Vikings Message Board.Com

I don't see why the Bears would runb the RO as Cutler is beat up as it is. I don't think that offense lasts more than another season anyway.

The read option is the number one way to have one, maybe two, good years, then to fall completely apart once you run out of quarterbacks that can do it.

The best way to destroy the read option is to have really good linebackers who contain a scrambling quarterback, which forces that quarterback to make decisions inside the pocket. Once you expose what is usually a lack of arm strength or decision-making ability, they pretty much go to pieces.

Last year is certainly not the first year that multiple teams experimented with that particular offense. The analysts throw "read option" around every so often because it's working for several teams, but it's not a very long term solution (and most coaches know that). I'd say the Vikings "kind of" employed a read option with Daunte Culpepper during that 2000 season, but realized very quickly that as soon as he gets hurt, the team is screwed (in one of the most infuriating playoff losses I can remember prior to 2009). The reason they turned him into a pocket quarterback is because it's an offensive style that only works with a certain type of quarterback, and that most quarterbacks aren't all that much better at running it than they are at running a WCO or something. That means that most of your backups can't run it. That means that once your starter gets trashed because you're exposing him to big time hits repeatedly, you'll have to change just about everything your offense once you turn it over to your backup and that isn't easy.

In reality, it's basically a silver bullet type of offense. If you have just the right personnel, and the teams you're playing don't have the right defensive players, you can maybe make it work and maybe get a SB. But chances are that's not going to be the case, and San Francisco, Indianapolis, and Seattle all figured that out this year. Washington figured it out before all of them. Way to blow the second pick in the draft, 'skins.

mansquatch wrote: I agree, for the bears that is just plain silly. When has Cutler ever scared anyone with his legs? Not only that, he usually gets injured at least once a year and now they want him taking more hits? If I were a Bear's fan I'd be beside myself over this announcement. As a Vikings fan all I have to say is "Thank you".

Bless them, will they ever learn? Jared's going to have a field day with his motor and never say die attitude. It's as though they're willing Cutler to fail.