Originally Posted by Direckshun (Post 9680881)

Thigpen also did diddly poo in the second halves of games.

His wild inaccuracy made receiving the ball impossible for just about everybody except Tony Gonzalez, and teams learned that you could easy neuter his scrambling ability by sending both of your pass rushers straight out against the edges to keep him in the pocket.

Originally Posted by Saccopoo (Post 9680170)

Meyers spread system:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/41mI1oC_gfI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ault's pistol system:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rmwVE7BbDDs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Both very similar systems and similar players.

Require smart, athletic QB's that can make quick read/adjustments at the line of scrimmage, particularly going from the pass to a QB run/shovel option.

With the Childress hire and now having Ault doing consulting, it looks like Reid really means what he says in terms of giving Alex Smith a shot at doing the QB position to his advantage.

Originally Posted by Direckshun (Post 9680881)

Thigpen also did diddly poo in the second halves of games.

His wild inaccuracy made receiving the ball impossible for just about everybody except Tony Gonzalez, and teams learned that you could easy neuter his scrambling ability by sending both of your pass rushers straight out against the edges to keep him in the pocket.

Originally Posted by patteeu (Post 9681362)

We would have been better off drafting two or three more Tony Gonzalezes than getting rid of Thigpen in favor of Croyle/Cassel/Palko/Orton, in retrospect.

Originally Posted by Thig Lyfe (Post 9681383)

Finally somebody with some sense!!!

Originally Posted by patteeu (Post 9681401)

I don't like hushpuppies, but I do like a good diamond-shaped piece of LJS fish.

Originally Posted by Ponderception (Post 9680239)

As far as this is concerned, the pistol's "core philosophy" is to slow down defense reaction time and confuse (by utilizing a RB behind the QB). The main run plays you'll see will vary depending on O philosophy but there is generally a high utilization of Jab, stretch, inside zone, and power plays (sounds like nearly every offense). However, the beauty behind it with a mobile QB is that you can incorporate a jab play + a ZR passing option, which completely ****s over a defense mentally. They have to account for weak side/counter runs, QBs that can run, and deal with PA. Additionally, as you see with Harbaugh, the incorporation of Jab+Power plays really ****s with ILBs/S when they can't commit downhill to guard pulls.

As far as personnel, it really depends on your philosophy. Are you going to incorporate the ZR/do you have a mobile QB, etc. You can run it without using the ZR and it still confuses defenses simply due to the physical alignment of the RB. Additionally, you can come out with "Diamond" looks that allow you to vary your personnel packages from "heavy" to 2RB/1TE/2WR looks from the same alignment.

Any QB is a good fit for it depending on the playcalling, structure, etc. Alex could be a good fit and allow ZR options on plays due to his speed. He's underrated as a runner but nobody's confusing him with RG3. Think Aaron Rodgers.

To shut down the "pistol" is like asking "How do you shut down 1-on slot?". Shutting down a formation is impossible. Shutting down plays out of it is an entirely different matter.

Originally Posted by threebag02 (Post 9680876)

R2D2 build guy

Originally Posted by tecumseh (Post 9681605)

Excellent post. Best football post of the Andy Reid era. Answers alot of my questions. Leaning toward Sunday ticket after a two year hiatus. It's a bingo.

Originally Posted by O.city (Post 9681869)

The Pistol is basically the shotgun, with some different concepts. I don't see why it would be a big deal having Smith in it.

I don't want him running alot as I'm not really a big fan of having your franchise QB running the ball alot when he's not built like a tank ala Cam or ungodly athletic like Kaep.