Could the WISHBONE OFFENSE work in the NFL?

[underpants]

The conventional wisdom has always been that the pros speed (reintroduced by Jimmy Johnson) can neutralize the blocking angles and advantages that the wishbone provides an offense. Also the pro game (AFL and NFL) has always been more of a passing game than the defense and kicking game focused college game.

Wishbone quarterbacks have historically not been well accustomed to throwing the ball when they get behind. That was back in the day before we had such athletes/game managers as Vick, McNair, McNabb, Favre, Garcia, etc. There was always a penchant for the standard drop back guys like Fouts, Warner, and Aikman.

Of course the main advantage that the wishbone affords is that by not blocking two defensive lineman the offense regains a blocking advantage AND has the ball in someone's hands.

So I ask could the wishbone/option be successfully run in the NFL?

[FauxNewsBlues]

1. Probably not

First for practical reasons, it can leave a quarterback vulnerable to more hits, and the club owners don't like their best paid players sitting on the bench for 6 months.

Secondly, it is a speed issue. I have seen NFL teams do the wishbone as a "trick play" several times. Have yet to see it achieve much. If NFL defenses can stuff it when they weren't expecting it, how successful would it be when they were keying in on it.

[underpants]

2. Ah but how many QBs could you have?

What if they actually went three deep. The plays are the same so there isn't the need for extensive snaps in practice.

As far as the speed issue, the safeties are the great neutralizers of the option play. Of course everyone is faster in the pros so that could be a sticking point.

The problem with running the option only occassionally is that that is not the way it should be run. You have to run it over and over and dictate the flow and pace of the game. Great wishbone/option programs such as Oklahoma and Alabama faced everyone in the "box" but were still very successful. 'Bama used a fleet of backs. Repetition is the key.

I forgot to mention Hines Ward and Randall-El who ran these with great success in college.

[ewagner]

3. I've always thought about this

The first response is correct, if you run a Wishbone offense, you'd better be prepared to "open up a new can of quarterbacks" because it's rough on QBs.

Having said that, however, it would make for an exciting game with the quality of the running backs in the pro ranks.

When I coached Pop Warner, years ago, I ran a wishbone and tried to dispell the myth that you can't throw out of a wishbone...we did quite successfully so I think the pros could do even a better job.

A "Veer Tee" adaptation of the wishbone would work really well in the pros because the blocking angles are the same and it takes some of the pressure off of the QB.

Just my opinion.

[underpants]

6. The best defense against the option is the 4-4

running crosses with the outside linebackers and ends. It totally screws up the reads but the problem is if the 'bone decides to throw it, there is built in blocking in the backfield and the split end will probably be one on one (release the TE).

The wishbone can be run out of all kinds of formations to so you can run it with two wide outs (possibility of the pass) or even the pro set, full house, anything.

The problem now is that very few college programs run it because it can be hard to recruit someone if they know they won't get the stats and the coaching to make it to the pros.

[ewagner]

14. Got my butt-kicked

when opposition ran a 4-4 monstor against my wishbone....never knew where the "monstor-man" was going to line up.

[underpants]

17. Tell me about it

Our archrivals ran that in high school and we beat them once in four years and we played them twice a year. Ouch!

[VermontDem2004]

4. rotflmao

Sorry to get off subject a little bit but last year the Cowboys kept getting dominated by the Cardinals D in a game last year, it seemed to me that nothing that they were trying was working so they tried an option, rotflmao, #17 sweeped to the right and got his helmet knocked off 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage, he pitched it to Emmitt and he got tackled 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage. They never tried that play again in that game. It won't work because the lb's and corners are too fast and could leave the qb to vulnerable hits because of the blitzes, in a run game it is important for a full back, rb to pick up the blitzes for the passer or the runner. Also, teams do focus on defense, the Bucs defense last year was just amazing as well as the Ravens defense of 2000.

on edit: the wishbone could work for the passing game and running game but not the option, on the passing game you have 3 rb's to pick up blitzes, or 2 rb's and 1 to run on the flats and so on. For the running game, if you sweep to the right you have 2 blockers leading the way, or vice versa. Could also be successful for runs up the middle.

[underpants]

7. Carter is the guy to bring this into the league?

I knew it was a stretch but I figured I'd see what would come of it.

As I said above running it every once in a while is not the way it works. Also the speed (you are right) of the LB's could be offset if the O-line is not 280 monsters but lighter quicker TE/LB type guys.

[VermontDem2004]

8. Carter only ran it on play for like the entire season I think

The announcers were like :wtf: when he tried to run it. Bt you better have 5 or 6 speedy linemen because the awareness level is much higher in the nfl, they will sniff that play from the beginning and run to where the play is at, plus with the speed they will get there within seconds.

[underpants]

10. That was under the insightful leadership of Dave Campos

He of the "new math" on Thanksgiving Day. Down by 16 in the last 3 minutes let's kick an extra point so we now need three possessions instead of two.

Now about the Wing T.....

[sasquatch]

15. the Wing T only works if...

you've got more speed than a bunch of hookers at a convention in your backfield. Itr wouldn't work in the NFL because the smaller backs that you would need to run it would get worn out too quickly.
I would stick to the I and pro set formations' if I was a pro coach.

[ewagner]

18. Misdirection vs Speed of Defense

That's actually the matchup a wishbone gives you.

A general rule of thumb in Offensive strategy is to counter speeding, quick reacting LBs and DLs with misdirection (draws, counters, screens etc.,). The options of the Wishbone are really good for slowing down speeding/blitzing linebackers...and throwing from there once in a while doesn't hurt.

[hadrons]

5. I think Levy ran the last wishbone O in KC in the late 70's .....

I don't think it worked so great there (but they didn't have great O players) ... I can't see it working today; defenses are too sophisticated and there are too many talented players on offense to be tied down in that type of system

[underpants]

11. That seems to be the general consensus

Just throwing it out there.

[Brucey]

9. Yes and no

It would work a little at first, but defenses would quickly figure it out and then you're back to basics.

[wyldwolf]

12. They said the run and shoot offense wouldn't work...

...but it did... and well... for a while...

[underpants]

13. Yeah it lost 4 Super Bowls

but hey it got there.

The good that can out of that is all the "buffalo Bills Super Bowl Champions" t-shirts sent to refugees and orphans all over the world.

[wyldwolf]

16. It won a lot of games until everyone figured out how to defend it...