Eagles Wildcat (1 Viewer)

[karmarooster]

I was just watching the Saints-Eagles game, and I noticed that the Eagles used the Wildcat formation pretty successfully. The used several variations: both DeSean Jackson and Westbrook took took the snap, with Kolb lined up at WR and with him off the field. I'm not sure if they use an unbalanced line like Miami, but in any case, they don't run with quite as much power as Miami. Usually DeSean would get to the corner.

However, in one play they lined up in a crazy formation that I wasn't even aware was legal in the NFL.

There are only 3 linemen over the ball. DeSean is taking the snap and Westbrook is next to him. There are two groups of two TEs split out wide by the numbers, all four of whom are on the line of scrimmage. Also there is a WR behind each pair of TEs.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/395006...f3c6f30ed_b.jpg

From Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ:

Kevin Bivona of Chattanooga, Tenn., observes, "In the Saints versus Eagles game today, Philadelphia used a formation midway into the second quarter that looked close to the A-11 offense of high-school fame. There were three groups of three offensive players spread across the line of scrimmage. The quarterback was in the shotgun with a running back next to him. Is this a preview of a formation Andy Reid will use once Michael Vick is eligible -- say, Vick and Donovan McNabb standing next to each other in the shotgun in one of three groups?"

Result of the play: DeSean Jackson bounces it to the outside, makes a guy miss, and rushes for about 4 yards and a first down. How is this legal? And what teams do you think use the Wildcat most successfully/creatively, and what teams are just copycats?

 

[Zoomanji]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

 

[Pip's Invitation]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

 

[Short Corner]

I was just watching the Saints-Eagles game, and I noticed that the Eagles used the Wildcat formation pretty successfully. The used several variations: both DeSean Jackson and Westbrook took took the snap, with Kolb lined up at WR and with him off the field. I'm not sure if they use an unbalanced line like Miami, but in any case, they don't run with quite as much power as Miami. Usually DeSean would get to the corner.

However, in one play they lined up in a crazy formation that I wasn't even aware was legal in the NFL.

There are only 3 linemen over the ball. DeSean is taking the snap and Westbrook is next to him. There are two groups of two TEs split out wide by the numbers, all four of whom are on the line of scrimmage. Also there is a WR behind each pair of TEs.

From Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ:

Kevin Bivona of Chattanooga, Tenn., observes, "In the Saints versus Eagles game today, Philadelphia used a formation midway into the second quarter that looked close to the A-11 offense of high-school fame. There were three groups of three offensive players spread across the line of scrimmage. The quarterback was in the shotgun with a running back next to him. Is this a preview of a formation Andy Reid will use once Michael Vick is eligible -- say, Vick and Donovan McNabb standing next to each other in the shotgun in one of three groups?"

Result of the play: DeSean Jackson bounces it to the outside, makes a guy miss, and rushes for about 4 yards and a first down. How is this legal? And what teams do you think use the Wildcat most successfully/creatively, and what teams are just copycats?

It doesn't matter how many players are near the center as long as you have 7 on the LOS. The formation is commonly referred to as "Daffy Duck" among other things. This is no the A-11. The A-11 has everyone except two players on the LOS and those two are 7+ yards back. This used to be a tactical advantage to the offense as it is a scrimmage kick formation and players with ineligible numbers don't have to report eligible on scrimmage kicks. The NFHS this year, I believe redefined when the scrimmage kick exceptions can be used outside of 4th down.

 

[zadok]

It's referred to as the "Emory and Henry" formation, IE double trips. And I am very much looking forward to it being used a lot more for the Eagles this season...

 

[dgreen]

I was just watching the Saints-Eagles game, and I noticed that the Eagles used the Wildcat formation pretty successfully. The used several variations: both DeSean Jackson and Westbrook took took the snap, with Kolb lined up at WR and with him off the field. I'm not sure if they use an unbalanced line like Miami, but in any case, they don't run with quite as much power as Miami. Usually DeSean would get to the corner.

However, in one play they lined up in a crazy formation that I wasn't even aware was legal in the NFL.

There are only 3 linemen over the ball. DeSean is taking the snap and Westbrook is next to him. There are two groups of two TEs split out wide by the numbers, all four of whom are on the line of scrimmage. Also there is a WR behind each pair of TEs.

From Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ:

Kevin Bivona of Chattanooga, Tenn., observes, "In the Saints versus Eagles game today, Philadelphia used a formation midway into the second quarter that looked close to the A-11 offense of high-school fame. There were three groups of three offensive players spread across the line of scrimmage. The quarterback was in the shotgun with a running back next to him. Is this a preview of a formation Andy Reid will use once Michael Vick is eligible -- say, Vick and Donovan McNabb standing next to each other in the shotgun in one of three groups?"

Result of the play: DeSean Jackson bounces it to the outside, makes a guy miss, and rushes for about 4 yards and a first down. How is this legal? And what teams do you think use the Wildcat most successfully/creatively, and what teams are just copycats?

It doesn't matter how many players are near the center as long as you have 7 on the LOS. The formation is commonly referred to as "Daffy Duck" among other things. This is no the A-11. The A-11 has everyone except two players on the LOS and those two are 7+ yards back. This used to be a tactical advantage to the offense as it is a scrimmage kick formation and players with ineligible numbers don't have to report eligible on scrimmage kicks. The NFHS this year, I believe redefined when the scrimmage kick exceptions can be used outside of 4th down.

How does Easterbrook make such a mistake? The A-11 is used to hide who is an eligible receiver prior to the snap. This is just a funky formation, which we have seen variations of many times over the years.

 

[karmarooster]

Well he didn't technically make the mistake, he only quoted a reader who said it looked "similar" to the A-11 (which it does! at least I thought so...)

 

[TommyGilmore]

5 of those 7 players must stay within 5 yards of the LOS if Philly passes the ball, right?

 

[karmarooster]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

 

[Chase Stuart]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

I believe this would be legal, but this becomes a very obvious tell that a pass is about to happen. On 3rd and 10 or whatever, it might be a good idea (if legal), though.

 

[dgreen]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

I believe this would be legal, but this becomes a very obvious tell that a pass is about to happen. On 3rd and 10 or whatever, it might be a good idea (if legal), though.

Not sure. I think the inside 5 guys have to be on the LOS. Could be wrong, though.

 

[Short Corner]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

I believe this would be legal, but this becomes a very obvious tell that a pass is about to happen. On 3rd and 10 or whatever, it might be a good idea (if legal), though.

Not sure. I think the inside 5 guys have to be on the LOS. Could be wrong, though.

This is true. IN this case, the Tackles become the TEs and vise versa.ETA---I guess technichally the Ts become SEs

 

[JAA]

 

[two_dollars]

The A-11 is illegal to run in the NFL.

 

[stevegamer]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

I believe this would be legal, but this becomes a very obvious tell that a pass is about to happen. On 3rd and 10 or whatever, it might be a good idea (if legal), though.

I'd think it would be perfectly legal if the 2 tackles report themselves as eligble recivers since they are wearing numbers that are normally not eligible and are in the backfield.

 

[TommyGilmore]

As long as there are enough men on the LOS its legal

Yep. The rules don't say WHERE they must be on the LOS, just that they have to be on it.

If this is the case... you know how this year the Refs have been much more strict in calling illegal formations with the LT and RT cheat back too much? Why not line up both Tackles a yard off the line in a more pass-blocking friendly position, and then get 4 WRs on the LOS. Thus you would have 3 linemen - Center and two Guards - plus 4 WRs/TEs on the line so that's 7. Instead, the Tackles are always on the line even against freaks like Dwight Freeney.

I believe this would be legal, but this becomes a very obvious tell that a pass is about to happen. On 3rd and 10 or whatever, it might be a good idea (if legal), though.

I'd think it would be perfectly legal if the 2 tackles report themselves as eligble recivers since they are wearing numbers that are normally not eligible and are in the backfield.

Is it illegal for an ineligible receiver to lineup in the backfield without reporting? Or is it only illegal if that player goes out for a pass?Did Refridgerator Perry have to report as an eligible receiver every time he lined up at fullback?

 

[Short Corner]

Is it illegal for an ineligible receiver to lineup in the backfield without reporting? Or is it only illegal if that player goes out for a pass?Did Refridgerator Perry have to report as an eligible receiver every time he lined up at fullback?

You have to report if you line up in an eligible position with an ineligible number regardless.