Wildcat Effectiveness Over The Last 4 Games

[dolpns13]

I dont know guys, but I think it might be time to put away the wildcat for a few weeks. I'm kind of getting sick of seeing it and each week it has gotten less and less effective.

Against NE:
5 runs for 100 yards, 3 TD. 20 ypp
1 pass for 19 yards, 1 TD. 19 ypp

Against SD:
10 runs for 48 yards, 1 TD. 4.8 ypp

Against Houston:
5 runs for 19 yards. 3.8 ypp
1 pass for 53 yards, 1 TD. 53 ypp

Against Baltimore:
6 runs for 4 yards. .66 ypp

In total:
26 runs for 171 yards and 4 td's. 6.57yyp
2 passes for 72 yards and 2 td's. 36

This was a new formation 4 games ago and teams have figured out a way to stop it. The average yards per rush out of the base wildcat has consisitently dropped per game from 20ypp - 4.8ypp - 3.8ypp - .66ypp. Granted we played the top defense in the league yesterday but I still believe it wouldnt have been as effective regardless who we were playing, and the fact that we continued to run it 6 times unsuccessfully yesterday is also a knock to the playcalling (which also was horrendous thoughout the game).. Not to mention you really cannot trick a defense like Baltimore's with so many vets and such a swarming defense.

I do not consider the wildcat a true "trick" play because 90 percent of the time it is going to be a run, the defense knows this and has the ability to read and react to it. When it becomes a trick play is when we option or reverse to the pass, hence the 72 yards gained and 2 TD's on 2 attempts.

All in all teams have learned how to stop this formation as it has become less and less effective each week. We can look at the totals and say, well we are still averaging 6.57ypp rushing and 36ypp passing, but those numbers will only begin to decrease until the wildcat begins to hurt us more than help us.

I think it is time to put the wildcat to rest for at least 2 weeks. Teams will still have to waste time preparing for it anyways and the more games that go on that defenses will not see it, makes it more of a surprise when they do.

Thoughts?

 

[DuderinoN703]

The Wildcat vs Baltimore looked pathetic. I know it had to do with the Ravens defense but the plays the Dolphins ran just didn't look like they were that tricky. I mean, does Ronnie ever hand the ball to Ricky? Seems like just once, maybe twice.

The play vs Houston with the flea-flicker was the best yet. I'd like to see more stuff like that if anything

 

[dolpns13]

The Wildcat vs Baltimore looked pathetic. I know it had to do with the Ravens defense but the plays the Dolphins ran just didn't look like they were that tricky. I mean, does Ronnie ever hand the ball to Ricky? Seems like just once, maybe twice.

The play vs Houston with the flea-flicker was the best yet. I'd like to see more stuff like that if anything

I still think we are using it too much. Each week it becomes less and less productive. Yes, the trick plays out of the wildcat are awesome when they work (the two passes), but you cant run trick plays everytime we run this package.

 

[dlockz]

U quoted the coach that used it at Arkansas and he said the more its used the less productive it would be. We need to be able to beat teams without a gimmick offense.

 

[eger]

Like a few of us on this board mentioned before everyone jumped down our throats. Put the Wildcat on the back burners and concentrate on execution. It was only a matter of time before this was stopped.

By using it every game teams expect it, and then prepare for it. Other teams see how effective it is, and then use it too. Leave the play out of the playbook for a couple of games then sprinkle some in.

 

[PerfectFinz72]

I know I would like to see them get back to handing the ball off to Ronnie straight up out of a normal back formation. Its not like ronnie needs that formation to get yardage. He proved last year (without any wildcat plays) that he could run effectively on regular handoffs. I like the offensive play callng for the most part because they are getting creative. BUT, I almost think this week they should go back to basics and try to re-establish the running game normally.