Harvin at RB for the read option only?

[Lynch Mob]

that would be my hope i don't think they need him doing too much. But in three WR sets(Rice,Tate,and Baldwin) w/Harvin at RB would seem damn near impossible to cover everyone and thats not even mentioning R. Wilson's mobility. should keep alot of D-coordinators up at night.

 

[nategreat]

I think Marshawn is just fine with the read-option. In fact, his stats are even better than when not in the read option (or so I've heard, don't know for sure). It's important to hide the fact that you will be running the read option too. With Harvin in the backfield, it would be obvious. With Marshawn, it may or may not happen, which gives defenses headaches.

 

[Johnny]

It's an idea, but... I think taking Lynch out of that play makes it less effective... We need to keep Harvin in the slot and let the kid get comfortable at that spot with Wilson before we move him all around.

 

[loafoftatupu]

I remember that piece on Sound FX where they caught Carroll talking to an assistant about Harvin. He said something like it was hard to watch the video on him for preparation.

This Harvin thing really has the potential of being huge. I don't think it will sink in for a couple games but to add him NOW was just a major move. He and Tate can just feast on the short passes. They are going to have open guys in a lot of plays.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

that would be my hope i don't think they need him doing too much. But in three WR sets(Rice,Tate,and Baldwin) w/Harvin at RB would seem damn near impossible to cover everyone and thats not even mentioning R. Wilson's mobility. should keep alot of D-coordinators up at night.

Why make it so obvious and limit yourself because of it? That sounds like a Rex Ryan move, no imagination.

 

[Dismas]

I would rather see them line up wit Marshawn in the read option look, then motion Harvin to the other side of Wilson.

Now the play can go either way, and should do a great job of lovking the ends up. From there, it is just a matter of how Russell wants to kill em!

 

[nategreat]

Plus if you keep Harvin in @ receiver for the read option, you have the potential to add the reverse element into the play. Fake reverse read option for example.

 

[chris98251]

You can do a lot of shifts and keep Lynch on the field, he's a decent receiver and could line up in a slot of maybe as a wide out blocker, have empty backfiled and have Harvim come in motion deep and set or a pitch with a loaded side blocking for him, lots of stuff to move around and really mess with a defense, fake pitch and Wilson cuts up, fake pitch and drop step and hit Harvin in the flat or a receiver middle or deep or a Lynch crossing where the Linebackers used to be but moved to cut off angle on Harvin.

 

[Scottemojo]

IMO, the read option is going away for the most part. There are a few specific defenses we can target with it, I think the Bills game was a great example. But for the most part, it will have to go. I expect Percy to see a few looks form the read option, but it will hardly be a staple.

Count me in among the group who think the read option is going to not revolutionize the NFL. There are two ways to stop it. First, get a fast edge defense like ours. Difficult. 2nd, do what the slow ass Ravens did and just hit the QB every time he keeps or hands off. Doesn't matter, just hit the QB. Put the onus on the officials to call penalties that they shouldn't. The whole point of the RO is to make the DE choose the QB or RB, just have him choose the QB every time and leave the RB for a linebacker or safety. Let him punish both the OC and QB for even thinking read option.

 

[sutz]

IMO, the read option is going away for the most part. There are a few specific defenses we can target with it, I think the Bills game was a great example. But for the most part, it will have to go. I expect Percy to see a few looks form the read option, but it will hardly be a staple.

Count me in among the group who think the read option is going to not revolutionize the NFL. There are two ways to stop it. First, get a fast edge defense like ours. Difficult. 2nd, do what the slow ass Ravens did and just hit the QB every time he keeps or hands off. Doesn't matter, just hit the QB. Put the onus on the officials to call penalties that they shouldn't. The whole point of the RO is to make the DE choose the QB or RB, just have him choose the QB every time and leave the RB for a linebacker or safety. Let him punish both the OC and QB for even thinking read option.

Yeah, like most gimmicks, it won't work for long in the NFL. DCs will find a solution. I'm sure we'll run it from time to time, just to keep teams honest, but we're not going to mold our whole offense into the read option. As you point out, it does expose the QB a lot.

As for the OP, I doubt we'll restrict the use of PH to 'only' anything. The idea IMHO is to use him in multiple ways, formations, sets, and plays to keep the Ds guessing.

 

[Axx]

Yeah i prefer the threat of having harvin in the slot to give the threat of a read option pass type plays

also the 49ers were walking over baltimore in the 2nd half with the read option

 

[EastCoastHawksFan]

I can't wait till Harvin motions from the Slot to the the backfield , where he will be meeting Wilson and Lynch .. Good luck defense.

 

[Anonymous]

I can't wait till Harvin motions from the Slot to the the backfield , where he will be meeting Wilson and Lynch .. Good luck defense.

Now, there you go again, getting me all excited and stuff.

The anticipation of watching this new offense break the huddle and assemble at the line of scrimmage; hard to describe the feeling.

 

[v1rotv2]

I disagree that the RO will disappear. It's not a gimmick in that it is a viable option using players normally on the field. A gimmick is using players outside of their skill set or position in order to confuse the defense. The forward pass at one time was a gimmick until players were used specifically to run it. Now it's just about the biggest part of any game plan.

The RO is just another play that allows the QB to decide what to with the football. It does put the QB in the running back mode if he decides to keep the ball. Brady, Manning (both of them) and any other QB that is not mobile can't run the RO. But RW, CK, and RGIII are perfect for it. They are normally on the field and have the skill set for it. Defenses will only be able to shut it down when they know it's coming.

 

[warden]

The biggest key for the read option to work is a strong running game. Lynch provides that.

 

[LudwigsDrummer]

We possess the personnel to effectively run a RO offense.
I reading this thread it reminded me we have a myriad of formations, personnel groupings, motions ect that will only be limited by the NFL rules.

 

[The Radish]

that would be my hope i don't think they need him doing too much. But in three WR sets(Rice,Tate,and Baldwin) w/Harvin at RB would seem damn near impossible to cover everyone and thats not even mentioning R. Wilson's mobility. should keep alot of D-coordinators up at night.

Why make it so obvious and limit yourself because of it? That sounds like a Rex Ryan move, no imagination.

Or the way the stillirs used to use their backup QB. Or hell like Mike Holmgren did too.

I think Harvin is much to valuable to limit his exposure like that. Put him on the field in various places and force the other team to deal with him as often as possible. If I was a defensive coordinator I'd have nightmares thinking of Harvin and Rice on opposite sides of the field to deal with.

The defense is then forced to shade their center fielder to one side or the other leaving the opposite side or middle of the field open.

I also think Scott's idea about defending it is to simplistic. That guy would soon start getting knocked on his kister by one of our guys leaving the entire play still alive.

:les:

 

[nategreat]

I disagree that the RO will disappear. It's not a gimmick in that it is a viable option using players normally on the field. A gimmick is using players outside of their skill set or position in order to confuse the defense. The forward pass at one time was a gimmick until players were used specifically to run it. Now it's just about the biggest part of any game plan.

The RO is just another play that allows the QB to decide what to with the football. It does put the QB in the running back mode if he decides to keep the ball. Brady, Manning (both of them) and any other QB that is not mobile can't run the RO. But RW, CK, and RGIII are perfect for it. They are normally on the field and have the skill set for it. Defenses will only be able to shut it down when they know it's coming.

+1

This is exactly how I feel. It's all about what the QB reads. Worst case scenario, he won't see the edge open, so he hands the ball off to Lynch. A running play. Someone on the edge still has to contend to cover the QB. However, if for some reason he sees the open field, he'll take off with it. It's as simple as reading the play to see what is available. Not a gimmick. You're not taking away any strengths of the team by having a RB line up as QB (the Wildcat) or anything silly like that. You are still able to throw the ball like you normally would. The keys to the read option: having an athletic quarterback, good running game, and probably most importantly, a SMART QB.

 

[m0ng0]

its already been stated that Harvin will get some carries as a tailback, its just another thing defense have to watch and plan for.

 

[warden]

I think Harvin's best value on the read option would be as another option, Lynch at RB, Wilson possible hand off to Lynch, run or quick screen type pass to Harvin with Rice and Tate occupying the CBs.