Read-option is “Flavor of the Month”

By steelerguy26
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Updated: March 20, 2013

PHOENIX — Mike Tomlin isn’t sold on the staying power of the read-option scheme that took the NFL by storm last season, fueled by versatile quarterbacks such as Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.

“I think the read-option is the flavor of the month,” the Pittsburgh Steelers coach said during a Tuesday breakfast media session for AFC coaches at the NFL owners’ meetings. “We’ll see whether it’s the flavor of the year. A few years ago, people were talking wildly about the Wildcat. It’s less of a discussion now.

“I think there are coaches in rooms preparing themselves to defend it, there are coaches in rooms also preparing to run it. I think it’s going to sort out on the grass.”

DEFENSES ZERO IN: Read option under attack

Although the read-option schemes are used to varying degrees, the mere threat and attached play-fakes threw defenses for a loop. Even so, Tomlin says the physical risk to quarterbacks may ultimately dictate whether the scheme survives in the NFL for the long haul.

“I always take a skeptical approach,” he said. “We’ll see if guys are committed to getting their guys hit, because when you run the read-option, obviously they are runners and there’s something that’s associated with that.”

In the 2011 season playoffs, Tomlin and the Steelers were eliminated in the wildcard round by the Tim Tebow-led Denver Broncos, who used the read-option heavily.

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steelerguy26

Editor & Chief at Kree Kreative

The Editor & Chief, the brains so to say, behind Pittsburgh Blitz. Jim is a rabid sports fan who just loves his Stillers, Pens and Buccos. Feel free to contact us at info[@]pittsburgh-blitz.com if you have any questions or comments or would like to join our staff and write for Pittsburgh Blitz.