Ineligible Man Downfield

Ever since the Miami Dolphins ran the “wildcat offense,” all the rage is about what version of the wildcat offense does your football team play.  So off the top of my head, I can count several teams including the Dolphins who have used it:  Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and a whole host of other teams.  The total stands at about 16 or basically half of the teams of the NFL.  The Philadelphia Eagles are the latest to use this formation with the addition of the versatile and controversial Michael Vick.  Some teams should use it such as the Chargers with the more than capable LT as the hybrid quarterback/running back.

Why such interest?

I think the answer is quite simple.  Its the same reason gadget plays (made famous by Ken Whisenhunt) work.  The answer is leverage.  If the defense does not know what the offense is going to do, the advantage defaults automatically to the offense which helps them score more points.  Unlike gadget plays which are used once or twice in a game, teams are using the wildcat more regularly.

Isn’t the wildcat a college play?

Sure, the wildcat is used more often in college and high school, because not every school has a capable quarterback that can throw the long ball. (Some NFL teams such as the 49ers or Lions should look into this).  With that said, the obvious question would be since this offense has been around for so long, wouldn’t coaches have a defensive scheme for it?  Yes and no.  The college game is different from the pros where defensive coordinators already have it on the books.  It was inconceivable that a college play such as the wildcat would have succeeded in the NFL that it was assumed unnecessary for defenses to plan for it.  However we know now how that turned out.  Some assumptions need to be tested and this passed with flying colors.

Significance of the wildcat

So what is the importance of this discussion anyhow?  The NFL has relied on the same number of plays over the years and the wildcat represents possibly a new revolution in scheming in the NFL.  New plays and formations may change the game, making it more exciting.  (Aside:  Dang, Roger Godell should hire me for my type of analysis!).  What if we line up with two quarterbacks or what if we only line up with 3 running backs?  Wouldn’t that be intersting?

This begs the following question:

Can the spread offense work in the NFL?

What can I say?  I’m speechless almost to the point of “shock and awe“.  Okay maybe not to that extreme, but I am certainly disappointed at the Carolina Panthers for putting forth a lackluster game against the Arizona Cardinals. The game was basically over by halftime with Jake Delhomme chucking giveaways like he was Santa Claus, the man incarnate.  Meanwhile, Kurt Warner was throwing TDs and partying like it was 1999:

In my opinion if the Panthers had stuck with the running game of DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart, the game would have ended in Carolina’s favor.  Instead, an anxiety attack hit after the first few turnovers and the Panthers tried to air it out like they were the “Greatest Show On Turf” of Warner’s Ringling Brothers past.  Argh, how frustrating! Continue reading