Good read about the future of the spread offense.

Nonsense. Tebow has more carries than any other QB on teams running a version of the spread. Its the only running game he had. Meyer exposed Tebow with far too many shots and if he had any semblance of a running game Tebow wouldn't have half the carries we saw the last couple years. Meyer running Tebow less has nothing to do with defenses catching up and everything to do with keeping Tebow healthy from over running him in the past.

 

I'm sorry...I was talking more of the spread formation than the "spread / option" attack. In the college ranks, this is still considered a "spread offense" even when a pocket passer is employed (see: Hawaii, Mizzou, TT). THAT kind of spread attack will eventually take over the NFL, as we've seen the kind of offensive success it creates in the few teams with the athletes to run it...like New Orleans.

 

There was a time when dual-threat quarterbacks were not a good NFL fit. That has changed. So to may the NFL's attitude about the spread. Who knows. But college coaches will continue with the schemes that are successful for as long as they are successful.

 

Definitely. As long as wide receivers in the NFL keep this type of advantage over the corner backs, it wont go anywhere.

 

Great schemes neutralize great CBs, so I dont see that as a problem. The only difference will be in the downfield attack when it's athlete vs. athlete and in yards after catch when a great corner can make an open-field tackle.

 

Trying not to get too far off topic here. But the spread is what gives you those man on man scheme advantages, where the better athlete will win. See Colston's one handed grab last weekend.

 

I agree with that to an extent...obviously you will still throw to a covered man from time to time, but I was referring more to the "four receivers vs. two corners" advantage that the spread formation gives an offense.

 

The Saints actually do not run a version of the Spread Offense.

The Spread Offense is based off the Ace formation or single back formation. That formation is completely different than the one the saints use.

The Saints have a modified Pro Set formation, which itself is based off of the I Formation. The difference being that the Pro Set splits the FB and RB to either side of the QB instead of them being in a line behind the QB (or in the Saints case, split 2 RB's).

Now in the past you saw Payton would sub out the TE and put a 3rd reciever, but I think we'll see less of that this year with the addition of Jeremy Shocky.

The pure spread offense I think will eventually die. But like most formations will come and go as years pass. The Hawaii style spread just won't translate to the NFL because it's too much of a speed offense. You have no ability to run out the clock.

LSU also does not run a version of the Spread. LSU runs a version of the Shotgun, the Pistol. It still employs the use of a TE which is a key difference of the Spread. Crowton's version subs out the 3rd WR sometimes for a 2 RB set that is similiar to the Pro Set the Saints use.

Another difference between the Pistol and the Spread (which I've seen Crowton actually do both of these things) is the Spread is traditionally ran from under center while the Pistol formations puts the QB 4 yards back from center. The name pistol originally come from the fact that the QB is not set back 5 yards line in the case of the Shotgun.

I actually see the Pistol being able to hang on a little longer due to the ability of a running game. Also if SP's offense catches on then LSU already runs something similiar, again making the transition easier.

I don't want to go too indepth (sorry if I have already) but if anyone is interested I actually just a few days ago made a post in my blog explaining LSU's offensive formation and how I think they might use it this year.

http://openhavoc.blogspot.com/

 

The spread won't die because there are too many variations of it, and it is essentially the great equalizer for smaller teams.

 

Good assessment...I have to concede the point on formation. But SP and Crowton both use RBs and TEs like receivers, thus "spreading" the field as a four-receiver set would.