Putting an end to the read option

[bravesfan]

Would anyone expect NFL defenses to figure out that unblocked defensive ends can drill the quarterback even when he hands off. Will we see defenses do a lot this for the 2013 season?

 

[Steelboy84]

Would anyone expect NFL defenses to figure out that unblocked defensive ends can drill the quarterback even when he hands off. Will we see defenses do a lot this for the 2013 season?

Interesting point, but coaches stress 11 men to the ball, so we may not see much of it, like the idea though.

 

[SonnyCID]

Would anyone expect NFL defenses to figure out that unblocked defensive ends can drill the quarterback even when he hands off. Will we see defenses do a lot this for the 2013 season?

Pretty sure they know that. It's not just about hurting the QB though, going after the QB as he hands the ball off will lead to big plays by the back.

NFL coaches know how to stop it, every coach in America knows how to stop it, it just comes down to personnel and execution just like every other "system".

The pistol offense will be here for a while. Some teams will match up better than others, but there is no secret potion that will stifle it league wide like the wildcat. These teams only run a handful of ZR plays a game, but line up in the pistol quite a bit more and run their normal plays out of it. Remember, these are run first teams that we are talking about, if DCs want to put all their eggs in one basket by focusing on and roughing up the QB, they got another thing coming.

 

[FLSkinsfan]

Pretty sure they know that. It's not just about hurting the QB though, going after the QB as he hands the ball off will lead to big plays by the back.

NFL coaches know how to stop it, every coach in America knows how to stop it, it just comes down to personnel and execution just like every other "system".

The pistol offense will be here for a while. Some teams will match up better than others, but there is no secret potion that will stifle it league wide like the wildcat. These teams only run a handful of ZR plays a game, but line up in the pistol quite a bit more and run their normal plays out of it. Remember, these are run first teams that we are talking about, if DCs want to put all their eggs in one basket by focusing on and roughing up the QB, they got another thing coming.

Football has changed a lot over the last couple of years. I remember the discussions when Dan Fouts was chucking the ball all over the place. People said it would not last because you need a good running game to win. Now you have Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Brees,..etc, that throw the ball and do not have a great running attack or a running attack at all.

Today it is the Pistol formation, which you can run your entire playbook out of, and people think it will be easy to stop. Look above, it was not easy to stop an all pass team, now you have guys like, Cam, RGIII, Wilson, Kap, all can run, but also have good arms and can burn a team that way. Look at College ball today, a lot of running QB's are being asked to throw the ball more, which means more QB's coming in the league with these talents.

I do not see it being stopped, but I do see it expanding and becoming a more used platform, and able to make better adjustments then the pure passing situations. DC's are on their heals on this one and could be for awhile. I expect in the next 4 to 5 years that scoring will be higher do to this new formation. It is much easier (and quicker) for an offense to make adjustments to defenses then the other way around.

 

[Podunkparte]

Every move has a counter move. Ok, so you send linemen at the QB more. Well, now we'll have the QB roll out faster and drop off a screen to the RB and gash you for 8-10 yards.

Also, just speaking from Seattle's perspective, the read-option is only used about 15-20% of the time. It's not like the defense can just dial up blitzes every down if it's just gonna get picked up when we're not running a read-option play.

 

[bravesfan]

Every move has a counter move. Ok, so you send linemen at the QB more. Well, now we'll have the QB roll out faster and drop off a screen to the RB and gash you for 8-10 yards.

Also, just speaking from Seattle's perspective, the read-option is only used about 15-20% of the time. It's not like the defense can just dial up blitzes every down if it's just gonna get picked up when we're not running a read-option play.

There's no blitzing needed

During the read option play, the defensive end is left unblocked. The QB reads the DE in regards to whether to keep it or hand it off. The DE can very easily just rush straight towards the QB and blast him right after the exchange....and it's perfectly legal too. You could play action roll, but what good would it do when the free DE is already locked onto the QB

 

[SoCalWizFan]

There's no blitzing needed

During the read option play, the defensive end is left unblocked. The QB reads the DE in regards to whether to keep it or hand it off. The DE can very easily just rush straight towards the QB and blast him right after the exchange....and it's perfectly legal too. You could play action roll, but what good would it do when the free DE is already locked onto the QB

If it is that easy then why didn't teams do this last season? I love how fans off the street (& idiots like Mike Golic) just feel that they know as much or more than NFL coaches. It is a bit more complicated then you portray it. Also - as the Seahawks fan indicated - none of these teams use the read option more than a fraction of the time. As someone else alluded to - players win games not systems & most/all of these players can adapt to other systems as needed.

I am also pretty sure that the "hit the QB" theory is primarily directed at RG3 & I feel pretty confident that he & the Redskins are going to do everything in their power to keep him healthy (which may include reducing the # of read option plays ever more which is fine).

The real answer is to just keep improving your personnel & play steady, solid football. I would much rather have 11 solid defensive players than some gimmicky defense.

 

[bravesfan]

If it is that easy then why didn't teams do this last season? I love how fans off the street (& idiots like Mike Golic) just feel that they know as much or more than NFL coaches. It is a bit more complicated then you portray it. Also - as the Seahawks fan indicated - none of these teams use the read option more than a fraction of the time. As someone else alluded to - players win games not systems & most/all of these players can adapt to other systems as needed.

I am also pretty sure that the "hit the QB" theory is primarily directed at RG3 & I feel pretty confident that he & the Redskins are going to do everything in their power to keep him healthy (which may include reducing the # of read option plays ever more which is fine).

The real answer is to just keep improving your personnel & play steady, solid football. I would much rather have 11 solid defensive players than some gimmicky defense.

I'm not pulling this out of my butt, Peter King and a few other NFL expert have been bringing attention to this. I'm merely pitching their ideas on to here. There's a reason why teams dont run the option anymore, and we might see defenses by more violent and aggressive towards the QBs of the offenses that run the read option

 

[supreme_clientele81]

I'm not pulling this out of my butt, Peter King and a few other NFL expert have been bringing attention to this. I'm merely pitching their ideas on to here. There's a reason why teams dont run the option anymore, and we might see defenses by more violent and aggressive towards the QBs of the offenses that run the read option

The option and zone read are different. With the option you can hit the QB every time since he is running with the ball and not protected as a QB but is treated as a RB. The zone read the QB "reads" the DE or LB and decides to hand off or keep it. Also the QB is still protected by "QB rules" if he doesn't carry out the fake. So that means a DE or LB has only a step or so to hit the QB or it will be ruffing. Another added benefit with the zone read is the QB can backpedal to avoid the rush after the hand off is made and he is again under the protection of the "QB rules". It isn't as simple as attack the QB in defense of the zone read watch the 49ers vs the Falcons as proof of that

 

[Lonewate44]

The option and zone read are different. With the option you can hit the QB every time since he is running with the ball and not protected as a QB but is treated as a RB. The zone read the QB "reads" the DE or LB and decides to hand off or keep it. Also the QB is still protected by "QB rules" if he doesn't carry out the fake. So that means a DE or LB has only a step or so to hit the QB or it will be ruffing. Another added benefit with the zone read is the QB can backpedal to avoid the rush after the hand off is made and he is again under the protection of the "QB rules". It isn't as simple as attack the QB in defense of the zone read watch the 49ers vs the Falcons as proof of that

EXACTLY!!!!! And we saw that RGIII would put his hands up after handing off, so the refs and other players knew he didnt have the ball......Hit him then after giving himself up....penalty!!!!

 

[fordman84]

EXACTLY!!!!! And we saw that RGIII would put his hands up after handing off, so the refs and other players knew he didnt have the ball......Hit him then after giving himself up....penalty!!!!

hands up isn't a get out of an asswhoop free card. He could fall down, but other than that just putting your hands up won't (or shouldn't) mean you can't be hit. You are a runner, your ass is fair game.



The only thing that will end the read option again is a franchise QB getting hurt and the season being ruined for the team. Then OC's will phase it out.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Colleges have beaten it already with the nickel. More speed is key. If I were a DC, I would play 75% of my snaps in nickel as is with right ends being as fast as they are. Premium on getting big physical DBs that aren't afraid to tackle. Seattle does it well.

 

[Lonewate44]

hands up isn't a get out of an asswhoop free card. He could fall down, but other than that just putting your hands up won't (or shouldn't) mean you can't be hit. You are a runner, your ass is fair game.


The only thing that will end the read option again is a franchise QB getting hurt and the season being ruined for the team. Then OC's will phase it out.

Wont or shouldn't doesnt matter, but the thing is....IT DOES!!! weather teams like it or not.....they are gonna protect the QBs

 

[boltfan72]

From what I've heard, the experts seem to think that punishing the QB will dissuade teams from this type of offense. That may work with guys like Russell Wilson, but RGIII will still be good. When he was at Baylor I watched him light up my Sooners with his arm, standing in the pocket. People tend to underestimate just how good he can be in the pocket.

 

[mcro_rave_2001]

Would anyone expect NFL defenses to figure out that unblocked defensive ends can drill the quarterback even when he hands off. Will we see defenses do a lot this for the 2013 season?

i don't think he can i think you'll see the yellow hankies come out with the quickness for roughing the passer. Bottom line is in the new NFL you can't hit the QB after the ball has left his hands.

 

[SonnyCID]

From what I've heard, the experts seem to think that punishing the QB will dissuade teams from this type of offense. That may work with guys like Russell Wilson, but RGIII will still be good. When he was at Baylor I watched him light up my Sooners with his arm, standing in the pocket. People tend to underestimate just how good he can be in the pocket.

Wilson was better in the pocket than out of it last year. Look it up, across the board his numbers were better.

 

[Lonewate44]

Wilson was better in the pocket than out of it last year. Look it up, across the board his numbers were better.

Btter then RGII's????

Dont think so...lower passer rating..more picks. Less yards..Lower completuion percentage.....or you saying Wilson in the pocket vs out of Pocket?

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Colleges have beaten it already with the nickel. More speed is key. If I were a DC, I would play 75% of my snaps in nickel as is with right ends being as fast as they are. Premium on getting big physical DBs that aren't afraid to tackle. Seattle does it well.

You are proving my point. Talent is the key. You could play any system that you like - you still need quality football players. Also - there is a difference in how this can be countered in the NFL as compared to college. Quite often in college there are huge disparities in talent that allow you to be successful with certain changes. That is rarely the case in the NFL.

 

[SonnyCID]

Btter then RGII's????

Dont think so...lower passer rating..more picks. Less yards..Lower completuion percentage.....or you saying Wilson in the pocket vs out of Pocket?

I was talking about Wilson in the pocket vs Wilson out of the pocket. I dont know the details about RG3 in the pocket vs out of it.

 

[#1BostonFan]

Would anyone expect NFL defenses to figure out that unblocked defensive ends can drill the quarterback even when he hands off. Will we see defenses do a lot this for the 2013 season?

I've thought of that too, can the DE get there fast enough to just completely blow it up?