The Run/Pass Option

[SlowGettingUp]

Interesting article at The Ringer - basically the QB decides between two pass plays and a run play based on defensive actions after the snap. Requires quick thinking and a quick release by the QB. Only wrinkle may be "ineligible man downfield" if the run-blockers are too aggressive - have to stay within 1-yard of the line of scrimmage (vs. 3 yards for college) to keep the pass play open.

From Aaron Rodgers to Ben Roethlisberger: The Play That Will Define the 2017 NFL Season

 

[Shockt327]

Interesting article at The Ringer - basically the QB decides between two pass plays and a run play based on defensive actions after the snap. Requires quick thinking and a quick release by the QB. Only wrinkle may be "ineligible man downfield" if the run-blockers are too aggressive - have to stay within 1-yard of the line of scrimmage (vs. 3 yards for college) to keep the pass play open.

From Aaron Rodgers to Ben Roethlisberger: The Play That Will Define the 2017 NFL Season

It's a nice article and I love reading about the strategy of the game.

BTW - Just for fun. The article showed the below play as an example of a run-pass option play. It certainly is. The QB has the option to pass the ball by simply reading the box defender to see if he's playing the run or the pass; and he'll either hand it off or throw it....

...but it's really nothing new.

It's no different than the "Look/Swing" concept; which The Patriots have been running since Charlie Weis was OC. Brady has done it a million times. Here's video of it from when Weis coached Notre Dame:

It's really just a basic run play, but the QB has the option to throw to the WR for the same reasons listed above (notice how O-line is always run-blocking, and the RB is expecting a hand-off).

Now, I certainly know that there are more creative RPO plays that have been drawn up. But it's just an example to highlight -- as the article itself correctly points out -- how even though the run pass option is discussed a being this "new" concept, it really isn't that new...

 

[SlowGettingUp]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the pass plays last year when Blount was in the backfield didn't fall into this same category. Part of the problem though was that Blount wasn't a great pass blocker, so these might be more effective this year.

The Patriot WR's run different routes based on what the defense does after the snap, so this whole concept is nothing new to them.

 

[Shockt327]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the pass plays last year when Blount was in the backfield didn't fall into this same category. Part of the problem though was that Blount wasn't a great pass blocker, so these might be more effective this year.

The Patriot WR's run different routes based on what the defense does after the snap, so this whole concept is nothing new to them.

Honestly, it's far less complicated than that. At it's core, it's really just a standard run play, but with a quick route built-in (i.e. swing, quick slant, etc.). So, if the QB notices that the D is showing a certain look in anticipation of the run; then the QB can simply choose to throw it without having to audible. That's all it is. There are plenty of times where the D shows nothing and the QB simply hands it off to the RB and it's no different than any standard run play. Even when the QB passes, it really doesn't stand out. It's nothing flashy. It really is just another way of taking what the defense gives you.

Now, are there other kinds of RPO plays? Certainly, but it's not much different. Just think of the core play being a Draw or a Play Action pass instead. You know how a play action pass is meant to fool the D by faking a hand-off to set-up a pass? Well, imagine that, except the wrinkle is that the QB has the freedom to either hand it off or throw at the time of the snap.