Defending the Wildcat Formation

[Mags]

As we see teams (more and more) utilizing the "Wildcat Formation" that was started by the Miami Dolphins this year, I see that teams are having a real difficulty defending it. It catches them by surprise and tends to be effective.

The goal to defending it seems amazingly simple - but the great NFL minds can't seem to grasp the way to defend it. Simple - punish the QB.

The QB, in this formation, is typically lined up as a WR in this formation. As such, he is no longer protected by the "skirt rule" that the NFL uses to protect QB's during play. And it IS legal to chuck, pound, hurt, etc a WR within the first 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.

So why not move your OLB to cover the QB when he moves out there? Most QB's aren't gonna outrun anyone - and a OLB (or an aggressive CB) could literally drive that QB/WR into the ground! If defenses were smarter, they would penalize an offense for using the formation by pounding the QB, possibly taking him out of the game.

This was so apparent watching the Jets-Patriots game tonight - watching Favre stroll across the field with his hand up, faking like he is catching a pass. Why didn't a linebacker just blindside him when he was looking at the QB?

That is one way to stop this nonsense - put the QB/WR at risk, and teams will be a LOT less likely to run this stupid play.

Team defenses must wake up and put in the "Wildcat rule" - as soon as they see the QB not lineup behind center, he becomes the primary target of the defense - just like what happens during an interception return.

Thoughts?

 

[joz]

So you want to move one of your best tacklers out away from where the play is being run. The Offense would love for you to be the defensive coord.......... :mj07:

 

[Blackman]

Why didn't a linebacker just blindside him when he was looking at the QB?


Thoughts?

Sounds dirty. Also sounds like a good way for the other team to target your QB the second you get the ball back. If you did that to my QB, I'd be more than willing to take a 15 yarder and spear your QB right in the kneecap. Just opens up a can of worms.

Just stop the play and they will stop doing it. Pretty simple.

 

[bjfinste]

Sounds dirty. Also sounds like a good way for the other team to target your QB the second you get the ball back. If you did that to my QB, I'd be more than willing to take a 15 yarder and spear your QB right in the kneecap. Just opens up a can of worms.

Just stop the play and they will stop doing it. Pretty simple.

Pretty much agree word for word.

 

[Mags]

You have got a CB out there anyway, who is going to stay with the receiver...

At a minimum, he should chuck the F**K out of the QB who is lined up as a WR.

It won't change your defense's ability to stop the play, as the CB on the opposite side of the ball rarely, if ever, factors into the tackle.

I doubt if you'd get into a cheap shot issue - as once he lines up as a WR, it is no longer a cheap shot - he is a "regular" football player at this point.

Or do teams expect other teams to leave their QB alone when they try trick plays? If so, that is dumb - you wanna try something tricky, and expose your QB, then you make them pay.

JMHO.

 

[Blackman]

I doubt if you'd get into a cheap shot issue - as once he lines up as a WR, it is no longer a cheap shot - he is a "regular" football player at this point.
.

Favre isn't going to be viewed as a "regular" player out there split wide. Yes he's lined up as a receiver, but if he gets hit differently than you would a WR out there, you can bet your butt your QB will get their bell rung on the next possession.

 

[Mags]

I guess I don't see the Wildcat being much different than an interception....

It's common practice to go after the QB on an interception return....

Seems the same to me - if he is not the QB, and is a WR or a defender (like an INT return), he's fair game....:shrug:

 

[Blackman]

I guess I don't see the Wildcat being much different than an interception....

It's common practice to go after the QB on an interception return....

Seems the same to me - if he is not the QB, and is a WR or a defender (like an INT return), he's fair game....:shrug:

Sure, it is. And I don't see many QB's getting killed on those plays either, for the reasons mentioned above. It's dirty play to lay someone out trying to hurt them, instead of defending and playing smart football.

 

[Blackman]

I guess I don't see the Wildcat being much different than an interception....

It's common practice to go after the QB on an interception return....

Seems the same to me - if he is not the QB, and is a WR or a defender (like an INT return), he's fair game....:shrug:

Shit why don't you take it a step further -- it's a passing play against the Chargers - would you "chunk" LT right in the knees and try to take him out as he's acting as a blocker?

 

[Mags]

Well, Blackmon, I wasn't suggesting something dirty like hitting a player in the knees... if you did that to a WR, you'd probably get a penalty..

I'm just saying chuck him at the line - bump and run coverage - and chuck him hard. Make 'em think twice about running that type of play, that's all.

Nothing illegal - but just send a message.

 

[Blackman]

Ok I guess, but didn't your first post say you would "blindside him when he isn't looking"

Better off just sending a real message by stopping the play.

 

[Mags]

Yea, Blackmon, it did... which would be a LEGAL play - but I guess it would be kinda cheap.....

The D is at such a disadvantage on this gadget play... and it's use is spreading, so I thought making it hurt a bit would get rid of this play.

I'm not a fan of the gimmick plays, and frankly, I'm sick of hearing about the "Wildcat".

 

[jer-z jock]

Interesting subject and i am amazed there werent more responses in this thread, personally I would just walk out a DE or another line personnel player out on the Qb, lets be honest when they line up in this formation, regardless of which team..how many QBs have caught a pass..or had one attempted to them? So I would fill the box up safeties down and put the QB and which ever personnel player of choice in man to man coverage, to be honest I would like to think with Vick sitting in jail there arent many atheletic QBs out there that will beat a DE/LB/ or DB in man 2 man coverage. Buddy Ryans 4-6 comes to mind and I would make the offensive unit prove to me they have the capabilities to throw to the QB. Sounds simple from here in my living room on a keyboard but Im sure theres weaknesses to this as well....only real weakness I can think of is the pass so, I would be willing to live with it.