No, it did not backfire. The very narrow view you are presenting assumes there are only positives to running a play from under center, and only negatives to running a play from the shotgun. That is an incredibly simplistic view that shows a lack of understanding of the game.
The fact is there are plusses and minuses to running a play from either formation, and there are justifieable reasons for running a play from either formation.
You are correct in saying there is some benefit to running the play under center and using a play action pass. If the LB's bite, it can freeze them or get them to commit to the run and give us a little advantage in throwing the ball.
Unfortunately your insight ends there.
It can also give the defense an extra second to penetrate into the backfield and disrupt the play.
The shotgun does take away the traditional play action possibility, although a handoff can be faked to the running back in the backfield, and in fact we picked up a 1st down earlier in the game on 3rd and short by handing off from the shotgun. The shotgun allows the QB to read the defense from an already set position without having to do so while he is on the move dropping back, and it allows him to make a quick decision and get rid of the ball quickly without having to first drop back then set his feet.
But you chose to just stop your thought process at whatever point suits your argument rather than look at the whole picture.
BobhazeModerator
