Question about the Wildcat

[Antec]

This may be a silly question, but why does the QB stay on the field? Surely a WR lined up far right/left would be a better choice to be a blocker for outside runs and protects the QB from risk of injury while blocking.

The only thing I can think of is because the QB has the mic in his helmet but can't the RB or WR taking the snap use a mic'd helmet for wildcat plays with the QB off the field.

Oops, I thought I was posting this in the Pro Football forum, my mistake.

[Cryolemon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Antec

This may be a silly question, but why does the QB stay on the field? Surely a WR lined up far right/left would be a better choice to be a blocker for outside runs and protects the QB from risk of injury while blocking. The only thing I can think of is because the QB has the mic in his helmet but can't the RB or WR taking the snap use a mic'd helmet for wildcat plays with the QB off the field. Oops, I thought I was posting this in the Pro Football forum, my mistake.

It's because if the QB stays on the field it's not so obvious it's a wildcat play.

[deaduck]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cryolemon

It's because if the QB stays on the field it's not so obvious it's a wildcat play.

If they sent in a no QB package you could counter it with a weighted D package with a dedicated spy on the wildcat ball handler. Essentially what the Ravens did in the playoffs with the personel on the field.

[bgeno]

I can't seem to confirm it anywhere, but I'm also almost sure that you must have a quarterback (or punter/kicker) in the huddle at all times while on offense.

[deaduck]

If I recall, You just have to have someone with the assigned numbers for the QB position but that doesn't mean (let's say) #7 has to be a QB

[bgeno]

Quote: Originally Posted by deaduck

If I recall, You just have to have someone with the assigned numbers for the QB position but that doesn't mean (let's say) #7 has to be a QB

Obviously the quarterback in the huddle doesn't have to play QB.

But I'm almost certain that someone who is listed on the roster as a quarterback must be in on the field for each offensive play. So the #1 QB or #2 QB must be on the field... or #3 QB, but you get into all that emergency QB stuff with that.

I'm not sure about the numbers thing... it doens't quite make sense to me considering WR's now regularly wear numbers 10 through 19, which are all QB numbers.

[Cyros]

QB has to be on the field.

[Cryolemon]

Quote: Originally Posted by bgeno

But I'm almost certain that someone who is listed on the roster as a quarterback must be in on the field for each offensive play.

You only get into the emergency QB issue if the 3rd QB isn't on the 45 man game day roster (They usually aren't, unless the team only has 2 actual QBs for whatever reason).

As for the QB has to be on the field thing, I don't think that's a rule. The Panthers used the wildcat (or a version of it at least) in that 2007 game v the Falcons where Weinke only threw seven passes. There were a fair few plays where he wasn't on the field.