How would the NFL be different...

BadBoyBenny · #1 11-10-2006, 08:43 AM

How would the NFL or college game be different if there were no limitations on offensive formations and pre-snap movements (as long as they stayed on their side of the ball).

For example it would be legal to have one guy snap the ball back to 10 guys running toward the line in a wedge formation, or to run something similar to a standard I formation, but give both receivers a running start.

What would the dominant strategies be, and would the game be more insteresting?

Assani Fisher · #2 11-10-2006, 09:26 AM

Offenses would be pretty unstoppable. Its hard enough to cover a WR, but if they could have running starts like in Arena league, then it'd be impossible to cover a guy like Marvin Harrison.

Colt McCoy · #3 11-10-2006, 10:09 AM

Bring back the flying wedge!!!

youtalkfunny · #4 11-10-2006, 11:27 AM

Every year, they change a rule or two to make it easier for the offense.

The game just might evolve to what you describe, and we might live to see it.

Zurvan · #5 11-10-2006, 11:53 AM

The CFL has running starts for the offense. Only the OLine & QB have to be still.

I don't think it makes that much difference. Maybe a little more zone defense than man to man.

ThaSaltCracka · #6 11-10-2006, 12:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The CFL has running starts for the offense. Only the OLine & QB have to be still.

I don't think it makes that much difference.

[/ QUOTE ]It probably doesn't make much of a difference because its not NFL players.

K-Slay · #7 11-10-2006, 01:01 PM

but wouldnt you agree that the CB's are equally better in the NFL vs CFL as WR's are? So its kind of a wash.

TheNoodleMan · #8 11-10-2006, 03:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Offenses would be pretty unstoppable. Its hard enough to cover a WR, but if they could have running starts like in Arena league, then it'd be impossible to cover a guy like Marvin Harrison.

[/ QUOTE ]
It is already almost impossible to cover Marvin Harrison. The effect would be greater on marginal WRs.

BadBoyBenny · #9 11-10-2006, 06:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Offenses would be pretty unstoppable. Its hard enough to cover a WR, but if they could have running starts like in Arena league, then it'd be impossible to cover a guy like Marvin Harrison.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the real innovations would be in the run game, and we would no longer see 300# plus O linemen. Getting a running start into a drive block would be a huge advantage. Also, there ability to move every player simultaneously pre snap would lead to some great innovations to confuse defensive schemes.

I wonder if teams would still use a formation with blockers lined up on the LOS (which is really the only effective way I can think of to form a pocket for a QB), or if different strategies would be more commonplace.

jstnrgrs · #10 11-10-2006, 06:54 PM

To the OP

Arena football allows more varied formations than football (they allow more motion and such). Arena football sucks, however it's mainly do to the ridiculous restrictions on the defence. Teams score on almost every drive. It is terribly boring to watch.

Your suggestions would make it almost impossible to play defence, and that does not make for an interesting game. If you were to play your game with no forward pass, you would have an interesting version of rugby, however.

Alternatively, you could play with only 2 downs (punt on second down if you don't gain 10 yards on 1st down). This could also be an interesting game.

However, there would have to be something to ballance the huge advantage that the offence has in order to make your game interesting.