Option Play...?

by sirsam on Aug 4, 2008 9:04 PM MDT

So guys, last year there was a certain play the Broncos did a few times throughout the year, maybe more, but a few stick out to me. The Option Play.

It basically looks like a regular run play, but the quarterback keeps the ball as if he is going to run. From there he either has the "option" to pitch the ball to the running back following a ways beside him or keep the ball and get some yards. I guess it's a pretty risky play though, but since it doesn't allow the defense to predit the play, the Option Play can cause lots of trouble to some teams. It requires good running skills from both the quarterback and the running back.

So plug in, say...Anthony Alridge for "the running back".

The guy is fast, shifty fast and has moves. What would happen when he got out in space into a field of confused defensive backs? Good things I think.

I don't know...just a thought...

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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I like the way they did it in Buffalo.

It is a good play to run every now and then to make sure defenses are aware of it. I was kind of surprised that they didn’t run it more often after the Bills game.

by weazel on Aug 4, 2008 9:12 PM MDT 0 recs

One of last year's highlights for me

was the option Jay and Travis Henry ran from deep in their own end against Jacksonville. I loved the call, and Jay seems to have a knack (and the balls) for it. But jeez, given what I’ve been hearing about the backup situation behind Cutler, it makes me nervous to think of him running head-on into a blitzing OLB or safety before he can get off a pitch. Maybe HoosierTeacher or someone who knows more about formations that I do could make me feel at ease that they could pull it out a few times this year without undue risk….

by Broncs Cheer on Aug 4, 2008 9:13 PM MDT 0 recs

Your concern is warranted

I seriously doubt HT has knowledge that could salve that. I hope I’m wrong because it is an awesome little play.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by styg50 on Aug 4, 2008 10:21 PM MDT up 0 recs

It IS an awesome play.

It is fun, spectacular, and has high reward value. Unfortunately, Broncos Cheer is right; the play is very risky for the QB in terms of injury.

Cutler is the perfect QB to run an option. He’s young, fit, smart, has good feet, and a great arm. But remember what Cutler said in an interview after the one of the options he ran last year. He said he doesn’t like to run it. I’m thinking (this is just opinion) that the option was an easier play to call back then because it was more worth the risk then. Going into his second full season, I’m hoping that the risk isn’t worth the effort. I love the play, but I love our starting QB even more.

It is the risk to the QB that makes the play appeal more to college teams than to the pros.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 12:52 PM MDT up 0 recs

Just suppose...

Cutler has to come out for one play for some reason. I say send in Hackney for an option.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson

by firstfan on Aug 5, 2008 5:04 PM MDT up 0 recs

Good idea

the only problem is that defenses will catch on once aldrige comes in

by broncofan91 on Aug 4, 2008 9:16 PM MDT 0 recs

It's a great way to get your QB killed!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Aug 4, 2008 9:27 PM MDT 0 recs

Yeah...

...I guess I didn’t think of Cutler getting blasted on one of those…until now…

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Aug 4, 2008 10:27 PM MDT 0 recs

Barry Switzer

ran that at the U of Okla.—it was unstoppable at the time.. there usually is a fullback to help with blocking or Option to … I really would hate to see Cutler hurt but I think they could do it without that happening . from what I remember the quarterback did not get past the line of scrimmage too often .
Lets face it – it is a ” gadget play ” and would not be used often but I like it.

by okiebroncosfan on Aug 4, 2008 10:37 PM MDT 0 recs

I don't know if I'd call it a 'gadget play'

As it’s been the basis for entire systems (pretty much entirely in HS and College)...but it just doesn’t work as well in the NFL. I think mostly because of the speed on defense and risk it places on your QB(HT could probably elaborate more). I’m not aware of a NFL team that has run an option extensively; however, it wouldn’t surprise me to find out it was common before I started watching (prior to the 80s).

by UnarmingMermaid on Aug 4, 2008 10:43 PM MDT up 0 recs

You are entirely correct.

The risk to the QB is the primary reason it is run at the collegiate level and not the pros. There are two systems I’m aware of that depend on a lot of option plays, and I’m not aware of either having been used in the pros.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 12:56 PM MDT up 0 recs

Triple Option.

One of the base plays for the Spread Option that coach Rich Rodriguez used at the West Virginia University was the Triple Option and it’s one of my favorites. The QB takes the snap in the shotgun and has the option of handing it off inside to the FB or taking it wide with the RB following behind in the traditional option run.

This would be interesting with the backs that we have (especially with Pittman at FB and Selvin Young at RB) for use as a very rare gadget play. I’d be very concerned with Cutler taking hits, but he’s run the option before in Vandy (I believe) so that’s why he looked good doing it before. I also think that Young might have played in it some at Texas, but I’m not as sure.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on Aug 4, 2008 10:59 PM MDT 0 recs

CU ran a Triple + Option

I know that’s not what it was called, but it was basically the Triple Option with Kordell Stewart having the ability to throw the ball down field.

It was great! The defenses would start to pursue the run because it looked like an option, then Kordell would step back and throw it.

With Cutler’s arm, they might be able to pull something like that off to throw the defense off occasionally as well.

"It's all over Fat Man"

- Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

by DesertBroncoFan on Aug 5, 2008 9:23 AM MDT up 0 recs

dont forget

the 1989-90 triple option with Beinemy, JJ Flannigan and Hagan. One of my favorite CU teams ever. I am not a Stewart fan. I remember in 1993 agaisnt Nebraska and tommy fraizer he was 8/28 at home and threw 4 straight incompletions deep in NU territory in the waning seconds and they lost 21-17. So I knew when the Broncos played Pitt in the 97 AFC title game we would choke

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 5, 2008 11:42 AM MDT up 0 recs

The T formation. People keep laughing at me....

for thinking its going to make a comeback. ..and maybe their right. Just imagine this however…

Behind Cutler is a line.. Selvin on the left, Alridge on the right, and Hillis in the center. Try to calculate the number of options from that formation.

by Mike Clark on Aug 4, 2008 11:28 PM MDT 0 recs

I just don't see it

...you would take away Cutlers greatest strength and that is his ability to throw the ball anywhere on the field…beyond just cutler the type of quarterback that gets drafted and succeeds in the NFL wouldn’t really be be the right player for this type of offense not to mention I think your limiting your players too much for this type of formation to work as a consistent offense…maybe on occasion but not as a base offense.

by Denverjhawk on Aug 5, 2008 10:10 AM MDT up 0 recs

The sophistication of pro level defenses..

.. is also an issue. While defense and offense take a big jump from college to the pros, the experience and training of pro defensive players make both “gadget / trick” plays and elaborate “schemey” systems much less effective. They are much rarer in the pros, but more effective when used.

An occasional option, flea flicker, or reverse can work, but going into the “T” would seem to signal everything that comes with a “T”, and the defense would be much more disciplined to handle it than any college defense (in my opinion). I don’t like the option because of the risk to the QB. The bootleg, flea flicker, and a few other plays are still high risk, high reward, but much safer for the QB.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 1:05 PM MDT up 0 recs

As exhibited by ...

the epic failure that is more commonly known as Steve Spurrier. ;)

by tunga77 on Aug 5, 2008 1:37 PM MDT up 0 recs

Spurrier.

Spurrier never ran the option, nor was his system all that “gimic-y”. That is, unless you think the Pats ran a gimic offense last season. His Fun N’ Gun was nothing more than a spread option loaded with short passes (curls and flats, I believe) setting up the occasional long ball. If anything, he failed in Washington because their personel was deficcient. I always wondered why Spurrier caught so much flak for his failure, but Gibbs was forgiven for losing with similar and augmented rosters. Then again, I’m a Gators fan, so what do I know?

Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/

by ejruiz on Aug 5, 2008 11:01 PM MDT up 0 recs

Options dont normally work in the nfl.

Before Cutler and Henry did it, I wonder when the last time a successfull option occured.

"I am he, as you are he, as you are me, and we are all together." - The Beatles

by Denver_Native on Aug 5, 2008 7:57 AM MDT 0 recs

I love your sig!

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Aug 5, 2008 8:46 AM MDT up 0 recs

Zen?

The site is becoming practically Zen.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson

by firstfan on Aug 5, 2008 10:58 AM MDT up 0 recs

Naa...just a little taste though... ;)

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Aug 5, 2008 12:28 PM MDT up 0 recs

You and Denver_Native

sound like you are ready to join jibbons and me advocating yoga in reloading season conditioning program. BTW great new avatar! Not as great as bfsisd’s but still great.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson

by firstfan on Aug 5, 2008 5:15 PM MDT up 0 recs

Well thank you...

...it’s just the Spain Coat of Arms…but I gotta show a bit of pride for my heritage.

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Aug 5, 2008 6:49 PM MDT up 0 recs

Goo goo ja jube!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 1:07 PM MDT up 0 recs

Option mean a defender is optioned.

About the concerns over getting your QB killed, and whether certain formations or defensive alignments make it safer for the QB to run the option . . .

I would just remind people that the option means one defensive player on the edge (DE, LB, or CB) is intentionally left unblocked, so the QB can option him, so he is forced to take the QB or the tailback. Also remember all the rules in the NFL to protect the QB go out the window when the QB runs with the ball. So yes, no matter what the formation or alignment it is dangerous for a QB.

Now certainly, if the formation and defensive alignment, allow the QB to option the cornerback it is certainly less scary than a DE or LB munching the QB. However, sometimes the worst injuries to RBs occur when CBs shoot in from the corner like a missle, cause they usually go low and sometimes blow a RB or QBs knee.

So it is a gadget play at the NFL level, because it is only used occasionally as a surprise. If it is a surprise then defenders are usually not in the QBs grill right away. However if you run the play often, and the defense reads it quickly, it is danger for the QB, because the number one goal of the defense would be to blow up the QB.

by The Gun Young on Aug 5, 2008 9:57 AM MDT 0 recs

There's actualy a fairly good article...

on the option to be found at wikipedia, here. The only major quibble I have with the article is that it lists a bunch of “offenses”, but it lumps formations and systems together without seperating the two, and overlaps them them to an extent.

In terms of systems, the option family is run in two types: The “Spread Option” and the “Option Offense”. For the most part, the formations listed in the article, as well as what is being called “Option Runs” would fall under “Option Offense” in the vocabulary of most coaches that I know.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 1:20 PM MDT 0 recs

BTW Sirsam,

Love the avatar / coat of arms. You rock as the site’s artist!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 5, 2008 1:23 PM MDT 0 recs

Well thank you...

...I appreciate it. It’s really fun for me to be able to contribute something to this awesome site with something that I enjoy doing in my spare time.

I really think we have something very special and positive in MHR. I just love it that there are so many fans that can come together and just talk about something that we all obviously have a passion for…it seriously makes me happy to contribute.

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Aug 5, 2008 3:00 PM MDT up 0 recs