Another Quarterback Option - jmik58's Blog

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jmik58's Blog

Another Quarterback Option Stuck

Posted on January 14, 2013 at 01:42 PM.

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Many have doubted the traditional quarterback skills of Tim Tebow, but the success of the read option in 2012 may beg for a different approach to the former Heisman winner and others.

The NFL is a quarterback driven league demanding arm strength, intelligence and pocket presence from the elite signal-callers. Nowhere in the equation does professional football allow for dual-threat quarterbacks to excel and win on a consistent basis.

For years we've heard the same things: The option offense just can't work in the NFL. The pros are too fast and disciplined defensively to get beat by the scheme when compared to the college game. The option carries an unsophisticated passing scheme that demands little respect from defenses, allowing teams to load up against the run.

While most of these things are true, one problem prevails. Those statements pertained to the triple option. In 2012, led by the exploits of first-year starters, the read option is alive and well; scoring big points, winning games, and marching through the playoffs.

With the triple option, defenses must stop the fullback dive, quarterback off the "D" gap, and pitch-man wide on every single play. The offense forces all defenders to play assignment-perfect football (assuming someone will screw up), depends on massive double-teams in the "B" gap to blow open dive lanes, and exploits defenses with a lack of pursuit speed on the edge -- all three things that don't come easy in the NFL.

In contrast, the read option operates more like a conventional offense. There is still the choice of the dive (give to the back) or the quarterback through the "D" gap (keep), but the real difference maker is that it runs out of more conventional formations which allow a more sophisticated passing attack -- something that causes linebackers to play less aggressively. By slowing down the linebackers in the read option, running backs and quarterbacks have an extra step to get into running lanes, while receivers are able to fit into zones behind linebackers who are retreating from an initial step to stop the run.

Up to this point, dual threat quarterbacks have been looked at in terms of the wildcat formation. But the success of the wildcat relies on out-manning the defense at the line of scrimmage by placing more blockers and thus more gaps to defend; as well as catching the defense out of position in heavily unbalanced alignments. Two of the big problems with this in the NFL are that it brings no significant passing threat and, once again, NFL defenders are too talented and typically line up and fit into gaps more successfully to defend plays from the formation.

While the wildcat and triple option are more of a gimmick that requires certain physical and mental mismatches, the read option has proven its worth against the best defenders on the planet. Similar to the way the run-and-shoot passing attack (when run to perfection) can theoretically never be wrong, in a similar way the read option gives that possibility to an offense while incorporating the running game.

As surprising as it may seem that the read option has been successful in the NFL, the more amazing thing could be the fact that NFL franchises have made the decision to incorporate it by scheming around their quarterbacks. Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, and Colin Kaepernick would have likely found life difficult had their respective teams stuck with the traditional approach of a drop-back system. But instead of a stubborn approach by coaches to stick to traditional systems and schemes, these teams have built the system around the quarterbacks -- and with great success.

In Seattle, Russell Wilson led the Seahawks in his rookie campaign to an impressive regular season and near-upset of the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons. Wilson passed for over 3,000 yards and held a 26-10 advantage in the touchdown-interception department while racking up nearly 500 yards on the ground with four touchdowns. Likewise, Robert Griffin III took the Redskins to the top of the NFC East in his rookie year by tossing 20 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions via 3,200 yards; and also ran for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns.

And then the most unlikely of scenarios -- as Colin Kaepernick took over mid-season for the 49ers for an injured Alex Smith -- San Francisco completely changed their offense in the midst of a successful run to fit the skill set of Kaepernick. In thirteen games played, Kaepernick piled up nearly 2,000 yards through the air with 10 touchdowns and three picks while rushing for over 400 yards and five scores.

Of the four teams remaining in the playoffs only Kaepernick and the 49ers are left standing with an offense reliant on the read option. But who could have predicted that an offensive scheme with the word "option" would carry so many teams -- not only through the season and into the playoffs -- but with inexperienced quarterbacks.

Are we looking at another fad? I don't get that feeling. The read option seems to be here to stay. More and more teams will open their minds to drafting dual threat quarterbacks with running and passing skills with the intention of molding their offensive sets around what those quarterbacks do best. The NFL has grown into a vanilla league of offenses and defenses that all run similar styles and plays, but a hint of flavor has crept its way in.

The league's coaches and front office personnel are showing a shift towards flexibility and innovation to take a chance at something new and are seeing the rewards. It's the type of move that Tim Tebow wishes he could have been a part of a few years ago, but perhaps this season's successful incorporation of the read option in the NFL can mean a second chance for dual threat quarterbacks in the college game and those trapped in the media circus of New York.

Sound Off: Is the Read Option here to stay in the NFL? Should a team pick up Tim Tebow to build a similar offense around his abilities?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Give him hell in the comments or on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 malky @ Jan 14

Tebow!!!! Hope he gets another shot next year just play his system and you got a team in the hunt every year

# 2 Gusto1 @ Jan 14

Nice piece great writing!

# 3 bigdoc85 @ Jan 14

Nice blog. There's hope for Tebow after all!

# 4 Gotmadskillzson @ Jan 14

Read option is here to stay. Much like the play action pass, the success rate greatly depends on if the team sets it up correctly. One must establish the running back as a legitimate threat going up the middle.

It also helps if the QB is a legitimate threat to pass the ball as well. The reason Tebow had so much trouble with it is because he isn't a passing threat so teams always crowded the line. Where as Wilson, RG3, Newton and Kaepernick are legit passing threats.

# 5 cattlekiller @ Jan 14

I agree the read option is a great offensive style, and I think it will stay in the league.
But I feel a lot of teams will stay away from it.

One reason is the QB's who can pass and run this system not many QB's can do it great as the players mentioned in your article.

Second reason kinda ties into the first, Injuries.Teams are going to be a lot smarter in the future in defending them , look what the Bengal's did this year vs RGIII.It was a great plan it didnt matter if RGIII handed the ball off or not ,the Bengals hit him anyway.Coaches and Owners will not want there franchise QB injured.

I do hope it stays around , the NFL offenses are not near as varied as collage ball.

# 6 acarrero @ Jan 14

Good stuff! Finally someone discussed how vanilla de NFL offenses had become compared to the college game which was way ahead with the read option, pistol, wildcat, etc. That NFL mentality is the reason Tebow is possibly out of a job. Yet Tebow deserves some credit for proving that a read-option element could work in the NFL.

# 7 Jimbo614 @ Jan 23

I heard Nick Saban talking about how in five years, the Read-Option will maken traditional Football obsolete. The game will more resemble Basketball than Football.
Making use of spacing and timing more than power and application of leverage.
My problem is, I don't want my Football looking like Basketball. I don't want my Football looking or playing like some video game.
Call me old fashioned, but I still believe that power running and stout defense still rules.
Everything you're seeing today has already been done in the past. And there's a reason why pocket passers eventually overtook the running QBs of the 1930's. It comes down to money. Teams cant afford to keep replacing their star player every three years. There's also liability issues. Would an Insurance Company be as willing to cover RGIII as they would Eli Manning?
And, I think some of us are drinking too much Kool-Aid..
Do you really think Defensive Coordinators aren't already planning a defense for this "new" gimmick?
Every action always creates an equal and opposite reaction. Keep that in mind next year.
HINT; Here's the answer... The MLB stays put and shadows the QB.
Faster QBs = Faster LBs