Why is it that, for the most part, NCAA "option" quarterbacks can't make it in the NFL.?

Question

For example, Eric Crouch won the Heisman, but no NFL teams thought he could excel at the NFL level.

I've asked friends of mine this question before, and every answer I've gotten makes no sense.

I've heard "The style of defense in the NFL is different from defenses in the NCAA." Well, if the NFL defenses are so effective at stopping the option, why don't NCAA teams adopt them?

And for that matter, why don't any teams in the NFL run the option?

Alright, I'm getting a lot of "because the defenses are better" answers. I understand that the defenses are going to be bigger/faster/stronger in the NFL than the NCAA, because only the best NCAA players make the NFL. But by that logic, shouldn't the offenses be bigger/faster/stonger as well? Yes, you've got stonger LB's going after the quarterback, but you've also got stronger FB's blocking for the QB.

The only answer I've seen so far that I really get is the one about injuries. QB's in the NFL should (for the most part) be better than those in the NCAA, but I guess that doesn't mean they are any less susceptible to injury.

Answer 1

Injuries. A QB running the option in the NFL would only last about 5 or 6 games. Defensive players are just to fast and strong in the NFL and the constant contact would be hell for any QB. You gotta remember, in the NFL, it is not uncommom to see a 225 pound OLB run a 4.4 or a bookend DE run a 4.5.

Answer 2

Most of the answers, if not all are correct about the scheme of the option. NFL defenses run at a higher speed than the NCAA. Now days, LBs and some DEs can either keep up with a RB or out hustle a QB in the NFL. Also, the option is the most dangerous play if not done to perfection. It is actually a backwards lateral or pass that if not played right, can wind up being a recovered fumble or interception returned for a touchdown for the defense. If I was drafting an option QB, it wouldn't be for a need of a QB, but for another RB. That is all an option QB is, a third or fourth RB if a team uses the Wishbone offense.

Answer 3

The best answer I can give you is that good option quarterbacks don't get to throw the ball much. For example, all through the 90's especially, Nebraska was best known for the option play. If you look at statistics, they hardly threw the ball at all. They would get qb's in there that were great athletes but weren't good pocket passers or just good passers period. Look at Tommy Frazier and as you mentioned Eric Crouch, the Rams drafted him and wanted to change his position to wide receiver because he was such a good athlete but he didn't have an NFL arm. at least according to NFL scouts. The truth is you really can't run the option in the NFL because the linebackers are too fast in the NFL. There's no way the running back or the qb could get to the outside with the exception of maybe Reggie Bush because he's just so freakishly fast. I don't think it has anything to do with the style of defense, just the athleticism at the NFL level. Hope this clears things up a little.

Answer 4

Running an offense in the nfl based on the option wont work cause its too gimmicky. Beside the NFL defenses are just too fast which leds to the option not working. Colleges defenses for the most part dont have the overall speed nfl teams have to shut down the option effectively. Although when you get to the top level programs they do have the speed, which is why an option style of offense rarely if ever wins the national championship. Cause a good defense can shut it down. Thats why the ooption doesnt work. And that goes to answer your main question of why option qbs dont make it in the NFL, cause in the NFL QBs need to be able to pass, and the reason the QB was running the Option was cause he is just not that great a passer. Usually option QBs are not really QB's but just great atheletes. So they usually have to switch to reciever, or running back or some other position, which is difficult to do.

Answer 5

NFL speed is different from the speed in college football. The LBs in the NFL are much faster and defensive coordinators in the NFL would find a way to stop it. I think the Falcons tried to do it, but coordinators eventually found a way to stop it and that was the end of it.

About the QBs such as Eric Crouch, the reason why they can't excel is because again of the speed factor. In the NFL, players can't just hit the sidelines and get away from the defenses. The LBs are fast enough and the holes close very fast. If option QBs can't pass well, they won't succeed.

Answer 6

Option QBs are runners not passers. It is a different set of skills to read defensive coverages versus reading the defensive end to decide what to do with the football. Its much easier to be an option QB, as it relies on athletic ability more than mental (as Aikman and Marino are good examples of non athletic QBs with good timing and ability to read coverages. Plus, you have to be really accurate with the pass in the NFL as they cover the receivers much better. So the sloppy passes that some of the college option QBs make won't cut it in the NFL. They don't run the option in the NFL primarily because of the faster defensive players, who can stop the option much better. With faster weak side defenders, the option really works as a trick play, not as a main scheme. Besides, you would have to carry five QBs if you ran the option, remember QBs get hurt very often already.

Answer 7

The game speed is way different. In college a guy with great legs can get away with a mediocre arm b/c well obviously he is usually the fastest or one of the fastest on the field. Schemes are built around him, ala West Va. Then when they get into the NFL the ones that really didn't have the arms are exposed to the game speed and can't use their legs as much as they once could to get them out of jams. Vick has obviously been the best scrambler in NFL history and what happened after a few years in the league? They stopped winning b/c someone can create a defense to stop something like that, but you can't create a offense to do something that your QB can't do and traditionally fast moving, scrambling QB's cannot throw as well as traditional pocket passers. That is why Vick couldn't win as much anymore b/c his passing skills weren't good. When McNabb turned into more of a pocket passer what happened? He turned that team into one of the best franchises of this decade. It's mostly about game speed, and then about the fact that the option QB's ran the ball so much b/c they were just mediocre passers, if that.

Answer 8

defenses are too fast in the NFL...because the players are the best of those who made it in the NCAA. It's not so much the style of defenses being different, but better and faster. Options get shut down a lot quicker and easier in the NFL

Answer 9

for the same reason the Option isn't played much in the SEC anymore.. DE play is the key as well as safeties.. a team that tries the option as an offense in the pro's would get eaten alive because of the speed of the DE's on the outside shutting down the play and if they get the pitch off.. then the Safety gets a free crack at the RB.. it chances getting not only your QB injured but also your RB.. so since it's out as an offense, they have no need for a QB for that system.. look at Matt Jones.. he was an Option QB in college (Arkansas) and went pro to become a WR

Answer 10

In college each team has 1 or two really fast players. In the NFL it is 11.

And if one gets injured another one takes his place.

How many NCAA div.1 schools are there? (I don't know, 100? with unlimited rosters). In the NFL there are 32 teams with only 53 players.

Option only works against average defenses. All Defenses in the NFL are above the NCAA average.