This is the time of year when we go through certain scenarios, and this is a lurking scenario: the option option.
The Niners have two players on their roster who are two of the greatest college players to ever play in an option offense. I’m talking about their last two second round picks, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back LaMichael James.
Here’s what Ron Jaworski recently said about the read option play: “The read option in the red zone is an added dimension that (Cam) Newton brings. His speed is a decisive factor. One element I’ve always talked about discussing Aaron Rodgers is the ability on third down to defeat the man coverage by running. Newton gives you that same quality. That’s a real problem for a defense. It limits their coverage concepts.”
Last season Cam Newton converted 40.32 percent of his third downs (10th best in the NFL) and scored touchdowns in 57.89 percent of his red zone trips (7th best), and his execution of the read-option play was a big reason he was so successful. Jaworski says speed is the decisive factor in that play, and Kaepernick happens to be slightly faster than Newton. James is faster than every running back on the Panthers.
Kaepernick and James have the speed and the talent to become one of the best read-option duos in the NFL.
If Alex Smith and the rest of the Niners offense don’t struggle on third down and in the red zone next season, they won’t need the option. Brilliantly, Trent Baalke has given Jim Harbaugh an intriguing backup option if the first option doesn’t pan out. Call it the 49ers option option.
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Hrmm. The read-option works for Carolina because Cam is always on the field so defenses don’t know when it’s coming. As soon as Kaepernick comes into the huddle the defense will switch to zone coverage.
Tebow showed that when NFL defenses know it’s coming they can stop the option most of the time. Harbaugh might just be crazy enough to use it in a way that surprises defenses though.
Kaepernick’s much faster than Tebow.
Plus he throws well on the run to either side.
Guys with fleet feet and strong arms tend to make terrible throws.
CG,
You mean guys like Randal Cunningham, Cam Newton, Steve Young, and Steve McNair?
Where Denver failed with this last year was that they made it their entire offense, and Tebow was wildly innaccurate as a passer. Utilizing this as a special package does 2 things:
1) It plays to the strengths of 2 dynamic young players that you want to get onto the field.
2) Even if you don’t use it every week you are forcing your opponent to spend valuable practice time on something they may not even see.
In my opinion Kaepernick is a more accurate passer than Tebow, and that provides this type of package endless possibilities.
He’s accurate on the run Jack, but still shaky in the pocket. We won’t fool anybody until he gets better in that aspect of his game.
I think it could work but Kaep would have to run some traditional plays as well to keep the defense guessing.
It might be a good way to get Kaep game action and groom him for the job though. Similar to the way Walsh brought Montana into games in specific situations for his first two years.
Totally agree msclemons67 with your Take,
You lose the “element of surprise” the minute K-Gun runs onto the huddle which is a Big Factor in Cam converting TD’s in over 50% inside the Red Zone.
Nice try Grant but I do like the concept when the 49ers are in a 3rd down & short between the 40 yard lines.
It could work. I would not hold any redzone weapons back this year. We have a team that needs to put all there eggs in one basket this year.
There’s just one problem here. Unless CK becomes a better pocket passer, the opposing defense will figure out that the play is a read-option. If this play is held off until deep on the playoffs, then I can see it working. Otherwise I’m not seeing much promise from this play.
I disagree. If both players are in their. CK has the option to run pitch or throw to LJ or just throw on the run. If they play man he can take it and run, if they play zone they will find a soft spot. With Moss and VD those soft spots will be huge. Also he can drop back, then if he can’t someone he can always take off. They can still run a screen also off of it. Even a draw. It is a matter of when to call it.
As was mentioned run it at least once a game will make other teams think and use up preperation time for it. If it wokrs good then keep going by running the variations of it.
That could wind up shooting the team in the foot when they least want it to. In order in to successfully run it, CK has to a better pocket passer to add a wrinkle that the other team must take into consideration. Otherwise the opposing defense (if they’ve done their homework) will just call a play to counter the read-option. I’d rather not see that happen. I would prefer to wait to use this play seldom, that way any opposing defense can’t key in on it.
MWN,
I actually brought this idea up with Grant this morning. The intention should be that this package be used anywhere on the field at anytime.
I thought of using Kaepernick and James due to their excellence running the gun read option in college.
Saying it won’t work isn’t true either. In fact, the 49ers ran a gun read option play on two occasions against the Giants in the NFCCG, and Smith made good yards on both occasions.
I’m not saying it won’t work Jack. I’m saying that it’s a play that should be used very seldom (1-2 times max) so that a team we face in say the Super Bowl doesn’t have film of it to study and have a play to counter it.
Good D’s won’t be fooled. And if they are 1 time, they won’t be again. Unless we are playing a bad D (which we shouldn’t need help to beat with trick plays), you’ve wasted a play in prime scoring position using a player (CK) who isn’t your best for no reason than to get cute with your play calling. And likely we lose yards if the D isn’t fooled. So we go from 2nd and 5 to 3rd and 9 for instance at the 12.
Trick plays don’t work against D’s that don’t lose containment.
It’s hard enough to score with your best players. Why make it harder?
DS,
Where I disagree with Grant on this is his description of it as a Red Zone or 3rd down package. This is something that they should pick and choose their spots to maximize the effectiveness.
As for not being able to beat good defenses with it twice, why not? They did it successfully twice agains the Giants in the NFCCG, and their defense was playing pretty good at that point.
My thoughts exactly. If the 49ers suddenly inserted Kaepernick and James in red zone situations, it could telegraph an outside the pocket play.
Not saying read/option won’t work. It just won’t have the element of surprise. It would be most effective if Kaepernick and James are in at the beginning of drives/games.
Don’t forget Smith has pretty good feet too (see last year’s playoff game VS New Orleans). A Smith/James read option is an option.
I’m a big fan of CK and James. It would be nice to see them get on the field somehow.
exactly, AS would be just as capable running the option and option option….i hold speed in the RB as the greater attibute…QB just needs to create throwing lane space and AS is more than capable
I don’t have any philosophical objection to running a spread option play on occasion, and I would love to see the 49ers design plays to take advantage of LMJ’s skills. What I don’t understand is, if the 49ers ran the play successfully with Smith last season, why would they need to insert Kaep to run the play this season? Moreover, as others have noted, running the play with Smith at QB would better preserve the element of surprise.
I’m very intrigued and have no doubt Roman, Harbuagh, and Geep having something special up their sleeves.
Gotta agree with that, there’s no way they’ll let all this talent go to waste. And I know there gonna have Randy Moss so zoned in, that no one will be laughing about that acquisition once he gets into his groove.
On paper this offense look like a nightmare for opposing defenses. Lets see how they do against the 49er defense in Training Camp.
it’s like a formula 1 race car with a crappy driver.
Fabio
Well, you’ve shown yourself to be a crappy fan, so it balances out.
oh for sure for sure! The Niners have the ability to be one of the fastest teams if they put Kaepernick behind center. I was juiced the moment they picked James for this reason.
“If Alex Smith and the rest of the Niners offense don’t struggle on third down and in the red zone next season, they won’t need the option.”
This one line is the best scenario for the team. If they need to resort to CK playing on 3rd down, it’s not looking good for the game, team, or season. With more weapons, I expect to see better execution all around on offense.
My sentiments exactly.
The 49ers struggled on 3rd down and in the red zone last year and still made it to the playoffs so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they struggle again.
But if they do struggle again this year I certainly hope the coaches will try adding a new wrinkle or two. That was painful to watch at times last year.
The option play rarely works in the NFL. Defenses are far faster and smarter then in the college ranks. Cam Newton is an exception to this due to his physical abilities. I am not entirly sold on Newton, will hold comments till after this season. Seems like some in here think thats all CK or LaMic can do is the option. I will give you all a clue about LaMic, he will be just fine in any offense that he plays in. CK I dont know enough about him to really reach any conclusions, tho I have repeatedly have stated that I am not sure he can perform upto his abilities in the WCO.
I have to agree with Hof, if we have to resort to the option on 3rd down and red zone situations its not looking good for the Niners.
If you continually remove your starting QB/RB in the redzone, any good will and magical aura that the team had last year is completely gone.
Maybe it isn’t needed. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Like I said last year to you undercenter before the Saints game. You play your game, and make your opponent beat you at your game before you try to beat them at their game.
We don’t need lots of tricks and such. We need our players to perform better. I strongly feel that is largely on the backs of practicing the play. You need to practice for 10,000 hours at anything to be any good at it. This team needs practice. And they are getting it now.
LOL DS you should welcome those ideas instead of defending Smith the majority of the time
“If you continually remove your starting QB/RB in the redzone, any good will and magical aura that the team had last year is completely gone.”
The only magical aura in the redzone last year was emanating from David Akers, give me a break.
“magical aura”? The f—? This is football, not astrology.
LOL, you guys are too funny
@robwco
I don’t know where you’ve been, but I said the same thing all year last year. Passing takes timing. Timing takes practice reps. Practice reps take time. Time we didn’t have due to the lockout.
If anybody thought differently last year, sorry to disappoint, but you were in La-La Land. Yet we still managed 14-4. The starting QB was instrumental in that record. To deny that is to deny any known facts of the game.
Magical Aura? Sounds like something Michael Scott would write about DS. The only magical aura involved with this team is Harbaughs which is used to fend of the media.
rocket
Don’t know who that is, but I’ve heard “magic” and “aura/feel” since I started watching any sport. And that was long before twitter came around.
More precisely, that feeling happened after the Eagles game. Saw it in FG’s eyes. Heard it in his voice. It was more than him being happy we won. Something magical was starting up.
Moot point for many reasons not the least of which is the fact that Kaep has already had a better NFL career but with that said Tony Rice was a better option QB then Kaepernick.
Crud, meant for this to be one post. Anyway I doubt you are going to see much if any running of the option play. There is a reason that Rice as dynamic of a player as he was couldn’t get drafted and that’s because teams don’t like to put their highest paid player and offensive leader in the exposed position that the option puts your QB. Running down the offensive line put’s him in direct line of fire of any blitzing defender who might have beaten his blocker, next the QB is running full speed deciding if he should run or pitch and is waiting to the last possible second to pitch the ball if necessary to try and lure the defender closer to him and away from the running back so as soon as he pitches it the defender levels the QB. Or you have the QB keep the ball and he’s essentially a running back. These are not the types of hits that most teams want their quarterbacks taking.
Bottom line is, there is a reason you don’t see NFL teams running the option.
“Bottom line is, there is a reason you don’t see NFL teams running the option.”
Ted,
Most teams don’t run it because as you said, they don’t want their QB taking the hit, but also because there aren’t many QB’s playing in the league that are capable of running it.
Your Tony Rice example is the extreme. During his playing career they weren’t running the spread option stuff like Smith did at Utah, or Kaepernick did at Nevada. Also, while an exceptional runner he was no where near the pass threat that these guys are.
Also, this conversation isn’t about the down the line type option like you are describing. The read option is much different in that, 1) it is run out of the shotgun, 2) the QB is making the read on the DE without taking a step towards him, upon receiving the snap the QB turns and sticks the ball in the RB’s gut while reading the DE, if the DE stays square to the line or comes upfield the QB let’s the RB take the ball and it becomes an inside zone play. If the DE turns and runs down the line the QB pulls the ball and runs.
As Tim says below, you can also add in a triple option aspect by incorporating another RB or slot WR into the play, or you run a play action and beat them that way.
I can understand the doubt by you and others on here. After watching the Fly offense run at the HS level for years, and then more recently at the college level I never thought I would see it run at the NFL level, but then Harbaugh/Roman made it an effective wrinkle, that was successful not only for nice gains, but also an explosive TD in the game at Arizona.
Don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. With Harbaugh/Roman, anything is possible.
@ Jack
Thanks. That was a really good description of the read option and explanation of why the risk factor (to QB) is lower. Ted was right re:the old option because in the NFL the DCs just tell their guys to hammer the QB on EVERY play. Guys like Tebow and Cam Newton can get away with a few plays a game, but if I’m Cam’s coach I don’t risk that often.
All options are read options, the only difference in what you are describing is that the snap is taken from the gun rather then from under center. Plus, there is not single read, if the QB decides to keep the ball he is still watching and “reading” the defense as he runs with it, if and when he runs out of room to run he will still pitch it and he will still get blasted the second he does.
All options plays are “read” options.
Ted,
You are correct that all options are read options. The difference is that with the gun read option the QB is not running down the LOS to get hit on every play, and in some instances they don’t have a secondary pitch man as you mention. I will link some examples at the bottom of the comment.
This isn’t a foreign concept to the Harbaugh led 49ers. They ran it on a few occasions last year with Smith, most notably 2 times in the NFCCG. On both occasions it was the type that I described above, and Smith kept the ball. The possibility for injury is reduced on this type of play compared to if they ran it as a triple option, because he can slide at anytime to avoid the hit and the defense cannot hit him because he is giving himself up. If it were a read triple option he would be fair game downfield if he were to decide to pitch.
http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2010/1/4/1234172/disecting-the-wildcat-the-read
I think we’re splitting hairs, yes it will technically be safer for the QB if he’s not running down the LOS I wont argue with that but the option still involves the QB running and waiting until the last second to pitch the ball if he hasn’t initially and this is where QB’s get killed running the option.
No way can you try and slide as a QB when running an option. You are running full speed and waiting to draw in the defenders, if you are sliding as you try and pitch you only asking for trouble. If you try and slide after you’ve pitched the ball it’ll be too late and already be hit or get hit in the head as you try to slide.
I’ll stick with my original point. The option offense has been around forever as well as athletes that can run it in the NFL. If it was a viable play we would see teams already running it, there must be a reason it isn’t and it has nothing to do with teams not having the right combination of players. Yes Kaep and James are a great pairing for it but they certainly aren’t the only pair that is capable of running it but you still don’t see it being run.
Ted,
Two things you seem to keep missing:
1) the downfield pitch option you keep bringing up is not always part of this play…
2) the 49ers already did this exact play on a few occasions last year successfully with Smith.
@Ted
Tony Rice? The guitar virtuoso from the David Grisman Quartet?
I’m not surprised he didn’t get drafted.
C.K. Can definately throw better than Tebow. Here’s the thing though, he doesn’t have to. He’s got dump offs, quick screens and slants or he can run it. Don’t forget that a backfield with James, Gore and C.K. can get pretty confusing. They can run it anywhere. Even if the defense stuffs the box they won’t have any idea where it’s going or who is taking it. With our “Jumbo Package” that can be a pretty lethal offense. Especially considering that Harbaugh loves to disguise his run packages.
I hope Harbaugh uses Kaep a bit this year – not just in the red zone. Give the offense something a bit different every now and then. I realise that goes against the norm of keeping your #1 QB in the game the whole game, but Smith has a tendency to go quiet for a few series at a time and maybe putting Kaep in for a series or a few plays every now and then could help maintain offensive momentum. Putting Kaep in with James would definitely add a nice speed dimension!
Soooooo…basically you want a Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow type scenario, huh? Not a good idea.
Scooter
Changing QB’s likely results in TO’s. TO’s determine outcomes of games. Not trick plays game after game. Going quiet for a few series doesn’t lose games. TO’s do.
And what is wrong with AS/James/KH in the same backfield?
Scooter,
I agree. I’d like to see a package of plays for Kaep to run at some point in the game. Not necessarily just in the redzone, but a changeup the Niners can throw at the defense at a point in the ball game where they might need a spark.
Grants idea has some merit, but it has to involve Kaep being allowed to throw the ball as well. I think Kaep can throw just fine, they just need to give him reps to get his confidence where it needs to be to execute it on gameday.
James can do so many things he’s going to be a dynamic weapon for this team from any spot on the field. I’m really excited to see what they do with him.
Can’t stand QB’s running in the red zone – how many grusome hits did Steve Young take on the helmet with the stupid QB sneaks from inside two.
Here’s what the Red Zone offense “should be” in 2012. Fades to Moss and slants to Vernon Davis, period. If we happen to be 1st and goal. Give the ball 4 times to Brandon Jacobs and follow Iupati. Sorry Dixon, too much dancing, not enough drive.
This is a truly intelligent thread and no insults…yet. If Harbalke had this in mind in the past 2 drafts they would hardly advertise it,especially w Smith’s sensibilities. To be dominant you use everything you’ve got not stay in a rut and challenge people to match your strength(see world war 1). Smith can run this too, his athleticism is often underrated, as can Hunter and Gore. The need to run the option will depend on the right side of the line. RG has been a bigger hindrance to Smith than his throwing motion
OFF TOPIC: The 49ers Pass Coverage Was Better Than You Thought
Football Outsiders has presented a study of defensive efficiency against the pass on plays where the defense applied pressure to the QB vs. plays where they did not pressure the QB:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2012/2011-pressure-plays-defense
Plays with pressure includes plays with sacks (other than coverage sacks or QB fault sacks), hurries, intentional grounding calls, or scrambles due to pressure. Pressure does not necessarily mean blitzing; it just means that, regardless of the number of pass rushers, the team managed to pressure the QB by causing one of the foregoing things to happen.
The table was not immediately intuitive for me, and I am still studying it, but what I think it says is:
1. The 49ers ranked 3rd in the league in terms of percentage of passing plays with pressure on the QB. They managed to get pressure on 28.6% of all passing plays.
2. Teams are much more efficient defensively when they manage to pressure the QB than when they don’t. Duh.
The following comparison is where I was surprised.
3. On those passing plays in which they pressured the opposing QB, the 49ers were the 26th ranked team in terms of defensive efficiency, but on those passing plays in which they did not pressure the QB, the 49ers ranked 10th.
According to FO, the 49ers had the 6th best pass defense last year. What all those rankings suggest to me is that the 49ers’ pass defense was good last year in large part because of how well the team defended the pass on the 71.4% of passing plays on which they did not generate pressure on the QB.
We may need to rethink the generally accepted belief that the secondary owed its good play to the pass rush.
@claude
Who is “we”? I always said the coverage was good. I remember more than a few sacks by Aldon were due to the secondary coverage skills.
My surprise player of last year, Terell Brown, was damn good. And he was the 2′nd best CB! Everybody says that we will be spread out, but unless you have more than 3 good WR’s to match with CR/TB/CC, all you’ve done is expose your QB to vicious running head starts from the likes of JS/AS/AB. You better have more than 3 good WR’s. You best have more than 1 good QB as well.
@DS:
I was too lazy to go back and look for the numerous posts in which commenters have credited the pass rush for the secondary’s good results in order to identify the specific individuals making the claim. Moreover, although I realize that not everyone subscribed to the idea, it generally has been the conventional wisdom on this and other blogs. I was more interested in informing and possibly reframing the discussion than in accurately pointing fingers. Sorry if I slighted you or anyone else.
That is surprising Claude, at least to me. I was definitely one of those believing the secondary was helped more often than not by the pass rush instead of vice versa.
By the end of the season, we really had the top 3 CB’s (Rogers, Brown, Culliver) playing with a ton of confidence and making plays. It wasn’t until Brown got knocked out of the NFCCG by Goldson that the tide turned in the Giants favor, both due to the muffed punts and Brock getting beat on 3rd and 15 for a TD.
This gives me a great deal of confidence that the defense can be even better this year.
@rocket
Don’t get me wrong. The pass rush clearly helped the secondary (to the tune of an 85.7% difference in DVOA), just not as much as other teams’ pass rushes helped their secondaries. It’s comforting to know that the defense doesn’t fall apart when it doesn’t get pressure. I don’t know how much is due to scheme and how much is due to execution (I suspect it’s a lot of both), but I think you can make a strong argument that it’s one sign of a great defense.
I agree with you about Rogers, Brown and Culliver. I also have a good feeling about Perrish Cox (as a player, not as a possible rapist).
I do have one possible concern. The prevailing thought seems to be that the lockout led Fangio to simplify his defense last season, which, if true, is understandable. What if that simplification was the reason for the defense’s success? What if, in getting deeper into his playbook this season, he over complicates things, and the defense stumbles? For several reasons, I doubt that such a scenario will occur, but there is a small pessimistic part of me that worries about it.
I’m over-thinking this. The season needs to start. NOW.
claude
No reason to change a thing on gameday until teams force us to. Practice time can be used for the new stuff. But if the old stuff works on game day don’t change a thing. Don’t add anything.
I said a lot of times that JS didn’t get this good so quicklly. He’s been thisgood pretty much since he got here. He was always close to sacking the QB. Another split secind away. Now with the coverage being one split second better, he gets sacks/plays he didn’t before.
Not because he got so much better. But those guys in the secondary did.
Hmmmmm….there is an analogy for our QB this coming season somewhere in this.
:- )
And keep in mind nobody could run against us. If they could, they would. And our passing stats are better. Not because we are better against the pass but because we are not as good against the run.
That is why stats are pretty useless. You come to the same conclusion just by watching, and won’t confuse yourself.
@ DS
No reason to change a thing on gameday until teams … stop us on 3rd downs and in the redzone?
So you’re happy with being 31st in 3rd down conversion, 1st in field goal attempts per game, and 30th in red zone TD scoring percentage?
DS
Not because we are better against the pass but because we are not as good against the run.
huh?
Nickrow says “So you’re happy with being 31st in 3rd down conversion, 1st in field goal attempts per game, and 30th in red zone TD scoring percentage?
My answer: whatever it takes to win the division, get in the playoffs and have a chance at the superbowl. Stats dont tell the whole story in football!
It’s okay Nick. It knew what it was talking about. WHEEEEW!!
@Claude,
You are overthinking it. All the “what if’s” made you start to sound like Chicken Little, “the sky is falling”
I think that the reason for them being so low when the QB is pressured is that it seemed as though when they did give up big plays in the passing game it was after early pressure, the QB was able to keep the play alive and make a big play. When they were able to keep the QB in the pocket the defense didn’t break down as much and they did a good job of keeping everything in front of them.
The best way to solve the “problem” is to just make sure that when they get pressure on the QB that they finish him off.
Nick
The thread was about the D. So, my comment was about them.
And yes. I meant we were so great against the run, teams had to pass. Just a slip up.
:- )
Claude,
I get what you’re saying about the defense declining because of too much being put in, but I think that would only happen if: 1) The 49ers’ defensive players aren’t smart enough to handle a deeper playbook (I’ve seen no evidence of this, but it’s possible) and 2) Fangio isn’t smart enough to realize his players aren’t smart enough, if that were the case, however unlikely (I’ve really seen no evidence of this, and I don’t think that’s likely, at all).
Jack,
Looking at “what ifs” that are possible, however unlikely (which Claude alluded to himself in his post), is a long way from Chicken Little territory. It’s something called “thinking”.
ExGolfer,
Of course it’s thinking. All of Claude’s what if thoughts were negative, hence the “sky is falling” Chicken Little reference. FOUR!!!
Jack,
It’s “fore”, not “four”.
“Chicken Little” was worried about things that are physically impossible [i.e., the sky falling]. The scenario Claude came up with, regardless of how likely or unlikely you might think it is, is in the realm of possibility. Therefore, your “Chicken Little” comparison just isn’t very good.
You seem to be a bright person, why such emnity for Claude?
exgolfer,
“Chicken Little, is a folk tale with a moral in the form of a cumulative tale about a chicken who believes the world is coming to an end.
As for my enmity for Claude, don’t worry about it, it doesn’t involve you.
FORE!!! : )
Ex,
Oops made a mistake trying to make something bold. Here goes the first paragraph again.
“Chicken Little, is a folk tale with a moral in the form of a cumulative tale about a chicken who believes the world is coming to an end. The phrase The sky is falling! features prominently in the story, and has passed into the English language as a common idiom indicating a hysterical or mistaken belief that disaster is imminent.”
Jack,
Thanks for explaining “Chicken Little” to me.
You’re welcome golfer. And thank you for showing me the correct spelling of fore.
FORE!! : )
The reduced efficiency when pressuring QBs may be due to a few big pass plays that the Niners DBs allowed in the first half of the season and against the Saints in the playoffs. The sample sizes are small and uncertainties are too large to draw broad conclusions from F.O.’s analyses. The interplay between coverage and QB pressure in successfully defending a play is often too intertwined to be separated for unequivocally crediting either.
The 49ers D also got murdered in DVOA by that final game against the Rams. Even though they won allowing the worst offense in the league to get that many yards and points knocked the 49ers from #1 in DVOA to #3 on defense.
Jim Harbaugh is so……….well…….so, Jim Harbaugh! LMAO @ Matt M’s little piece about how Harb’s is all jazzed and excited about some of his rookies, but when asked which ones he wouldn’t say! He doesn’t want to make it too easy for other teams to mine his cut-down lists before he can get ‘em signed to the PS.
If you’re standing around at a neighborhood cook-out and you asked JH about Global Warming he probably wouldn’t answer on the grounds it might help an opposing team decide which cleats to wear when they play at The Stick!
Poker Player much? Hahahahahahahaha
So because carolina runs the option, and SF has faster players, then all of a sudden they’re going to run the option?
Wow brilliant article, bro.
Copy-cat league. For creatively challenged coaches/coordinators, that is. Somehow I beleive JH will not be copying anyone else’s gimmick, others will be copying *his*.
I was just telling a friend of mine earlier that if colin,lamichael, and kendall hunter were on the field at the sametime would b explosive in that spread option. Colin is head and shoulders a better thrower then tebow so I think they would b alot more dangerous then tebow was in Denver with mcgahee
The idea is ludicrous. You are telling me that the qb we drafted as a future of this organization, which is what a second round draft pick translates to, is going to be put on komokaze missions of the option play in the nfl to translate the occassional 3rd down or redzone play?
That is as absurd as tearing down Piccasso’s to burn in order to heat the museum one day a month. There is a reason running backs have such short shelf lives. The nfl is a high speed high impact sport where the athletes just keep getting bigger.
As the astute commentors have already noted, you aren’t going to fool anyone. Kapernick would need to be in the offense more than the starting qb you are paying 8 million a year to, in order to make that option sellable.
The reward would be a max value of perhaps 2 more 3rd down conversions a game and perhaps 3 tds for the season.
I understand the Press Democrat has this sort of business plan, but professional teams and businesses that actually make money don’t even give this sort of idea pen to paper.
A second round pick doesn’t translate to the future of the organization unless the 2nd round pick develops and grows into his position. In order to do that you need to find ways to get him on the field and playing in meaninful situations.
Grant threw out an idea to take advantage of the athleticism of the players involved. It’s not going to work everytime and you would need to give Kaep the option to throw as well on occasion, but to dismiss it outright is close minded thinking. An NFL game is often won on 2 or 3 difference making plays. If you bring in athletic QB’s who can take advantage of a matchup, then why not do it?
The best use of gadget plays over the years that I can remember was by Tom Landry at Dallas. Landry had a knack for knowing when to call them for maximum effect. Of course personnel substitution packages might have tipped off D’s or at least reminded them of the possibility and spoiled the surprise. With that grouping, or others, the 49ers will need to be able to show and execute more than just the obvious use of the skills implied by the personnel.
I’d say they could work on some of that stuff this summer, but likely only employ it if CK was in the game for injury replacement anyway, and then have it as part of his playbook package. If he’s just in to mop up, you don’t need to show it off in that circumstance.
Here is a far better clear explanation of why the NFL doesn’t run the option:
1. Defensive Talent – Option plays tend to develop horizontally rather than vertically. They’re most effective when the quarterback runs outside the tackles with a blocker in front and running back nearby, so he can either keep the ball or pitch it. This is banking on defensive linemen and linebackers struggling to figure out the play, shed blockers and move laterally in order to keep the play in front of them. It also banks on the defensive player struggling to decide whether to tackle the ball carrier or the flanking running back.
NFL defensive players are too fast and too coordinated for this. They all move well laterally, so they can easily keep the play in front of them. They’re also so fast that you can’t outrun them to the outside. And if they have to decide whether to tackle the quarterback or the runningback, they would go for the quarterback every time. A quarterback open for a hard hit is worth taking every time, even if he already pitched the ball (because then he becomes a blocker). After enough hits, the quarterback will get injured, which leads to point number 2,
2. Quarterback Value – Quarterbacks are usually the highest paid and most valuable players on a team. NFL QBs must be protected. Option offenses don’t protect quarterbacks. Even if the QB pitches on most plays, he would still take more hits than NFL teams would like to see. Even the most durable option QBs wouldn’t be able to take that kind of punishment for long.
3. Too Many Runs – Most option offenses have a run-first philosophy. Passing is only used as an occasional change-up for the run. Double and Triple option offenses limit QBs to 15 to 20 pass attempts in a game. This runs in stark contrast to the pass-first offensive philosophy of most pro teams. The NFL is a passing league. Throwing only 20 passes in a game is roughly half what most teams prefer.
Ted,
Based on this comment it is obvious that you have convinced yourself that there is no way that it will work, and that you have no idea of the concept being presented. You are stuck in the triple option from back in the days of black and white TV’s and Lou Holtz.
In the link above, the first 2 or 3 plays are attacking the defense downhill instead of horizontally, don’t require a lead blocker, and don’t force the QB to get hit unless the read calls for a run.
Again, your complete dismissal of this being a viable wrinkle to the offense has already been disproven by the fact that the 49ers have already run the type of play that I described earlier successfully during last season with Smith at QB.
The Wildcat was successful at first, then not. The reason it failed was that defenses knew that a pass was unlikely, and they simply had to defend against the option play. Tebow was pretty successful at it because 1) he could throw a little, 2) he was a powerful runner, and 3) he had great decision making. Kaepernick and James might be successful at it because of the same factors – or not. Certainly worth trying and might hit gold. One reason teams don’t utilize the option much is the danger of getting your QB injured and destroying your chances for the season. Less of an issue with your second string guy, especially with good options behind him.
The option goes against every conservative bone in harbaugh’s body. I doubt seriously that JH will make it a regular 3rd down or red zone option. I believe it is much more likely we will be seeing A Bradshaw in the lineup in the red zone than either CK or LJ.
“The option goes against every conservative bone in harbaugh’s body.”
Then why did they run it last year?
Because they switched things up Jack. But if they had run it too often, it would have started backfiring.
Of course MWN, that’s why I say it should be a wrinkle. Something they use sparingly depending on the opponent or flow of the game.
i didnt say he would’nt run it. i dont think he will run it as a regular part of the O. I believe he may run it 5 to 10 times all season, which if my memory is correct would be about twice as much as he ran it last yr.
Coach,
Did you mean B Jacobs, not A Bradshaw in the Red Zone?
yes thats exactly what i meant.now i understand why aarp sends me all that literature
LOL! My bad. I appologize. I took that to mean that it wouldn’t happen since he doesn’t play here.
Dont understand all the concern about our defense. our offense will make this defense even better. Why, the offense will be better then last year. The one thing about being bad (for whatever reason) the only direction is up. By the offense playing better, will usually promote time of possesion in our favor. Less time on the field will make this defense even better then last year. The offense will score more points.
Seeing that the Niners are going to put up more points and opposing offenses cant run against the defense, you can expect a barrage of passing against the Niners defense. They will pass because the Niners are scoring a lot and they cant run against that Defense. The thing to watch this season is the Niners pass defense, a good pass rush combined with good coverage will make this team dominate. Its all about the Niners pass defense this year. Its was very good last year its going to have to be better this year.
undercenter,
The 49ers were near the top of the league in T.O.P last year, 6th to be exact. Just imagine what those numbers would have looked like if they were at least average on third down conversions.
This team is set to rock and roll. Time to stop worrying and get revved up for a fantastic season.
Jack
Understood about sixth, room for improvement, I see that happening. Yes this team has all the makings of being one hell of a team. The talent is there, the coaching is there, the FO is there, the atmosphere is there, all the ingredents are in the bowl we shall shortly find out how well it taste.
Football Outsiders put up some excellent drive stats for both offense and defense.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestats
The 49ers D faced 190 possessions which was just about exactly league average. They were #1 in points allowed per drive, #2 in turnovers per drive and #1 in starting field position (thanks Special Teams). They had a drive success rate (DSR – a drive that has either a 1st down or a TD) of .615 (#1) which means that opponents went 3 and out or had a turnover nearly 40% of the time.
I’m not worried about the defense at all.
James has been hanging around with Kaep off the field .I guess he believes his future is in Kaeps hands.
And if Kaep gets more plays in games to play against 1st string defenses then he will get better at passing from the pocket in the NFL. If he sits all the time he can only learn in the classroom and at practice,not the same type experience. So I hope he gets at least some playing time,like Walsh gave Montana while grooming him.If not then if Alex gets hurt or faulters and Kaep becomes the starter then he will need to make all his rookie type mistakes then instead of having already gotten at least some experience this season while he was still #2. (that is if JJ doesn’t pass him up,which I doubt.).
Tim
Or they are in a carpool together.
Just another possiblity.