Why Stopping the Read-Option Isn't as Easy as You Think

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by ArcticRed

Every time I read about putting more pressure on a read-option quarterback is the answer to defending it, I think about the Redskins vs Ram game last year.

The Rams just kept knocking RGIII on his back, cheap shots to his head or a simple hand push in the face. Even after he got rid of the ball. It was the first time I saw RG lose his cool. Once it started to visibly show that it was effecting RG, we proceed to blow a 15 pt lead and eventually lose the game.

I really do hope MShanahan starts to utilize his arm more than his legs this year. I think RG has a fantastic touch on his passes. Something that was not as needed last year with so many wide open receivers created from the read-option.

Look at the Post article from a while back that looks at how many hits Griffin took per game. After the Rams and Cinci games Griffin never took that many hits again. And the Rams game would have been called differently with the regular refs. Hitting the qb is not a defense against the Read Option in this NFL, the risk of penalties hurting your defense is greater than the risk to any effective qb. Baltimore tried it in the SB, and near the end CK was making some pretty effective plays. I go back to the Minnesota game when Jared Allen was so frustrated that he was going to switch from crashing down to aiming for the qb. As long as the DE has in mind what he is going to do before the play, the offense, and a good qb will effectively negate his actions.