Current Trends in the NFL

[Kevin8Nine]

SiriusXM 'Movin the chains' had a bit on the 3 trends currently happening in the NFL, and I would like to hear what you guys think


1. Fast Paced/ No Huddle Offenses - They were talking about how the Packers, Chargers and the Steelers plan to implement No Huddle Offenses in 2014 to copy the successful framework the Patriots and Broncos are using. The Patriots obviously were the first to use this system, have been ahead of the curve for almost a decade. They also mentioned that the no huddle is only good for a certain type of quarterback, the "Field General type". My question is: With more and more teams switching to the no huddle style offense, does this mean that defenses will get 'used' to it; making the no huddle not as effective? And will defensive coordinators use more cardiovascular exercises than ever at an attempt to condition the defensive players to have the ability to 'keep up' and not have to substitute as often? And are Rogers, Rivers and Roethlisberger the type to pull it off?


2. Large Physical Defensive Backs - Seattle was obviously the first with the Broncos and Patriots following suit this year in FA, and many other teams around the league drafting large CBs early in the draft. The league thinks this is part of the answer to slow down Pass first/ No huddle offenses that are slowly becoming popular.


3. Smaller Quick Fast Receivers? - This is something they also touched on SiriusXM. A possible counter move to the league trending toward large Defensive Backs could be smaller quick fast receivers. The idea is that small Wes Welker type guys can run a quick fast route inside with a short quick pass to use the CBs size against them.

I thought it was a very interesting bit.

[Requiem]

I rate this thread: TWO TANGERINES

[driver]

Yeah it is one of the current trends, but its nothing new. Watch Sam Wyche's Cincinnati Bengals from the early 1980's Or Glanville's Oilers from the 80's or the Bill's in the early 90's. The hurry up has been around for a long time it's a cyclical thing.

[Kevin8Nine]

I rate this thread: TWO TANGERINES

[crush17]

I rate this thread: A CAN OF GENERIC MANDARIN ORANGES

[ZONA]

Bah, I still think any GM would take a fast, sure-handed BIG WR before taking a smaller guy. I don't think Calvin Johnson has any problems handling larger CB's. Obviously you still like to have a quicker shifty guy out there too but the bigger guy with speed will still have more value.

[ColoradoDarin]

The smaller quicker receiver thing is a few years out of date - Welker, Desean, Amendola, Eddie Royal. And give me the DT or Calvin Johnson freaks of nature instead (both are nice to have and complement each other)

[Kaylore]

I rate this thread: A CAN OF GENERIC MANDARIN ORANGES

Whole segments. Nice!

[jmz313]

SiriusXM 'Movin the chains' had a bit on the 3 trends currently happening in the NFL, and I would like to hear what you guys think


1. Fast Paced/ No Huddle Offenses - They were talking about how the Packers, Chargers and the Steelers plan to implement No Huddle Offenses in 2014 to copy the successful framework the Patriots and Broncos are using. The Patriots obviously were the first to use this system, have been ahead of the curve for almost a decade.

Pretty sure Manning and the Colts were.

[iforgotmypassword]

Another thread ruined by a few lame inside jokes.

The large DB's trend got Stanley Jean Baptiste in 1st round talk pre-draft. As a Nebraska fan, I consider him about a 5th round talent.

I would argue the spread option game is becoming a trend in the NFL. It has taken over college football and now we are just seeing the beginning (and possibly end) to it in the NFL.

As a high school football coach I'm trying to get my hands on a copy of Oregon vs Stanford last year and Oregon vs Arizona to see how they countered it so effectively.

[BroncoLifer]

As a high school football coach I'm trying to get my hands on a copy of Oregon vs Stanford last year and Oregon vs Arizona to see how they countered it so effectively.

Marcus Mariota in a knee brace and DeAnthony Thomas with a bad ankle played a part, no?

[Kevin8Nine]

Another thread ruined by a few lame inside jokes.

The large DB's trend got Stanley Jean Baptiste in 1st round talk pre-draft. As a Nebraska fan, I consider him about a 5th round talent.

I would argue the spread option game is becoming a trend in the NFL. It has taken over college football and now we are just seeing the beginning (and possibly end) to it in the NFL.

As a high school football coach I'm trying to get my hands on a copy of Oregon vs Stanford last year and Oregon vs Arizona to see how they countered it so effectively.

Interesting.

The spread option in my mind is extremely risky in the NFL. It's no secret that quarterbacks are the most important position in the NFL, and the as the old saying goes "there are no old running quarterbacks". Correct me if I am wrong, but after what happened to RGIII the last couple of years I think a pocket QB is the best option to be consistently successful IMO. In college, with the durability of youth and only being around for 4 years, the spread option is a very effective system with minimal risk.

[iforgotmypassword]

Marcus Mariota in a knee brace and DeAnthony Thomas with a bad ankle played a part, no?

What were thier injuries during those specific games? They were weeks apart.

Touché though. But I'm willing to bet they did some thing differently that would take more than a live watch through to pick up on.

[v2micca]

SiriusXM 'Movin the chains' had a bit on the 3 trends currently happening in the NFL, and I would like to hear what you guys think

3. Smaller Quick Fast Receivers? - This is something they also touched on SiriusXM. A possible counter move to the league trending toward large Defensive Backs could be smaller quick fast receivers. The idea is that small Wes Welker type guys can run a quick fast route inside with a short quick pass to use the CBs size against them.

I thought it was a very interesting bit.

I don't think that Smaller quick receivers are becoming a trend so much as teams a just trying to make due with the resources available to them. You look at how receivers are drafter and you still see teams going after big strong guys with top end speed in the early rounds. Lets face it, if Calvin Johnson styled receivers were prevalent, every team in the NFL would line up at least two on Sunday.

I think it is more accurate to say that teams are becoming better at getting production out of receivers that don't have the prototypical physical qualifications. I also think you will find that these smaller receivers tend to have more success on teams that can trot out a very accurate QB. Wes Welker doesn't put up Wes Welker numbers with Cam Newton or Sam Bradford chucking him the ball.

[BroncoLifer]

What were thier injuries during those specific games? They were weeks apart.

Touché though. But I'm willing to bet they did some thing differently that would take more than a live watch through to pick up on.

Mariota could hardly move vs Stanford. Went from his usual run/pass self to a 100% pocket passer (and couldn't avoid the pass rush very well). He was better but still not 100% vs Arizona. Thomas was never 100% all year after hurting his ankle - Stanford was his 1st or 2nd game back after missing a month and he clearly didn't have the explosiveness.

I'm sure you're right that both teams had special game plans for the Ducks and both had good rushing defenses overall to start with. Stanford has beaten them two years in a row so they know something. But at the same time, Mariota and Thomas were the two most dynamic, difference-making players for Oregon and their injuries did play a part.