The Titans idiotic idea

Every now and again you see a team try to run the option in the NFL. Often, you will hear people ask, why not? It works so well in college so why not the NFL? The Titans are apparently asking that very question and toying with the idea of running the option at some point this year. This is a horrible plan on their part and they will fail as every other NFL team has that I have seen try to run the option.

The option doesn't work in the NFL because NFL linebackers are ridiculously fast in addition to being scary huge. Unlike in college where the giant men who play linebacker generally are not particularly fleet footed, on the NFL level if you aren't both jacked AND fast you are cut. Its basic math, 32 teams, 3-4 LBs starting each (call it 3.5 avg) = 112 NFL starting LBs. Assume the average starting LB has a 6 year career (4 years is the overall NFL average but I am assuming starters last a little longer, which is probably reasonable given that only blue chip prospects who don't pan out in a year or 2 get more chances) and that means you only have an average of 18.66 starting linebackers being drafted each year. However, you have 119 1-a football teams each with those 3.5 starters. That is 416.5 LBs or 398 who aren't starting at the pro level.

Many of those 398 LBs don't start on the pro level (or even make it there) because they are either too slow or too weak. The too weak matters because the option often forces essentially open field tackles. Being weak makes that a lot harder. Not fast enough and, well, thats the whole point to the option. Suck you into the QB and then kick it to the RB who now has open field. Well, problem with that on the NFL level is that the LB is fast enough to then shoot out and tackle the RB anyway. Now now, I know what you're thinking.

NFL RBs are stronger and faster too right? True, but the LB can take the angle and just force the RB out of bounds, whereas the RB has to actually get around the LB. Which, is the MAJOR failing of the option on the pro level. It allows an NFL LB to get close to where the ball is, and then throws the ball BACKWARDS. You often see a kick returner or RB start running backwards or sideways and you start to cringe because you know he's just shooting himself in the foot. Well here its even worse because the team has voluntarily brought a defender close to the guy they are about to throw the ball backwards too. Additionally, unlike in college, all of the other LBs and D-backs are faster and can get over to help out even if that first LB does get smoked.

Its why every time I have seen the option run in the NFL (3 times to be exact) the results have been horrific. First time, pitch backwards from behind the line as the QB is killed...RB is killed immediately for an additional 3 yard lost (and I imagine headaches for both for a few days). Second time, QB pitches backwards from behind the line to the RB and the LB chasing the QB simply shoots over and drills the RB. Third time, the play gets so botched, and defenders are so penetrating and all over the backfield the QB is forced to start backpedaling straight backwards and then pitch the ball forwards to the RB who is immediately lit up and would have been better off dropping the ball for an incomplete pass rather than losing 7 yards. It led the announcers, and myself, to take a moment and watch the replay before we were certain it was the option...a conclusion we finally definitively made based upon the way the QB was carrying the football.

So, Titans, if you would like to be number 4 on this list you are morons. However, I hope you do, because its always hysterical to watch a play on the NFL level go horribly horribly wrong. Just let me know in advance so I don't bet on you that week.

Madison