Does a mobile QB help the running game much?

[dmq]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts on what a mobile QB can do for a running game if anything.
To me, I always thought it seemed like teams would rush up the middle on Bledsoe because Parcells liked to run up the middle to establish the running game. This way, a defense seemed protected either way. If the ball was handed off to a RB, they would be in the middle to stuff the run. If it wasn't a run, they just continued to rush on to the QB.
I have not been too impressed with our running up the middle and wondered if some of this might have been a direct result of the immobility of Bledsoe.
Granted, I am not defending the blocking on the offensive line and I am not trying to pin every problem we had on offense to Bledsoe.

 

[Doomsday101]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts on what a mobile QB can do for a running game if anything.
To me, I always thought it seemed like teams would rush up the middle on Bledsoe because Parcells liked to run up the middle to establish the running game. This way, a defense seemed protected either way. If the ball was handed off to a RB, they would be in the middle to stuff the run. If it wasn't a run, they just continued to rush on to the QB.
I have not been too impressed with our running up the middle and wondered if some of this might have been a direct result of the immobility of Bledsoe.
Granted, I am not defending the blocking on the offensive line and I am not trying to pin every problem we had on offense to Bledsoe.

I really don't think it will have an effect. I can promise you the blitzing and pressure up the middle is not going to stop. Carolina defense is going to be looking at an inexperienced QB and until Romo can make them pay they will not back off

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Absolutly.

A mobile QB helps all phases of the game IMO. Now, let me just say that if your mobile but you can't throw, then it's all for not. A QBs job, first and formost is to throw the football. You gotta be able to do this or it doesn't matter about the rest IMO.

A QBs mobility makes the defense play honest. When your QB is imobile, it allows the defense to play contain much more easily. With a mobile QB, you create balance on the field of play. Your DEs can't pinch so much. Your LBs can't cheat inside the hash as much. You always have to honor the bootleg. It just does so much for you offensively. It's not so much that your QB does run a lot but rather, that the defense must prepare for that contingency. The more variables you can introduce into any given equation, the more difficult the equation is to solve. The more freedom it creates on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[dmq]

I do think teams are still gonna test our line. However, if you rush a few players inside and the QB goes out of the pocket, you really can put a defense on its heals. Especially with our threats down field. I fully expect Romo to play pretty well when another team tries to rattle him. I think it concerns me more when the team sits everyone back in coverage and tries to play to his inexperience. This is why I am hoping our running game might improve. If the other team had to keep 8 in the box, it would really help an inexperienced QB when he is throwing the ball.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Only if you run an option type scheme like the Falcons which freezes the end/contain on hand offs.

 

[Doomsday101]

Absolutly.

A mobile QB helps all phases of the game IMO. Now, let me just say that if your mobile but you can't throw, then it's all for not. A QBs job, first and formost is to throw the football. You gotta be able to do this or it doesn't matter about the rest IMO.

A QBs mobility makes the defense play honest. When your QB is imobile, it allows the defense to play contain much more easily. With a mobile QB, you create balance on the field of play. Your DEs can't pinch so much. Your LBs can't cheat inside the hash as much. You always have to honor the bootleg. It just does so much for you offensively. It's not so much that your QB does run a lot but rather, that the defense must prepare for that contingency. The more variables you can introduce into any given equation, the more difficult the equation is to solve. The more freedom it creates on the offensive side of the ball.

An experienced guy yes but right not Romo does not have that experience and like any green QB defense will bring the kitchen sink after him. It is not just about sacking a QB but about forcing him to make decision on the run. Until Romo can show teams that they will pay for coming after him they will continue to bring the pressure up the middle as well as from the outside and to that extent I don’t see Romo mobility as a big help to the running game.

 

[kartr]

Absolutly.

A mobile QB helps all phases of the game IMO. Now, let me just say that if your mobile but you can't throw, then it's all for not. A QBs job, first and formost is to throw the football. You gotta be able to do this or it doesn't matter about the rest IMO.

A QBs mobility makes the defense play honest. When your QB is imobile, it allows the defense to play contain much more easily. With a mobile QB, you create balance on the field of play. Your DEs can't pinch so much. Your LBs can't cheat inside the hash as much. You always have to honor the bootleg. It just does so much for you offensively. It's not so much that your QB does run a lot but rather, that the defense must prepare for that contingency. The more variables you can introduce into any given equation, the more difficult the equation is to solve. The more freedom it creates on the offensive side of the ball.

Well said, I didn't know you felt that way. I had thought that you wanted your qb do anything but run. Don't get me wrong, my like for running qb's didn't mean I wanted a Michael Vick clone, I really want a McNabb clone, one who can do both equally well. You're absolutely right about the variables, the more a defense has to prepare for, the less they like it. I think the Brady's and Mannings are fine, but it's the McNabbs that create the nightmares for D coordinators. I think that Brady,Manning and McNabb having played in the same system their entire careers has been the major contributor in their success and having had solid coaching is a significant factor.

 

[TobiasEagle77]

If the offense is designed to take advantage of it.

 

[vlad]

I think it will help in terms of a more legitimate play-action game. If you were a DE/OLB in the past, you could more easily push down the line on a running play going to the opposite side, meaning you can nail these guys from behind as they are trying to be patient running the ball. And if you read that the QB still has the ball, you know someone with limited mobility couldn't move out away from pressure as easily, so you can take that gamble of peeking in on the RB more.

I would assume if you are more mobile in terms of throwing on the run or just taking off if someone does cheat down on the RB, that over a few plays the DE/OLB would have to adjust and not bare down so quickly on the run, which would then allow for an easier cut back angle, or time to allow blocking to develop.

That's my armchair analysis anyway.

 

[conner01]

if romo comes out of the pocket this week he better go left because peppers is on the right and romo can not out run peppers.maybe we can get a tonya harding to go visit peppers this week.lol

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

An experienced guy yes but right not Romo does not have that experience and like any green QB defense will bring the kitchen sink after him. It is not just about sacking a QB but about forcing him to make decision on the run. Until Romo can show teams that they will pay for coming after him they will continue to bring the pressure up the middle as well as from the outside and to that extent I don’t see Romo mobility as a big help to the running game.

I don't believe that Romo will fail to make plays in this situation. I believe that Romo, in fact, will beat the blitz and create plays off the scramble, when blitzed. I don't think your going to see Romo get sacked two steps from center the way Bledsoe did. His ability to play from the shotgun and his natural foot speed will allow him to avoid this much better then Bledsoe ever did IMO. If you sell out on that kind of blitz, you better get there. He doesn't have to be exceptionally accurate in those types of situations IMO. He just has to be able to get the ball out. I believe that if we can do this, our WRs can make plays against any secondary. That kind of blitz will require single coverage in the secondary. The plays are there to be made. I could be wrong but I just don't think Romo is going to play like a Rook straight out of the box. I think he will make some plays. He'll certainly make some mistakes and that's what the defense is hoping for but I have faith in his ability to do things. Could be wrong. I guess we will see.

 

[Jake0]

Yes it helps because they actually get to the running back to hand the ball off before the turn of the century in our case.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well said, I didn't know you felt that way. I had thought that you wanted your qb do anything but run. Don't get me wrong, my like for running qb's didn't mean I wanted a Michael Vick clone, I really want a McNabb clone, one who can do both equally well. You're absolutely right about the variables, the more a defense has to prepare for, the less they like it. I think the Brady's and Mannings are fine, but it's the McNabbs that create the nightmares for D coordinators. I think that Brady,Manning and McNabb having played in the same system their entire careers has been the major contributor in their success and having had solid coaching is a significant factor.

Yes, I favor mobility in a QB. I would never trade Brady or Manning for McNabb because, IMO, those are two of the top three QBs in the league. McNabb, is a great player but I don't like him as much as I do the other two. Roger Staubach is the finest QB I ever saw play. His ability to pass, along with his ability to apply pressure through his mobility made him the most dangerous QB of his time, IMO. Vick has all the natural tools to be a great QB but he is not proficiant enough throwing the ball IMO. McNabb is. I would consider McNabb in the top 5 QBs in the league right now. I don't think he's the best but I believe he is very good. If I were listing my top 5 QBs, I would probably say Brady, Manning, Palmer, McNabb and Brees. Of course, this is debatable but that would probably be my top 5 in the league.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

It at least gives the defense a little more to worry about during the game planning phase

 

[Bleu Star]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts on what a mobile QB can do for a running game if anything.
To me, I always thought it seemed like teams would rush up the middle on Bledsoe because Parcells liked to run up the middle to establish the running game. This way, a defense seemed protected either way. If the ball was handed off to a RB, they would be in the middle to stuff the run. If it wasn't a run, they just continued to rush on to the QB.
I have not been too impressed with our running up the middle and wondered if some of this might have been a direct result of the immobility of Bledsoe.
Granted, I am not defending the blocking on the offensive line and I am not trying to pin every problem we had on offense to Bledsoe.

Absolutely it does. It forces front 7s to keep those ears up. Instead of pinning them back and bullrushing what they know will be a statuesque figure they have to be mindful of that added dimension a scrambler brings to the table.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't believe that Romo will fail to make plays in this situation. I believe that Romo, in fact, will beat the blitz and create plays off the scramble, when blitzed. I don't think your going to see Romo get sacked two steps from center the way Bledsoe did. His ability to play from the shotgun and his natural foot speed will allow him to avoid this much better then Bledsoe ever did IMO. If you sell out on that kind of blitz, you better get there. He doesn't have to be exceptionally accurate in those types of situations IMO. He just has to be able to get the ball out. I believe that if we can do this, our WRs can make plays against any secondary. That kind of blitz will require single coverage in the secondary. The plays are there to be made. I could be wrong but I just don't think Romo is going to play like a Rook straight out of the box. I think he will make some plays. He'll certainly make some mistakes and that's what the defense is hoping for but I have faith in his ability to do things. Could be wrong. I guess we will see.

And if Romo can make big plays defense will back off but it does not change the fact that DC when seeing a QB with little experiance will come after him big time and try to force him into errors. Personally I'd take a Romo sack over him making impulse throws due to heavy pressure. The only way you get the defense to backoff is by making them pay when they are blitzing and right now none of us know how Romo will respond. This will be a very good test for Romo and hopefully he will come through with flying colors but if he doesn't then we can expect to see other teams continue to throw the kitchen sink at him.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

And if Romo can make big plays defense will back off but it does not change the fact that DC when seeing a QB with little experiance will come after him big time and try to force him into errors. Personally I'd take a Romo sack over him making impulse throws due to heavy pressure. The only way you get the defense to backoff is by making them pay when they are blitzing and right now none of us know how Romo will respond. This will be a very good test for Romo and hopefully he will come through with flying colors but if he doesn't then we can expect to see other teams continue to throw the kitchen sink at him.

I agree with most of what you have to say but, if I understand the question, it's asking if a mobile QB helps the running game. My answer is yes, if the mobile QB can also throw.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree with most of what you have to say but, if I understand the question, it's asking if a mobile QB helps the running game. My answer is yes, if the mobile QB can also throw.

I agree. Yes if the QB can make the plays. I say this because they will not backoff the line of scrimmage until Romo can make them pay. We don't run the spread option so Romo ability to run himself has no real bearing on Jones being able to get holes to run through. What will help Jones is if Romo can force defense to play honest and not crowd the line.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I am not sure that the Panthers will bring the heat like some seem to think. This not like a rookie starting, most starting rookies are high draft picks,, and go to crappy teams.. this is not a crappy team. We do have some great talent around Romo.. I am sure they will blitz some, but nothing like the eagles and giants did against Bledsoe. If you noticed, the giants didn't blitz Romo near as much.. and it wasn't because they had a big lead. They really didn't seal the game until the 3rd INT that went for 6. the reason is, if you blitz and Romo gets buys 2 seconds,, the WR will KILL the d. I don't look for Carolina to be blitz crazy, but rahter sitting back and waiting for the mistakes to happen through frustration and pressing.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Mobile QBs cause a defense to play containment. That generally doesn't help the run, but does help the deep pass!