Option?

[stevew]

From NFL.com

(May 18, 2006) -- The Tennessee Titans are exploring their options. Or, more specifically, the option.

Since the NFL draft wrapped up, the Titans have begun studying various option formations, with the intent of making some a limited part of their playbook this season for their first-round pick, Vince Young.

Now, the Titans are planning on installing a "Vince Young Package," one that would include the option and force opposing defenses to have to prepare for more than just Tennesee's basic offensive attack.

Behind the scenes, Titans coaches already have begun sifting through some of the various option options, pondering which to include for Young.

It would not be a difficult offense for Young to learn. At Texas, Young ran the "option read," in which he would watch the defensive end, then decide whether to hand the football to his running back or carry it himself. It is how he transformed himself into college football's most dangerous quarterback.

More of those opportunities could come this season in a package that could be a nightmare for opposing defenses. This is part of the reason the Titans are so intrigued about it. But it also could produce key yards in specific situations for Tennessee, which is why the franchise began debating the merits of it. Young could become the ultimate red-zone weapon, in an area where many offenses struggle to score touchdowns.

No NFL team is thought to have used the option for about 20 years, since around the time Young was born. But this could be about to change. These are different times, and Young is a different quarterback.

The Titans would have preferred to keep the idea secret, and even closed their team minicamp to the media on Wednesday. But the option offense is expected to get its share of practice in Tennessee, particularly in training camp, when the team will determine if its offense can be as adept at it as Young had been at Texas.

What Titans coaches also will have to wrestle with is their desire to keep Young on the bench and season him. Using him to run the offense would expose him to NFL defenses sooner than the organization would like. But in certain situations, it could be highly effective.

The quarterback who many consider to be the total package now will have his own package. And it is expected to include the option.

[rkmsuf]

they've lost it over there in ten

[Klinglerware]

Chow running the option? Next thing you'll tell me, Cowher will be installing the run and shoot...

[Ksyrup]

I don't know whether it will work or not, but this is about the only way drafting Young that high makes sense. He's going to flame out as a typical drop-back passer.

[WSUCougar]

Running the option against an NFL defense is a quick way to get your QB killed.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by stevew

The quarterback who many consider to be the total package now will have his own package. And it is expected to include the option.

What kind of options can you put on your package?

[colt45]

I just appreciated the references to VY's package.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Running the option against an NFL defense is a quick way to get your QB killed.

Especially with bad boys like this playing D!

[SelzShoes]

My memory might be a little fuzzy on this, but didn't the Eagles do something similar when Randal Cunningham was a first year player? I know it wasn't a "true" option, but I seem to remember Cunningham would come in on running situations and basically just do that.

But that could just be a "sample size" error on my part.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by SelzShoes

My memory might be a little fuzzy on this, but didn't the Eagles do something similar when Randal Cunningham was a first year player? I know it wasn't a "true" option, but I seem to remember Cunningham would come in on running situations and basically just do that.

Yup, I do remember that.

[Coffee Warlord]

Damn, the Bears aren't playing Tenn this year.

Watching Urlacher race down an option running Young would be great fun.

[VPI97]

I hate to break it to Tennessee, but in college, Vince wasn't the master of eluding defenders...from what I saw, he had a tendency to run through or bounce off guys. That ain't gonna happen in the pros...he's gonna get decapitated.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by VPI97

I hate to break it to Tennessee, but in college, Vince wasn't the master of eluding defenders...from what I saw, he had a tendency to run through or bounce off guys. That ain't gonna happen in the pros...he's gonna get decapitated.

Broken tibia. probably compound fracture.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by VPI97

I hate to break it to Tennessee, but in college, Vince wasn't the master of eluding defenders...from what I saw, he had a tendency to run through or bounce off guys. That ain't gonna happen in the pros...he's gonna get decapitated.

Agreed. This is a bad idea.

[Raiders Army]

Maybe it's a ruse.

[Butter]

I like how the article says that this package would become a nightmare for opposing defenses. It'll be a nightmare, alright.

[JS19]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Running the option against an NFL defense is a quick way to get your QB killed.

Agreed. I give it 1 play and they will be taking Young out on a stretcher. The they will be thinking of their next "option" at QB.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by VPI97

I hate to break it to Tennessee, but in college, Vince wasn't the master of eluding defenders...from what I saw, he had a tendency to run through or bounce off guys. That ain't gonna happen in the pros...he's gonna get decapitated.

This was my first thought as well. Was VY a running threat? Yes. Was he a threat to run away from guys? No. This is just a recipe for disaster.

[BrianD]

People seem to forget that football players will rattle the QBs cage any chance they get. The first time they run the option, the DE or LB won't care about guessing which player they need to stop. They are just going to smack the QB while he is standing straight up locked in the pitching motion. Pro teams that think they are going to run the option usually change their mind after the first attempt.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I want to see Volek run the option first.

[Poli]

I wonder when they'll consider the WISHbone.

[condors]

Originally Posted by SelzShoes

My memory might be a little fuzzy on this, but didn't the Eagles do something similar when Randal Cunningham was a first year player? I know it wasn't a "true" option, but I seem to remember Cunningham would come in on running situations and basically just do that.

But that could just be a "sample size" error on my part.

actually buddy ryan used to put randal in on 3rd and long so he could run for a first down if needed and sometimes he would punt on 3rd down

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by VPI97

I hate to break it to Tennessee, but in college, Vince wasn't the master of eluding defenders...from what I saw, he had a tendency to run through or bounce off guys. That ain't gonna happen in the pros...he's gonna get decapitated.

He rarely ran through or bounced off guys. He was very elusive at the college level and he absolutely always ran out of bounds if it was available. I'd say he was actually tackled by a defender on around 50% of his running plays. Probably less.

That being said, he obviously won't be as elusive for NFL defenders. But the weirdest thing about this thread is the general take that the Titans are planning to run the option often. Do you guys seriously think they're planning on running more than 2-3 option plays in a given game, tops? The likeliest scenario by far is busting it out once per game if the situation arises.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

He rarely ran through or bounced off guys. He was very elusive at the college level and he absolutely always ran out of bounds if it was available. I'd say he was actually tackled by a defender on around 50% of his running plays. Probably less.

That being said, he obviously won't be as elusive for NFL defenders. But the weirdest thing about this thread is the general take that the Titans are planning to run the option often. Do you guys seriously think they're planning on running more than 2-3 option plays in a given game, tops? The likeliest scenario by far is busting it out once per game if the situation arises.

Agreed. A package of bootleg passes, and occasional options seems to be a way to get Vince to be a full weapon at the next level.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

He rarely ran through or bounced off guys. He was very elusive at the college level and he absolutely always ran out of bounds if it was available. I'd say he was actually tackled by a defender on around 50% of his running plays. Probably less.

That being said, he obviously won't be as elusive for NFL defenders. But the weirdest thing about this thread is the general take that the Titans are planning to run the option often. Do you guys seriously think they're planning on running more than 2-3 option plays in a given game, tops? The likeliest scenario by far is busting it out once per game if the situation arises.

Dark Cloud is to Wie as Huckleberry is to Young.

[MalcPow]

I think sprinkling some option stuff in makes sense for them. They need to do something to keep other teams on their toes, and force them to play a little more tentatively. Otherwise you're gonna have a rookie Qb back there who can't make the reads and a defense that is just attacking constantly. There's a pretty good chance he's getting killed no matter what they do.

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Dark Cloud is to Wie as Huckleberry is to Young.

Interesting. Do you have anything to say regarding the content of the post?

Another thing is that I doubt the Titans are putting in traditional option plays that most people are probably thinking of, i.e., the option play to the outside with the HB as a pitch man. Young doesn't even run that type of option very well at all. The option that Texas used enables the QB to get rid of the ball immediately if he sees the DE coming to take his head off.

[Ksyrup]

They're going to run 67 variations of the shotgun-QB option/draw play.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

Interesting. Do you have anything to say regarding the content of the post?

.

no, i'm still waiting for you to reveal all your vince young secrets.

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

no, i'm still waiting for you to reveal all your vince young secrets.

I see. I have one and he hasn't signed a contract yet. So keep waiting.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

They're going to run 67 variations of the shotgun-QB option/draw play.

that will be one huge wristband

[Poli]

When I think option I think of Ron Powlus.

[Poli]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

that will be one huge wristband

Fortunately for Vince, 33 of the formations can be flipped to the other side, so all he has to do is turn the wristband inside out.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

They're going to run 67 variations of the shotgun-QB option/draw play.

Load up on WR who can run a quick curl route.

[sovereignstar]

Somewhere Eric Crouch is.... quitting

[Poli]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Somewhere Eric Crouch is.... quitting

Nah, he's trying to sign with Tennessee.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by ardent enthusiast

Fortunately for Vince, 33 of the formations can be flipped to the other side, so all he has to do is turn the wristband inside out.

What space for the wristband with instructions on turning the other wristband inside out?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Somewhere Eric Crouch is.... quitting

Funny.

[Poli]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

What space for the wristband with instructions on turning the other wristband inside out?

The left tackle will tell him when he needs to do that.

[MalcPow]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

I see. I have one and he hasn't signed a contract yet. So keep waiting.

Everyone knows Vince Young was in an airport hangar in Cleveland when that Wonderlic was administered.

[WSUCougar]

But regardless of what type of "option" running play you are referring to, if the QB is a ballcarrier the defense has a much more legitimate opportunity to nail him than if he is a passer (and thus protected by the rules). As a runner he becomes fair game.

He better work on his hook slide.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by MalcPow

Everyone knows Vince Young was in an airport hangar in Cleveland when that Wonderlic was administered.

Vince Young in LT voice: "I was setup like a muthaf*cker."

[Poli]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

But regardless of what type of "option" running play you are referring to, if the QB is a ballcarrier the defense has a much more legitimate opportunity to nail him than if he is a passer (and thus protected by the rules). As a runner he becomes fair game.

He better work on his hook slide.

Chow: Why did you hand the ball off? There wasn't anyone within 5 yards of you!

Young: Yeah, but you should have seen the look on the guy 5 yards away from me!

[st.cronin]

Vince Young will probably have a better career than Akili Smith.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

He rarely ran through or bounced off guys.

That's weird since every single scouting report on him prior to the draft talked about how he was able to break tackles and drag defenders in college. I guess none of those scouts actually watched film of Texas.

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by VPI97

That's weird since every single scouting report on him prior to the draft talked about how he was able to break tackles and drag defenders in college. I guess none of those scouts actually watched film of Texas.

Being able to and consistently doing it are different matters altogether.

I guess I must not have watched all of every game he played at Texas. Oh wait, my mistake, I did just that.

I will say that he took on a lot more contact in his last game than he had previously. I have a feeling it was because of the stakes.

[QuikSand]

I remember having some pretty good success with this offense in Tecmo Super Bowl, using Scott Mitchell (?!?!) and the Miami Dolphins. Don't knock it.

[flere-imsaho]

Hey, the Titans have had a lot of success with the permanently-injured Steve McNair at QB. This is just part of their plan to "break Young in" as it were.

Everyone knows that the "running quarterbacks" who became good quarterbacks only did so once they'd had the stuffing knocked out of them a few times and learned to live behind the protection. Tennesse is just trying to speed this process up.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I remember having some pretty good success with this offense in Tecmo Super Bowl, using Scott Mitchell (?!?!) and the Miami Dolphins. Don't knock it.

I used a similar offense with Chiefs. It involved using "the motion" play and was near unstoppable. The Steve DeBerg to Christian Okoye "option" play was what allowed me to have an undefeated season, even beating those late season games were the computer "picks" your play almost every down.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

...those late season games were the computer "picks" your play almost every down.

Good times.

An undefeated season without resorting to any of the gadget plays... that was the holy grail right there. No DT-as-sack-machine... no option-run-play...no QB-rollout-for-eight-yards-every-time... just good old fashioned luck.