Cosell’s Take: Running quarterbacks are great, but throwing from the pocket is still

[Playoffs]

Cosell’s Take: Running quarterbacks are great, but throwing from the pocket is still the best option

Is that enough for the read option to be a staple component of an NFL offense? Can an average passer be a quality, or even a high level quarterback, simply because the offense is predicated on the read option?
The answer is a definitive "no."

The NFL reality remains clear and unambiguous, and it speaks to the second element that must exist for the read option to be effective as an offensive staple. The ability to throw the ball effectively from the pocket is the most essential characteristic required to be in the discussion of the game’s best quarterbacks. Of course, many factors comprise that, the most important of which is accuracy, or ball location, a more descriptive term that better captures the essence of the attribute. There are many others, among them anticipation, pocket movement, pocket toughness, decision-making, the willingness to pull the trigger in critical situations. These traits have always been identifiable and measurable through extensive film study.
...
There is absolutely nothing revolutionary or unconventional about any of this, and it will never change. Why? There are many reasons, but the simplest is this: Third down, especially third and long. That’s the possession down, the down in which defenses have the advantage with their multiplicity of pressures and coverages. Quarterbacks must be able to throw the ball effectively against sophisticated defenses specifically designed to challenge and disrupt them. If you can’t do that, you can’t play in the NFL.

read more: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...7022--nfl.html

[Double Barrel]

"Running" QBs are all the rage in the NFL now....like they were a decade ago when "experts" told us that pocket passers would soon be a thing of the past. Then a funny thing happened. All Super Bowls since then have been won by QBs who could throw from the pocket.

Scrambling behind the line of scrimmage and running with the ball like an RB are two different things. QBs have been scrambling for ages. Roger Staubach, Randall Cunningham, and Fran Tarkenton were doing it decades before the name "running QB" ever became in vogue.

The problems with QBs who rely on their legs to move the ball downfield is twofold: 1. they are only a running threat until they either get injured and/or they wear out from age. 2. The over-reliance in their legs prevents them from learning critical passing skills that they will need as seasoned veterans. Things like pocket presence, reading defenses, making pre-snap adjustments, and timing with receivers, all are critical skills that often get downplayed with running QBs. However, when the legs run out, a QB will need these skills to survive and succeed in the NFL. Donovan McNabb was a so-called running QB who eventually developed his pocket skills. He could still scramble as he aged, but it was with the intent of buying time to let his receivers get open.

Defenses figure out gimmicks, and any offense that makes running an important aspect of their QB's skills will ultimately find themselves very limited when that QB has the run game shut down and he needs to make plays from the pocket.

[thunderkyss]

Russell Wilson, RG3, & Collin Kaepernick.

I think the biggest thing they'll have to overcome, is forgetting 2012. A lot of people struggle to repeat a great performance, because they focus too much on trying to do what they did. The key, I think, is that they need to try to be the best they can be by working to get better.

The NFL is going to adjust but it took several years before they caught up to Donovan McNabb, or Ben Roethlisberger. There have been QBs that I think got stuck on past success, like Aaron Brooks, or Vince Young, that they never got better & they were quickly shown the exit.

These three guys are obviously extremely talented, & they've all shown to have a great feel for the game. I'm looking forward to seeing how they adapt next season.

A different kind of guy who will also have to overcome a successful rookie season, Andrew Luck. What he did was acceptable & helped them win 11 games. But there's going to be a lot of attention & focus to get him to minimize turnovers. It's going to be interesting to see how that turns out as well.

[ArlingtonTexan]

I see two things different from the previous invasion of "running" QBs

1-These guys all appear to be QBs who can run versus early Mike vick.

2- OC seems to be better at designing and usin the running skills than before.


BTW, Wilson is not a true running QB. he is a too short QB who can scrammble. honestly, Luck is a better pure runner/athlete than wilson.

[CretorFrigg]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

BTW, Wilson is not a true running QB. he is a too short QB who can scrammble. honestly, Luck is a better pure runner/athlete than wilson.

How can you say Wilson isn't a true running QB? I watched a lot of Seahawks games last season (wife is a Seahawks fan), and Wilson's athleticism really shined.

Just take a look at this play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4AyYF_7gHQ

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by CretorFrigg

How can you say Wilson isn't a true running QB? I watched a lot of Seahawks games last season (wife is a Seahawks fan), and Wilson's athleticism really shined.

Just take a look at this play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4AyYF_7gHQ

There is a difference between a running QB and a scrambling QB. Watch some Roger Staubach film.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by CretorFrigg

How can you say Wilson isn't a true running QB? I watched a lot of Seahawks games last season (wife is a Seahawks fan), and Wilson's athleticism really shined.

Just take a look at this play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4AyYF_7gHQ

Seattle mixed in some zone read as the season went along, but he is not going to go Cam or Cap or RGIII and run the option 15-20 times a game. He makes plays with his legs, but that is not different historically than Tarkenton, steve young, etc.

I saw wilson interviewed later in the season and until mid-point this season he never ran the zone read in college and very few in any designed runs. He has mostly played classic QB with the ability to make plays using his feet.