The hand off

[combatbengal]

Has anybody notice how our QB's are handing the ball off? Once they receive the ball from the center, they extend there arm all the way out and run back to the running back. Basically tells the def that it is a run. Maybe I'm wrong but wouldn't it be better if they handed the ball of as if it were a play action? Keeping the ball close to there body, actually handing the ball off and drifting back as if they were going to pass. Maybe I'm wrong. All I know is that we can't have all those three and outs this year.

[ArmyBengal]

It can't be any worse than the clusterf*ck that was Carson's handoffs last year can it ??

I can't say as I've paid attention...

[HairOnFire]

Has anybody notice how our QB's are handing the ball off? Once they receive the ball from the center, they extend there arm all the way out and run back to the running back. Basically tells the def that it is a run. Maybe I'm wrong but wouldn't it be better if they handed the ball of as if it were a play action? Keeping the ball close to there body, actually handing the ball off and drifting back as if they were going to pass.

It's called a stretch play and the idea isn't based upon play action deception, but rather...to get the ball in the RB's hand as far from the snap as possible. The idea is to isolate the RB against a single LB rather than having him fight through a swarming mass of blocking trash.

Not only is the play a staple for all NFL teams it's been called the bread and the butter in the Colt's rushing attack, amongst others.

[ArmyBengal]

The Colts have a rushing attack ??

[Kazkal]

The Colts have a rushing attack ??

Well it's not often seen but when they do use it that's how.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

The Colts have a rushing attack ??

You're sounding like Bill Polian, he's been roasting his own team's rushing game all offseason.

But they did once, and as Hair says, that particular play made Edge James' career. Still, no particular reason you can't fake out of it - I think I've seen teams fake the stretch and then roll the QB out to the opposite side.

[ArmyBengal]

Sorry, just a poor attempt on my part...

[HairOnFire]

The Colts have a rushing attack ??

You're sounding like Bill Polian, he's been roasting his own team's rushing game all offseason.

But they did once, and as Hair says, that particular play made Edge James' career.

Not only was it the signature play call of Edgerrin James's career, but for his replacement...Joseph Addia. In fact, I'd say the sight of Peyton Manning using a stretch handoff is almost as familiar as all of those crazy pre-snap gyrations he performs.

Still, no particular reason you can't fake out of it - I think I've seen teams fake the stretch and then roll the QB out to the opposite side.

True enough, and I might have said so myself if I hadn't worried about my post already sounding a bit pompous and windblown. (Shut up.)

[ArmyBengal]

I'll stand by my comment that regardless of how it looks or it's purpose, it can't be worse than last years version of a handoff.

I just want to see the playfake utilized more this season.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I'll stand by my comment that regardless of how it looks or it's purpose, it can't be worse than last years version of a handoff.

Ain't no doubt. Since I'm feeling glass-half-full today (sun's finally shining again here), I have to give Carson and the RBs credit on one thing: I don't remember seeing a whole lot of fumbled handoffs, which is something of a miracle.