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Wildcat Offense?
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:21 pm
by Pigskinfever
Alright so i only started watching football about 2 years ago and obviously my knowledge of the game is pretty limited.
I just want to know what is a wildcat offense? I've heard a lot about it off late and to me it seems a lot like a college Spread Offense.
Is there any difference between A Wildcat and Spread Offense?
Thanks!
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:47 pm
by Bob 0119
This might
help
Wikipedia wrote:
The wildcat formation, (or wildcat offense) a variation on the single-wing formation, is an offensive American football scheme that has been used at every level of the game including the CFL, NFL, NCAA, NAIA, and many high schools across America. The general scheme can be instituted into many different offensive systems, but the distinguishing factor is a direct snap to the running back and an unbalanced offensive line.
The wildcat is an offensive package rather than an offense, in that it uses the same pre-snap motion coming across the formation on every play in the package and every play initially looks like a sweep behind zone blocking. However, after the snap several things may happen once the motion man crosses the player receiving the snap.
If you click on the highlighted "help" in my first sentance, it will take you to the page where it has diagramed pics of what it looks like
Wikipedia wrote:
In a December 24, 2006 game between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers deployed a formation without a quarterback and directly snapped the ball to running back DeAngelo Williams.[10] The Panthers ran the ball—mostly in this formation—for the first twelve plays of the opening drive. The offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers at the time was Dan Henning, who later developed this concept into the Wildcat as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.
Relying on the experience of quarterbacks coach David Lee who had run the scheme at Arkansas, the 2008 Miami Dolphins implemented the Wildcat offense beginning in the third game of the 2008 season with great success, instigating a wider trend throughout the NFL.[11][12] The Dolphins started the Wildcat trend in the NFL lining up either running back Ronnie Brown (in most cases) or Ricky Williams in the shotgun formation with the option of handing off, running, or throwing. Through eleven games, the Wildcat averaged over seven yards per play for the Dolphins. "It could be the single wing, it could be the Delaware split buck business that they used to do," Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning said. "It comes from all of that."[13] On September 21, 2008, the Miami Dolphins used the Wildcat offense against the New England Patriots on six plays, which produced five touchdowns (four rushing and one passing) in a 38-13 upset victory.
The 2008 Oakland Raiders used the Wildcat beginning in their first game of the 2008 season, using Darren McFadden, who ran the formation at Arkansas, and Justin Fargas.
As the popularity of the Wildcat spread during the 2008 NFL season, several teams began instituting it as a part of their playbook, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Many teams admit to spending an inordinate amount of time having to prepare for such a scheme.
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:25 pm
by Pigskinfever
Thanks a lot for posting this Bob!
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:21 am
by Bob 0119
Pigskinfever wrote:Thanks a lot for posting this Bob!
No sweat, and welcome to the site!
Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:09 pm
by fredp45
One thought about the wildcat...
It works best if you can make it happen with one of your regular RBs (ala Ronnie Brown)...that way, you break the huddle with your normal offensive unit and before the defense can get ready, the ball gets snapped to the RB, not the QB. When you have to bring in a guy who only does the wildcat (ala Pat White) a good defense (and good opposing defensive coaches) will see it and possibly substitute to defend it.
The Skins can make it happen with ARE. In fact, I'd like to see us run it a couple times a game with him.
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:37 pm
by welch
OK, this thread has slept long enough. Has the "wildcat" been used much in the NFL in the last few years?
Not that I've noticed.
Wjy not? Is it one of those trick offenses that work only in HS or college, but not against big, fast, skilled professionals?
Some years ago, we argued about the option / veer offense
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:42 pm
by Deadskins
There's been a few wildcat plays this year.
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 11:25 pm
by welch
Deadskins wrote:There's been a few wildcat plays this year.
Sounds like choice of a single play rather than a basic offense. Like throwing a pass from FG formation. Right?
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:31 pm
by Deadskins
Definitely. Miami ran it the most a few years ago, but even then it was less than a quarter of their total plays. It was a novelty, but now DC's have had time to study it, and can break it down when they know it's coming.