Wild about the Wildcat
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Wild about the Wildcat
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Way back when I covered Penn State football, every time a reporter would ask Joe Paterno about this new-fangled spread offense, JoePa would dismiss the questioner with a wave of the hand and a, "Ahhhhhh, we ran the same thing back when I was the quarterback at Brooklyn Prep."
Joe would then get that Italian smirk of his.
"We never huddled, I played quarterback in the shotgun and we spread out all over the place," Paterno said. "The people we played were too dumb to know that I couldn't throw the ball."
I think of Joe's comments whenever someone in the NFL talks about the Wildcat. It's not like it rivals the invention of the forward pass. In some shape or form the Wildcat has been around since the near dawn of football. Basically, the formation involves a direct snap to a running back or wide receiver with an unbalanced offensive line. It's basically the "Single wing" [fix] that countless high schools have used over decades.
There's a reason why the high schoolers use it. While the premise is rather simple, if it's done correctly it works. And if you have superior athletes on your side, it will almost always work. And in high school and in college the disparity in talent between many teams is great. In the NFL, not so much. It's why many pro coaches dismiss the Wildcat.
While it may be a fad and may go the way of the run-and-shoot, that doesn't mean the fad won't work at first. And, I think, this season it might work for the Eagles, who plan to use it now that Michael Vick is aboard. He basically ran a version when he was with the Falcons.
“If it was read handoff with Warrick [Dunn] in the backfield reading the end, he was coming off of the corner," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said.
Most of the pro teams that have run the Wildcat have done so using a runner, who most likely won't (can't) pass. Vick, obviously, can pass (not so great, but better than most). If you throw in the Wildcat's ability to also pass, it doubles the quotient for pro defenses accustomed to strictly thinking "run" first.
“More than likely you are always thinking, in my opinion, make them throw the ball,” Eagles safety Quntin Mikell said. “I want to see you throw the ball before I let you run all over me, so we are going to stop the run first. If you can throw it then you say, ‘Okay he can throw it too’ and we’ll go from there."
Eagles linebacker Joe Mays summed it up nicely: “It’s dangerous."
Better to take a millisecond pause before ditching the Birds' offensive highest priority -- not making costly turnovers. The day the Eags embrace Vick passing, is the day they begin to climb up the "most offensive turnovers" category.
Everybody is talking like Vick is a stiff. Yes, he lived off of his natural talent and got lazy, but he was always the "special" athlete. He just got out of jail. Don't you think that might change a man? Don't you think that given the right atmosphere he may apply himself and change his M.O.? In two years this guy is going to get a starting job somewhere and if he picks up the lessons from Reid, Morningwhig, and McNabb, he is going to be a much more disciplined and proficient QB. I think while he is here he gives us an amazing opportunity. He may be what was lacking in this offense.
Comment removed.
Its the REDZONE where we now become very dangerous. Short field perfect for Vick & McNabb & Wes!— ronz- Give Mike Vick a chance. He is electrical. He's the only QB to rush for over 1,000 yards and he did this while tossing 20 TDs to 11 INTs. Look up his 4th quarter comebacks. Its about winning. Dan Marino passed for a million yards. Bet he wish he could run tho. Vick is a winner, check his record as a starter. I live in ATL. I was a Falcons fan. While Vick was here the Falcons had no O-line, no recievers and a 5'6 running back who was pretty good (Warrick Dunn). Oh let me not forget the Falcons had a defense that ranked in the lower half in the league. We stil got McNabb here. Vick has no gauranteed money. Where's the risk when it comes to winning football games? Go Mike Vick! Checkout ya boy at www.2livestews.com and go under Lady Simone's video blog. Simone is Hines Ward's ex-wife. Shes a beauty. Go to www.2livestews.com and check us out. Peace and blessings.— Notty Dred
- Really, Zen Eagle? Mostly I've heard people saying that Vick is the final piece in the Super Bowl puzzle or something similar. For me, a 22 year old second year guy (DeSean Jackson) is far better suited to run this offense than a 30 year old who hasn't played in two years, no matter how great his legs were in 2006. The Eagles were always going to run the Wildcat w Jackson this year anyway, and I still think he's a better option than Vick.— celtic_13
- Also, Jeff, the Wildcat's ancestor is the "Single Wing" not the "Wing T". By definition the Wing T has a fullback, two halfbacks, and a QB. Its an offense based around guards pulling and leading the way.— celtic_13
celt, you must be from Delaware! A lot of pundit types are making the same mistake.- It's the "Wild Dog" and the whole idea is Mickey Mouse.— Strongsideblitz
- I wonder how long it will take Vick to scope out a crip in North or West Philly with a sound proof basement so that he can start up another dog fighting ring. He could run a good business in those neighborhoods. That could really supplement the income of his one year contract in case things don't work out on the field. That way he could stick with what he's really good at. Maybe he could even get Ray Emery from the Flyers to room with him. They'd make a cute couple.— Stinger
- jeff mclane, go'na get yer'self in trouble with the italian smirk comments. not beat'in on u, just say'in. johnnydominio, tubby use to run the wildcat but the qb always got the snap then everyone in the backfield ran a different way to cris-cross where the ball was. happy times. the eagles were really bad those years.— JACK V
- Pleeease...Mclane only know it used to be the "single wing" because somebody told him. He should be covering high school ball...— longshot991
- Notty Dred, he's not electrical, he electrocutes!— RationAl
- Notty, you're supposed to be working the show not posting here, I'm snitching, lmao— Facts before ignorance
- Notty, you're supposed to be working the show not posting here, I'm snitching, lmao— Facts before ignorance
