Shotgun vs Under Center

[Doomsday]

I was wondering what some more knowledgeable people thought of the idea that opposing defenses are able to get a better jump off when Romo is in the shot gun. It seems like when Romo lifts up his leg, there is about a 1 second pause then the ball is snapped. It seems to me like it would be a lot easier for defenses to time the snap and get off the line quicker then usual.

I have also read that teams have had more success getting to Romo when he is in the shotgun as opposed to when he is under center.

I am really curious what people with more knowledge on the subject think.

 

[Paniolo22]

It gives away that we will pass or draw, leaving the assignments for the defense easier, especially on 3rd down. We rarely have Romo take 7 step drops due to protection issues

 

[Ashwynn]

hadn't thought much about that, but I will say when I see Romo go back to the gun, especially on third down, I am almost expecting a draw. If not that, a bubble screen, but I would say 50% a draw, 20% screen 30% anything else. Draws and screens probably go up about 10% on third downs. The numbers may not bear this out, but this is whats going through my mind. I am sure the d Co-or has the exact numbers, and I bet hes thinking along the same lines as me.

 

[Quarterback Coach]

the leg lift is just a signal to gurode that he is ready for the snap...it's up to the center at what time that happens...

very similiar to a holder flashing his hands at the long snapper...it's just "i'm ready when you are"

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Romo does do a fake leg lift from the shotgun. I think the shotgun is helpful on 3rd downs because many teams this day and age do a lot of A gap blitzing or like Philly the double barrel blitz. But the Cowboys do need to do more draws and screens from the formation to keep them honest.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The leg lift is basically a fake cadence without actually yelling out the cadence. It's done to get the defense to jump and figure out where the blitzer is coming. Teams like Philly use a lot of zone blitzing, so you 'pump' the leg and get the blitzers to creep in and 'fake them out' and then you get better idea of what they are doing. We used a lot of shotgun and leg lifts against Philly and scorched them last season. Most of the advanced QB's in this league do the same thing. Peyton Manning does it as much as anybody....so does Brady. We also throw the ball down field in the air more than most of the teams, so 'protection issues' doesn't really jive with that.





YR

 

[I need 6]

Garrett uses shotgun entirely too much especially on 3rd and short. I think we should use other formations more and it would definitely help our protection issues...As the post stated earlier shotgun gives the defense an easy pre snap read.

 

[The Emperor]

Garrett uses shotgun entirely too much especially on 3rd and short. I think we should use other formations more and it would definitely help our protection issues...As the post stated earlier shotgun gives the defense an easy pre snap read.

He uses a lot of shotgun down near the goal line too.

 

[cowboyz]

vela did an article on why. it's because that's their best running play. they just can't do the short yardage. i think it's because they're just big fat guys, so in a draw they just stand there. but in a running play they gotta have athleticism/smarts/timing to run the play correctly