Bab 90: Fighting Side by Side
Let's clarify: what exactly is a "read-option offense"?
First, reading a defense and reading an option are two different things.
Reading a defense is what every quarterback must do before the snap. Elite strategists like Peyton Manning often decode the opponent's tactics by reading the defense, sometimes even changing the play 10 or 15 seconds before the snap to create a passing opportunity.
This action happens before the snap.
The read-option, however, happens after the snap.
In a read-option, the quarterback watches how the opposing linebacker reacts right after the snap and decides the offensive strategy in an instant:
If the linebacker is focused on defending the running back, the quarterback will keep the ball and run it himself.If the linebacker is focused on the quarterback, the quarterback will hand the ball to the running back for a rushing play.In a special scenario, if the quarterback keeps the ball and notices the defense crowding the short passing area, he can still choose to pass the ball, exploiting the empty space in the middle or deep downfield.
Simply put, the read-option allows the quarterback to decide the offensive play based on the linebacker's movements.
This strategy works best for the new generation of mobile quarterbacks, who might not have the sharpest defensive reading skills but excel in athleticism, making decisions on the fly after the snap.
Overall, the read-option is considered a blunt, simple tactic that's very common in the NCAA but less respected in the NFL.
That is, until the likes of Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, and Russell Wilson—a new wave of mobile quarterbacks—entered the NFL, bringing the read-option offense into the spotlight.
Last season, Newton's read-option offense was unstoppable, even earning him the regular season MVP.
But the beauty of the NFL is its complexity, where coaches constantly devise countermeasures. In the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos, led by linebacker Von Miller and an elite defensive front, completely shut down Newton's read-option, securing the championship.
Of course, in college football, athleticism and raw talent often overshadow intricate tactics, making the read-option a significant weapon.
From Lamar Jackson to Deshaun Watson to Baker Mayfield, the current Heisman Trophy contenders are all mobile quarterbacks, and the read-option is a key part of their game. Among them, the most physically gifted is undoubtedly Jackson.
Alabama's starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is also a mobile quarterback.
Although Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is not a fan of the read-option—he prefers more traditional schemes and tends to be a bit behind on modern offensive trends—he occasionally uses it to switch things up, adding variety to the game plan. It's not that Saban is unfamiliar with the strategy; he just uses it sparingly.
Today, with Alabama's offense repeatedly running into a wall in the first half, Saban turned to the read-option more than once.
But it wasn't effective.
The main reason? Jamal Adams.
As the final barrier in LSU's defense, Adams has been exceptional, popping up in various spots on the field. Even when Hurts tried the read-option, Adams and the other two linebackers could comfortably tackle Hurts, as they had Riley and Beckwith covering Lance.
In essence, the read-option depends on reading the linebacker, but Adams, playing safety, was disrupting Alabama's game plan.
LSU's new head coach, Ed Orgeron, had transformed their defense in just three games, proving his coaching chops.
Now, Lance wasn't trying to outsmart Orgeron's defensive scheme.
First, he wasn't the coach, so play-calling wasn't his responsibility.
Second, he wasn't the quarterback, so he wasn't making in-game adjustments.
Lance was confident, but he wasn't arrogant. He knew his strengths, but he didn't believe his strategies were superior to the coach's. However, he thought he could spark some ideas.
"In a read-option, after the snap, you step back, observe, and then make a decision. That's when Adams notices," Lance explained.
"But this won't be a read-option. Before the snap, we already commit to the run. You fake a handoff, make it look like a play-action, and give the ball to me."
"I'll be the decoy, drawing their attention, while you use your mobility to create space and move forward."
In simple terms, it was a dual-running-back strategy.
Start with a run-heavy formation, but confuse the defense on who's actually carrying the ball.
And the surprise? The second "running back" was Hurts himself.
This wasn't the read-option, but it harnessed the power of the read-option, adjusting to LSU's defensive setup. They would use Hurts' running ability while leveraging Lance as bait to fully unleash Alabama's ground game.
Of course, Lance had his own motives.
In the end, football is a team sport. Lance couldn't carry the entire team by himself—it was impractical, especially at this stage. He needed to get Hurts going and find ways to make their running game more dynamic.
"Hey, shorty," Lance called out.
This was Lance's nickname for Hurts. Hurts wasn't actually short—he was 6'1" (185 cm), the same height as Lance. But for a quarterback, it was slightly below ideal.
Once the ball is snapped and the offensive and defensive lines clash like a meat grinder, a quarterback needs to be able to see over the top and command the field. Vision becomes critical for finding passing targets, and 6'1", while decent, was still a bit limiting.
Drew Brees, the legendary quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, stood at 6'0" (183 cm) and was one of the few shorter quarterbacks to carve out an illustrious career. His ability to read defenses and his pinpoint accuracy were second to none.
Hurts, clearly, hadn't reached Brees' level yet.
"I'm not here to tell you how to do your job or make decisions for you. I'm just reminding you to trust in your own abilities."
"Your brain. Your arm. Your legs."
"We need to use everything to break through their defensive wall. Got it?"
Lance knew that quarterbacks and running backs think and approach the game differently. He couldn't make decisions for Hurts, but the key was that they were in this fight together. They had to be each other's backbone.
Hurts' mind started to clear. He took a deep breath and nodded firmly at Lance.
Lance bumped Hurts' shoulder with his own. "Let's roll."
It wasn't a battle cry, it wasn't loud, but the words reignited the Crimson Tide's spirit.
First-and-10.
Hurts, through his headset, cautiously shared the idea with Saban.
Saban's eyes gleamed with interest. He glanced at Hurts, then his gaze shifted to Lance, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
"This kid's growing faster than I thought."
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Powerstones?
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