Why do all the NFL teams use some variant of a wide open passing game rather than primary running style like the wishbone or option? Given that these running variants have and do work well in college and highschool football, one would think that they could work in the NFL. I only ever remember seeing the wishbone used as the basic formation once in the NFL, back when Dickerson was with the Colts.
Is it something based on the difference in rules (the width of the hash marks perhaps)? Is it something to do with the the increased level of performance and athleticism in the NFL? Is it some sort of unwritten edict that every team has to feature a lot of passing because it is exciting and popular?
My thoughts are that professional football teams have defenses that are faster, stronger and better coordinated than high school and college teams. This combination is one of the best ways to defend against the option.
I think they don’t run the option because NFL linebackers are too fast. It’s harder in general to run to the outside in the NFL, because the play is developing over a longer period of time, thus giving the linebackers a chance to follow the play and disrupt it. I suspect this is also why other plays such as screens and reverses don’t really work in the NFL. The backers are just too smart, too big, and too fast.
Three words, Johnny: Kill the quarterback.
Given how much NFL teams pay their starting quarterbacks, there’s no way the front offices are going to risk QB’s running the option, a play that can give three or four players the chance to hit the QB at once.
However, I think there are a few teams that do have some sort of option in the playbooks for special situations. When Raymond Berry coached the Patsies, New England used a play, usually on something like 4th and goal from the one, where the QB would roll out with the option to run or pass.
With QB’s like Michael Vicks and Duante Culpepper coming up in the league now, I think some of the smart coaches will design options to be used for special circumstances or to throw the other team off balance.
But there’s no way in hell it’s going to become a regular part of the offense.
In a way, I think this is a shame as I like the wishbone precisely because of the option. It’s a lot of fun to watch good high school or college wishbone teams play.
If I were a QB, I’d be scared to run the option on a consistent. It’s like suicide, only slower and gradual. For example, I do not envision a long future in the NFL for Vick, because he’s going to get himself pounded if he keeps making runs like that.
Obviously, scrambling is something that every good QB should do, but not as a regular play.
Finally, there’s the fact that football has specialized positions for a reason: your running back is probably better at running the football than your quarterback. Of course, some teams will run the halfback option if he’s got a decent arm.
Two reasons. NFL QBs generally don’t have the speed and their salaries and other skills make them too costly to lose.
We still see the option occassionally, particularly if the QB is elusive and not an outstanding passer. IIRC, in Marv Levy’s first year with the KC Chiefs, they primarily used a running formation(split T?) because they lacked a passing game. Not so much options but seldom wide receivers – in the backfield QB, the ball carrier and two blockers.
You don’t even see the option used much in college football. The teams that run it tend to be teams that aren’t as strong or fast as their competitors. The service academy teams love it because it’s easier to find medium-sized (relatively speaking) linemen rather than behemoths who can pass block.
I don’t even see many high school teams that run it anymore.
See the thing is, if teams were committed to running the option, they could (and presumably would) draft QB’s accordingly so I wouldn’t figure on Donovan McNabb’s $100 million butt being hung out to dry.
On the issue of line backers being too big and fast in the NFL, this maybe true but this would also mean that running to the outside and things like screen passes would be generally unsuccessful too. I don’t have any stats on whether this is the case. Can anyone enlighten me?
I also guess that many colleges and maybe even a number of high schools implement more of a pro-style offense now to attract the highest quality QB’s and receivers for their programs since a lot of these players would eventually have aspirations to play in the NFL. So what I am saying is that the pro-style offenses are, in some ways, self-perpetuating.
Did you see the 2002 Rose Bowl? Miami’s defense was probably the closest thing to a pro defense in college football last year. Nebraska’s option attack couldn’t get going because there was just too much speed on Miami’s defense.
The Steelers are experimenting with the option play- they used it against the Falcons, pitching to the outside to get a first down.
I like the Steelers “three quarterbacks” potential. With Antwaan Randle El and Hines Ward, two college QBs converted to WR, it opens the option plays to the offense without putting Tommy Maddox at risk, as other posters have mentioned. They are able to use a wider range of formations and run a much more varied offense- keeping the defense on its toes. Seems to be working so far- Mike Mularkey will get this chance at head coach in the future if the Steelers make the playoffs this year.
If this offensive style is successful in the long run, it may catch on around the league like the Zone Blitz.
QB is supposed to be hit on every option play…whether the QB is carrying or options the ball, he is supposed to be anihilated.
At the pro level, NFL linebackers and defensive ends would mutilate an option QB.
Yes, QBs run around and do nutty things now, but the upright running and vulnerable position the option play presents means the QB has to bait in a few defensive players before tossing the option.
The very NATURE of the option play requires that succesfully run options wind up with the QB getting hit hard.
I don’t think the best college team could beat the worst NFL team more than 2 out of every 10 times. It’s a big leap in speed. Even with a crappy team. The big problem would be that Miami’s QB (Ken Dorsey) would be fairly ineffective against even a bad NFL secondary. He also wouldn’t be used to linebackers who can play the pass as well as they do in college ball.
RexDart -------- Whatch the Packers run the SCREEN. It is a thing of beauty.
BobT ----- The best college team could not make it to the opponents 40. Consider that even a really good college team may only have 6 players make the NFL and only one or two of them would start right away. That`s two players, maybe, from the best team that would start right away on any NFL team. The talent level is SO much higher in the NFL. Look at how many 1st round picks are busts.
Let’s not forget that the lateral in the option would be considered a fumble if it doesn’t end up in the RB’s hands. And considering that the option is obviously an option when it’s run, look for it to be broken up as often as not.
And since it’s a fumble that occurs out in space, more or less, I’d think that it would result in more defensive TDs than your average turnover.
Another thing that you have to remember is that fans want to see big pass plays and not simply a rushing offense, no matter how explosive it is. The NFL is entertainment.