re: Spread Offense

quote:

---

It's pretty much the reason we won a national title last year.

---

In the BCS game, we didn't run that much spread. Just because the QB is in shotgun, doesn't mean it's the spread.

The "spread" is a stlye of formation. The "spread option" is a stlye of play run from the spread formation.

You could run a spread formation with a QB that doesn't run at all. The threat of a running QB isn't what makes the spread so effective. It's forcing the defense to commit players accross the field, which in turn opens up running and passing lanes.

In the spread option, well, yeah, you need a running QB for that.

To the original posters claim....college coaches will abuse their players for wins. Unlike franchised pro players, college players will typically only start a year or two. So the coaches in college have no problem with getting the most out of them in a short period, regardless of the injury risk. IE Urban Meyer.

quote:

---

You could run a spread formation with a QB that doesn't run at all. The threat of a running QB isn't what makes the spread so effective. It's

---

It may not make the spread "so effective", but spreading the field opens up running lanes and introduces the oportunity for the QB to run more often than in say a pro-style offense.

I would define it as "cheap" because it is basically an offense that requires gadgetry and misdirection to fool the defense. It's basically human playstation with the OC manning the joystick. The problem is, when the defense isn't fooled the offense is toast because the ball carrier is in space with no help around. Offenses like this have little, or no, ability to do what LSU did last year, for example, in 4th quarter drives where they just lined up and pounded the ball down the field. They didn't have to trick the defense, just line up and beat them.

quote:

---

I would define it as "cheap" because it is basically an offense that requires gadgetry and misdirection to fool the defense. It's basically human playstation with the OC manning the joystick. The problem is, when the defense isn't fooled the offense is toast because the ball carrier is in space with no help around. Offenses like this have little, or no, ability to do what LSU did last year, for example, in 4th quarter drives where they just lined up and pounded the ball down the field. They didn't have to trick the defense, just line up and beat them.

---

Couldn't agree more fore.

What about the Triple Option is that cheap?

I believe the spread will eventually die as defenses adjust. What is the one constant in the NFL amongst superbowl winning teams- pocket qb, TE, FB, RB (ie max protection). They project Matthew Stafford as a high 1st rounder while projecting Tim Tebow as a 5-6 rounder. The time proven ingredients for winning is running the ball and stopping the run!

quote:

---

I wouldn't call playaction misdirection

---

You fake running the ball tricking the LBs and DBs into coming up and playing the run. This gives your QB time to throw and maybe leaves one of you WRs open. How is that not misdirection?

quote:

---

but if you're entire offense is built around that, and you don't fool them enough, you're in for a long day.

---

If your offense is built aorund stuffing the ball down your opponent's throats and you don't do that then you are in for a long day.

quote:

---

if plays weren't working, he'd try to get more creative with higher risk/reward plays.

---

You've got to do something.

The offense philosophy of using the whole field will never die out.

You can call it whatever you want, but spreading the defense is here to stay.

Certainly, play action is a form of misdirection.

No legal play is "cheap." If it's in the rules, then it's fair game and anybody that takes advantage of anything other than the "norm" is actually creative and even groundbreaking.

I'm sure some narrowminded fan once thought the forward pass was "cheap".

It's a coach's job and responsibility to do whatever possible under the rules to win games. And if that means coaching your field goal place holder to toss the ball behind his head to a speedy little FG kicker against South Carolina, then so be it. It's great coaching.