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With the Bears unveiling plans to run the read option with Cutler next season and having backtracked to watch Ponders first start against the Packers back in 2011, in which his full repertoire of athletic skills were displayed, it got me thinking, I wonder if our coaching team plan to run the Read Option at any point in the future?

Obviously with a new, multi talented breed of QB becoming a commodity, perhaps it's time to combat this with some relative success in the system ourselves? With a fleet footed trigger man in Ponder and the league's greatest RB, may be worth a shot.

The Vikings might dabble in it but I'd be surprised if they did more than that. Ponder's quick but I don't think he's enough of a running threat to make that scheme really sing, nor do I imagine the Vikes want to expose him to the additional hits that would likely accompany a significant number of zone read option plays. If I understand that offense correctly, it would also remove the lead blocking back (in this case, Felton) from the equation and since Peterson was most productive last season running behind a lead blocker, going away from that probably won't hold much appeal for the Vikes.

Mothman wrote:The Vikings might dabble in it but I'd be surprised if they did more than that. Ponder's quick but I don't think he's enough of a running threat to make that scheme really sing, nor do I imagine the Vikes want to expose him to the additional hits that would likely accompany a significant number of zone read option plays. If I understand that offense correctly, it would also remove the lead blocking back (in this case, Felton) from the equation and since Peterson was most productive last season running behind a lead blocker, going away from that probably won't hold much appeal for the Vikes.

Especially when you consider the fate of RGIII, one of the fastest dual threat QB's of the modern era. When our other options at the position are rather minimal, I completely understand the apprehension over the proposition. However, if the Bears are willing to experiment by using Cutler in such a sense, I believe we could quite easily follow suit. It appears to be the way that the league is currently heading and Ponder's arguably much more of an athlete than Jay, especially when you consider the amount of hits he's had to endure.

Obviously with the emergence of Felton and locking him down, you wouldn't want to disregard this success too much but I think that some inclusion of the read option could diversify our offensive approach. Just another facet for defenses to account for, a bolstered receiver corps will only add to this.

Similarly to the production of Greg Jennings presumably boosting due to the loading of boxes, trying to counteract AD, I think merely a trial can only be another positive.

ViciousBritishVike wrote:Especially when you consider the fate of RGIII, one of the fastest dual threat QB's of the modern era. When our other options at the position are rather minimal, I completely understand the apprehension over the proposition. However, if the Bears are willing to experiment by using Cutler in such a sense, I believe we could quite easily follow suit. It appears to be the way that the league is currently heading and Ponder's arguably much more of an athlete than Jay, especially when you consider the amount of hits he's had to endure.

Obviously with the emergence of Felton and locking him down, you wouldn't want to disregard this success too much but I think that some inclusion of the read option could diversify our offensive approach. Just another facet for defenses to account for, a bolstered receiver corps will only add to this.

Similarly to the production of Greg Jennings presumably boosting due to the loading of boxes, trying to counteract AD, I think merely a trial can only be another positive.

As Jim said, the Vikings will probably do a little of the option plays that you're talking about, though I don't think it will ever be a staple of their offense.

Another thing to consider about Ponder is his injury history. Now I'm not trying to knock the guy but he's been hurt a lot with Vikings. He had problems with his health while with the Seminoles as well. I think it's a wise idea for Ponder to run only when he absolutely has to, despite the fact that he's a mobile quarterback.

losperros wrote:
As Jim said, the Vikings will probably do a little of the option plays that you're talking about, though I don't think it will ever be a staple of their offense.

Another thing to consider about Ponder is his injury history. Now I'm not trying to knock the guy but he's been hurt a lot with Vikings. He had problems with his health while with the Seminoles as well. I think it's a wise idea for Ponder to run only when he absolutely has to, despite the fact that he's a mobile quarterback.

When factoring this in, makes a lot of sense to stay with the 'bread and butter', especially when we are productive in the traditional sense of running the rock. I know that are plenty of Ponder bashers out there but I still have faith and believe he has a successful future ahead of him, would hate for us to have to turn to an alternative option and see him get phased out.

I suppose it's refreshing to follow a team that aren't afraid to stick it up the gut, being productive in doing so and not being concerned about developing trends. That being said, if we do implement any read looks, it'll be interesting to see how we fare with this new crease.

ViciousBritishVike wrote:When factoring this in, makes a lot of sense to stay with the 'bread and butter', especially when we are productive in the traditional sense of running the rock. I know that are plenty of Ponder bashers out there but I still have faith and believe he has a successful future ahead of him, would hate for us to have to turn to an alternative option and see him get phased out.

I suppose it's refreshing to follow a team that aren't afraid to stick it up the gut, being productive in doing so and not being concerned about developing trends. That being said, if we do implement any read looks, it'll be interesting to see how we fare with this new crease.

Actually, I believe Coach Frazier wants to balance the offensive attack, which means throwing the ball more effectively and maybe more often, plus possibly going with a greater variety of formations. I think that's one of the reasons why they signed Greg Jennings and re-signed Jerome Simpson. I still expect them to hit the draft for one or two WRs too.

Frazier is no dummy, in my view. He has to be aware that sooner or later opposing Ds will figure out how to bottle up Adrian Peterson if the Vikings can't diversify their attack. I don't think he wants another season where his offense can't punish opposing defenses for stuffing eight in the box on every down.

I think this is a horrible idea for the bears and if they're jumping off a bridge does that mean we should follow? Probably not! Scrambles and boot legs are fine but designed runs for the QB is just asking for trouble. Sure it's been a trend with RG3 and newton and wilson but it's only a matter of time before they get injured, or in rg3's case, already been injured.

mondry wrote:I think this is a horrible idea for the bears and if they're jumping off a bridge does that mean we should follow? Probably not! Scrambles and boot legs are fine but designed runs for the QB is just asking for trouble. Sure it's been a trend with RG3 and newton and wilson but it's only a matter of time before they get injured, or in rg3's case, already been injured.

Yep they usually get injured, then become injury prone. Look at Vick. But then look at Steve Young. He did a great job of doing it just enough to be perfect at it.

ibleedPurple wrote:I feel like this is a bad idea even if joe webb were to run it why? It's simple it gets way from our gameplan and since our guards are such a liability you can imagine how many times a read option play will just get blown up.

Thus resulting in a greater chance of injury. I guess our time to follow the league wide trend isn't upon us as of yet. Picking up an athletic, hybrid type QB/WR isn't out of the question, perhaps as a late flier in the draft. He could then potentially be the subject of said scheme.

All depends on personnel as you so rightly pointed out and the risk of injury to Ponder far outweighs the positives.

As long as we don't introduce the wildcat with the possible selection of Tavon Austin, that soon phased out

mondry wrote:I think this is a horrible idea for the bears and if they're jumping off a bridge does that mean we should follow? Probably not! Scrambles and boot legs are fine but designed runs for the QB is just asking for trouble. Sure it's been a trend with RG3 and newton and wilson but it's only a matter of time before they get injured, or in rg3's case, already been injured.

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".

ibleedPurple wrote:I feel like this is a bad idea even if joe webb were to run it why? It's simple it gets way from our gameplan and since our guards are such a liability you can imagine how many times a read option play will just get blown up.

It wouldn't surprise me if Webb catches on somewhere running this scheme. He is built for it.

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".

This.

Cutler has the athleticism to once in a while escape the pocket and pick up a few yards with his legs, but he is an absolute terrible choice for the read option.

I hope it not the case, but I see another concussion for Jay in the near future, who knows? Maybe thats what Trestman wants.

Before people get too wrapped up in this idea of the Bears running the read option, here's what Trestman actually said about it:

"We have that in our packages," Trestman said. "It won't be new to us. We have coaches on our staff who know how to coach it and know how to coach it very well."

That said, it will have to be tested first.

"We'll look into it. I don't know if we'll establish it," Trestman said. "I think it's worth spending time on. ... I think every team is looking at it right now. I don't think we'd be alone in saying that."

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2013/03 ... d_the.html

Don't expect a major commitment the option from the Bears. In all likelihood, it will be something they incorporate into their playcalling as an added dimension defenses have to prepare to handle, not a major part of their game plans from week to week.

If they are smart they'll keep running Max Protect and allow Marshall to be the freak that he is catching balls in triple coverage.

Still, they need to find a way to score. One of the best quotes last year was "To beat the Bears just make them score their own points."

mansquatch wrote:If they are smart they'll keep running Max Protect and allow Marshall to be the freak that he is catching balls in triple coverage.

Still, they need to find a way to score. One of the best quotes last year was "To beat the Bears just make them score their own points."