Spread Offense Dying?

[ScriptOhio]

Theismann not a fan of the spread offense

If he could do one thing to improve the quality of quarterback play for the next generation of NFL fans, Joe Theismann would stop the widespread use of spread offenses in college football. In Theismann's estimation, they're preventing today's best and brightest quarterbacks from developing the all-around game needed to succeed at the sport's highest level. The spread, which is all the rage in the Big 12 and throughout Texas' high school ranks, revolves around shotgun snaps and quick throws to receivers in space. But it is light on football fundamentals. At least the ones valued most by NFL general managers. "To have any kind of success at the professional level, I think it's important for the young, college kids to work under center," said Theismann, a former Washington Redskins standout who received the Davey O'Brien Legends Award during a Monday ceremony at The Fort Worth Club. "To hand off [from] under center. To run play-action."

Entire article: Theismann not a fan of the spread offense | College Sports | Star-Telegram.com

 

[Jake]

Traditional powers like Oklahoma, Alabama, Nebraska, and Ohio State went away from the wishbone/robust T/triple option as the NFL $$$ grew because top recruits wanted to play in pro style offenses, to get them ready for the next level.

It's kinda ironic that the success of the spread offense, which is just another form of option (think single wing), turned colleges away from pro style offenses. The only power team not playing the spread to any extent is USC. LSU doesn't play much of it, either.

I suspect it won't be long before college teams start moving away from the spread for the same reasons they left the wishbone, etc. - top recruits want to be pro ready, and the spread isn't selling in the NFL.

 

[Gatorubet]

Theismann not a fan of the spread offense

If he could do one thing to improve the quality of quarterback play for the next generation of NFL fans, Joe Theismann would stop the widespread use of spread offenses in college football. In Theismann's estimation, they're preventing today's best and brightest quarterbacks from developing the all-around game needed to succeed at the sport's highest level. The spread, which is all the rage in the Big 12 and throughout Texas' high school ranks, revolves around shotgun snaps and quick throws to receivers in space. But it is light on football fundamentals. At least the ones valued most by NFL general managers. "To have any kind of success at the professional level, I think it's important for the young, college kids to work under center," said Theismann, a former Washington Redskins standout who received the Davey O'Brien Legends Award during a Monday ceremony at The Fort Worth Club. "To hand off [from] under center. To run play-action."

Entire article: Theismann not a fan of the spread offense | College Sports | Star-Telegram.com

The spread give a team with lesser talent a chance against a team with a better traditional QB and a better D line. So if you are among the teams that can recruit, that may be so. But if you are a coach with a shaky O-line but a shifty QB and some fast kids with OK hands who can run in space, then the spread will get you farther with less talent than if you ran a pro set offense that requires a good O-line to open holes for your backs and to give your QB five or six seconds to locate a receiver.

There are a lot more good quick receivers and qbs who can run than there are good O linemen and accurate drop back passers.

Put another way, does your coach care about honing your skills for a future Sunday job, or does he care about winning as many games as possible to keep his job and seven figure salary?

 

[MaxBuck]

Put another way, does your coach care about honing your skills for a future Sunday job, or does he care about winning as many games as possible to keep his job and seven figure salary?

If your coach's name is "Rodriguez," I'd say the answer is self-evident.

In a broader sense, I guess it's bothersome to me that Theismann wants to make it all about the NFL for kids' football. It's great for peewee league QBs to dream of being the next Tom Brady, but damn few of these tykes will ever get to the League. So things like fun and learning the lessons that go with competition should hold more sway, it seems to me.

 

[Buckeneye]

The spread give a team with lesser talent a chance against a team with a better traditional QB and a better D line.

Remind me why does UF run a spread again?

 

[Gatorubet]

Remind me why does UF run a spread again?

Because it also works just fine with really, really, good players in the other positions too... I do think it is an equalizer if you are not as good overall as the other guy, as any system that lets fast guys get the ball in space with a full head of steam will be better than a pro style offense trying to make holes up front. Just my opinion.

Utah was not going to go undefeated in a pro-set offense, and Urban would never have had a chance to go to UF with a different style.

 

[Buckeneye]

NFL teams panning for gold in spread offenses - Don Banks - SI.com

read down to the 5th paragraph... Anybody who points out exactly which team doesn't belong gets greenies

 

[sandgk]

Head Explodes -

and Michigan get the explosive production they've gotten running the spread

"explosive production"

GTFOH

 

[Buckskin86]

MORNING ROAST: Quarterbacks cause Combine grumbling
Monday, February 23, 2009
By JASON LLOYD
[email protected]

THAT grumbling coming out of Indianapolis this week is from NFL coaches and general managers who are finding it more and more difficult to find pro-style quarterbacks who fit NFL offenses.

It's why Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are widely considered the top quarterback prospects in April's draft, even though both are relatively raw since they left school with a year of eligibility remaining. Thanks to a thumb injury, Sanchez has less than two years of experience as a starting quarterback, but that won't stop some team from taking him in the first round and anointing him the future of the franchise.

NFL teams, to this point, have avoided trying to duplicate the spread offenses that have become wildly popular on college campuses across the country. Ohio State quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels doesn't see how that can continue.

"Eventually they're going to have to adapt," he said. "When we're out recruiting, that's all we see anymore. Eventually the NFL will have to take a look at it."

The league has, and thus far, it isn't impressed. Alex Smith has flopped in San Francisco after he was selected No. 1 overall in 2005. Similarly, Tennessee took off last season only after veteran Kerry Collins replaced Vince Young.

If any spread style quarterback could make it in the NFL, it appeared to be Young. Despite his awkward delivery, the 6-foot-5 Young seemed to have the type of size and speed that could revolutionize the NFL. Instead, he failed to fully grasp the offense, was bogged down by emotional issues and soon found himself out of a job.

As more and more high school programs take their best athletes and make them spread quarterbacks, and more traditional college powerhouses like Ohio State and Michigan follow suit, the NFL will find it more and more difficult not to adjust in some form. For now, though, the coaches and general managers will continue to fight it.

"NFL guys I talk to on a daily basis are getting frustrated," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock told Sports Illustrated. "I'm like, 'Too bad, guys, because that spread offense is not going away."

MORNING ROAST: Quarterbacks cause Combine grumbling Morning Journal: Serving Lorain, Erie, Huron and western Cuyahoga counties