The QB evolution & the read option

[sunday]

Since it's winter (for most of you...sorry it's 65* in San Diego today) talk to me about the "kind of QB we should recruit in the future." From reading past posts, it seems like most teams have gone to a passing game. Do we build big bodies up front for a pocket passer and go after the 6'4" gunslinger? Or do you see more of a Vernon type QB fitting in with our system? Can you have both? Johnny Football turned lots of heads. I can see Adams providing us with many options as Mr. Heisman did this year @ A & M.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Hopefully we will have KP back next season, but I think at this point you have to build your offensive line around Adams. That means athletic O-Lineman, especially at tackle.

 

[EWURanger]

Since it's winter (for most of you...sorry it's 65* in San Diego today) talk to me about the "kind of QB we should recruit in the future." From reading past posts, it seems like most teams have gone to a passing game. Do we build big bodies up front for a pocket passer and go after the 6'4" gunslinger? Or do you see more of a Vernon type QB fitting in with our system? Can you have both? Johnny Football turned lots of heads. I can see Adams providing us with many options as Mr. Heisman did this year @ A & M.

In my opinion, EWU has become the "QB-U" of the FCS over the past decade or so. Really the only other school that can boast the same QB Pedigree is Delaware. Baldwin is a QB guy, you wanna get great development and play in a system that can give you a shot at the next level, you come to EWU. The offense is completely dependent on great QB play.

With that said, we've had great success with different QB style play. Erik Meyer (2002-2005) was a very mobile QB who was extremely accurate even while throwing on the move. Matt Nichols (2006-2009) was more of a pocket-passer guy, as was Mitchell. Blankenship (2001-2002?) was another guy like that. Padron definitely falls in that category as well.

I think the only real pre-requisite to play QB here is you've got to have a great arm and you need to be able to make the throws required in this offense. If you're mobile, then that's all the better but I don't think it's as important in this offense as accuracy and arm strength are. We probably haven't ever had a QB quite as unique as Adams is in his running ability, but I don't think that it means we will starting running the read-option or anything. That's not Baldwin's thing.

 

[DefendtheRed]

Vernon Adams will be EWU's third Payton Award winner, take that one to the bank. Our focus should not be on recruiting Qbs this season but building the talent around him specifically at receiver.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Since it's winter (for most of you...sorry it's 65* in San Diego today) talk to me about the "kind of QB we should recruit in the future." From reading past posts, it seems like most teams have gone to a passing game. Do we build big bodies up front for a pocket passer and go after the 6'4" gunslinger? Or do you see more of a Vernon type QB fitting in with our system? Can you have both? Johnny Football turned lots of heads. I can see Adams providing us with many options as Mr. Heisman did this year @ A & M.

In my opinion, EWU has become the "QB-U" of the FCS over the past decade or so. Really the only other school that can boast the same QB Pedigree is Delaware. Baldwin is a QB guy, you wanna get great development and play in a system that can give you a shot at the next level, you come to EWU. The offense is completely dependent on great QB play.

With that said, we've had great success with different QB style play. Erik Meyer (2002-2005) was a very mobile QB who was extremely accurate even while throwing on the move. Matt Nichols (2006-2009) was more of a pocket-passer guy, as was Mitchell. Blankenship (2001-2002?) was another guy like that. Padron definitely falls in that category as well.

I think the only real pre-requisite to play QB here is you've got to have a great arm and you need to be able to make the throws required in this offense. If you're mobile, then that's all the better but I don't think it's as important in this offense as accuracy and arm strength are. We probably haven't ever had a QB quite as unique as Adams is in his running ability, but I don't think that it means we will starting running the read-option or anything. That's not Baldwin's thing.

I'm pretty sure I saw us run some read option plays with Adams in. I could be wrong though.

 

[kalm]

Since it's winter (for most of you...sorry it's 65* in San Diego today) talk to me about the "kind of QB we should recruit in the future." From reading past posts, it seems like most teams have gone to a passing game. Do we build big bodies up front for a pocket passer and go after the 6'4" gunslinger? Or do you see more of a Vernon type QB fitting in with our system? Can you have both? Johnny Football turned lots of heads. I can see Adams providing us with many options as Mr. Heisman did this year @ A & M.

In my opinion, EWU has become the "QB-U" of the FCS over the past decade or so. Really the only other school that can boast the same QB Pedigree is Delaware. Baldwin is a QB guy, you wanna get great development and play in a system that can give you a shot at the next level, you come to EWU. The offense is completely dependent on great QB play.

With that said, we've had great success with different QB style play. Erik Meyer (2002-2005) was a very mobile QB who was extremely accurate even while throwing on the move. Matt Nichols (2006-2009) was more of a pocket-passer guy, as was Mitchell. Blankenship (2001-2002?) was another guy like that. Padron definitely falls in that category as well.

I think the only real pre-requisite to play QB here is you've got to have a great arm and you need to be able to make the throws required in this offense. If you're mobile, then that's all the better but I don't think it's as important in this offense as accuracy and arm strength are. We probably haven't ever had a QB quite as unique as Adams is in his running ability, but I don't think that it means we will starting running the read-option or anything. That's not Baldwin's thing.

Accuracy is the most under rated skill at the position in all levels IMHO. Not sure who has the strongest arm, but the best QB's in the NFL are the most accurate. Case in point, Payton Manning who throws a wobbly, ugly, but usually on the money duck. Rogers, Brees, Brady, all extremely accurate. Jamarcus Russell, Vince Young, Tim Tebow...not so much. Of course smarts and the ability to process information also help or else Jeff George would have been the greatest QB of all time.

That's what amazes me every time I watch other FCS games throughout the season and in the playoffs like in the NC game. Perhaps I'm spoiled but I just can't believe how much more accurate EWU QB's have been than Hensen and Bell. Spoiled I guess.

BTW, while VA APPEARS to have a little bit of an awkward motion and less arm strength, he still surprised me with some of his throws...especially on a few deep outs.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Figured this would be a good thread to continue the read option discussion. With this quote from The Easterner's Peter Sowards' article on off-season conditioning, along with prior quotes from Baldwin, I think it's a foregone conclusion that we'll be incorporating read option plays this year.

Quarterback Vernon Adams, who played at 175 pounds during the 2012 season, set strength and weight goals for the summer. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting stronger,” Adams said. I’ve been taking protein a lot, and I want to get my weight up to a solid 193-195 so I can take hits. I might be running the ball a lot more this year, so I want to be able to take hits.” Adams is close to his goal, currently weighing in at 188 pounds.

Adams added, “I’m trying to get my weight up, but also keep my speed up at the same time, if not get faster.”
http://easterneronline.com/2013/05/16/eagle-football-works-hard-over-summer/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, I'm excited about it and all for having the read option as part of our offense, as long as it's not the primary scheme. Just like the Seahawks use it, it's a great switchup to keep defenses off balance and give your bread and butter run and pass plays that much more room to succeed. Also keep in mind that we have Mario Brown coming off his RS year. His speed and shiftiness (along with WR Shaq Hill) will make for the perfect weapon when utilized in conjunction with the read option. Not discounting the ability of our young WRs, but the RO will make it that much easier for them to get separation and help our offense maintain or improve it's potency.

 

[EWURanger]

One thing's for certain, the offense will be different this year than the last 4 or 5 years. Different personnel.

 

[kalm]

Figured this would be a good thread to continue the read option discussion. With this quote from The Easterner's Peter Sowards' article on off-season conditioning, along with prior quotes from Baldwin, I think it's a foregone conclusion that we'll be incorporating read option plays this year.

Quarterback Vernon Adams, who played at 175 pounds during the 2012 season, set strength and weight goals for the summer. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting stronger,” Adams said. I’ve been taking protein a lot, and I want to get my weight up to a solid 193-195 so I can take hits. I might be running the ball a lot more this year, so I want to be able to take hits.” Adams is close to his goal, currently weighing in at 188 pounds.

Adams added, “I’m trying to get my weight up, but also keep my speed up at the same time, if not get faster.”
http://easterneronline.com/2013/05/16/eagle-football-works-hard-over-summer/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, I'm excited about it and all for having the read option as part of our offense, as long as it's not the primary scheme. Just like the Seahawks use it, it's a great switchup to keep defenses off balance and give your bread and butter run and pass plays that much more room to succeed. Also keep in mind that we have Mario Brown coming off his RS year. His speed and shiftiness (along with WR Shaq Hill) will make for the perfect weapon when utilized in conjunction with the read option. Not discounting the ability of our young WRs, but the RO will make it that much easier for them to get separation and help our offense maintain or improve it's potency.

Did Russell Wilson run the RO at Wisconsin?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Figured this would be a good thread to continue the read option discussion. With this quote from The Easterner's Peter Sowards' article on off-season conditioning, along with prior quotes from Baldwin, I think it's a foregone conclusion that we'll be incorporating read option plays this year.

Quarterback Vernon Adams, who played at 175 pounds during the 2012 season, set strength and weight goals for the summer. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting stronger,” Adams said. I’ve been taking protein a lot, and I want to get my weight up to a solid 193-195 so I can take hits. I might be running the ball a lot more this year, so I want to be able to take hits.” Adams is close to his goal, currently weighing in at 188 pounds.

Adams added, “I’m trying to get my weight up, but also keep my speed up at the same time, if not get faster.”
http://easterneronline.com/2013/05/16/eagle-football-works-hard-over-summer/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, I'm excited about it and all for having the read option as part of our offense, as long as it's not the primary scheme. Just like the Seahawks use it, it's a great switchup to keep defenses off balance and give your bread and butter run and pass plays that much more room to succeed. Also keep in mind that we have Mario Brown coming off his RS year. His speed and shiftiness (along with WR Shaq Hill) will make for the perfect weapon when utilized in conjunction with the read option. Not discounting the ability of our young WRs, but the RO will make it that much easier for them to get separation and help our offense maintain or improve it's potency.

Did Russell Wilson run the RO at Wisconsin?

No. He had never run the RO at all before, either at Wisconsin or NC State. But the Badgers offense had a lot of heavy run, play action in it, which made the transition easy for him. He's really good at putting the ball into the belly of the RB and being able to pull it back out.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Here's a great interview on 710 ESPN from this past fall, talking with former Oregon HC Mike Belotti about the read option.

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=577&a=9950054&p=3&n=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

6:00-15:40ish

 

[LDopaPDX]

For as much as the read option is trendy, the fact is championships continue to be won by teams operating out of a single back spread and playing a drop-back passing game. A lot of these read option teams get close, but once they play a team with dominant DEs (see Oregon losing to Boise State, Auburn, LSU, and Stanford over recent years), they don't know how to move the ball.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Inerestingly, the dominant DEs used in shutting down the read option is something I'd like to see Eastern incorporate. For the last few years, we've migrated to the sack-type, undersized, speed-rushing DEs... and while the sacks pile up, we get run all over. It's the run that beats this team, and I'd rather start incorporating some guys who look more like offensive tackles on the edge, rather than some guy who looks like a beefed-up safety.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

For as much as the read option is trendy, the fact is championships continue to be won by teams operating out of a single back spread and playing a drop-back passing game. A lot of these read option teams get close, but once they play a team with dominant DEs (see Oregon losing to Boise State, Auburn, LSU, and Stanford over recent years), they don't know how to move the ball.

I think there's a big difference between having the RO as a team's bread and butter scheme, and using it only 10-20% of the time to keep defenses off balance akin to how SF and SEA used it this past year. Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell did a great job intermixing PA pass, run and option plays all out of the same formations.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Inerestingly, the dominant DEs used in shutting down the read option is something I'd like to see Eastern incorporate. For the last few years, we've migrated to the sack-type, undersized, speed-rushing DEs... and while the sacks pile up, we get run all over. It's the run that beats this team, and I'd rather start incorporating some guys who look more like offensive tackles on the edge, rather than some guy who looks like a beefed-up safety.

The vast majority of DEs with that size and athletic ability get offered BCS/FBS scholarships. Hard to find them at the FCS level.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Inerestingly, the dominant DEs used in shutting down the read option is something I'd like to see Eastern incorporate. For the last few years, we've migrated to the sack-type, undersized, speed-rushing DEs... and while the sacks pile up, we get run all over. It's the run that beats this team, and I'd rather start incorporating some guys who look more like offensive tackles on the edge, rather than some guy who looks like a beefed-up safety.

The vast majority of DEs with that size and athletic ability get offered BCS/FBS scholarships. Hard to find them at the FCS level.

I'd only agree with you about 50% on this one... Anthony Larry is a legitimate strongsider already on the roster, and should help lock down the edge. Also, we have Dylan Zylstra- who I think has been moved to DT- who would have been the exact mold for a strongsider. He's not the kind of guy you're going to rush from the outside, but I don't think that's what we need. Also, you could look at a lot of guys lining up at TE and figure they could also fit that mold. They don't need to be 290 pounds at this level... a guy who is 260 would work just fine. They just need to be big enough to fight off that hook block on the edge and make tackles.

 

[GoldenEagle]

Inerestingly, the dominant DEs used in shutting down the read option is something I'd like to see Eastern incorporate. For the last few years, we've migrated to the sack-type, undersized, speed-rushing DEs... and while the sacks pile up, we get run all over. It's the run that beats this team, and I'd rather start incorporating some guys who look more like offensive tackles on the edge, rather than some guy who looks like a beefed-up safety.

The vast majority of DEs with that size and athletic ability get offered BCS/FBS scholarships. Hard to find them at the FCS level.

I'd only agree with you about 50% on this one... Anthony Larry is a legitimate strongsider already on the roster, and should help lock down the edge. Also, we have Dylan Zylstra- who I think has been moved to DT- who would have been the exact mold for a strongsider. He's not the kind of guy you're going to rush from the outside, but I don't think that's what we need. Also, you could look at a lot of guys lining up at TE and figure they could also fit that mold. They don't need to be 290 pounds at this level... a guy who is 260 would work just fine. They just need to be big enough to fight off that hook block on the edge and make tackles.

Consistent with the defense's performance this spring, Anthony Larry looked good. Big and athletic. He will create problems for opponents this year.