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You mean Tebow might be successful in the NFL? And we'll have....er, get...to hear more about him....???

Excellent topic Doc. I think the "spread won't translate to the NFL" is hogwash. When run against a defense built to stop smash mouth football, it can be devastating at any level. I assume this comes at least in part from the fact that while the option was very successful in HS/college, superior team speed and discipline minimized its success in the NFL.

Most of the stuff I've heard has focused on the extreme athletic abilities of NFL defenders, and how that in and of itself would stymie the spread's basic intent to create a "mismatch in space".

The NFL defender was SO good, there was no way in hell there could be a mismatch, and the defensive speed was so great, there was next to no real "space" to be had. Well, maybe that's NOT the case.

As it's always been, the struggle of the offense to move the ball downfield using any means possible against a defense equally intent on stopping them brings about an evolution of tactics. In my mind, this is just another round of evolution - the O has a successful new wrinkle, and are taking advantage of it. Soon the D will find effective ways to counteract this.

And there are always those that say any change from the established ways of doing things won't be successful. Great topic Doc.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 01:59 PM ET  08.28 by BackRoads

You mean Tebow might be successful in the NFL? And we'll have....er, get...to hear more about him....???

Thinkin' of you today, Default, on the 5th anniversary of Katrina's visit to your neighborhood.

I like GR's point. A defense's ability to stop a particular attack depends mostly on preparation. As defenses get used to the spread, they'll be a lot more successful stopping it. Not saying the spread won't work as well as anything else, but eventually OC's will have to come up with something newer than the spread to challenge defenses.

High speed passing offensive schemes have had a very long history in the NFL. From the Chargers of the 70's to Dan Marino's Dolphins to the 2000 Rams and today's Saints. The only real "spread" feature that they have not already used is a running QB as a norm. Not sure if that will ever change though. I don't think mismatches are the worry, the real worry is durability at QB for a run-spread like WVU, UF, or Utah run.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 04:58 PM ET  08.28 by Tribute to Troy

Thinkin' of you today, Default, on the 5th anniversary of Katrina's visit to your neighborhood. I like GR's point. A defense's ability to stop a particular attack depends mostly on preparation. As defenses get used to the spread, they'll be a lot more successful stopping it. Not saying the spread won't work as well as anything else, but eventually OC's will have to come up with something newer than the spread to challenge defenses.

appreciate the thoughts.

When the NFL D starts stopping the spread, then that would open up the other offense schemes. Yes the NFL D speed will negate the college spread...but the NFL O speed will open it up more as well....

The Spread will never be the dominant offense in the NFL, but I do think that to an extent, it's a great asset to have for an NFL offense. As more and more college programs run with the spread, I think we'll see more talented NFL players out there that are accustomed to playing with it and against it.

Defenses eventually figured out the once-daunted Wishbone T by, in my view, making linebacker corps a lot faster.

The same could happen to the spread. It's new enough so that defensive formulas haven't been discovered yet.

I hope it is successful. It is one reason college football is so much more fun to watch than pro football.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:13 PM ET  08.28 by GoFloSemis

Defenses eventually figured out the once-daunted Wishbone T by, in my view, making linebacker corps a lot faster.The same could happen to the spread. It's new enough so that defensive formulas haven't been discovered yet.I hope it is successful. It is one reason college football is so much more fun to watch than pro football.

Excellent point. In addition to that, you could point out the WildCat as well.

Two years ago, when the Dolphins first made that a prevalent part of their offense, defenses didn't know what to do. But last season, defenses faired much better against it. The same could happen with the spread if it becomes as popular as the WildCat did.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 07:55 PM ET  08.28 by Armpit

High speed passing offensive schemes have had a very long history in the NFL. From the Chargers of the 70's to Dan Marino's Dolphins to the 2000 Rams and today's Saints. The only real "spread" feature that they have not already used is a running QB as a norm. Not sure if that will ever change though. I don't think mismatches are the worry, the real worry is durability at QB for a run-spread like WVU, UF, or Utah run.

That's how I see it. In the NFL teams invest way too much money in QBs to let their starters get hurt on a designed run.

The spread offense will translate to the NFL - partially. But as always, the NFL is a more conservative game. Plays that allow the QB to stay in the pocket will be much more likely to find a home in an NFL playbook.

And the way I see it. NFL gets over 99% of their talent from the NCAA. So whatever style of players college football is having success with, the NFL is eventually going to inherit. If those players are best suited to operate out of a spread offense, pro football will eventually see more spread offense in order to get the most out of their rosters.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 03:13 PM ET  08.28 by GR=O-6fan

As it's always been, the struggle of the offense to move the ball downfield using any means possible against a defense equally intent on stopping them brings about an evolution of tactics. In my mind, this is just another round of evolution - the O has a successful new wrinkle, and are taking advantage of it. Soon the D will find effective ways to counteract this.

I like your take GR.

I don't follow the NFL, but this is pretty much what I was thinking when I read the original thread.

smart football article on the future of the spread

smart football article from 2006

Some other interesting Xs and Os stuff:
Analysis of Coach Tressel's favorite run play, Power Dave

Bear Bryant's defensive schemes

Finally, [url=http://tinyurl.com/2abl7r8video of some guy named Saban[/url] talking about defending the Wildcat.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 02:14 PM ET  08.29 by UB bulls

Take a mulligan!

OK.

Finally, video of some guy named Saban talking about defending the Wildcat.

Quint fools!

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

... That said name one QB out of the spread offense in college that was or is successful in the NFL. I don't see anybody who spent 4 years in shotgun adapt to being under center in the NFL. When you play in the NFL you are paid to throw not to run.

Um ... you should know the answer ... he played in your conference ...

1. Drew Brees (Purdue). Here's an excerpt from his pre-draft bio: "plays in the spread offense, taking the bulk of his snaps from the shotgun, tends to side-arm his passes going deep, lacks accuracy and touch on his long throws, seems more comfortable in the short/intermediate passing attack, does not possess the ideal height you look for in a pro passer." This kid was obviously not prepared for the NFL.

2. Ben Rothlisberger (Miami OH). The spread offense he ran in college had him so ill prepared to succeed in the NFL that he became the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in league history (2004 - his 2nd year). He won another Super Bowl in 2008 - the year before another spread QB (Brees).

3. Tony Romo (E. Illinois) - Cowboy's starting QB, 3-time Pro Bowler. He played exclusively in the shotgun at E. Illinois.

4. Donovan McNabb (Syracuse). Redskins starter. Eagles record holder. 6-time Pro Bowler.

5. Vince Young (Texas) - Don't look now he's the starter for the Titans.

6. Chad Pennington (Marshall). Starter for NY Jets and Miami Dolphins (retired). 2-time NFL comeback player of the year.

I could keep going ...

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 02:17 PM ET  08.29 by UB bulls

Quint fools!

One of my favorite scenes of all time. "But, we delivered the bomb!"

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 10:22 PM ET  08.29 by Dr. B-f-G

Um ... you should know the answer ... he played in your conference ...1. Drew Brees (Purdue). Here's an excerpt from his pre-draft bio: "plays in the spread offense, taking the bulk of his snaps from the shotgun, tends to side-arm his passes going deep, lacks accuracy and touch on his long throws, seems more comfortable in the short/intermediate passing attack, does not possess the ideal height you look for in a pro passer." This kid was obviously not prepared for the NFL.2. Ben Rothlisberger (Miami OH). The spread offense he ran in college had him so ill prepared to succeed in the NFL that he became the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in league history (2004 - his 2nd year). He won another Super Bowl in 2008 - the year before another spread QB (Brees).3. Tony Romo (E. Illinois) - Cowboy's starting QB, 3-time Pro Bowler. He played exclusively in the shotgun at E. Illinois.4. Donovan McNabb (Syracuse). Redskins starter. Eagles record holder. 6-time Pro Bowler.5. Vince Young (Texas) - Don't look now he's the starter for the Titans.6. Chad Pennington (Marshall). Starter for NY Jets and Miami Dolphins (retired). 2-time NFL comeback player of the year.I could keep going ...

But if you don't play under center in college, you will not be a good NFL QB. All those guys suck. ;)

A running-able QB is more of a threat than actually being a large part of the offense, like a QB just running for a first down when nothing is open down field. Any thing that makes the Def Coord adjust to a threat on offense gives the offense an advantage.