Running the option

[JDStang]

Whats up guys. I thought I would start a thread specifically about running the option in HC 09.

I don't know how many people have attempted to run it due to the running game being a little lacking in comparison to the passing game, however if attempted with the right type of players it can actually turn your offense into a running powerhouse that teams like the Steelers could only dream of.

[JDStang]

Re: Running the option

First off I would like to give insight on the QB type that I personally prefer for this offense.

You would think that a guy like Vince Young or maybe Josh Johnson would be the type to have at QB to successfully run this offense. However... the QB's that came with the game (not the draftpath QB's) are all specifically designed and coded to play a certain way. While these two QB's would do well for running the option they cannot throw for @#$%. As you choose your plays on offense the defense will slowly catch on to what you are doing and eventually will be stopping your attack. Now that you have to change it up, what are you gonna do... pass the ball. Unfortunately when you call a pass play on 3rd and 12 Vince Young decides to run and gets taken down shy of the 1st and out comes the punt team.

My point is... they are coded to run. The best type of QB i have found has been a guy like Troy Smith. In a perfect world you could maybe draft a guy like Mike Zazzali. These QB's are not actually designed to just take off and scramble, and their arm is very good in the event that you need to pass.

You could always just have the prototype pocket passing QB and a "scrambler" as your backup but the defense will catch on eventually why not have a guy that can be on the field EVERY play and for EVERY type be it pass or run?

[JDStang]

Re: Running the option

Minimum preferred ratings per position

Quaterback
SPD- 80 THP- 85 TRK- 50 INJ- 85
AGI- 80 THA- 85 ELU- 80 TGH- 85
ACC- 80 AWR- 85 CAR- 65 STM- 85

Halfback
SPD- 88 ACC- 90 AWR- 80 INJ- 85
STR- 65 TRK- 65 CAR- 85 TGH- 85
AGI- 90 ELU- 90 CTH- 70 STM- 85

Offensive Tackle
SPD- 70 ACC- 75 RBF- 85 INJ- 85
STR- 85 AWR- 85 STM- 85
AGI- 70 RBLK- 85 TGH- 85

Guard/Center
SPD- 60 ACC- 65 RBF- 85 INJ- 85
STR- 85 AWR- 85 STM- 85 ** Center should have min. 75 ACC**
AGI- 65 RBLK- 90 TGH- 85

I won't go in depth about WR's but a guy like Brandon Marshall or Dwayne Bowe are perfect. They can actually block and hold their blocks but that type of receiver isn't totally necessary.

[JDStang]

Re: Running the option

Another thing I would like to add is the playbooks that are preferred.

Miami, Jets, Michigan Spread, Spread Option and the Pistol Attack

Personally I use the Pistol Attack offensive playbook I find that it's quick passes mixed with the zone runs and counters are really good for complimenting the option attack from the QB.

[shadowman]

Have you ever tried running a traditional option playbook such as wishbone flexbone or wing t?

[JDStang]

Re: Running the option

my base PB is the pistol but i do have some plays from the wing t in it, but i have never used those playbooks themselves.

[Skarecrow]

Re: Running the option

my newest franchise, which I haven't said much about, is a franchise being built specifically for this.

Took the redskins (for a challenge). purposely tanking the 2008 season to get Zazzali. Not sure how I'm going to pay him, but I'll blow up that bridge when I come to it.

Thanks for the info. What are you go-to plays? Your bread-and-butter?

[JDStang]

Re: Running the option

In the pistol formation, for example, there are a bunch of option plays that I use but the one I use the most has 3 WR on the left and a TE on the line ( works great against 4-3 teams) against a 3-4 team I use the formation that has a TE slightly off the left tackle and a step or two behind the LOS, this option run works great at sealing the edge against those nasty 3-4 ROLB's.

As far as passing plays the pistol PB quick passes are great... all of them actually. Also I have had great luck in the Shotgun with my #1 WR (Brandon Marshall) switched out with my #3 WR (Earl Bennett). Doing this puts your #1 in the slot and they shred the secondary.

BTW the Shotgun formation in this PB has an option run as well that works great too.

Hope this helps!

[lucidhope]

Re: Running the option

my QBs always pitch the ball and cause a fumble when they try to option. any ideas on why this is?

[burnum]

Re: Running the option

my QBs always pitch the ball and cause a fumble when they try to option. any ideas on why this is?

That usually happens when players don't have the play fully mastered yet. Try to get the play knowledge of that play to mastered an you should see the fumbles decrease (although some occasional fumbles always can happen on option plays).

[Aurabolt127]

Re: Running the option

I'm several games into a Cardinals franchise with Adrian McPherson running the Wing T and there's several option plays there - and now that the team is starting to learn them, they're starting to work better. I anticipate by season's end we'll be really clicking - but I don't call options too often, maybe every 5th -7th play, so if I get a 10-12 play drive going, I might have called 2 options...that might go up on some drives, then not get called at all on others. it's like playaction passing, you try to set it up, then take advantage. don't trust the AI enough to call options all the time - every now and then the HC09 Gods just like to F with you.

I'm trying to get mobile, run block guys for my line - but your QB, RB, FB need to have good BCV and AWR - and it helps if they can truck and block too.

just my 2 cents.

[TheShizNo1]

So once the QB learns the play book enough, he will actually pitch it when he's supposed to? If so, that's great, I pretty much gave up on the option thinking running it was pointless.

[burnum]

Re: Running the option

So once the QB learns the play book enough, he will actually pitch it when he's supposed to? If so, that's great, I pretty much gave up on the option thinking running it was pointless.

Yes, that was exactly my experience.

[shadowman]

Re: Running the option

If Adrian McPherson can learn to run the option then it must be possible because he's not the brightest player in the game.

[Aurabolt127]

Re: Running the option

LOL! Not the smartest player in real life either! I just remember seeing this thing on ESPN right around his draft and thought I'd give the guy his shot.