Pistol / Read-Option defense

[31smackdown]

Can someone help me understand why more teams just don't have someone tackle the QB every time the read option is run? I understand that the running back may have the ball, but you would think the hits alone would take their toll pretty quickly. It still seems like a lot of ends try to read it or crash down on the RB, but I haven't seen a lot of empty handed Qb's get hit. That used to be what people would say about why the option play is not used more in the NFL, so what has changed or why is there not more of it?

 

[lane]

hopefully ro will be a spy on wilson..

he'll shut his little read down very quickly.

i doubt he will run much more after a hit from that man..

ro hits with authority and everything else.


love the way that man plays football.

 

[Hoov]

Can someone help me understand why more teams just don't have someone tackle the QB every time the read option is run? I understand that the running back may have the ball, but you would think the hits alone would take their toll pretty quickly. It still seems like a lot of ends try to read it or crash down on the RB, but I haven't seen a lot of empty handed Qb's get hit. That used to be what people would say about why the option play is not used more in the NFL, so what has changed or why is there not more of it?

Seattle did just that to rg3.

But I don't think Seattle runs it the same way Washington did.

I think they usually have the rb running in one direction and if Wilson keeps it he is running the other way.

I just don't ever remember Wilson sitting there waiting to pitch or keep the ball with a defender bearing down on him.

 

[brymatt94]

Well recently something like this has been done more often in the NFL. Its called a "scrape" technique. The defensive end/outside backer will crash for the running back while the inside linebacker "scrapes" over for the keep by the quarterback. However a lot of teams now will use "packaged plays" which actually adds a pass to the option or any run for that matter. The cowboys do this in fact. But see if the quarterback keeps it and has a stick route to the slot receiver for example, then it puts the scraping backer in a bind. Does he take his hook zone and stop the slot guy or does he take the QB and give up the open receiver?

 

[DogFace]

Seems this forum is as mystified how to stop it as the NFL. I see big plays every week out of it.
It's just not used almost every play like Washington did two years ago.

 

[xwalker]

Can someone help me understand why more teams just don't have someone tackle the QB every time the read option is run? I understand that the running back may have the ball, but you would think the hits alone would take their toll pretty quickly. It still seems like a lot of ends try to read it or crash down on the RB, but I haven't seen a lot of empty handed Qb's get hit. That used to be what people would say about why the option play is not used more in the NFL, so what has changed or why is there not more of it?

In theory, if the QB starts to run, then the rules that protect the QB shouldn't apply; however, in practice they tend to stay with the QB rules. A defender can only take 1 step (some might call it a half-step) before hitting the QB after the ball is out of his hands.

If the RB goes outside, there is usually just 1 defender in position to prevent him from getting the edge on the outside of the OT. If that defender goes to the QB, it leaves an opening for the RB to get the edge. If you review the Texans game and a couple of Foster's big runs to the offensive left, the difference was really 1 defender being just slightly out of place. That's the same defender that would be going after the QB on the read-option.

 

[StarHead69]

I think the op was insinuating that by nailing the QB the first few times (punishment) the play is run, the play will be given up quickly. If that is the case, I agree with the strategy. The Read-option is 'cheese' in the NFL due to the rules in place to protect QBs.
Make the offense think twice about injury before they use it.

 

[Beast_from_East]

The problem is that the rules to protect QBs really hinder a defense when it comes to the read option. You just cant pin your ears back and go straight for the QB on a read option play because if the QB hands the ball off and you drill him, that is going to be 15 yards.

Don't believe, watch and see what happens the first time a defender comes around the corner and drills Russell Wilson after he hands the ball off to Lynch.................every ref on the field will throw his flag.............LOL

 

[Hoov]

The problem is that the rules to protect QBs really hinder a defense when it comes to the read option. You just cant pin your ears back and go straight for the QB on a read option play because if the QB hands the ball off and you drill him, that is going to be 15 yards.

Don't believe, watch and see what happens the first time a defender comes around the corner and drills Russell Wilson after he hands the ball off to Lynch.................every ref on the field will throw his flag.............LOL

True. But some teams will trade 15 yard penalties to have their player knock the other team Qb on his butt so hard that he is affected for the rest of the game. Or maybe it puts the coach on alert and in fear of losing his Qb for the year.

 

[Wolfpack]

True. But some teams will trade 15 yard penalties to have their player knock the other team Qb on his butt so hard that he is affected for the rest of the game. Or maybe it puts the coach on alert and in fear of losing his Qb for the year.

Thats the old school way of doing things for sure. However the NFL league office will come down on that hard, both on the player and the coach(es).

Its not the old school league anymore sadly.

 

[Hoov]

Thats the old school way of doing things for sure. However the NFL league office will come down on that hard, both on the player and the coach(es).

Its not the old school league anymore sadly.

I agree to an extant. And I would not say take a cheap shot. I'm not at all into bush league stuff or blatant personal fouls.

But if a guy is running the read option the way rg3 did, there are opportunities to get a knock down on the Qb without being dirty. Though you would have to concede a decent run by the rb and possibly face a bs 15 yard penalty - but probably not a player fine if done within reason.

But as for Wilson - he doesn't get rattled easily and one if his strengths is that he is as cool a customer as you will see under pressure. So I don't think you are going to get him off his game as much as you would other guys by hitting him.

Also, I think that Seattle runs the pistol in a way where Wilson runs the fake handoff the way teams do when they run play action - right behind center - And then instead of passing it he runs.

I don't think they have him run outside and hold the ball to the last minute before deciding to keep or pitch it. Which is why he doesn't take a lot of hits.

 

[CF74]

I think the op was insinuating that by nailing the QB the first few times (punishment) the play is run, the play will be given up quickly. If that is the case, I agree with the strategy. The Read-option is 'cheese' in the NFL due to the rules in place to protect QBs.
Make the offense think twice about injury before they use it.

I seem to recall Ware doing exactly that a few years ago...

 

[31smackdown]

I think as some have mentioned that it may have something to do with the fact that Wilson often does not move prior to the fake so he is not yet acting as a runner and is protected by the rules through a loophole of sorts. But I don't see how if the team shows this play that there isn't some room to allow for the defense to hit the qb especially from the backside. As also mentioned I'm sure giving up contain is also a factor there. It just amazes me that there hasn't been a solid solution developed that causes more impact/contact on the qb

 

[jobberone]

Well recently something like this has been done more often in the NFL. Its called a "scrape" technique. The defensive end/outside backer will crash for the running back while the inside linebacker "scrapes" over for the keep by the quarterback. However a lot of teams now will use "packaged plays" which actually adds a pass to the option or any run for that matter. The cowboys do this in fact. But see if the quarterback keeps it and has a stick route to the slot receiver for example, then it puts the scraping backer in a bind. Does he take his hook zone and stop the slot guy or does he take the QB and give up the open receiver?

You should post more, sir.

I see us slow playing the read with the DE flushing the play and OLB slowly playing the read. I think we will keep Wilcox high to spy and bring the corners up to press and knock the option read pass off. Theoretically speaking. I agree they will crash but the LB must wait on the read. Ro must then be able to keep the RB from gaining much if Wilson hands the ball off. That's my take which is mostly yours.

 

[brymatt94]

You should post more, sir.

I see us slow playing the read with the DE flushing the play and OLB slowly playing the read. I think we will keep Wilcox high to spy and bring the corners up to press and knock the option read pass off. Theoretically speaking. I agree they will crash but the LB must wait on the read. Ro must then be able to keep the RB from gaining much if Wilson hands the ball off. That's my take which is mostly yours.

Well thanks, and I'll try to. I agree 100% with what you said about stopping this read-option scheme. What I feel falls in our favor is the athletic ability of Rolando. He can change direction so darn quickly that the window that becomes available due to a read by the QB closes much faster.

 

[jobberone]

Well thanks, and I'll try to. I agree 100% with what you said about stopping this read-option scheme. What I feel falls in our favor is the athletic ability of Rolando. He can change direction so darn quickly that the window that becomes available due to a read by the QB closes much faster.

Church, Wilcox and the two corners must play their part. On paper it sounds good. Not always so easy on grass.

 

[brymatt94]

Church, Wilcox and the two corners must play their part. On paper it sounds good. Not always so easy on grass.

I hear ya; if every concept drawn up on paper always worked the way its supposed to, there wouldn't be a bad team in the NFL.