Read Option QB and the Pocket QB the Difference

[rwalters31]

Let’s take one of each

1. RG 3 – Read option QB
2. Romo – Pocket QB

In college this works because it is simple and does not require knowledge of reading defenses. You look for keys on the DL and run accordly. If in trouble the first and only option is run the ball.

The Pocket Passer is always a pro set in which you read defenses and set your offensive selection to the defensive set. Also, your check downs depending on down and distance and open receiver. It takes more training and ability for the QB and always in high demand in the NFL.

QB coming into the NFL from Pro Set College teams is usually successful immediately if the talent in the offense is good.

The Read Option QB will have a long learning process to become a pocket passer and only if he has the ability to SEE the defense and talent to find the right play to run the offense. Not many of this type of QB are successful in the NFL.

These are the reason that RG 3 will be looking for a new team next year and Romo is looking for his first Super Bowl ring.

 

[perrykemp]

Interesting read.

Assuming the Seahawks make the Superbowl (which obviously none of us want) the NFC will be represented in the Superbowl for the 3rd year in a row by a Read Option QB:

• Kapernick (2012)
• Wilson (2013)
• [Possibly] Wilson (2014)

I was very much in the camp that a Read-Option QB could never lead a team to the Superbowl but I've seen enough the last couple of years to change my mind.

Wilson is the absolute prototype of what you want for that kind of offense. Good (not great) passer. Averages 7.2 yards every time he carries the ball for a freaking amazing 7.2 yards per carry (849 yards total). He also runs in a way that he rarely takes a hit -- he is alway running for the sidelines.

At the end of the day I still believe the easiest and safest win to approach the QB position is with a traditional pocket passer, however, I acknowledge there are other ways of accomplishing the task. I am actually glad to see successful Read Option offenses -- it's not to see some variety in the NFL.

 

[GermanJohn]

Just bone up on your coverage against running QB's. It isn't hard to gameplan for the option, but it does require discipline. If you're a DE and your man releases inside leaving you untouched, you have to know to either crash or sit EVERY TIME to give your LB's a feeling of consistency. If you think the interior of your DL and supporting MLBs can take the dive, then you sit every time. Force the QB's hand. If you're an interior DL facing the midline option, you aim directly for the QB's side of the mesh point, making it a confusing read for him.

In terms of your pass defense, just rush 4/5, play man under (with a spy for a 4 man rush/either without a spy or sacrificing a deep zone in a 5 man rush), and 1 or 2 up top. Play sound defense and make coverage sacks, like you both said Option QB's aren't the best in reading coverages, so test them in that. Then when they bail someone can rally up to them.

 

[rwalters31]

Interesting read.

Assuming the Seahawks make the Superbowl (which obviously none of us want) the NFC will be represented in the Superbowl for the 3rd year in a row by a Read Option QB:

• Kapernick (2012)
• Wilson (2013)
• [Possibly] Wilson (2014)

I was very much in the camp that a Read-Option QB could never lead a team to the Superbowl but I've seen enough the last couple of years to change my mind.

Wilson is the absolute prototype of what you want for that kind of offense. Good (not great) passer. Averages 7.2 yards every time he carries the ball for a freaking amazing 7.2 yards per carry (849 yards total). He also runs in a way that he rarely takes a hit -- he is alway running for the sidelines.

At the end of the day I still believe the easiest and safest win to approach the QB position is with a traditional pocket passer, however, I acknowledge there are other ways of accomplishing the task. I am actually glad to see successful Read Option offenses -- it's not to see some variety in the NFL.

Let's take another example of the Read Option and Pocket QB. RG3 and Luck, if you looked at them in College you could see that Luck was the Real Deal and would be an immediate impact coming into the NFL. RG3 was good at the Read Option but the analysis could tell you that any team taking him would be built around his talent. Washington looked good at first until teams started to defend the Read Option. When Washington tried to change the offense to Pocket Passer it was not equipped to do so and the reason Washington and RG3 had a dysfunctional year.

You are right about the QB above, but contribute their success to the team that they went to and NOT their Read Option talent.

 

[perrykemp]

You are right about the QB above, but contribute their success to the team that they went to and NOT their Read Option talent.

Agree with Kapernick but not on Wilson. Yes the Seahawks would have been [good] with another QB, however, Wilson and his abilities to run the Read Option are what makes that offense go.

 

[Setackin]

Interesting read.

Assuming the Seahawks make the Superbowl (which obviously none of us want) the NFC will be represented in the Superbowl for the 3rd year in a row by a Read Option QB:

• Kapernick (2012)
• Wilson (2013)
• [Possibly] Wilson (2014)

I was very much in the camp that a Read-Option QB could never lead a team to the Superbowl but I've seen enough the last couple of years to change my mind.

Wilson is the absolute prototype of what you want for that kind of offense. Good (not great) passer. Averages 7.2 yards every time he carries the ball for a freaking amazing 7.2 yards per carry (849 yards total). He also runs in a way that he rarely takes a hit -- he is alway running for the sidelines.

At the end of the day I still believe the easiest and safest win to approach the QB position is with a traditional pocket passer, however, I acknowledge there are other ways of accomplishing the task. I am actually glad to see successful Read Option offenses -- it's not to see some variety in the NFL.

Coaches are also coming out of college and brought the schemes with them

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think RG3 is suffering from what so many mobile QB's suffer from....bad coaching.

He played in a Read-Option scheme where the footwork isn't really required.

Then for some reason, people think that these QB's will be able to fit right into a West Coast Offense (they did the same thing with Vick). The WCO requires extremely precise footwork because the footwork is tied in with the timing of the pass patterns. It's more than doing a 5-step drop. It's about the length of each stride. For example, there was a video of Bill Walsh showing plays and Montana's footwork. Walsh would say something like okay, this is a 7-step drop. But on this play, Joe will take 3 large steps, a 1 small step and then 1 medium step1. As soon as his back foot plants he is too look to the right for his primary target.

And they would show Montana doing exactly that. But, if he takes a small step in one stride instead of a medium step, it throws the timing of the play off. And not only do you have to perfect the footwork, but you have to remember what the footwork is for that given play as other 5-step drop backs can have a different combination of strides. And then you also have to learn the playbook which most WCO have some of the most confusing language you'll encounter.

For some reason, WCO coaches seem to think that because a guy is mobile, he'll be able to pick up their scheme. I understand the positives of the WCO in that it requires a little less reading of the defense (our scheme is more option route based where the receiver and QB has to know where to go with the ball based on what the defense is doing mid-play). But, I think coming from a system where none of that footwork is required or taught, it makes a long road to hoe.

And for the most part, the read-option is dead in the NFL. Some teams use it a little and of course there's Russell Wilson who is this incredible escape artist. But, I think defenses in the NFL have figured it out.





YR

 

[Doomsday101]

Agree with Kapernick but not on Wilson. Yes the Seahawks would have been [good] with another QB, however, Wilson and his abilities to run the Read Option are what makes that offense go.

Problem is when you can contain Wilson in the pocket he is not near as effective. When Dallas played them we kept him in the pocket not allowing him to roll and his passes were not on target.

 

[MissouriCowboy]

Dallas not being biltz happy against Seattle was a big reason Wilson was contained.

 

[Future]

Agree with Kapernick but not on Wilson. Yes the Seahawks would have been [good] with another QB, however, Wilson and his abilities to run the Read Option are what makes that offense go.

Wilson uses the read option occasionally to keep defenses honest but Lynch is the catalyst...with Kaep, the read option was driving their offense.

Wilson is a lot more like Aaron Rodgers in the way he runs while Kaep is more like RG3. Two totally different QBs, imo.

 

[Doomsday101]

Wilson uses the read option occasionally to keep defenses honest but Lynch is the catalyst...with Kaep, the read option was driving their offense.

Wilson is a lot more like Aaron Rodgers in the way he runs while Kaep is more like RG3. Two totally different QBs, imo.

To an extent but Wilson is not that accurate from the pocket like a Rodgers. Wilson puts pressure on the DB once he gets outside they now have to either come up towards the line to get Wilson in which Wilson will throw it or they hang with the WR and Wilson will run it. Keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to throw accurate passes he has failed to show that in a consistent manner

 

[Future]

To an extent but Wilson is not that accurate from the pocket like a Rodgers. Wilson puts pressure on the DB once he gets outside they now have to either come up towards the line to get Wilson in which Wilson will throw it or they hang with the WR and Wilson will run it. Keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to throw accurate passes he has failed to show that in a consistent manner

Yea, I'm not saying Wilson is as good as Rodgers

But both keep their eyes down field and run when it becomes available, they don't force the issue running.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yea, I'm not saying Wilson is as good as Rodgers

But both keep their eyes down field and run when it becomes available, they don't force the issue running.

I agree with you there, Wilson does a great job of keeping his eyes down field and keeping his option open based on what the DB does. Guys is very dangerous outside the pocket. Our game vs Seahawks was one game where our lack of pass rush did not hurt us it came down to being disciplined and maintaining outside containment.

 

[movaughn88]

The thoughts in this thread make a lot of sense, but I would say that I think it all comes down to injury risk.

Losing your QB for any significant amount of time, lets say 2 or more games, I would guess severely decreases your chance for the postseason. Even a good backup in the league can slowly derail the season (ask Philly). So at 400-600 pass plays a year, if there's even a 1% chance of taking a bad hit per play, it's a large risk that I think teams are starting to see. As perrykemp above said, Wilson just doesn't take those hits. He's also more of a short "scooter" runner than a loper or explosive strider, so I think his lower muscles aren't in as much danger of tweaks.

RG3 had one of the best advanced stats rookie seasons ever for a QB, but that guy got obliterated what seemed like once a week and is so dynamic when running he blows out his own ankles and knees. It just can't last, and you can't commit $20m/yr to someone who has that high a shot of injury. I'd say Romo is almost dangerously in that territory because of his back, but we will have to see. I was thinking about that the other day, how many of the good QBs just rarely show up on an injury report at all.

 

[GermanJohn]

Coaches are also coming out of college and brought the schemes with them

I think it's a short-lived trend. QB's are paid way too highly to constantly be putting themselves at risk every play. It's just a matter of time. Tebow, RG3 and Kaepernick were the first couple of examples of running (READ- RUNNING before you jump down my throat) QB's who fizzle out, albeit at different times. Now Wilson is up on the block.

If you look at the greatest QBs in NFL history- Staubach, Starr, Aikman, Elway, Manning, Montana, Marino... they were tactical geniuses able to pick apart the defense and were not by any means known for their speed. There's a reason it is this way- true fans of the sport, as well as people who just know football in general, realize that the qualities of these QB's are what the sport was created to observe- a tactical, methodical, semi-military game played for 60 minutes. Any Offense in which the QB plays a heightened part in the running game is practically the same as taking your King out of the back row on your third move of a chess game.

 

[Risen Star]

Once Romo is done I want another QB just like him. If I'm being greedy, maybe with a little more arm strength. But he's got the ideal mix of being a true pocket passer, with great pocket presence, but with plenty of mobility and improv skills to make plays out of the design of the offense.

I want a QB who can run. Not a running QB.

 

[CowboyChris]

Once Romo is done I want another QB just like him. If I'm being greedy, maybe with a little more arm strength. But he's got the ideal mix of being a true pocket passer, with great pocket presence, but with plenty of mobility and improv skills to make plays out of the design of the offense.

I want a QB who can run. Not a running QB.

Dustin Vaughn will be the QB of the future.

 

[DFWJC]

Interesting read.

Assuming the Seahawks make the Superbowl (which obviously none of us want) the NFC will be represented in the Superbowl for the 3rd year in a row by a Read Option QB:

• Kapernick (2012)
• Wilson (2013)
• [Possibly] Wilson (2014)

I was very much in the camp that a Read-Option QB could never lead a team to the Superbowl but I've seen enough the last couple of years to change my mind.

Wilson is the absolute prototype of what you want for that kind of offense. Good (not great) passer. Averages 7.2 yards every time he carries the ball for a freaking amazing 7.2 yards per carry (849 yards total). He also runs in a way that he rarely takes a hit -- he is alway running for the sidelines.

At the end of the day I still believe the easiest and safest win to approach the QB position is with a traditional pocket passer, however, I acknowledge there are other ways of accomplishing the task. I am actually glad to see successful Read Option offenses -- it's not to see some variety in the NFL.

All three years, those teams had the best defense in the league.
Also, I'm not so sure I'd call Wilson fully a read-option QB. They do some of that, but mainly he's just a mobile guy who can play in or out of the pocket.

 

[joseephuss]

Accuracy, the ability to make quick, good reads and good decisions is important for all QBs whether they are "running QBs" or "pocket passers". There are plenty of pocket passers that are failures in the NFL. Or pocket passers that aren't good enough against the good teams. You have to find the right guy and work toward their strengths.

 

[rwalters31]

Accuracy, the ability to make quick, good reads and good decisions is important for all QBs whether they are "running QBs" or "pocket passers". There are plenty of pocket passers that are failures in the NFL. Or pocket passers that aren't good enough against the good teams. You have to find the right guy and work toward their strengths.

I believe that you are incorrect on running QBs. Look though this thread and QB data and you will fine running QBs are less likely to successed.