Ready for the West Coast?

[Oakland Red]

Sports 2000 Trends - West Coast offense 101

Bill Walsh, discussing the "West Coast Offense" in 1999:

It did not surprise me that four of the six highest-rated quarterbacks of 1998 played in a West Coast-style offense: Randall Cunningham, Steve Young, John Elway and Neil O'Donnell. They excel in it because they are great touch passers, which is key in a passing scheme that relies on the precision of the quarterback's throwing rather than the strength of his arm.


Although the offense will raise the completion percentage of just about any quarterback, some are better suited to running it than others. Joe Montana was a master, and so is Young. I think someone like Ryan Leaf, who is a fine athlete, would excel in the West Coast offense, even though at 6-5, 240 he is a much larger man than Montana or Young.


The size of the quarterback is not as important as his athleticism. Kerry Collins is the same size as Leaf, but I have doubts about his ability to excel in this offense. Mobility is key to West Coast success, and Collins just isn't real mobile. He also isn't what I would call a good 'touch' passer, a requirement in an offense that calls for a lot of short and medium passes.