torbush and the defensive staff appreciate that
because they know even if a team just runs two or three options a game,
it causes the defense to spend a great deal of time in preparation for just those two or
three plays.
"The option is also good because it gets them to playing decision football. You know you
get an 18 or 19 year old kid out in front of 60,000 people, and he's got to think that fast,
it's tough. With just the slightest mistake by the defense, it can be really big. We have
backs who can take it the distance. It's a great way to get them the ball in the open
field and let them run."
"The down side is it's a high risk. The ball can be put on the ground. We try to get in
situations where all our option plays are low-risk options. Another down side is that
it does take time away from your passing game preparation, and you've got to have a
good passing game to have a good offense."
TarHeelBlue:
On the offenfive line you've got your center, guards and tackles. I would assume the
techniques used by the guards and tackles would be somewhat different than those
of the center?
Robbie Caldwell:
"You're right, guards and tackles are very similar in this day and time. In the older days
the guards were the smaller, pulling, running types, and your tackles were your big
bruisers, and your center was a mixture between the two.
"Now, your guards are more your big, bulky types, because they're usually covered.
Everybody's playing even fronts, so they have a down lineman on them a lot. The
tackle has to play in what we call space. He's chasing linebackers, he's got those
speed rushers who are coming off the sides that are extremely fast. So he has to be
a little more mobile. Maybe reach is involved, arm-span, to stop those speed rushers
like a Florida St. Coming off the corner, that's the big thing these days.
That's where you get the majority of your pass rush.
"What makes the center so different is he's got to play with the ball in his hands.
A lot of people don't realize delivering that ball makes you play one handed, because
you've got to get it to the quarterback, and then everything starts from there.
It is a huge difference, but also footwork is a lot different. In our system the guards
and tackles line up a little bit behind the center, so he has to really have great
footwork. He's going to drop-step some, and he's got to be athletic. He might be
a smaller, quicker player than a guard or tackle, because he's also got to play in
space.
"In our system the center does have to make some calls that are critical. He can change
the whole scheme of things up front. We make a call every play. It's like the center
calling an audible, with the purpose of the audible
being to change the blocking scheme. The center calls an audible on every play, but
most of them are dummy. We like to aggravate the defense a little bit, like they do us.
They're moving around up there all the time, and it's something to aggravate them some.
"It takes a player with a great understanding of the game to play
center. It's kind of like a catcher in baseball."
TarHeelBlue:
So regarding the interior line, do you look for different physical and mental
types for each position?
Robbie Caldwell:
"We sure do, and that's a fun part of it. Actually, sometimes the center and tackle
are quite similar now, because of the mobility required.
"In talking to the players, they really did do a smart thing here, in that many of them
have played two or three of the interior positions. I was happy that several of the
guys have played or practiced at center, because that's the hardest one to teach to
play if he hasn't done it before."
TarHeelBlue:
Does it take longer to learn the offensive line position than it does the
other positions?
Robbie Caldwell:
"It's probably the closest thing to quarterback there is. You call the play,
you go up to the line, and all of a sudden the defensive lines shifts. That affects the
majority of them up there. That clock's ticking, and you've got to
make a decision and come off the ball correctly and make contact on every play.
"That's why you see o-linemen being red-shirted more than say defensive linemen.
I like to call offensive linemen true athletes, and sometimes people laugh at me
for that. They have to think and move at the same time.
"Then you've got the long snapper. That is an absolutely key role, because games are
won and lost on special teams. That's a high-pressure position, and it's kind of a lost
art, kids are not doing it anymore. That's one thing we always work on a lot in practice.
"The snapper and the holder are critical. We don't want our kicker worrying about the
snap or the hold. All we want him worrying about are those uprights sticking up there.
He's got to have confidence in the snapper and the holder."
TarHeelBlue:
Will you continue to work on snapping technique here at Carolina?
Robbie Caldwell:
"I have my whole career. I've talked to Coach Rucker about helping him with that and
(laughing), he seems to welcome my help. I've always been fascinated by it, because I
used to do it. The average fan has no idea how much pressure is on the snapper. Just ask
the Redskins.
"I hope I continue to work with the snappers. I'm looking forward to it."
TarHeelBlue:
It sure seems as though you are going into spring practice with
a totally open mind. There could be personnel changes, or there might not be?
Robbie Caldwell:
"I told the guys when I talked to them my philosophy is pretty simple. Find the five
best offensive linemen we've got, and get them on the field. What that means is maybe
you're one of the top five linemen we have, but you're behind two of the tackles,
then it would be foolish for me to have you sitting over there when you're one of the
best five. Let's find a spot for you.
"They all seemed very receptive to that. They just want to play.
"I would love to get ten players we could rotate, that would be great. That would just make
our starters that much better. If not, I'd like to get eight. We've really got to have
at least eight ready to play.
"The way I look at is you've got to have three tackles, three guards and at least two
centers. But ideally, I'd love to be able to play ten every Saturday.
"And it's a two-way street. We have to teach the players correctly, and they have to trust
us and do there job. I look for the complete player, both on the field and in the
classroom. Nothing galls me more than having to get on a player for not going to class, or
not showing up in the weight room on time. That doesn't sit well with me at all.
"I like to reward hard work. I want my guys to be responsible in all areas of their
life. They've got to study and work hard, and I figure that's
the least they can do, because they're being paid (by scholarship) by this great university
and the good people who are contributing for us to have a great athletic department.
We owe them that, and we owe it to ourselves.
"It's a simple philosophy. Just do your best at whatever you're doing.
I've only had one guy who's played his whole career for me and not graduated,
and he's just three hours short."
TarHeelBlue:
Have you ever started a true freshman at the Division I level?
Robbie Caldwell:
"Yes, I have. First, I want the players to know I have no problem doing that. If they're
the best, they'll play. But there's no way we'd play a true freshman just 15 or 20 plays
over the season, unless it came down to the end of the season and there was a whole
lot at stake. We do want everybody coming in here as freshmen being ready to play,
but it's very hard to learn a whole new system.
"Both physical and mental maturity plays a huge role in it. You really take a pounding week
in and week out. A small guy can play a few games, but the wear and tear really takes a toll
on the smaller guys."
TarHeelBlue:
You've got an offensive system that you prefer to use. However, if the athletes you
inherit aren't suited for that system, will you alter your system to fit the
athletes?
Robbie Caldwell:
"We want to utilize the personnel that we have, so we would do whatever they can do. We
want to be flexible. We would alter our system to a degree.
"And that's the thing about our system. By having a power phase, a trap phase, a zone
phase, a draw phase, you can utilize any personnel. We're versatile enough that we're
not boxed in by our personnel. Hopefully, we'll have a balanced, diverse offense.
I'm not trying to say it's anything special, it's just what we do."
TarHeelBlue:
Are you happy here in Chapel Hill?
Robbie Caldwell:
"Absolutely, absolutely! I've been very impressed by everyone I've met. They're friendly,
and they try to help you in every way.
"Having competed against these coaches that are here now, and getting to know them
over the years, I've known they are bunch of great, classy coaches, but since I've gotten
here I've been even more impressed.
"You know that in this profession you spend a lot of time around your fellow coaches,
and it really helps if you get along.
"The ultimate test was this past Saturday night. My wife (Nora) got to meet all
the other wives for the first time. Coach O's daughter kept our daughter (Emsley), and
boy was she ever impressed. Everyone made her feel so much at home. That was the
ultimate test. She's extremely happy and excited. If she's happy, then that
makes me even happier than I already was.
"If my wife had her choice, we'd live right on Franklin St.
"Emsley's so excited. What she really loves is to come to the office. You know, I was so
honored to have the chance to coach here that the only question I asked Coach Torbush
in the whole deal was would Emsley be able to come to my office. He said certainly, so
here we are. She already knows the fight song, it took her about five minutes to
learn it.
"When I cleaned out my closet I told my wife I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to
wear, but I'm stocking my closet with blue, and I want everybody to know it makes me look
slimmer. Now if it could make me look like I have more hair, it couldn't be any better.
"We're all three very happy. This is a great area to live in. For an old country bumpkin
like me to say I love to live in an urban environment, then that's the ultimate
compliment.
"This campus is beautiful. I absolutely love it.
"I look out this office window and wonder, how can you beat this? Sometimes the sun comes
in here real bright, and I'm tempted to close those drapes, but I don't. I'm afraid it
might disappear.
"I'm very excited. I can't wait to get out on the field."
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