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Skinzman · 12-21-2012, 09:42 AM

People seem to think that the pistol and read option are mutually exclusive. The pistol is nothing more than a formation. You can do the same things out of a pistol that you can do when your QB is under center, except that it allows those things to be done quicker due to the QB already being 3 yards deep in the backfield. With the stretch running plays that we run, the pistol makes play action a lot easier. The ball can get to the RB quickly so its not a sprint by the QB to get him the ball. RG3 can just turn and hand off and it still allows Morris to get on the stretch play. RG3 can also pull the ball and do a standard drop back out of it. The pistol can be ran the entire game without a single read option being called. I like RG3 in the pistol because it means we can play action and still get him time to get his head around and start reading the defense quicker. Under center, it seems if his first option isnt open, the OL doesnt give him time to read his other progressions so off running he goes. In the pistol, he can get through at least the second option if not the third before he has to bail out of the pocket. He has been hurt twice on scrambles, I want him back deep in the pocket quickly and finding receivers while still keeping the run game and play action a major staple, and the pistol is really good for that.

Honestly, I expect to see more of the pistol, even for non mobile QB's in the future. Ben already does it some in Pittsburgh, as well as other teams trying it out more.

12-21-2012, 09:42 AM	#104
Skinzman The Starter Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 1,066	re: RG3 cleared to play (update) People seem to think that the pistol and read option are mutually exclusive. The pistol is nothing more than a formation. You can do the same things out of a pistol that you can do when your QB is under center, except that it allows those things to be done quicker due to the QB already being 3 yards deep in the backfield. With the stretch running plays that we run, the pistol makes play action a lot easier. The ball can get to the RB quickly so its not a sprint by the QB to get him the ball. RG3 can just turn and hand off and it still allows Morris to get on the stretch play. RG3 can also pull the ball and do a standard drop back out of it. The pistol can be ran the entire game without a single read option being called. I like RG3 in the pistol because it means we can play action and still get him time to get his head around and start reading the defense quicker. Under center, it seems if his first option isnt open, the OL doesnt give him time to read his other progressions so off running he goes. In the pistol, he can get through at least the second option if not the third before he has to bail out of the pocket. He has been hurt twice on scrambles, I want him back deep in the pocket quickly and finding receivers while still keeping the run game and play action a major staple, and the pistol is really good for that. Honestly, I expect to see more of the pistol, even for non mobile QB's in the future. Ben already does it some in Pittsburgh, as well as other teams trying it out more.