Johnson Defends the T.O. ... again

[cajunjacket]

I think the number 1 reason why more teams don't run it is because of the NFL.

The NFL runs mostly pro sets, and so the best talent (read most likely to go to NFL) want to go to schools where they can play in the same set to show to the NFL what they can do.

That is why only teams with 'lesser talent' run the option. I'm curious to see with the 'wild{cat|whatever}' becoming more prominent in the NFL if more kids will want to be option QB's, or RB's in an option type system that normally wouldn't have been.

Yeah, the wildcat seems to be doing really well for teams who are using it. The wildcat is simply an option style offense with an RB at QB (because QBs are too slow in the NFL and too valuable to be beat up if they keep the ball). People always say the option won't work in the NFL because of the defensive speed. Well, why does the wildcat work so well?

I think they don't run the option in the NFL because the biggest weakness of an option style offense is the injuries. You set yourself up for more injuries with an option style offense than with a pro style offense because there is more contact on each play. The QB gets hit too much and the QB is too valuable to be put in a situation like that multiple times in a game.

 

[stinger78]

I think the number 1 reason why more teams don't run it is because of the NFL.

The NFL runs mostly pro sets, and so the best talent (read most likely to go to NFL) want to go to schools where they can play in the same set to show to the NFL what they can do.

That is why only teams with 'lesser talent' run the option. I'm curious to see with the 'wild{cat|whatever}' becoming more prominent in the NFL if more kids will want to be option QB's, or RB's in an option type system that normally wouldn't have been.

Well... I generally agree, but...

Guys like Tarkenton and Staubach, back in the day, had pretty good rushing stats, and Vick, Cunningham, McNair and Culpepper more recently have as well. Tebow may step into that picture as well.

I do agree though that a full out running offense requiring the QB to be hit every play will not happen in the NFL when you're talking about $20+M franchise player.

 

[GiveEmHellJackets]

Do NFL experts/insiders expect Tebow to play the QB position in the NFL?

 

[GoldenTornado]

The concept of the offense, a triple-option based spread, is already around and being run by other teams - that's not the advantage. The style can be aped by copying the playbook, but the success of the playcalling is something I struggle to see others repeating.

I agree with your larger point about CPJ, and the difficulty of emulating his adjustments and playcalling.

But I think installation and preparation would be the thing that kills most people, and that comes down to assistant coaches.

There are a half dozen position coaches who would be fantastic OC hires, but they won't succeed if the rest of their offensive staff is not also triple-option specialists.

And that's the hard part. If you're established how do you fire your whole offensive staff, and in a transition most coaches already have friends and subordinates they trust.

Then if you can handle the political aspect, where do you get the cadre? Raid the academies and 1AA, most likely.
But then in the end you still probably get a poor imitation of GT's staff.

 

[Geori]

I'd love to see Tebow get drafted late in the first to a team like the Minnesota Vikings. Put him back with Harvin and AP, strap on the Ray Lewis exoskelton, run the spread and have him annihilate the league.

 

[artesian jacket]

Every time we lose and a team slows down our rushing, we will get this. It's not aimed at PJ or GA Tech, it is a truly burning question in the minds of the media: Is the triple option a dinosaur in college football?

Don't know about the dinosaur part. My limited experience in high school during the 70s was dreading facing wishbone and veer teams. It was a nightmare for a defensive back. You were worried about the gap assignment and watching the wide receiver and all of a sudden some son of a bitch would come out of nowhere and flatten you. Counter options were the worst.

 

[stinger78]

Don't know about the dinosaur part. My limited experience in high school during the 70s was dreading facing wishbone and veer teams. It was a nightmare for a defensive back. You were worried about the gap assignment and watching the wide receiver and all of a sudden some son of a bitch would come out of nowhere and flatten you. Counter options were the worst.

Yep, you're a dinosaur. :p

I also played in a wishbone offense in the early 70's. We ran it pretty well. Then came to Tech the year Pepper was hired, and saw it run really well for 4 years. It was a bear to defend - then and now.

Blocking technique has changed light years since then. To start, OL can hold now, where we had to keep our hands inside the shoulders and open back then. The allowances just mirrored the changes in the game to a more intensive pass protect than in my day.

This is what's so hard on these guys. Most are taught to zone block, where they stand, take a delay step, and let the DL make the first move, and then use their momentum to take them one way or another. Then they are taught to take a first step back on pass blocking, keep hands extended and play the guy to the outside.

For runs, we were taught drive blocking, roll blocking (similar to cutting), crab, adn a thing called a brush block (more or less known as chipping today). Used a lot of brushes on the wishbone. It was so fast, you just had to hold the block for 3 counts, and then you were off downfield. I played more DL than OL, though, so I know what you're saying. It was hard to stop short of 4-5 yards a play.