It's time for NFL offensive coordinators to adapt and modernize their schemes

[Reality]

Not so fast. Chip Kelly got run off quickly. It will take time. It is not coming until you see one coach do it. Outsiders are not always welcome in the NFL.

More than likely you will see some of the old school coaches in the league now that are willing to incorporate the concepts get those chances first. Shula's son is a good example. He will probably get a shot if the Panthers continue to do well. This is a league full of good old boy concepts.

Chip Kelly's offense is nothing like what I'm talking about. His system is dependent on speed and finesse and I never expected it to work in the NFL for long. His system is very dependent on specific types of players for most positions which is why he tried to replace most of the players on the team, even his good ones. In the end, he went with players who did not fit his system (which still baffles me btw) like Bradford and Murray, and he got rid of DeSean Jackson, who to me seemed like a great fit for his system.

The offensive schemes I'm talking about are more of a hybrid approach, where the best parts of college offensive schemes are merged into existing NFL schemes and systems. That's not a 50/50 merger as the NFL systems are still solid overall. They just need to adapt them to the systems and skills college players are bringing with them when they enter the draft.

I do agree about the "good old boy" connections as well as concepts. Success eventually overcomes it at some point, though it is a long term process given most head coaches get 3-4 years each time.

 

[daveferr33]

Chip Kelly's offense is nothing like what I'm talking about. His system is dependent on speed and finesse and I never expected it to work in the NFL for long. His system is very dependent on specific types of players for most positions which is why he tried to replace most of the players on the team, even his good ones. In the end, he went with players who did not fit his system (which still baffles me btw) like Bradford and Murray, and he got rid of DeSean Jackson, who to me seemed like a great fit for his system.

The offensive schemes I'm talking about are more of a hybrid approach, where the best parts of college offensive schemes are merged into existing NFL schemes and systems. That's not a 50/50 merger as the NFL systems are still solid overall. They just need to adapt them to the systems and skills college players are bringing with them when they enter the draft.

I do agree about the "good old boy" connections as well as concepts. Success eventually overcomes it at some point, though it is a long term process given most head coaches get 3-4 years each time.

This is an important point of clarification. Adapt to the QB's skills, but don't adopt simplistic college zone read schemes that are difficult to run against NFL caliber defenses. If that is what you are calling for, I am for it.

 

[Reality]

This is an important point of clarification. Adapt to the QB's skills, but don't adopt simplistic college zone read schemes that are difficult to run against NFL caliber defenses. If that is what you are calling for, I am for it.

This, exactly! I'm not saying use college offenses, but rather have NFL offensive coordinators adapt their schemes to their players. If they get a traditional pocket passer, who played mostly under center in college, then by all means, put him under center in the NFL if you think that suits him best. If he played shotgun mostly in college and had success, then seriously consider letting him do the same in the NFL.

 

[Nightman]

Watching a lot of HS football yesterday I noticed most of the top teams were running the spread,no huddle offense.......been saying for years that the switch has already happened and the NFL just won't admit it...that is why there are less and less pocket QBs coming out......it is easier having multiple athletic guys at the position instead of one true QB.....NFL owners and coaches just don't want to risk their valuable QBs but if the QBs were 4th and 5th round picks or UDFAs they would be more willing to run these DualThreat QBs out there.....the offense is great when it works....look at Cam and RWilson and Year One of RGIII

 

[dallasdave]

It's time to scheme and game plan around what the quarterbacks do best. Many college coordinators have transitioned to a hybrid college-NFL system, and it's time for NFL coordinators to do the same as many of those college coordinators are former NFL coaches and vice-versa.

Players coming out of college have been coached in and played in the hybrid system for 2-4 years and wasting 1-3 years of their NFL career trying to convert each of them to an old school, slowly becoming outdated system, is pointless and foolish.

From a logic standpoint, doesn't it make more sense to improve and fine-tune each player's skills and abilities they showed in college that led to you drafting and/or signing them rather than trying to turn them into something else and *hoping* they can make the transition in 1-3 years?

A perfect example is shotgun-vs-under-center. I greatly prefer the shotgun offense better than under-center offense. We have shown even with Romo that we can run the ball just as well, if not better, from shotgun as we do under center. The advantages gained by the extra 1.0 to 1.5 seconds where the quarterback AND running back can scan the field greatly outweigh any shrinking advantages that 3-5-7 step drops provide.

To me, the 3-5-7 step drops were more effective in the past, and it's something that offensive coordinators are desperately hanging on to because it was "the way" they were taught by their mentors. This has nothing to do with athletic-vs-non-athletic, white-vs-black, etc. quarterbacks. I believe the defensive talent and schemes have improved so much over the last 10+ years, that the advantage that used to be there with the 3-5-7 drops has and will continue to shrink.

The shotgun system provides so many advantages for the quarterback and running back that I am surprised it has not become the standard already. For example, quarterbacks with bad or suspect offensive lines would have time to see rushers who break through and they could dump off the ball more quickly. Running backs would have an extra second or so to square up and block rushers helping to protect their quarterbacks.

So many times we see rookie quarterbacks start their first season and their offensive coordinators put them more in RPO schemes and they have some or even a lot of success. Then in season two, they've tried to turn them into an old school quarterback and their success declines leading to a sophomore slump. Then in year 3 and 4, the team is left to wait to see if the quarterback makes the transition or not. If he doesn't, that's 3-4 years of wasted time.

It's time for NFL offensive coordinators to wake up and adapt.

Hey, even back in the day, Roger played a lot of shotgun !!! I like shotgun a lot better than under center !!!!

 

[xwalker]

It's time to scheme and game plan around what the quarterbacks do best. Many college coordinators have transitioned to a hybrid college-NFL system, and it's time for NFL coordinators to do the same as many of those college coordinators are former NFL coaches and vice-versa.

Players coming out of college have been coached in and played in the hybrid system for 2-4 years and wasting 1-3 years of their NFL career trying to convert each of them to an old school, slowly becoming outdated system, is pointless and foolish.

From a logic standpoint, doesn't it make more sense to improve and fine-tune each player's skills and abilities they showed in college that led to you drafting and/or signing them rather than trying to turn them into something else and *hoping* they can make the transition in 1-3 years?

A perfect example is shotgun-vs-under-center. I greatly prefer the shotgun offense better than under-center offense. We have shown even with Romo that we can run the ball just as well, if not better, from shotgun as we do under center. The advantages gained by the extra 1.0 to 1.5 seconds where the quarterback AND running back can scan the field greatly outweigh any shrinking advantages that 3-5-7 step drops provide.

To me, the 3-5-7 step drops were more effective in the past, and it's something that offensive coordinators are desperately hanging on to because it was "the way" they were taught by their mentors. This has nothing to do with athletic-vs-non-athletic, white-vs-black, etc. quarterbacks. I believe the defensive talent and schemes have improved so much over the last 10+ years, that the advantage that used to be there with the 3-5-7 drops has and will continue to shrink.

The shotgun system provides so many advantages for the quarterback and running back that I am surprised it has not become the standard already. For example, quarterbacks with bad or suspect offensive lines would have time to see rushers who break through and they could dump off the ball more quickly. Running backs would have an extra second or so to square up and block rushers helping to protect their quarterbacks.

So many times we see rookie quarterbacks start their first season and their offensive coordinators put them more in RPO schemes and they have some or even a lot of success. Then in season two, they've tried to turn them into an old school quarterback and their success declines leading to a sophomore slump. Then in year 3 and 4, the team is left to wait to see if the quarterback makes the transition or not. If he doesn't, that's 3-4 years of wasted time.

It's time for NFL offensive coordinators to wake up and adapt.

I would prefer the Cowboys just stay in shotgun except for 3rd and short situations. They tip off defenses because with Romo it was a very high probability of being a pass when he is in shotgun and a very high probability of being a run when he is under Center.

I would like to see some of the Pistol (short shotgun) which gives a lot of the benefits of the shotgun but allows the RB to line up in the same spot he would if the QB is under Center.

 

[BAT]

Or get rid of systems altogether and stress situational game plans instead. Art Briles and that crazy HS coach might be good hires. Base systems like WCO, Air Coryell, etc. No longer offer anything new to players, they've seen it all before.

In either event, the 7 step drop is going the way of the dodo bird.