Hitting Hurts On the Read Option

that is basic football.

Somewhat related - I thought Carter had a nice game. Pretty decent at setting the edge. Had a couple decent pass rushes in the confines of staying under control as they wanted to keep Hurts in the pocket. Also had some nice hits as stated in this thread.

when you come through just go for the QB, even if he hands off. This let's them know your QB is getting hit every time and secondly it makes the QB decide handoff far more often. Teams need to do this to Jackson as well. Ignore the handoff if you are the first through and go straight for the QB.

In comment 15472445 jvm52106 said:

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when you come through just go for the QB, even if he hands off. This let's them know your QB is getting hit every time and secondly it makes the QB decide handoff far more often. Teams need to do this to Jackson as well. Ignore the handoff if you are the first through and go straight for the QB.

Agreed. Should be the standard, very glad we did this - provided some of the only enjoyable moments of the second half lol.

Carl Banks noted that Hurts was complaining to the officials that he was getting hit every time he ran the option whether he had the ball or not.
Well, duh!

In comment 15472454 KeoweeFan said:

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Carl Banks noted that Hurts was complaining to the officials that he was getting hit every time he ran the option whether he had the ball or not. Well, duh!

I was surprised the Eagles' o-line didn't go after Carter.but Maybe that will be their adjustment next time they see it.

In comment 15472445 jvm52106 said:

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when you come through just go for the QB, even if he hands off. This let's them know your QB is getting hit every time and secondly it makes the QB decide handoff far more often. Teams need to do this to Jackson as well. Ignore the handoff if you are the first through and go straight for the QB.

Yup - it's football 101. I was an option QB in high school and still remember getting destroyed by DE's when you pitch. It sucks.

It's almost like there's a gentlemen's agreement not to do this in the NFL. It's the only way to defend the read option.

25 years ago on why more pro teams don't use the option. #1 was speed of the game at that level and #2 was opening up your QB to taking hits on these plays. What's old is new again, and what was know then HURTS today

but don't be surprised to see the referees crack down on it if it is done more often. The NFL doesn't like the QBs getting hit, and if they are regularly getting tattooed running the option, they will simply start flagging them as late hits when it is anywhere close.

Again, I am not suggesting that should be done, only that it will be.

Carter did a terrific job playing contain and playing Hurts on the read

In comment 15472454 KeoweeFan said:

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Carl Banks noted that Hurts was complaining to the officials that he was getting hit every time he ran the option whether he had the ball or not. Well, duh!

Boo-Hoo Stop playing RB if you don't want to get hit.

In comment 15472513 Peppers said:

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Carter did a terrific job playing contain and playing Hurts on the read

Hurts ran for 77 yards on almost 10 yards per carry, not sure he did a terrific job if it was Carter's responsibility most of the time.

where he froze and I felt he could have hit Hurts before he handed off the ball, I noticed that Carter was hitting Hurts every hand off from there on.

In comment 15472509 Mike from Ohio said:

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but don't be surprised to see the referees crack down on it if it is done more often. The NFL doesn't like the QBs getting hit, and if they are regularly getting tattooed running the option, they will simply start flagging them as late hits when it is anywhere close. Again, I am not suggesting that should be done, only that it will be.

This is exactly what I'm worried about. I have visions of Kiwanuka in Tennessee wrapping up the QB but not taking to the ground for fear of a penalty, meanwhile allowing the QB (Vince Young, maybe?) to make a key play to extend a scoring drive that allowed Tennessee to come back and win.

At some point, they have to let the defense play. I'm not even opposed to rules in the name of safety, but if you're going to constantly run fakes, you can't expect defenders to not fall for them and hit the wrong guy. I know I'd for sure be coaching my players to hit the QB regardless unless it was late or clear as day that they didn't have the ball. That's the only time it should be a penalty, but I'm sure they'll move towards further neutering the defense anyway.

To hammer him no matter what. Like, forget playing the ball, your assignment is to lay wood to Hurts.

It definitely worked.

This is not the California Penal League, and if you think the NFL has to allow it to "let the defense play" you have not been keeping up with rules changes.

A pitch or lateral is considered a "backward pass" so hitting the "passer" after he has pitched the ball certainly could be roughing the passer. The rules list specific rules that are suspended on a backward pass but roughing the passer is not one of them. On a handoff off an RPO, it would probably be unnecessary roughness.

during the radio play by play

In comment 15472703 HomerJones45 said:

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This is not the California Penal League, and if you think the NFL has to allow it to "let the defense play" you have not been keeping up with rules changes. A pitch or lateral is considered a "backward pass" so hitting the "passer" after he has pitched the ball certainly could be roughing the passer. The rules list specific rules that are suspended on a backward pass but roughing the passer is not one of them. On a handoff off an RPO, it would probably be unnecessary roughness.

But, if the hit is within a step or two of the handoff, it is hard to fault the defense. The whole point of the read-option is to confuse the D/mask the ball carrier. That means either player could have the ball if run well. The QB is a runner there and fair game.

In comment 15472718 Matt M. said:

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In comment 15472703 HomerJones45 said: Quote: This is not the California Penal League, and if you think the NFL has to allow it to "let the defense play" you have not been keeping up with rules changes. A pitch or lateral is considered a "backward pass" so hitting the "passer" after he has pitched the ball certainly could be roughing the passer. The rules list specific rules that are suspended on a backward pass but roughing the passer is not one of them. On a handoff off an RPO, it would probably be unnecessary roughness. But, if the hit is within a step or two of the handoff, it is hard to fault the defense. The whole point of the read-option is to confuse the D/mask the ball carrier. That means either player could have the ball if run well. The QB is a runner there and fair game.

That said, I did think Carter was getting close to being late on a couple of those where Hurts handed it off.

Was it just me, or did it seem in the first quarter Jones got hit twice on plays where he slid feet first? The second time got the attention of Hernandez, but the announcers mostly ignored it and no flags were thrown. I thought they were easy calls, especially the second one.

started to do to Kap years ago?

..and didn't notice Hurts getting hit at all.

Will look for this on the replay.

In comment 15472537 darren in pdx said:

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where he froze and I felt he could have hit Hurts before he handed off the ball, I noticed that Carter was hitting Hurts every hand off from there on.

I noticed the same... good call..

In comment 15472921 BillKo said:

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..and didn't notice Hurts getting hit at all. Will look for this on the replay.

I definitely saw it st least twice on replays. One time he he got a nice tackle driving him back and taking him to the ground. You could see Hurts was slow to get up. I was surprised the Eagles didn't take exception to it.

yesterday. Yes he hit Hurts a couple times after the pitch, unfortunately he never hit him when he had the ball. And no he did not set any edge. Ojulari was much better.

In comment 15472974 St. Jimmy said:

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In comment 15472921 BillKo said: Quote: ..and didn't notice Hurts getting hit at all. Will look for this on the replay. Didn’t see the game, but a highlights sport show showed him a little gimpy and upset. I definitely saw it st least twice on replays. One time he he got a nice tackle driving him back and taking him to the ground. You could see Hurts was slow to get up. I was surprised the Eagles didn't take exception to it.

In comment 15472989 section125 said:

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yesterday. Yes he hit Hurts a couple times after the pitch, unfortunately he never hit him when he had the ball. And no he did not set any edge. Ojulari was much better.

That was my take as well.

Roche sets the edge better than anyone other edge player on the team.

Carter was pitiful in that regard.

not great coaching. That is Football 101.