Read-option quarterbacks are fair game on fakes, NFL says

[Califan007]

That makes zero sense. QBs have five blockers protecting them in the pocket, but they still get hit. And once the QB is running downfield on a read option, he's no different from any other ball carrier -- and where do running backs and receivers get injured most often? Certainly not in the pocket. There's nothing magical about being a QB that makes you immune to hits downfield.

Except that QBs can--and are encouraged--to slide to avoid being hit. Name one WR or RB who can do this and still keep his job lol.

In fact, name a QB who falls to the ground while still in the pocket to avoid being hit, and see what the reaction is. Pocket QBs are expected to stand tall and take the hit in order to get the pass completed downfield. QBs running downfield aren't expected to "stand tall" and take the hit....they are given options while running to keep themselves safe.

 

[Califan007]

Has rgknee dropped back, read the defense, and made a throw yet? Without rolling to one side of the field and having more than one read?

Nope, never once. In fact, he's never even thrown a pass beyond the LOS. It's all screens.

 

[jobberone]

You might have to give him a GPS...he couldn't find it last year

OMG! That is so funny!

 

[Hoofbite]

This will put an end to this new gimmick.

You'd have to be stupid to put your 50-100 million dollar investment at risk that often. Certainly its a great wrinkle and can be used to keep a defense off balance from time to time - but to make it a focal point of your offense, is foolish.

Think about the Skins, they gave up the farm, basically mortgaged their entire future on RGIII, now he's on 1 good leg and his career is in jeopardy because they pushed the envelope.

If I struck gold on a QB like Kap or Wilson in the late rounds, then sure - I'd take a few more risks and use their skill set to my advantage. But when you draft a franchise QB and you treat him like he's Pat White, there is a fundamental flaw in your organizational perspective of long-term player value.

I don't think it will necessarily be the demise of the read option. It's not like the read option QB is going to be taking blind sided hits. He practically stares down the guy that is allowed the free pass.

I think it will even up the playing field a bit but I don't see teams shying away from the read option.

Even if they were hit, they're most likely standing in the pocket when they are hit so they would differ from a QB with a crappy OL in what way? Nobody ever predicts shortened careers for QBs who get hit a ton in the pocket.

 

[jobberone]

Let me say I don't like seeing injuries. These guys are making a living. But whether they get a flag or not teams are going to smack the heck out of him this year.

I'm much more worried about the pass off the option which is very difficult to defend.

 

[Califan007]

I don't think it will necessarily be the demise of the read option. It's not like the read option QB is going to be taking blind sided hits. He practically stares down the guy that is allowed the free pass.

I think it will even up the playing field a bit but I don't see teams shying away from the read option.

Even if they were hit, they're most likely standing in the pocket when they are hit so they would differ from a QB with a crappy OL in what way? Nobody ever predicts shortened careers for QBs who get hit a ton in the pocket.

To that regard:

"But … and this is a very big but … we also have to keep the hits in perspective. Last season, the pocket-preferring Andrew Luck led all NFL quarterbacks in significant hits taken behind the line. Pro Football Focus charted 138 sacks or knockdowns for Luck while throwing, a gaudy 26 more than the second-most-hit passer, Sam Bradford." -Peter King, MMQB

 

[jobberone]

Hits on a RB are more frequent than a pocket passer. 98% of the time the RB gets hit.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

What about Wilson, Newton and Kaep? How many games have those "running" QBs missed due to injury so far?

Cam Newton is 6'5 250ish. He is going to be more durable due to his size, but isn't as dangerous as a runner either and thus will have to rely on passing the ball.

Kaep and Wilson combined had a combined 159 rushing attempts. RG3 had 120, when they break the 100 attempts thresh hold, then we will compare them

 

[Califan007]

Cam Newton is 6'5 250ish. He is going to be more durable due to his size, but isn't as dangerous as a runner either and thus will have to rely on passing the ball.

Kaep and Wilson combined had a combined 159 rushing attempts. RG3 had 120, when they break the 100 attempts thresh hold, then we will compare them

No, see, the argument is that "running" QBs utilizing the option aren't as durable as pocket QBs, and the number of games lost to injury was supposed to show how that is true.

So I'll ask again: how many games have Wilson, Newton, Kaep AND RG3 missed due to injury so far? Should be quite a few...

 

[Califan007]

Hits on a RB are more frequent than a pocket passer. 98% of the time the RB gets hit.

Hits on a RB are more frequent than on a "running" QB, too lol...I would actually bet that Luck got hit more often than any of the read option QBs last year.

 

[30yrheel]

The skins offense relies on that mess way more than the panthers and niners
plus, Rg3 is not built to take hits, he's a sprinter, that's it.

 

[Califan007]

The skins offense relies on that mess way more than the panthers and niners
plus, Rg3 is not built to take hits, he's a sprinter, that's it.

Panthers used the read option more than any other team in the NFL: 14.3% of the time.

 

[30yrheel]

Panthers used the read option more than any other team in the NFL: 14.3% of the time.

I saw every panther game , newton didn't run the same thing as rg3. That stat is misleading.

 

[Califan007]

I saw every panther game , newton didn't run the same thing as rg3. That stat is misleading.

Ah, well if you saw every Panther game--which the guys who came up with that stat clearly did not--the stat must indeed be wrong. I stand corrected.

 

[birdwells1]

What about Wilson, Newton and Kaep? How many games have those "running" QBs missed due to injury so far?

With this rule clarification I expect them to miss more. Last year you could see the defenders being apprehensive about the way that they defended the qb on the read option. It was almost like the didn't know if they should hit him and risk getting a 15 yard penalty. Now with the rules clearly saying that if the qb carries out the run fake then he's fair game, apprehension will be gone. I tell Dware that if RG3 comes down the line attack him quickly and let the others worry about the rb.

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

I think it is clear many people do not understand how the R/O works.

The QB is staring right at the unblocked player. If that player is coming at the QB every single time, the QB's read will be easy and his RB will be eating up yards.

Meanwhile the QB will be 7 yards behind the LOS with his hands in the air like he doesn't care

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

With this rule clarification I expect them to miss more. Last year you could see the defenders being apprehensive about the way that they defended the qb on the read option. It was almost like the didn't know if they should hit him and risk getting a 15 yard penalty. Now with the rules clearly saying that if the qb carries out the run fake then he's fair game, apprehension will be gone. I tell Dware that if RG3 comes down the line attack him quickly and let the others worry about the rb.

Uh, it is the same rule as last year.

And again, you have to a) catch the QB when he does this. The QB is staring right at the DE

 

[Califan007]

With this rule clarification I expect them to miss more. Last year you could see the defenders being apprehensive about the way that they defended the qb on the read option. It was almost like the didn't know if they should hit him and risk getting a 15 yard penalty. Now with the rules clearly saying that if the qb carries out the run fake then he's fair game, apprehension will be gone. I tell Dware that if RG3 comes down the line attack him quickly and let the others worry about the rb.

RG3 rarely went "down the line", though.

What do you tell Ware now? lol

 

[cowboys1981]

You expose your QB to a hit everytime he drops back in the pocket. Where did Tony Romo's 2010 season end? In the pocket

Where did Carson Palmer's career go south? In the pocket. Why didn't Tom Brady play in 2008? A hit in the pocket.

Where as with the R/O, IF the QB keeps it (that is the option part, and he won't be keeping it if DE's are chasing after him) he has blockers set up down field.

The NFL didn't "Green light" hitting the QB in a cheap way. Read the whole article man

There seasons ended due to injuries in the pocket, but some careers have ended outside as well. Aikman's hit that ended his career was when he was out of the pocket. Bledsoe was essentially done after that sideline hit from Mo Lewis. Point is, QB's will always be a target of a big hit whether you're in the pocket or not.

This will put a bump in Washingtons game plan on attacking defenses. I'll be surprised if he is playing when we meet them for the first time. Someone will get their helmet on that knee.

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

There seasons ended due to injuries in the pocket, but some careers have ended outside as well. Aikman's hit that ended his career was when he was out of the pocket. Bledsoe was essentially done after that sideline hit from Mo Lewis. Point is, QB's will always be a target of a big hit whether you're in the pocket or not.

This will put a bump in Washingtons game plan on attacking defenses. I'll be surprised if he is playing when we meet them for the first time. Someone will get their helmet on that knee.

You have to get to the QB. That is the point everyone in this thread seems to be missing.

RG3 will put his hands up and carry out the fake 7 yards behind the LOS. By that time Alfred Morris will have a 15 yard gain and the DE will still be 3 yards away from RG3

Again, if this is the strategy, hit the QB, RG3 will be safer because he will always hand the ball off