Questions and Observations for American Football Fans

[Brian37]

The slow burn only works when the defense and special teams can cover it.  It's not about what you like.  It's what you can get done.

If I have my choice of say a running back on first and second, say like John Riggins, who didn't give a fig if you were in front of him, and would flatten you like you were a crepe, I'll take that that over a philosophy of quarterback who constantly plays running back more than quarterback. Scrambling quarterbacks are not a bad thing all the time. But I prefer pocket quarterbacks who don't have to run every damned play. If you have a decent offensive line, your quarterback is going to be able to hand off in the pocket and create lanes for the running back, or if they pass, they can do their check down without getting sacked.

[Ranjr]

If I have my choice of say a running back on first and second, say like John Riggins, who didn't give a fig if you were in front of him, and would flatten you like you were a crepe, I'll take that that over a philosophy of quarterback who constantly plays running back more than quarterback. Scrambling quarterbacks are not a bad thing all the time. But I prefer pocket quarterbacks who don't have to run every damned play. If you have a decent offensive line, your quarterback is going to be able to hand off in the pocket and create lanes for the running back, or if they pass, they can do their check down without getting sacked.

Ball control offenses, meaning run first, play action shots downfield with favorable field position, work only in conjunction with defenses that dominate the line and limit big plays.  Otherwise, running teams can't outscore pass happy offenses.

You're romanticizing Riggins.  The Raiders and Bears stuffed his shit.  Give more credit to Monte Coleman and Dexter Manley for that Superbowl win.  Then be glad you had a kicker like Moseley.  You can't cash in on field position without a great kicker.  You gotta love Charlie Brown with the winning TD.  The other circumstances Redskins fans should appreciate is facing David Woodley and a checked out Don Shula.

[Spongebob]

Ball control now doesn't necessarily mean run at all any more. Since the Bill Walsh era, the passing game is equally considered a ball control option. Some teams rely on short passes and screens as a sort of quasi running attack. And with the addition of RPO's in the NFL, the entire concept of run vs pass has changed quite a bit.

[Angrboda]

An aside, the other thing that bothers me about the modern football game, is the amount of ridiculous risk taking on fourth down. Of course not late in the half or end of the game, but even non key close parts of the game. 

I've seen plenty of college games and NFL games in recent years where an offence would risk and lose the first down early in the game instead of punting or taking the field goal.

Generally speaking those are calculated risks based upon the numbers. They are only ridiculous to you because you don't know the numbers they're based upon and probably think it's just something that is decided based upon someone's gut.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Since I admittedly don’t know much about American football, I looked some stuff up and learned that 37 won’t change topics until the middle of February.

Boru

[arewethereyet]

Since I admittedly don’t know much about American football, I looked some stuff up and learned that 37 won’t change topics until the middle of February.

Boru

That's why I merged...it'll probably happen again, multiple times.

[Spongebob]

For college and NFL watchers, what say you? 

I have noticed in my 55 years that the pace of the game has become blazing fast compared to when I was growing up. When I was a kid, and teen and even in my early 20s, the philosophy was to be under center first and second down, run and get to third and short, to allow for a play option. But over the years, and my grey hair, it seams just about every play more often than not starts with a shotgun position and passing more than running. 

I like the old game which was more under center than today's game which is mostly shotgun.

You've adequately described how the game has evolved over the years.  Did you expect it to stay static?  If you go backwards from when you first started watching football, you will see the same sort of progression in game strategy and play.  It changes a little bit every year.  Very little stays the same.

[Brian37]

I do not understand the difference between a kick going out of bounds on a punt, vs a ball going out of bounds on a kick off after a score. Isn't the idea to put  back the receiving team up as much as possible? 

I don't think it should matter if you went 3 and out and punted a kick to the point your rival had to start at the 5 yard line. I also don't understand why after a field goal, or touchdown, why your kick off team kicker cant kick the ball out of bounds as close to the end zone so that you, the receiving team has to start as far back as possible.

[arewethereyet]

Moderator Notice
Another football thread merged into this one.

[Duty]

In general these days I find sport to be a facile and laughable waste of time/space/energy. 2c