Falcons add college-style option to running game

[InmanRoshi]

People are making way too much out of it, IMHO. Its not like they're in the wishbone and running it every single play. Its just a wrinkle in the offense, like running a screen pass. If defenses want to spend an inordinate amount of practice time preparing for it, that would probably suit Knapp and the Falcons just fine. Vick would probably take the same amount of punishment if he was standing back in the pocket absorbing hits, but at least with the option play Vick has the chance to slide or run out of bounds.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It looks to me like it's a case of them catching teams by surprise a little bit. Even Vick realizes this from the sound of his quotes. As the season progresses, teams will be prepared to defend it.

Even if it remains successful, it's a very long season and the odds are Vick is eventually gonna get knicked up if he keeps running like that. It's happened to him almost every year.

 

[jay cee]

The guy has 21 rushing attempts in 2 games. Whether its the option play or not they are clearly letting him run this year, and I agree with those who have said eventually he's going to get nailed for it.

Qb's get nailed in the pocket also, it's a part of the game. IMO, they are using him the way that he should be used.

 

[Vintage]

The Falcons are 2-0, beating Carolina and Tampa Bay.

They have a good defense. And their running game is the best in the game. They are poised to have a great year. I am worried about our game with them....

 

[superpunk]

The Falcons are 2-0, beating Carolina and Tampa Bay.

They have a good defense. And their running game is the best in the game. They are poised to have a great year. I am worried about our game with them....

The good news is, we're big.

The bad news is, we're big.

 

[Doomsday101]

Qb's get nailed in the pocket also, it's a part of the game. IMO, they are using him the way that he should be used.

Like a college QB. Vick is nothing more than a RB playing the QB position. Personally I hope they continue to play him like they are I'm going to enjoy watching him get jacked up. Running QB do not last in the NFL. Rookie tend to run because they have difficulty making the quick reads and resort to their running ways in the face of pressure but successful ones learn to drop back and hit their target and run only as a last resort.

 

[dwmyers]

One of the reasons it's successful is the spread option looks like a classic 1975 Landry shotgun in terms of player positioning. So, on 2nd and 20, what do you do?

Defend the run?

David.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

One of the reasons it's successful is the spread option looks like a classic 1975 Landry shotgun in terms of player positioning. So, on 2nd and 20, what do you do?

Defend the run?

David.

Well if what I have seen of it, watching WVUs spread offense, than more times than not you DO defend the run because most of the time in those 3rd and really long situations they do a delay/draw.

 

[peplaw06]

Well if what I have seen of it, watching WVUs spread offense, than more times than not you DO defend the run because most of the time in those 3rd and really long situations they do a delay/draw.

The one thing I've seen with college spread offenses.. or failed to see... is passing after a fake handoff. IMO if an offense could put that to use, it would make it even more difficult to defend. Make it a triple threat play, you keep the secondary from providing run support.

 

[Doomsday101]

The one thing I've seen with college spread offenses.. or failed to see... is passing after a fake handoff. IMO if an offense could put that to use, it would make it even more difficult to defend. Make it a triple threat play, you keep the secondary from providing run support.

Longhorns did that on every down regardless if it were a passing play or running play. Vince would consistently lineup in the shotgun and would either hand off, run or pass. This was one of the big question marks some scouts had with Young because he seldom was under center. This all works very well in the NCAA I just don't think it will last in the NFL and think you put your QB at a big risk. Then again I don't consider Vick much of a QB, I think he is a great athlete but I would not want him QB'ing my team I would have to move him to another position

 

[wileedog]

Qb's get nailed in the pocket also, it's a part of the game. IMO, they are using him the way that he should be used.

Oh I agree. I would do the same thing with him because he is nothing special as a QB otherwise.

But he goes down seemingly every year with an injury and I expect no different this year. Yes QBs get nailed in the pocket occasionally, but those 21 rushing attempts are 21 times other QBs are not getting hit and he most likely is.

 

[peplaw06]

Longhorns did that on every down regardless if it were a passing play or running play. Vince would consistently lineup in the shotgun and would either hand off, run or pass. This was one of the big question marks some scouts had with Young because he seldom was under center. This all works very well in the NCAA I just don't think it will last in the NFL and think you put your QB at a big risk. Then again I don't consider Vick much of a QB, I think he is a great athlete but I would not want him QB'ing my team I would have to move him to another position

I won't say it never happened, but RARELY did I see Vince actually fake the handoff to the back, keep it and pull up for a pass. That's what I'm talking about. He may have been lined up in shotgun every play, and may have just taken the snap and attempted a pass, but I don't remember much faking then passing.

I went to the UT opener this season and I KNOW I never saw Colt McCoy fake a zone read handoff and throw the ball. And he's a better passer than runner, and is supposed to be a better passer than Vince.

 

[roughneck266]

It won't work. They'll go backwards in fact.

Exactly! This has been tried in the NFL before and guess what? It has NEVER worked consistantly. Just ione of those plays that doesn't translate to this level, defenses are just too quick. That said, they willl probably make a couple decent plays outof it before everyone and their brother watches fo it and then it will be shut down.

 

[Doomsday101]

I won't say it never happened, but RARELY did I see Vince actually fake the handoff to the back, keep it and pull up for a pass. That's what I'm talking about. He may have been lined up in shotgun every play, and may have just taken the snap and attempted a pass, but I don't remember much faking then passing.

I went to the UT opener this season and I KNOW I never saw Colt McCoy fake a zone read handoff and throw the ball. And he's a better passer than runner, and is supposed to be a better passer than Vince.

Sorry I did see it a lot and follow the Longhorns every game. McCoy is not Vince Young he is a freshman and still learning.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

It's awesome. There's no reason this can't work in the NFL, at least on a part-time basis. NFL defensive ends aren't used to playing that technique at all.

And like peplaw said, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Tennessee started doing it... Maybe even as soon as against us.

 

[Eddie]

Why is everyone so adamant that this will fail? It seems more like everyone wants it to fail rather than seeing it as a real possibility.

Who knows? QB's get hurt all the time. Most get hurt while standing in the pocket. Does that mean we shouldn't allow our QB's to stand in the pocket anymore???

I'm sure the Falcons will tailor this offense to their needs. Vick is a pro and a top tier athlete. This gives them the best chance of success.

We already know Vick is not going to a classic pocket passer. Moving him around and letting him run is the best opportunity for success.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

The one thing I've seen with college spread offenses.. or failed to see... is passing after a fake handoff. IMO if an offense could put that to use, it would make it even more difficult to defend. Make it a triple threat play, you keep the secondary from providing run support.

So far I have yet to see a QB under the WVU Coach (Rich Rodriquez) that has been a good passer.

They may have streaks or games when they are hitting well but for the most part they are below to average at best in the passing game.

I don't think he even recruits good passers. When he first got here he had a decent Passing QB on the team from the last coach and Rich told him he would not work in his system as he was not a running QB.
So that QB left and went to Maryland.

For those not familiar with this coach. He was also the coach (OC not HC) for Tulane and Clemson when Woody Dantzler and Suan King were QBs at each school.

So that should tell you that he puts a running QB first.

However with all of that said.

There are times when they can be an effective passing team because they run so much.

One thing that really annoys me with this offense, or more specifically the Coach is that they rarely, If EVER, use the TE's in the passing game.

I would think a spread offense with limited passing they would use the TE in the passing game for safer passes by the QBs.

 

[dbair1967]

People are making way too much out of it, IMHO. Its not like they're in the wishbone and running it every single play. Its just a wrinkle in the offense, like running a screen pass. If defenses want to spend an inordinate amount of practice time preparing for it, that would probably suit Knapp and the Falcons just fine. Vick would probably take the same amount of punishment if he was standing back in the pocket absorbing hits, but at least with the option play Vick has the chance to slide or run out of bounds.

actually no, he will likely be hit more and eventually will be hit much harder...there are games where normal drop back QB's are hardly hit...if he is running 6-8-10+ times a game he is eventually going to take the big hits in addition to the usual pounding he would take on pass plays

there is a reason nobody has used an option type philosophy in the NFL, and pretty soon the Falcons will be the posterchild for it again when Vick gets destroyed...players in the NFL are much bigger and faster than whats in college...once teams decide to really attack the option and the Falcons running game in general, Vick is going to get killed...Carolina and Tampa both laid back and let the Falcons attack them...but teams are going to quit doing that because they know Vick is no threat as a passer...teams should just go after the Falcons with 8 and 9 guys in the box and shooting into the backfield

David

 

[Yeagermeister]

The option might work a few times here and there but in the NFL the players are too fast and have seen the option many times. It works in college because the speed is not the same. In the nfl it's nothing more than a gadget play.

But I don't blame Atl for trying it. Vick will never be a pocket qb and you have to go with what he does best.

 

[Hostile]

Why is everyone so adamant that this will fail? It seems more like everyone wants it to fail rather than seeing it as a real possibility.

Who knows? QB's get hurt all the time. Most get hurt while standing in the pocket. Does that mean we shouldn't allow our QB's to stand in the pocket anymore???

I'm sure the Falcons will tailor this offense to their needs. Vick is a pro and a top tier athlete. This gives them the best chance of success.

We already know Vick is not going to a classic pocket passer. Moving him around and letting him run is the best opportunity for success.

It's not about wanting it to fail. It's about the fact it opens a QB up to unecessary hits. If he rolls out and pitches the ball he can still be hit because now since he is out of the pocket and downfield he is a potential blocker and if he trails the runner with the ball he is also a potential runner on a pitch back.

It works in college. I believe NFL teams are all too big and too fast for it to work at this level without dire consequences.

Just my opinion.