Why don't NFL teams run option-plays?

Question

To the first two answers - I've NEVER seen an option-play in an NFL game. Be quiet.

Answer 1

THEY DO

Answer 2

Yeah all the good answers have already been taken so I can't say I'm expecting the 10 points for this answer, but in college you're taking the agility, the athleticism and the raw talent of your premier athletes (your quarterback and your running back), you're letting them improvise, you're letting them make judgement decisions, and you're putting them in harm's way. The positives are that less mobile, less sophisticated defenses can't defend against the run, and if you lose somebody, there's usually somebody else who's dying to play waiting in the wings to take the spot of the senior who's lying on the ground with a broken neck trying to get up so he doesn't miss a play and lose his starting job to the punk sophomore.

In the pros, the guys running the option don't have as much to prove, already make millions of dollars and don't have half the success with the play that colleges have. They instead run more play-action passes, counter plays, and screens to keep the defense guessing. Similarly, as a coach, if you're going to run a simple option play to the left, be ready for that huge middle-linebacker who runs a 4.3 40 (while your running back only runs a 4.4) to come crashing through and absolutely level your 80-million dollar franchise quarterback, pick up the fumble without losing a beat and high-step to the end zone. You just lost the game, the 80 million dollar quarterback and your job for calling a simple option play. Oh sure, you'll get a job somewhere else because coaches carousel in the NFL like a pinwheel, but after that debacle, you might be the special teams assistant coordinator or something, teaching the punter stuff he already knows and crying yourself to sleep at night wondering what could have been if you hadn't run that stupid option because you know it never works.

But I admit, the option is a fun play to watch.

Answer 3

The reason running is frowned on is that the WRs are so good that you should get more yards PASSING if you are a QB. Sorry had to comment on that one. The Option IS run. Not many teams do it though. They don't do it too often if they do do it either. The other thing is the NFL announcers wouldn't refer to it as an option play. So if you are listening to announcers and not hearing it that is part of why. They would call it a "Gadget" play. Along with the other trick plays, because in the NFL an option play would be considered a trick play. I notice you claim to never see it but don't say who you are watching. Watch a team like the Colts and you wouldn't see it. Watch a team more like the Steelers and you might, because they like to run all kinds of trick plays and could try it. You have to consider the teams you are watching and if they would be the type who runs trick plays and would be willing to try something like that.

Answer 4

Thats another reason college football is far more entertaining than the NFL. An option in the NFL consists of the QB taking two steps and pitching the ball. Most of the QBs are in the NFL are not as fast as the QBS that run the option in college. Also quarterback runs are almost frowned upon in the NFL. notice how the falcons are trying to turn vick into a pocket qb that occasionaly scrambles, and how the bad rap on Vince Young was that he trys to run to much.

Answer 5

The option is one of the simplest play to defend against. The reason it works in College is because of the talent of the people running it versus the talent of the people it is being run against.

In the NFL, the talent level is high across the board. Defenses are too fast, too smart, and stop it before it goes anywhere. In College and High School, not all players are as smart, not all are fast, and the play is only run against teams it works against.

All it takes is assignment discipline to stop an option play. Quite simple in execution, getting people who can do it is not as easy, and HS and College are full of people who can't really play the game, but still get on the field.

Answer 6

They don't run option plays because NFL linebackers don't care whether the QB has the ball or not; he's still getting planted six feet below the turf. Get enough option QB's on the IR list, and you kinda have to stop running the option.

Answer 7

OMG, they run option plays all the time! It's just much more complicated them the usual high school quarterback run or pitch it to the running back. They don't do those kinds of plays because the running back could get smashed by another player or the ball could be intersepted because of the speed of those guys!

Also, because it's the NFL, the options are MUCH harder to identify because they are so good at it.

Answer 8

They run option plays in the NFL and are very good at it. Normally, they don't string it out as much as college (i.e., having the quarterback run down the entire line). The reason it takes its toll on the quarterback and if you have a good one, you don't want them banged up.

Answer 9

Speed, quickness and football smarts are the enemies of the option. The NFL has these in abundance. Ergo the option don't work too well.

Answer 10

You're seeing the option being phased out of the college game too. In ten years or so, no major college will run it anymore.

Out with the old (the option) in with the new (the spread)
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Answer 11

To dangerous for the QB and too much high risk with the potential for errors/mistakes.