Read-Option QBs

[RashanGary]

I think its the talent, not the read-option that is revolutionary here. We've never seen athletes like Cam Newton, RGIII, Kap, and Wilson that were this talented as passers. All of a sudden there are 4 young guys better than Mike Vick ever was. If College keeps churning out these kinds of guys, of course coaches will find ways to use them.

This makes way too much sense. I'll put my eggs in this basket.

[Fritz]

If these type of QB's prove as maddening to try to get a clean hit on as Fran Tarkenton was, then this thing will be around for awhile.

[rbaloha1]

I think its the talent, not the read-option that is revolutionary here. We've never seen athletes like Cam Newton, RGIII, Kap, and Wilson that were this talented as passers. All of a sudden there are 4 young guys better than Mike Vick ever was. If College keeps churning out these kinds of guys, of course coaches will find ways to use them.

The revolution of the read-option is here. The arrogant NFL maintained you can not run this college stuff in our league.

[MadScientist]

The revolution of the read-option is here. The arrogant NFL maintained you can not run this college stuff in our league.

This year will be a better indication of how long the read-option will last. More than just the Packers have sent their defensive staff to a college to learn how to stop it. It will also be interesting to see what Washington does with RGIII when he comes back from his injuries.

If the read-option proves harder to stop than the normal NFL offenses, one change that could happen is the QB position may change from the franchise guy that you have for 15 years to a good player that you have for 5-7 years and then discard because he loses a step, like a running back.

[Cleft Crusty]

If these type of QB's prove as maddening to try to get a clean hit on as Fran Tarkenton was, then this thing will be around for awhile.

except that Fran wasn't trying to rush the ball - he was trying to escape getting creamed in the 'pocket' - but almost always he was looking to pass. Running backs typically don't last that long, and some of these RO QBs aren't as sturdy or elusive as RBs. Too many hits and they are out. The threat to run, and the ability to run here and there is a great weapon, but the actual use of the weapon will shorten its lifespan.

[Cleft Crusty]

one change that could happen is the QB position may change from the franchise guy that you have for 15 years to a good player that you have for 5-7 years and then discard because he loses a step, like a running back.

or gets clobbered. But then that short-term franchise guy better pick up the offense pretty quick.

[pbmax]

or gets clobbered. But then that short-term franchise guy better pick up the offense pretty quick.

Given the types of offenses in college, the sheer number of available athletic passers will probably keep this option attractive. Because unlike a franchise statuesque QB, there will be another mobile guy available in the draft every year.

One reason for the proliferation of offenses in colleges is lack of time. The Air Raid was specifically developed (though not the only reason) with the thought of being able to install the ENTIRE offense in three days. And what time you had left could then be used to perfect the things you learned in the first 3 days.

So enormously complicated and exacting offenses (West Coast Offense hello) were at a disadvantage when it would take until the second year to be proficient. That got worse in college when practices were limited to 20 hours a week.

[rbaloha1]

Given the types of offenses in college, the sheer number of available athletic passers will probably keep this option attractive. Because unlike a franchise statuesque QB, there will be another mobile guy available in the draft every year.

One reason for the proliferation of offenses in colleges is lack of time. The Air Raid was specifically developed (though not the only reason) with the thought of being able to install the ENTIRE offense in three days. And what time you had left could then be used to perfect the things you learned in the first 3 days.

So enormously complicated and exacting offenses (West Coast Offense hello) were at a disadvantage when it would take until the second year to be proficient. That got worse in college when practices were limited to 20 hours a week.

These offenses were around long before any of this stuff.

The offenses were designed to give rosters with lesser size and athletic the ability to compete against traditional football powers.

There is not enough personnel for three yards and a cloud of dust offenses or wishbone offenses. Plus the big schools used to monopolize these players with 120 scholarships.

[Fritz]

except that Fran wasn't trying to rush the ball - he was trying to escape getting creamed in the 'pocket' - but almost always he was looking to pass. Running backs typically don't last that long, and some of these RO QBs aren't as sturdy or elusive as RBs. Too many hits and they are out. The threat to run, and the ability to run here and there is a great weapon, but the actual use of the weapon will shorten its lifespan.

I was only using Tarkenton as an example of how the RO QB's might lengthen their playing time - by developing the ability to avoid taking a big hit. I watched and was maddened by Tarkenton for years (because I was a Packer fan); he had a way of escaping the big hit that I sorely wished they'd lay on him.

Whether a QB is looking to run or looking to escape getting creamed in the pocket, the ability to avoid taking clean shots will prolong your career. Tarkenton was maddeningly good at that.

I hated that bastard.

[pbmax]

These offenses were around long before any of this stuff.

The offenses were designed to give rosters with lesser size and athletic the ability to compete against traditional football powers.

There is not enough personnel for three yards and a cloud of dust offenses or wishbone offenses. Plus the big schools used to monopolize these players with 120 scholarships.

Of course there are more factors. That's why I said time was one reason.

But if competing against superior talent was the only factor, then teams would be using less non-traditional offenses today than before, because the talent gap has narrowed (scholarship limits), passing game rule changes, practice limits and the proliferation of talent outside of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. In other words, people would be reverse engineering the Badgers under Alvarez, who took coal to Newcastle and beat the traditional powers with his running game and defense (unless you were Michigan then by rule the Badgers lost just to keep order in the Universe).

Instead, despite the leveling, the number of alternate offenses has proliferated and has incorporated older option concepts. But even those older concepts are given a new spin. I believe there is only one team running a true triple option run offense in D1 right now.

Tommie Frazier never got the chance to run a pro offense. Tebow barely got one.

The primary factor pushing teams to innovate in the passing game is the increased reward versus the decreased risk compared to decades past. And the increased focus on passing in college has in turn produced more QBs with phenomenal athletic talent who are also accomplished passers. Perhaps not schooled as before, but talented and trained arms none-the-less.

Their numbers and passing training make the likelihood of NFL teams committing to something other than traditional drop back passing more likely.

[bobblehead]

This is what i was waiting for.

Running effectively is possible from the read option. Throwing from the pocket is also possible.

won't argue the fact that if a guy is an exceptional throwing from the pocket QB who has a good running game and great D to boot that his team will be very successful.

I am saying that a guy that runs the read option more than 4 times a game won't likely be successful because that will mean they likely don't pass well from the pocket.

[bobblehead]

I think its the talent, not the read-option that is revolutionary here. We've never seen athletes like Cam Newton, RGIII, Kap, and Wilson that were this talented as passers. All of a sudden there are 4 young guys better than Mike Vick ever was. If College keeps churning out these kinds of guys, of course coaches will find ways to use them.

Double props....but I am not sold on Newton or Kapernick yet. Kap took the world offguard, and Newton hasn't impressed me as much as most. RGIII could be the next great thing though imho.

[bobblehead]

The offenses were designed to give rosters with lesser size and athletic the ability to compete against traditional football powers.

.

You have hit on it here. Gimmick offenses are there so lesser teams can compete by doing....something gimmicky. If you have the talent to run it and pass it effectively in the traditional manner, its still the best route to success. If you do not....then you run the wildcat and the read option. SF had a great D and good running game, but needed the extra umph at QB to make the big game. RO gave them that last year. I suspect it won't be enough this year.

[pbmax]

Double props....but I am not sold on Newton or Kapernick yet. Kap took the world offguard, and Newton hasn't impressed me as much as most. RGIII could be the next great thing though imho.

Newton is in a bad spot in Carolina. Rivera looks overmatched and his moves at offensive coordinator are depressing. Mike Shula has never run a bona fide NFL offense for any length of time.

[pbmax]

You have hit on it here. Gimmick offenses are there so lesser teams can compete by doing....something gimmicky. If you have the talent to run it and pass it effectively in the traditional manner, its still the best route to success. If you do not....then you run the wildcat and the read option. SF had a great D and good running game, but needed the extra umph at QB to make the big game. RO gave them that last year. I suspect it won't be enough this year.

If you are the lesser team, then a high risk strategy is the way to go. But when the greatest disparity existed in the NCAA (prior to scholarship reductions to 85), college offenses, with a few exceptions tended not to be gimmicky. They all tended to be run and option based. There were exceptions based on talent but until Howard Schnellenberger took over at Miami, they weren't program or coach based. Except perhaps Purdue.

But I think this analysis misses the point about the newer read option, spread option, run and shoot, Air Raid, etc. You could call them gimmicky, but they aren't high risk. In fact several are the opposite, their plays (like Oregon) tend to be risk averse.

Passing now is far less riskier than previously. And option ball is tried and true sound.