The players lined up in a square formation and stood neatly; the coaches lined up with great momentum. There was a tense and solemn atmosphere permeating the entire training ground. For an instant, there was an illusion of military training. It was hard to believe that this was just the daily training of a professional rugby team.
Jim Hubble narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced around the players in front of him. It was impossible to distinguish the specific expressions and emotions from the mixed expressions. There was no politeness or greetings. He even skipped the greeting and said directly, "Next, seven-on-seven training. The offensive team, three offensive linemen, two receivers, a tight end, and the quarterback; the defensive team, two defensive frontmen, two linebackers, and the remaining three players, cornerbacks and safeties."
Seven-on-seven training was conducted in the rookie training camp. In fact, this is the most basic and traditional passing tactics training, which every team will carry out over and over again every day. Not surprising.
But at this time, the first item of Thursday's training was to choose seven-on-seven training. The intention couldn't be more obvious. The battle for the starting quarterback is about to begin.
"Coach, this is unfair." Colin Kaepernick raised his hand and said loudly, "The lack of running back coverage increases the passing pressure. This clearly emphasizes the passing ability of the quarterback and weakens it. The quarterback's own ability to run the ball. But, for the quarterback, running is also one of his skills."
The simple interpretation is: this is a drill for the pocket quarterback, and the running quarterback is put into a disadvantageous situation. Lu Ke and Smith are both pocket quarterbacks, while Kaepernick is a running quarterback.
"The game is unfair. Some offensive lines are better, and some are terrible. Is it because the offensive lines are not good that you won't play in the game?" Jim had no intention of giving face and complained directly. , making Kaepernick hold his words tightly in his chest and his face turned red.
Immediately afterwards, Jim continued, "This is tactical training. The offensive coach gives offensive instructions, and the defensive coach gives defensive instructions. You just follow the instructions and complete them. We practice tactics."
During the rookie training camp, the seven-on-seven training tested the quarterback's ability to fight in times of crisis. He made appropriate arrangements based on his own tactical understanding and understanding of the abilities of his temporary teammates; but today's seven-on-seven training tested The main thing is the quarterback's understanding and application ability of tactics.
Read from a quarterback's perspective: This is a playbook comprehension reading test.
Then, Jim intentionally or unintentionally cast his gaze in the direction of Kaepernick, "If necessary, we will also arrange a read option offense. Different styles of quarterbacks naturally have completely different playing styles. Coaches are more demanding than players. Understand this better." Although he did not name anyone, his words were sharp and did not leave Kaepernick in any doubt.
The so-called read-option offense is a tactic that has become popular in college arenas in recent years. It is simple and crude, but directly effective. It can even be said to be invincible. Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick both used this tactic to sweep away all opponents. College arena.
Yes, this is a play that takes full advantage of the individual talents of the running quarterback.
In a normal offensive tactic, the offensive line has five players, and the opposing defensive team has seven players - either four defensive fronts plus three linebackers, or three defensive fronts plus four Linebackers, overall it's a "five-on-seven" situation.
However, the defensive front line of the defensive team needs to shoulder multiple functions such as attacking the quarterback, defending the ball, and defending short passes at the same time. It has a certain advantage in terms of numbers, but the specific situation needs to be arranged according to actual tactics.
In a read-option offense, the quarterback will choose an outside defensive player, usually a defensive end or outside linebacker, and deliberately forget about the existence of this player; then reasonably arrange his offensive line, and even catch the ball. Players, facing the other six defensive first-line players, create a one-on-one or two-on-one situation and intercept the impact of the defensive first-line players.
As a result, wide receivers, tight ends and running backs who do not have blocking tasks may form a situation where more players play less.
But, what about the missing outside defender? Because other defensive players are blocked or intercepted, he becomes isolated and helpless. He must make accurate judgments: whether this is a running attack or a passing attack——
In other words, does he have to guard the quarterback, or the running back? In such a choice, one often loses sight of one.
The quarterback's job becomes simple. He only needs to keep an eye on the outside defensive player. If the opponent starts to intercept the running ball, then the quarterback will run with the ball; the opponent starts to attack the quarterback. Then the quarterback hands the football to the running back to break through; further, if the opponent loses his defensive position and the quarterback sees the gap, he can also complete the pass.
In summary, the read option offense means that the quarterback interprets the opponent's defensive position, picks out a loophole, deliberately releases this loophole, and then tightly plugs other positions. Next, based on the movement of this defensive loophole, the four The shooting guard can choose the running back to run the ball, he can choose to run the ball himself, or he can choose to pass the ball.
The combination of the read option offense and the pistol formation is ever-changing and diverse for the running quarterback, even more changeable than the pocket quarterback's shotgun formation. Faced with such an offensive, the defense team is simply unable to defend.
For pocket quarterbacks, running with the ball is too risky and their abilities are insufficient; but for running quarterbacks, this makes full use of their physical talents.
In the college arena, the read-option offense can be said to have swept the entire army, and it has also led to the rise of running quarterbacks. However, in the league, the read-option offense has achieved good success, but it has never been popular. The reason is that , the offensive method of reading options really requires too much physical talent.
For quarterbacks, passing the ball is their job; but now, they are required to run the ball and then face strong and fierce impacts. The physical fitness and impact strength of the defensive players are absolutely no small matter - this is also the case for the offensive linemen. The reason the players are so strong is because they block first-round hits for the quarterback.
Especially in professional leagues, the intensity and intensity of impacts are much higher than those in college leagues; and the NFL's tactics are ever-changing, and defensive players' interpretation of crises and grasp of situations are far beyond what the NCAA can match, that is to say. , the defensive team can more quickly see through the read option offense and give the quarterback a fatal blow.
Collision after collision, for the quarterback, it can be said that he uses his own shortcomings to counter the opponent's strengths. Even for a "superman" like Cam Newton, his physical fitness still cannot gain the upper hand in front of defensive players. If he frequently uses read options to attack in a game, Newton will face a high risk of injury.
Therefore, the only running quarterbacks in the league now, and even the running quarterbacks who have made a name for themselves in the college arena, are all black men with super physical fitness. But even they may become glass people if they are not careful.
Back to the conversation between Jim Harbor and Colin Kaepernick.
The reason why Kaepernick protested was because passing accuracy was not his strong point.
Objectively speaking, his passing accuracy is worse than Cam Newton, but his physical fitness is not as good as Cam Newton. Therefore, in the draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Newton, and the San Francisco 49ers Then they used the high pick in the second round to select Kaepernick.
Despite this, Kaepernick's passing accuracy cannot be compared with Lu Ke and Smith.
In the four preseason games, the team still used passing tactics more than read option offense. Kaepernick had a tough time understanding the playbook. In today's seven-on-seven training, there is no running back pick-and-roll coverage, and naturally there is no read option offense, making his situation even more unfavorable.
But the reason why Jim is so tough is because this is tactical training. Reading defense is an offensive method that relies on the quarterback's personal physical fitness. It has almost no requirements for passing and tactics. This is not in line with the original intention of the first round of training.
Hence, what Jim said just now, the coaching staff will arrange tactics according to the players' style. But in the final analysis, today's starting battle is to serve the team, not to showcase the talents and talents of a certain quarterback.
"Now, are there any questions?" Jim said loudly, looking at Kaepernick with burning eyes.
Kaepernick didn't answer, lowered his head and looked away.
"We attack one gear at a time." Jim added again, "The four quarterbacks take turns to play and always stand on the twenty-yard line. We will look at the different combinations of offensive tactics and defensive tactics. It depends on how well the team understands the playbook.”
"Coach, including me?" Scott Tolsin raised his right hand hesitantly. He thought there was no place for him in today's starting battle.
Jim looked at Scott, "Are you the quarterback of our team?" Scott nodded blankly, "Then, yes, including you. If there is no problem, start now, Alex, you The first one is Colin, you are the second one, then Lu Ke, and finally Scott.”
Selecting a starting quarterback is one thing, and tactical training is another. They cannot ignore this week's regular season in order to select a starting quarterback. So, all four quarterbacks have to play.
The brief interlude did not stir up too many waves, and then all the offensive and defensive teams quickly came on the field. Craig Roman and Vic Fangio each selected two different groups of players, rotated them, and then used tactics. The training begins.
All the players, all the players on the entire team, whether they were on the field preparing for training, or those who were watching off the field, or even the players in the training team outside the field, everyone fell silent, paying full attention and holding their breath.
Under the spotlight, Alex trotted onto the court, and then followed the coach's tactical arrangements, accurately launched the attack, and successfully completed a six-yard pass - short pass layout and shot control, which has always been Alex's Si's strength is also his unique skill to establish himself in the league.
