option in the nfl

**AntiSnob** · 12-11-2009, 11:52 PM

I think it would be a good experiment. Most people would say that it doesn't work. But if your offensive line is good enough and with proper execution, anything can work.

The Giants have a really good Offensive Line so I think they would be a good fit for it. While Eli isn't an option QB they could run a formation like this:

Jacobs is the QB, and Manning is the flanker. Manning will always be sent in motion to keep them guessing and on plays when Jacobs runs the ball he will be used as a blocker. If they want to throw the ball Jacobs either pitches or hands off to Manning and then he throws.

**Marc936** · 12-12-2009, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by AntiSnob

I think it would be a good experiment. Most people would say that it doesn't work. But if your offensive line is good enough and with proper execution, anything can work.

The Giants have a really good Offensive Line so I think they would be a good fit for it. While Eli isn't an option QB they could run a formation like this:

Jacobs is the QB, and Manning is the flanker. Manning will always be sent in motion to keep them guessing and on plays when Jacobs runs the ball he will be used as a blocker. If they want to throw the ball Jacobs either pitches or hands off to Manning and then he throws.

i dont see eli manning being able to block anyone for jacobs...

**IcSyU** · 12-12-2009, 01:48 AM

Not gonna happen. Linebackers fly to the ball WAY too fast, and the point is to keep your QB from taking hits, not running him into them. Notice how the wildcat and knock offs aren't working. It doesn't take long for teams to figure gimmicky stuff out. The option will never work in the NFL.

And the Giants would be an AWFUL team for the option. The guy taking the snaps better be able to throw the ball, or the ends just keep contain and you have no pass offense. 99% of the quarterbacks who go through the option at lower levels can't throw to save their lives. That doesn't work in the NFL.

**sodakjoe** · 12-12-2009, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

Notice how the wildcat and knock offs aren't working. It doesn't take long for teams to figure gimmicky stuff out.

I disagree. The Dolphins won 10 games last year, and are in the playoff hunt again. The reason the wildcat doesn't work for a lot of teams is because they play it exactly like that, as a gimmick. The Dolphins run the Wildcat as a legit form of offense, and have produced results with it. Will it stay for the long term? Who knows. Every offense is a gimmick. Five wide, I form, wildcat, whatever. The whole point is to keep the defense from knowing what is happening, and the wildcat, if used with the right personnel, can do that.

**IcSyU** · 12-12-2009, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by sodakjoe

I disagree. The Dolphins won 10 games last year, and are in the playoff hunt again. The reason the wildcat doesn't work for a lot of teams is because they play it exactly like that, as a gimmick. The Dolphins run the Wildcat as a legit form of offense, and have produced results with it. Will it stay for the long term? Who knows. Every offense is a gimmick. Five wide, I form, wildcat, whatever. The whole point is to keep the defense from knowing what is happening, and the wildcat, if used with the right personnel, can do that.

It isn't working even close to the same effectiveness it did. Teams now pack 8 into the box as soon as they see someone other than the QB back there and dare teams to try and beat them through the air.

And there's a huge difference between a base offense (I-form, 5 wide, shotgun, etc.) and wildcat.

**sodakjoe** · 12-12-2009, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

It isn't working even close to the same effectiveness it did. Teams now pack 8 into the box as soon as they see someone other than the QB back there and dare teams to try and beat them through the air.

And there's a huge difference between a base offense (I-form, 5 wide, shotgun, etc.) and wildcat.

Is there really anything less gimmicky about a spread offense than a wildcat? I submit that there is not.

The Dolphins have won a couple games specifically because of the 8 man box strategy. If you have the right QB, I firmly believe that the Wildcat can be successful.

**sodakjoe** · 12-12-2009, 02:02 AM

By the way, I just looked this up, Miami is currently 12th in the NFL in points scored. Last season, when they went 11-5, they were 21st. It doesn't seem that their offense is struggling.

**Cyclonepride** · 12-12-2009, 06:04 AM

Your quarterback would be squashed like a bug by game 2, and the option wouldn't go any where.

**CydeOut** · 12-12-2009, 07:59 AM

I see your point, but the defenses are just way too fast, not just linebackers, but imagine Polamalu and Sanders getting a head of steam towards your QB....not good

**cycloneworld** · 12-12-2009, 10:03 AM

There is way too much defensive speed to even consider running the option. Trust me, as a Bears fan I had to watch Kordell Stewart try to run it and it was an epic fail to put it lightly.

**dualthreat** · 12-12-2009, 10:18 AM

I have pondered this debate for quite some time. I think the general consensus is that the QB would get injured too often for it to be effective, and defenses are way too fast.

Here is my arguement for that:

1. QB's don't run the ball in "option" football nearly as much as people think they do. Most of the time, it's fullback dive or handoff to the running back. If your QB carried the ball 12 times every game, he wouldn't be at that high of a risk of being injured. Keep in mind, a team who would utilize this offense would have to have a running/durable QB to begin with.

2. Defenses are always defending multiple options. The "option" is really the quadruple option. First, fullback dive, then QB keep, then pitch, or pass. that is 4 ways the option for the defense. there is no way- even fast linebackers can cover all of those. Don't you think Georgia tech faces realively faster defenses like florida state, clemson, miami, georgia..?

3. The option was designed to overcome a skill mismatch. In college, teams who were at a disadvatage talent wise could utilize multiple ball fakes and blocking angles to gain advantages on the defense. Why couldn't this be used in the nfl?

I just don't think it can totally be ruled out. It would be a unique challenge for any nfl team just because of the popular negative perspective of the offense. thoughts?

**brianhos** · 12-12-2009, 10:46 AM

Linebackers and ends are WAY too fast in the NFL. QB's would get killed. This is one of the reasons hardly anyone does it in college anymore, the game has passed the option by.

Speed kills the option.

**brianhos** · 12-12-2009, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by sodakjoe

I disagree. The Dolphins won 10 games last year, and are in the playoff hunt again. The reason the wildcat doesn't work for a lot of teams is because they play it exactly like that, as a gimmick. The Dolphins run the Wildcat as a legit form of offense, and have produced results with it. Will it stay for the long term? Who knows. Every offense is a gimmick. Five wide, I form, wildcat, whatever. The whole point is to keep the defense from knowing what is happening, and the wildcat, if used with the right personnel, can do that.

Wildcat is not working for Miami anymore as much.

**tim_redd** · 12-12-2009, 10:52 AM

The NFL doesn't allow the roster space for the depth necessary to run the option.

**HOTDON** · 12-12-2009, 11:02 AM

Most teams are having success with a more traditional offense and have no incentive to attempt anything different. Miami had nothing to lose last season. They were coming off a 1-15 season where NOTHING worked.

Having a traditional QB prospect pan out is longshot enough. No one is going to take a chance on recruiting a one dimensional QB for a one dimensional offensive set and give it a whole hearted effort on every down. It will continue to show up a handful of times for a handful of teams against a handful of specific defenses.