Lots of media attention has been given to the fact that the Atlanta Falcons are installing the West Coast offense as part of an on-the-field overhaul that they hope will return the team to playoff form.
The system brought in by head coach Jim Mora Jr. and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp from their roots of origin in San Francisco has some interesting intricacies that will make the progress of one Michael Vick fun to follow.
When Vick said last week that he may not be willing to run from the pocket as much because of the punishment he has taken the last couple of years, it set off an instant buzz in my pea-brain. Not another athletic quarterback who wants to prove he's a pocket passer?
The first thing I thought of was Donovan McNabb, who went through this same process in his own mind, and Aaron Brooks, who is having the same issues, in my opinion, to this day.
When players of this rare speed and athletic ability decide it's not in their best interest to break from the pocket and run on a given play, the results will usually suffer. It should be compared to playing with one arm behind their backs. These players are so athletic that defensive coordinators are smiling and high-fiving under the table when they hear this talk.
I recently talked to a head coach who said, "I hope Mike decides he should never run again." These type of athletes breaking from the pocket and ad-libbing at any given moment is what gives opponents nightmares.
The basis of the West Coast offense is decision making by the quarterback, and his accuracy in three-step, five-step and semi-roll positions. It is also fairly disciplined and structured system that requires the quarterback to make a procession of reads that are dictated by the defense. Vick's strengths, as well all know, are speed, athletic ability, scrambling and making plays outside the structure of the offense. He is far from a drop-back passer.
Do I think this system will work? Of course it will. Look what it did for Steve Young, who had some similar traits. My only point is that there is a fine line between Vick fitting into a structured offense and Vick forgetting what got him this far. I don't think anybody wants to see Vick sitting in the pocket on a regular basis, except defensive coaches around the league.
That's where Jim Mora Jr will come into play. He's had to defense the likes of Vick and McNabb, two very athletic and game-breaking type runners when they break from the pocket. He won't allow Vick to convince himself or Greg Knapp to get carried away with the system and try to prove Vick is a drop-back, pocket passer.
The key will be how they mix structure of the offense with his natural talents and strengths. Sometimes the biggest obstacle is the mindset of the quarterback who has become such a great scrambler. He wants to be Dan Marino or Joe Montana and prove he can beat you from the pocket. People forget John Elway was not only a great pocket passer, but made his money breaking from the pocket and running for third downs as well as throwing on the run.
It's the Falcons' job to make sure Michael Vick still is, well, Michael Vick when the West Coast offense is fully installed.
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Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait -- Jay Z
I think Vick should fatten up a bit. The guy needs some actual bodily padding. Look at Culpepper, McNabb, even McNair.. if you're gonna move around, dont be a skinny Quentin Griffin, be a Jerome Bettis, just try to also keep your ability to run at the same time.
I think he should remain the wasy he is. Of course running too much will cause his body to take a toll, but its what he does naturally. Now i don't expect him to run all the time, but then again don't expect him to be a Peyton Manning either. They got to meet him halfway.
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Quote:
Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait -- Jay Z
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