College Spread Offense Ruining NFL
April 13th, 2015
“Spread out!”
It’s bad enough that the spread-option offense, which has spread across college football like rabies, is pumping out garbage NFL quarterbacks more often than not. That irks Joe.
In recent weeks, Joe heard folks on SiriusXM NFL Radio say that it’s hard enough trying to figure out if a spread QB can play in the NFL, but now it’s also hard trying to determine if offensive linemen playing in a spread can make the jump.
So Joe let out an audible groan when he read a piece from Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. Bucs general manager Jason Licht wants to add to the offensive line through the draft, the spread offenses are making his job more difficult.
Licht said the advent of spread-option offenses in college is forcing more offensive linemen to play with a skill set that is vastly different than what they will need to excel or even play in the NFL.
“You’re still looking for the same thing in an offensive lineman that you were looking for before,’’ Licht said. “You still want guys that are smart, tough, physical and athletic. You’re still looking for that strong kind of guy, but you have to project a little more now than you did back in the days when the spread (offense) wasn’t such a big part of the college game.’’
Ugh. Why can’t more college teams do their players a favor and use more pro-style offenses?
Scouts and front office personnel just have to be more astute in deciphering offensive linemen from spread offenses. Look, the two teams that played in January’s NFC Championship game had rookies starting on their offensive lines that came from spread offenses, and were middle-round draft picks.
So there is hope.
April 13th, 2015 at 5:50 am
@Joe … “Ugh. Why can’t more college teams do their players a favor and make it easier to for their players to get to the next level by playing more pro-style offenses?”
Uhhh Joe, perhaps because coaches and players want to win?
If it takes a spread offense to do that, who can blame coaches for using it?
Interesting though that Ohio State used a relatively conventional pro-style offense … run by a third-string freshman QB … and still won handily.
April 13th, 2015 at 6:19 am
So it irks you that same “gimmicky” stuff beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl?
April 13th, 2015 at 6:19 am
I could’ve swore Urban Myer ran a sread offense…
April 13th, 2015 at 6:22 am
Dick, I think you’d be hard pressed to find another person who thinks Urban Meyers system resembles a pro-style offense.
Ref: Dim Tebow.
April 13th, 2015 at 6:35 am
The only thing that was pro style about that OSU offense in the title game was the way they ran the ball down the Ducks throat. Ran it like a pro!
April 13th, 2015 at 6:37 am
I’ve always wondered who was in charge of our scouting department.
Thanks for sharing the picture.
It now makes total sense.
April 13th, 2015 at 6:41 am
Thank god college runs the spread offense. Its 10 times more fun to watch than 75% of the pro style that’s currently run in the NFL. The spread wears down defenses down which helps produce points. I don’t watch football to see 7-3 final scores.
April 13th, 2015 at 7:19 am
Yeah, it is nice to give our scouts a lil publicity now and then.
Honestly though, I expected chimps, with darts and Dart boards
Does it ever occur to the Bucs to go buy one of the better draft magazines, or Walterfootball, and just draft who they suggest. For the last 9 years- the mock drafts I’ve followed would have drafted far better than the team did.
Sad, but true
April 13th, 2015 at 7:32 am
If the NFL wants young men groomed for Pro football then perhaps they need to consider a minor league type of system? It is not the NCAA’S purpose to fill NFL rosters though it does in fact by default do exactly that.
April 13th, 2015 at 7:40 am
Uhhh-Ohh! Joe sounds a little mad this morning. I bet I know why Joe and his fellow Winston lovers are a little upset this morning lol.
“Ron Jaworski: Marcus Mariota is going number one to the Buccaneers””The latest I’m hearing now from my sources around the league, who are pretty wired in, is that he’s going to go number one now to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” said Jaworski.
“Mariota’s stock, remember it was quiet for a while? And there’s a reason for that. There’s a lull every year until about 30 days before the draft. Now the coaches get involved. Prior to that, it’s the scouts, it’s the roadies that are filling out the paper work. Now the coaches get involved. Now team owners get involved. Now general managers get involved. So you’re starting to see, in my opinion, Winston’s stock starting to slide a little bit and Mariota’s stock starting to go up a little bit.”
April 13th, 2015 at 7:48 am
That’s a bad recipe for a franchise who sucks at drafting. Why not adapt to what players do best? Lovie is a joke
April 13th, 2015 at 7:50 am
David, The only problem with Jaws statement is that is doesnt fit reality in that Winston visited with the Bucs coaches and owners weeks ago, right after the combine. So say that its only been the scouts involved up to this point is just not factual. Its silly season, the media has to have something to write about so they create a few lines to get things stirred up.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:03 am
The NFL is already adapting. Nothing to see here.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:05 am
Unfortunately for the NFL Joe it doesn’t seem like college football is going to stop using it anytime soon.
I’m actually a big fan of the spread in college. Yet like you, I don’t think it’s doing the players justice when they go pro.
You’re a pretty big college fan yourself Joe. Do you like watching it, while watching college ball?
April 13th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Hey joe what style O your boy Jonny football play?
April 13th, 2015 at 8:19 am
Silly season at jbf
April 13th, 2015 at 8:23 am
60% of All snaps in the NFL last yr were taken out of a Spread offense. It would appear that the kids coming out of a spread formation now actually have an advantage. Hmmm
April 13th, 2015 at 8:30 am
“Ugh. Why can’t more college teams do their players a favor and use more pro-style offenses?”
Hahaha. WTF? This, from the same person that got a raging hard on for Johnny Rehab a year ago??
April 13th, 2015 at 8:41 am
So let’s give it a run down. Andy Dalton,Collin Kaepernick,RG3,Blaine Gabbert,Cam Newton to mention a few. Soon you can add Mariota. Without going into some overly diluted breakdown of stats how many total playoff wins can we come up with with this grouping of individuals. Stating the common theme between them all is unnecessary. Side note I intentionally left Dennis Dixon,Darron Thomas,Mike Vick along with Geno Smith off the list for obvious reasons. I’ll chime in later with a similar listing of folks called traditional pocket passers and pose the same playoff question for them a little later.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:44 am
Keep telling yourself that @Dreambig. Why is it that so many teams want Mariota, as in trading the farm to get him, as in, “Not waiting for him to fall”?
Just more evidence: “According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are interested in trading with the Tennessee Titans in hopes of drafting Mariota”.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:59 am
Winston’s ship is sinking…………HEADLINE- “Jameis Winston’s lawyer says the quarterback still needs to mature”” He’s ready to be an NFL player on the field. But he’s not ready to be an NFL player off the field” – Cornwell on Winston. Gotdamn.
“We have to assist him in growing and developing as a man. And it’s not going to be easy” – Cornwell on Winston.
HEADLINE- “Jameis Winston Looking For ‘Confirmation’ From Bucs That They’ll Take Him In Draft” This sounds ridiculous. Why Winston would need “confirmation” is mind-boggling. He has no say in the matter, nor does he have any control of his NFL future prior to the draft. The decision is not his.
While prospects are put onto a team and forced to relocate with no input, the reality is that they are paid a huge sum of money to simply play a game.
Most players recognize the incredible opportunity that is presented to them, and know not to make any waves.
If the rumor is true, and Winston wants “confirmation,” it is destroying all that he has been doing to clean up his public image, which has been the cause of concern for many teams, including Tampa Bay.
If Winston is hoping that the Bucs make the decision earlier, so that he can start watching film or ingratiating himself to the other Bucs players, then his statement can be looked at in a different light, but it’s still not the kind of statement that needs to be floating around, with only 3 weeks before the draft.
The Bucs, head coach Lovie Smith, and general manager Jason Licht have all but said that Winston is going to be their # 1 choice. Some in the media have even said it’s a “done deal.” However, with Winston allegedly looking for a “confirmation,” that can throw a wrench into things.
HEADLINE “According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are interested in trading with the Tennessee Titans in hopes of drafting Mariota”.
HEADLINE-“Ron Jaworski: Marcus Mariota is going number one to the Buccaneers””The latest I’m hearing now from my sources around the league, who are pretty wired in, is that he’s going to go number one now to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” said Jaworski.
“Mariota’s stock, remember it was quiet for a while? And there’s a reason for that. There’s a lull every year until about 30 days before the draft. Now the coaches get involved. Prior to that, it’s the scouts, it’s the roadies that are filling out the paper work. Now the coaches get involved. Now team owners get involved. Now general managers get involved. So you’re starting to see, in my opinion, Winston’s stock starting to slide a little bit and Mariota’s stock starting to go up a little bit.”
I’m definitely starting to see Winston’s ship starting to go down! MARIOTA!
April 13th, 2015 at 9:03 am
Outside of WINSton this QB class sucks. The NFL is at cross roads because these clubs are desperate for a trigger man that every year someone not deserving of the type of hype being attach to him will make GMs and coaches that already have a garbage QB on the roster get jumpy about taking anything that gives them a prayer of a chance at winning a few games. Scratching my head as how people feel these runner QBs will ever work out in the NFL when one after the other have put up minimal results year after after year. I mean if someone can give me an example of one winning the dance please inform me. And leave out Russell Wilson will ya,cause that can be debated.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:08 am
WINSton vs Luck will be the NFLs version of the NBAs Magic vs Bird. They are the prototypes and will be killing your runner style QBs for many many years. I guarantee it.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:08 am
Oh yeah, Thanks for reminding me Joe!
Headline- “NFL draft guru Mike Mayock demoting Jameis Winston to No. 2 in his quarterback rankings”
April 13th, 2015 at 9:17 am
The second last line sums it up of the article. It has nothing to do with more teams running the spread, it has to do with bad offensive line coaching. Good teams with good coaching can take any talent and make it work. Bad teams with bad coaching need “ready made” guys. Guess where the Bucs fall on that scale?
April 13th, 2015 at 9:19 am
You gotta be kidding me with the whole “Scratching my head as how people feel these runner QBs will ever work out in the NFL” comment @ Nole on Sat.
Ever heard of Steve Young, Dante Culpepper, Fran Tarkenton, Greg Landry,Jim harbaugh, Kordell Stewart, Donavan Mcnabb, John Elway, Steve Mcnair, Michael Vick, Nah your right that running thing the quarterbacks do will never work in the NFL.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:25 am
The Beauty is @Nole on Sat. is that Mariota also knows how to win by throwing the ball, not just running all the time. He ran a blistering fast offense in Oregon and is exciting to watch. He throws to wide open receivers a lot because teams are afraid he’s gonna kill em’ with his legs. Dual Threat Baby! He’s also smart at reading defenses and picking them apart. He also crushed Winston & your Precious Noles In the Rose Bowl! I know that must be the fuel you and your fellow Winston Lovers have for hating Mariota so much but get over it!
April 13th, 2015 at 9:36 am
And Steve McNair (God bless the dead)lost to what style of QB in the superbowl,Donovan McNabb lost to what style of QB in the superbowl. Steve Young along with John Elway won the dance when they became what style of QB. Do yourself a favor not mention Culpeper or Harbaugh in these debates. Quality football players,but they didn’t win a damn thing.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:40 am
You mention a bunch of names that have had an appetite for tucking and running the football. I’ve never questioned that they exist in the league,my argument is when facing the pocket passer on the biggest stage they more often then not lose. Kordell Stewart? I would’ve rather you said Randall Cunningham.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:42 am
They were all Successful in the NFL! I didn’t say they all won a Super Bowl or how. They were still great rushing quarterbacks and that was your comment I was talking about. To say that any of these quarterbacks weren’t relevant in the NFL would be a huge mistake. They were all great in their day and could win with both their legs and arm. That was my point genius. Can you say Russell Wilson?
April 13th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Now as for my Noles losing to the sucks in that playoff game. Well let’s just say I’ve stop scratching my head as how all of sudden we became fumble university. But again that’s a conversation for another time. I assume you believe all this stuff is real and that other factors sometimes play a role in the outcome of these games it’s the furthest thing from your mind. But hey everyone entitled to there’s.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:45 am
Your right I left out poor Randall Cunningham, how could I forget. You just confirmed my argument genius!
April 13th, 2015 at 9:47 am
They were all running quarterback in the NFL and all had some level of success, otherwise you wouldn’t even remember their names.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:48 am
So tell me”smart guy”what is about? Winning a few games each season or competing for superbowls. Smart guy,now if you give them all a running game like Wilson had coupled with a nasty defense the maybe your argument has some footing. Right now you talking out yo arse. Smart guy!
April 13th, 2015 at 9:49 am
How many times must it be said that lining up in a shotgun formation IS NOT the same as running a spread formation.
Also the fact that Ohio’s D held down the Ducks.
Lets be honest, who here though that the Ducks had a chance to come back once they were down? Its just not what they do. They get the lead fast and try to outrace you to the end. Once you force them to actually grind out a game, they falter.
If it’s my team winning 7-3, I could care less about the final score.
Could it be because they all know that Jameis is going first, so there’s no chance at getting him?
Naw, that’s too obvious and doesn’t support your argument.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:56 am
Ahh could it be that teams could trade for the #1 Pick and don’t want to? I mean number one or number two whats the big deal maybe a draft pick or two extra. Hey if he’s the second coming and all why not trade to number 1 to insure that you get him?
April 13th, 2015 at 10:01 am
David, Keep telling myself what? That Winston visited with Bucs coaches and ownership weeks ago, and that Jaws statement was inaccurate? I think that is well established as a real event that has actually occurred. On the other hand can you post a list of all the teams who have offered to give up the farm to trade for Mariota and what the farm was that was offered? Na, didn’t think so because that is as much speculation as who is going first.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:02 am
Celly a beast. Address multiple cats in a single blog. Salute that S!#t.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:05 am
And yeah Genius Lovie even said as much, he wants to be exactly like the Seahawks, remember? Great D and Great O.
Lovie Wants 49ers, Seahawks Model
January 14th, 2014
April 13th, 2015 at 10:09 am
It doesn’t matter what Ohio did, he beat Winston with the same team. What’s Winston’s excuse?
April 13th, 2015 at 10:12 am
No I posted the quote of teams interested. If they are interested in trading up it’s a given they will be trading the farm.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:21 am
I think I hear crickets …….
April 13th, 2015 at 10:32 am
When was the last time a team traded away the number 1 pick?
Off the top of my head, i can think of 3 times, and of those 3 times, only ONE involved just picks and not a player that hadn’t already been drafted.
1983 – Baltimore drafts Elway, later trades him to Denver
2001 – Atlanta trades with San Diego for the #1 pick to draft Michael Vick
2004 – Eli Manning drafted by the Chargers and traded to the Giants
So, ZERO times in the last 10 years and 3 times in the last 32 years. So if that’s what you want to hedge your bets on, feel free.
While you’re over there thinking, let me also ask you this:
In the 2012 NFL Draft, how many teams were rumored to be looking to trade into the #2 slot? Why weren’t there any rumors of teams trying to trade up to #1?
April 13th, 2015 at 10:41 am
Wow,what ground breaking info the”smart guy”had blessed us mere mortals with here on this site. Lovie Smith said he wants a great D and a great O. Wow. How many head coaches inn the league wouldn’t state they’re desire for the obvious. And I recall that commentary from Lovie,didn’t see anything that indicated he wanted a runner QB. “Smart “.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:46 am
Celly we’re wasting our time with this brainiac/smart guy called david. A but david I’m bout that betting thing. I live in Orlando but often make my to the bay if you willing to put some cash up homie. In regards to this draft thing. My number can easily be provided.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:47 am
David you are going to be so butt hurt draft night. they won’t be crickets you’ll be hearing but tear drops echoing from hitting the floor. pre order your winston jersey today.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:47 am
“In recent weeks, Joe heard folks on SiriusXM NFL Radio say that it’s hard enough trying to figure out if a spread QB can play in the NFL…”
Any particular QB you have in mind, Joe…or was that just a general statement?
As for “Why can’t more college teams do their players a favor and use more pro-style offenses?”….you already know the answer to that, Joe….college coaches and programs don’t give a crap about “pro-ready systems”…they are there to win games, keep their fans and alumni happy, and make money! Whatever “system” they can win with, is the system they will use!
Why don’t you call Urban Meyer of the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes (God, I still love saying that!!!) and ask him if he gives a rat’s ass about what NFL coaches think about the system that he or any other college coach runs! He will laugh you right off the phone!!!!!
April 13th, 2015 at 11:16 am
until chip Kelly and pete start winning championships spread option means nothing….I cant say theres a spread option offense that anyone fears in the league. RG3 was dangerous until he hurt his leg and now that he has to stand in the pocket and read defenses lol
April 13th, 2015 at 11:45 am
If they pick Mariota you might want to save the money wasted on betting and buy a pillow for your oversized genius head to cry yourself to sleep on.
April 13th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Just like I figured all talk but when challenged you ain’t(yes I used ain’t)bout that action. Not smart guy.
April 13th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
David all those “running QBs” you listed still know how to pass from the pocket and were very good at it.
Kaep being a QB who is not good at throwing from the pocket and breaking down defenses (yet possibly will be the greatest QB of all time according to Jaws).
Russel Wilson ran a lot last year but only in designed plays; and typically passes from the pocket and came from pro-style offenses in college. Russel Wilson is always a terrible comparison to Mariota for that reason.
April 13th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
True @Lord Cornelius the argument was about whether a running quarterback could make it in the NFL. I understand that Mariota is probably better than most of those listed. The point was there have been several mobile quarterbacks over the years and yes some of those listed could also move the ball well from the pocket. I also think Mariota will be of that class, a quarterback that is mobile enough to kill you with his legs but smart enough to beat you with his arm. Wherever he goes I think he will have a bright future. Just don’t want to see my team implode like the Raiders with Jamarcus Russell etc.
April 13th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Glad to see you back from the pillow store @ Nole on Sat lol.
April 13th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
If James is the slam dunk gauranteed Pick, then why is he working out with the Jets and Rams? Maybe he got his “Confirmation” from the Bucs.
April 13th, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Mariota better than most of the QBs you listed! Wow. McNabb nope Culpeper nope McNair nope Cunnigham nope Vick nope Tarkenton way before my time but I’ll say nope Elway hell no Young hell no Stewart nope need I continue. Need I remind folks these were names off davids list. So this introvert is better than these guys and he hasn’t even taken a snap from center since high school. Really. Again wow.
April 13th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
I hate to break it to you, Joe, but the spread is going to keep growing in the NFL until it is the most used method. It’s not just colleges at fault, it’s the NFL Rule Changes.
It’s a quarterback driven league, and QBs will be throwing more, defenses will compensate and so the ball will have to be spread around more.
April 13th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
What are you saying nope to? What I said if you go back and read is they all had success at some level in the NFL running the ball. That is all the point was and it is true & factual. You said” Scratching my head as how people feel these runner QBs will ever work out in the NFL blah blah blah etc. I said “They all had some success in the NFL etc”, not champions per se but success. They Played and won games period, not every game or even most games but enough that they had some success. Mariota in my “opinion” has more potential than some or most of the quarterbacks on this list. I am allowed my opinion just like you. You like Winston yay go Winston. Woo Hoo! Whatever! By the way, most of these quarterbacks listed are all time rushing quarterbacks in NFL history. Again my post was simply stating that running quarterbacks have had success in the NFL. I also later posted that Mariota in my “opinion” is the best of both. Passing quarterback first with the ability to read defenses and run if needed just like some on the list.
The list I posted:
Ever heard of Steve Young, Dante Culpepper, Fran Tarkenton, Greg Landry,Jim harbaugh, Kordell Stewart, Donavan Mcnabb, John Elway, Steve Mcnair, Michael Vick, Nah your right that running thing the quarterbacks do will never work in the NFL.
April 13th, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Dude when have you ever seen marita read a defense? When have ever seen him go thru a progression? Please elaborate,inquiring minds would like to know.
April 13th, 2015 at 6:43 pm
I like the way you conveniently clump ask those individuals in the running QB category. The gentleman on your list can from traditional style offenses while in school. They were passers who had the athletic ability to run when necessary. Not gimmick trigger men that were being advised by there oc to run the ball often. It’s highly insulting to the people on your list to say marita will be better than the above mention when again the kid hasn’t even called a play during his time in college. What he is and what they were are quite different my friend. And from your writing I can tell you’re intelligent enough to know this.
April 14th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Uh, Joe, you run the offense that wins games today not that prepares players for the NFL – duh!
And, as for the spread offense, the pros will run it too if they can get all the right pieces in place. Look at what Chip Kelly is getting done in Philadelphia. It remains to be seen if he can win a Super Bowl with it, but he’s going to try.
Damn Joe, don’t you think if a team could afford them and had the good fortune to get Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Demarco Murray together in the same backfield, the coach wouldn’t try a throwback to Papa Bear Halas’ original full house “T” backfield? Hell that would cause nightmares for a DC trying to figure out which of those three assassins was going to get the ball on any given play.
Joe, you really showed how little you know about football with this assessment. It doesn’t work like, I want to run this offense or defense now you guys go do it. It’s more like here’s the guys I have and they fit into this offensive or defensive scheme. Or, you go get the guys to fit into your scheme, which is what Lovie Smith and Jason Licht are tying to do right now.