So the option isn't a viable play in the NFL?

[SuperHornet]

The Oilers got a TD late in their game vs. the Whiners this afternoon on load option left. The blocking wasn't anywhere near perfect as the play got strung out to the sideline, but the play proves that given the proper QB, proper back, and the proper situation (and especially the proper expectations) for the play, it can be very successful. Short yardage/goalline beyond own 35 is a good rule of thumb. I'd G it perhaps in the middle of the field and switch over to load option on the goalline. Usually, as in this case, the play has a speed option feel since you're pre-determining the FB to kick out the EMOL. But in the red zone, one could keep the dive fake AND get the load principle by running it out of Power I.

My point is that it's a great play and CAN be successful, even in the pass-happy NFL, fast LBers be d@#$%.

[clenz]

Miami got a 15 yard TD run from Ricky Williams from Pat white on an option, out of a offset Pistol I I believe, today. NE looked bad trying to defend it.

[SuperHornet]

Miami got a 15 yard TD run from Ricky Williams from Pat white on an option, out of a offset Pistol I I believe, today. NE looked bad trying to defend it.

That was probably that cr@p everyone calls the "Wildcat," but is nothing more than a re-packaged Single Wing. Actually, that's the first creative thing I've heard of from this dumb fad. It just ends up being a straight run either around the end or off-tackle by the guy taking the snap. Unless someone does something different like throw a pass, run an option (as you mentioned, clenz), or something else, defenses are going to catch up to this thing, and it's going to come down like a hammer very soon. The fad will go away like the run and shoot did.

When it comes to the Single Wing, there are a zillion things that could be done to confuse defenses that isn't being done, and I have no idea why. Change the line splits. Change where the unbalance goes. Play with the backfield (Double Wing, Notre Dame Box, etc.) Run a spinner. Throw a jump pass. Run a reverse. The sky is the limit, but all people seem to want to do is play with ONE freaking guy. It's disgusting.

[clenz]

Miami got a 15 yard TD run from Ricky Williams from Pat white on an option, out of a offset Pistol I I believe, today. NE looked bad trying to defend it.

That was probably that cr@p everyone calls the "Wildcat," but is nothing more than a re-packaged Single Wing. Actually, that's the first creative thing I've heard of from this dumb fad. It just ends up being a straight run either around the end or off-tackle by the guy taking the snap. Unless someone does something different like throw a pass, run an option (as you mentioned, clenz), or something else, defenses are going to catch up to this thing, and it's going to come down like a hammer very soon. The fad will go away like the run and shoot did.

When it comes to the Single Wing, there are a zillion things that could be done to confuse defenses that isn't being done, and I have no idea why. Change the line splits. Change where the unbalance goes. Play with the backfield (Double Wing, Notre Dame Box, etc.) Run a spinner. Throw a jump pass. Run a reverse. The sky is the limit, but all people seem to want to do is play with ONE freaking guy. It's disgusting.

It was a legit option. White was the QB, out of the pistol with a TE in as the wing. White took off right and pitched it only because he had too.

[AppGuy04]

I'm not really sure its a viable option on a consistent basis. Good for a few plays but NFL guys are alot smarter and adapt alot easier than college kids with limited hours to study it during a given week.

[SuperHornet]

It was a legit option. White was the QB, out of the pistol with a TE in as the wing. White took off right and pitched it only because he had too.

Ah. Gotcha. I assumed it was that blasted Wildcat since it was the Fish that started playing with the cr@p, and I haven't heard from White (QB out of West Virginia) for a while. It's usually a HB or FL that lines up at Single Wing TB for the Wildcat. For an option to be "optimal," the QB SHOULD be pitching "because he has to" (as you put it). If the QB pitches too soon, eventually someone's going to time the pitch and be off to the races. Or, the pitch man will be smeared. That's usually when a skittish QB COULD have gotten 5 or more yards by keeping it.

[clenz]

It was a legit option. White was the QB, out of the pistol with a TE in as the wing. White took off right and pitched it only because he had too.

Ah. Gotcha. I assumed it was that blasted Wildcat since it was the Fish that started playing with the cr@p, and I haven't heard from White (QB out of West Virginia) for a while. It's usually a HB or FL that lines up at Single Wing TB for the Wildcat. For an option to be "optimal," the QB SHOULD be pitching "because he has to" (as you put it). If the QB pitches too soon, eventually someone's going to time the pitch and be off to the races. Or, the pitch man will be smeared. That's usually when a skittish QB COULD have gotten 5 or more yards by keeping it.

It was legit. NE played the QB off tackle well on the play, like it was just a QB power, but White pitched it just before the hit and Ricky did the rest.

[BlueHen86]

I'm not really sure its a viable option on a consistent basis. Good for a few plays but NFL guys are alot smarter and adapt alot easier than college kids with limited hours to study it during a given week.

Agreed. Also, NFL owners don't want their high priced QB's getting hurt running the football. It's a good play on occasion, but I don't think teams can consistently rely on it.

[Rob Iola]

What BH86 said, re high-priced QBs getting hurt, plus linebackers at the NFL level have sufficient sideline-to-sideline speed to handle anything more than the surprise option call.

[SuperHornet]

At what point? Remember that I was talking about expectations. We're not looking for 50-yard bust-out runs of the days of yore. We're looking at 4th and 2 in the middle of the field, 2-pt conversions, and the like. Given the correct blocking patterns, I believe it to be viable in any league SO LONG AS IT'S NOT THE BASE OFFENSE. It's an extra thing for the defense to think about along with toss sweep, slant routes, etc. Hell, no, you're not going to run it every play, especially down on your own goalline. But in these restricted circumstances, it can be a valuable tool WITHIN THE ENTIRE TOOLBAG.

[Rob Iola]

At what point? Remember that I was talking about expectations. We're not looking for 50-yard bust-out runs of the days of yore. We're looking at 4th and 2 in the middle of the field, 2-pt conversions, and the like. Given the correct blocking patterns, I believe it to be viable in any league SO LONG AS IT'S NOT THE BASE OFFENSE. It's an extra thing for the defense to think about along with toss sweep, slant routes, etc. Hell, no, you're not going to run it every play, especially down on your own goalline. But in these restricted circumstances, it can be a valuable tool WITHIN THE ENTIRE TOOLBAG.

4th and 2? With the safeties up at the LOS? You're looking at a sure fire loss of yardage, especially if you don't have the timing down that option teams have (from practicing it exclusively). The only option play that works in that circumstance is a naked QB bootleg after selling the sweep to the other side of the field...

[UNHWildCats]

That was probably that cr@p everyone calls the "Wildcat," but is nothing more than a re-packaged Single Wing. Actually, that's the first creative thing I've heard of from this dumb fad. It just ends up being a straight run either around the end or off-tackle by the guy taking the snap. Unless someone does something different like throw a pass, run an option (as you mentioned, clenz), or something else, defenses are going to catch up to this thing, and it's going to come down like a hammer very soon. The fad will go away like the run and shoot did.

When it comes to the Single Wing, there are a zillion things that could be done to confuse defenses that isn't being done, and I have no idea why. Change the line splits. Change where the unbalance goes. Play with the backfield (Double Wing, Notre Dame Box, etc.) Run a spinner. Throw a jump pass. Run a reverse. The sky is the limit, but all people seem to want to do is play with ONE freaking guy. It's disgusting.

It was a legit option. White was the QB, out of the pistol with a TE in as the wing. White took off right and pitched it only because he had too.

The Pats defended it well later in the game though.

[BlueHen86]

At what point? Remember that I was talking about expectations. We're not looking for 50-yard bust-out runs of the days of yore. We're looking at 4th and 2 in the middle of the field, 2-pt conversions, and the like. Given the correct blocking patterns, I believe it to be viable in any league SO LONG AS IT'S NOT THE BASE OFFENSE. It's an extra thing for the defense to think about along with toss sweep, slant routes, etc. Hell, no, you're not going to run it every play, especially down on your own goalline. But in these restricted circumstances, it can be a valuable tool WITHIN THE ENTIRE TOOLBAG.

The problem is that once you've run it one time, other teams will have film of you using it and prepare accordingly. That isn't to say that it still won't work on occasion, but teams might expect and it could also backfire.

I think the option (in the NFL) has to be a suprise in order to be effective, like the flea flicker.

[SuperHornet]

4th and 2? With the safeties up at the LOS? You're looking at a sure fire loss of yardage, especially if you don't have the timing down that option teams have (from practicing it exclusively). The only option play that works in that circumstance is a naked QB bootleg after selling the sweep to the other side of the field...

You're thinking straight option. Load option would take care of that. Your Y takes out the safety and the FB takes out the outside backer. What's so hard about that?

Besides, you're again taking me to say that it's the only thing I would run in that situation. No way. You have load option, toss sweep, play action all streak. Heck, you could even throw in a wide open formation to spread the field and run sneak. And, yes, your sugeestion would work, too. If you have ALL of those choices, there's no way a defense could totally key the option. And your idea that the safety would be up in a cover zero, aggressive posture is EXACTLY why I would run load option as opposed to a G option. There's too much danger of a blitz leaking through when the guard pulls on a fourth down or goalline/2-point situation.