A New Look Offense or the Same but Better?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 30gut

I kinda agree with you because I'm a traditional smash mouth football type of guy.
I loved the traditional run balance of (sans Kyle) Houston and Mike. S Denver WCO.
Griffin would be deadly running or throwing off boot-action.
Mike Shanahan's traditional Denver WCO would be a breeze for QB like Griffin to learn and execute.

But, whether its a bootleg run or zone read play both are plays with a designed QB run option that can put the QB at risk.

Some of the cutting edge NFL offenses feature the same formations and concepts Griffin mastered at Baylor.
As the rest of the league adds more and more of these spread elements, not neccessarily designed QB runs but spread elements, wouldn't the offense benefit from making the same shift?
Especially with a QB like Griffin that's proven his proficiency in that system?

Well, adding some spread concepts for Griffin would certainly be smart. I never said I didn't want him running the ball at all, I just don't want to see it all the time for health reasons. My worry is they'll run a ton of boots, and until RGIII gets really comfortable with NFL defenses, he'll be too quick to exercise that run option, increases his chances of getting hurt on the run .

[30gut]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I never said I didn't want him running the ball at all, I just don't want to see it all the time for health reasons. My worry is they'll run a ton of boots, and until RGIII gets really comfortable with NFL defenses, he'll be too quick to exercise that run option, increases his chances of getting hurt on the run.

Right on.
I just wanted to point out that I wasn't suggesting that Griffin should run all the time either or that adding spread concepts doesn't equate to designed QB runs.

I agree that whichever style offense they run shouldn't have too many of designed runs either.
I also think Griffin needs to be exercise much better judgement in knowing when to get down and avoid a hit versus when to try and gain that extra yardage and exposing his body.
Imo fearlessness is one of the traits that Griffin shares with Locker.
These guys made some breathtaking runs and also exposed their bodies and took many unneccessary hits.

If there is one area where I wouldn't mind seeing more designed plays with QB runs as an option is the read zone.
That is one area where I think the risk is worth the reward.

Back to your OP, truth be told any option that involves a return of balanced playcalling is the least likely scenario in my mind.
Regardless of whether there are more spread concepts or the offense concepts/formations remains unchanged from last year I doubt Kyle will ever have the run balance that was the staple of the DWCO.

I'm not saying that as a value judgement either; just an observation of the trend in Kyle's pass/run ratio both here and in Houston.
Although I prefer balanced playcalling there are plenty of great offenses in the league that lack balanced playcalling but are still highly productive.