Jets: Best Wildcat Team of 2010

[RutgersJetFan]

Short but sweet, the downturn in Wildcat attempts league-wide certainly puts the importance of signing Smith in perspective.

Wildcat Review: The Best of 2010

June 30th, 2011 | Author: Nathan Jahnke

After our looks at how teams produce when in the wildcat, the logical next step is to sort them into some kind of order, right? So today I’ll show the league’s top wildcat players and teams, judging them by usage and success. It should be no surprise who the Top 3 are, with them employing the formation far more often than anyone else.

The fourth team on the list may not be as expected, and because they used multiple wildcat quarterbacks, we’ll feature them as a unit. Another six teams used the wildcat on at least five plays, and they’ll get a quick look too.

After we’ve crowned the best wildcat quarterback & team of 2010, we’ll look at the wildcat in 2011 and how, even though its usage may be waning, it won’t die out completely.

5. The Best of the Rest

When it rains, it pours, as the Carolina Panthers were the worst team with the wildcat in 2010. Two of their runs went for negative yards, their lone pass went for no yards, and they had an aborted snap. The only positive play they had from the wildcat was a seven yard run by Armanti Edwards.

The Eagles, Cowboys and Chiefs all struck gold on passing plays as we saw in the last installment, but on running plays each team averaged less than three yards.

While the Bills rarely used the wildcat, they found some success with it. On five plays, the Bills had direct snaps to Fred Jackson or Marshawn Lynch, and each time they took the snap and ran up the middle or to the right end, gaining 9, 7, 4, 4 and 1 yards.

Oakland was similar to Buffalo in that they called on the wildcat sparingly, but when they did it proved useful, gaining five yards per run. The Raiders used Darren McFadden as the quarterback five times and Jacoby Ford once, and neither passed the ball.

4. Da Bears

The Bears went to the wildcat more often than anyone outside of the top three teams (10 times), but they land a clear step behind the group that was more committed to it. Matt Forte, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester all took snaps as the wildcat quarterback for Chicago.

On four of the plays, the player who took the snap ran the ball, with all three players doing this at least once. Another five times, the ball was handed to Matt Forte or Chester Taylor. On eight of those nine runs, the Bears gained between 3 and 9 yards. Holding them back was the one time they decided to throw the ball. That came in the playoffs with Forte throwing an interception to the Seahawks in the fourth quarter.

3. Ronnie Brown and the Miami Dolphins

The man that made the current incarnation of the wildcat quarterback popular didn’t find much success in 2010. 36 of his carries came from the wildcat, but he picked up just 92 yards and a touchdown, or 2.5 yards per carry. Things went a bit better when he handed the ball off to Ricky Williams, who had runs of 28, 23 and 14 yards.

Unlike the top two wildcat quarterbacks, Brown was unable to complete a pass and Brandon Marshall’s throw failed as well. The Dolphins also had the most penalties on wildcat plays.

2. Josh Cribbs and the Cleveland Browns

Injuries to Josh Cribbs during the season limited the team’s ability to use the wildcat, but, when able, he produced more consistently and in a more varied fashion than Brown and that was enough to push him into second place on this list.

He had 16 runs for 59 yards which put him at 3.7 yards per carry – not an amazing number – but the team found additional success when Cribbs handed the ball off – including an 11 yard rushing touchdown by Chansi Stuckey against the Patriots. Cribbs also showed off his throwing skills, completing two of three passes for 19 yards.

1. Brad Smith and the New York Jets

While most NFL fans are familiar with Ronnie Brown and Josh Cribbs, the best wildcat quarterback in 2010 was by far the lesser-known Brad Smith. The backup receiver ran the ball from the wildcat 30 times for 212 yards and a touchdown … 7.1 yards per run. Half the time he handed the ball off, and the Jets other rushers had 4.0 yards per carry and a touchdown.

He didn’t try to pass often, but did complete a pair on three attempts for 3 yards each; one of them going for a touchdown. As the season progressed, the Jets used Smith in the wildcat more and more often. In Week 17 against the Bills, when the Jets had their playoff spot secured, they used him at QB 13 times, and in those plays he managed runs of 20 and 40 yards.

Future of the Wildcat

There’s enough evidence to show that the wildcat’s usage is going downhill. As an example, in 2009, there were 313 wildcat snaps and that number dropped by 101 in 2010. The wildcat’s most prominent players also have questions heading into next season.

Ronnie Brown is a free agent, and with the drafting of Daniel Thomas it’s unclear if he will return to Miami and, if so, in what role. If he leaves in free agency, it could be to a team that just doesn’t use the wildcat. Brad Smith is also scheduled to be a free agent, and the not-yet-announced rules of free agency will decide if he is restricted or unrestricted. He hasn’t quite panned out as a receiver, and with the Jets’ offensive line, its not crazy to think someone else could succeed as their wildcat quarterback if he’s not available. In Cleveland, new Browns coach Pat Shurmer has made it sound like the Browns will use less of the formation rather than more, with Cribbs spending more time as a receiver.

We only saw one player who really thrived in the wildcat in 2010, but there were plenty of teams that mixed it in occasionally and they were able to find some success with it. That’s likely enough to keep it in most playbooks and where it may settle – as a change of pace, situational option that more and more teams go to a handful of times each year.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/06/30/wildcat-review-the-best-of-2010/

[JiFtheOracle]

Smith >>>> Edwards

[T0mShane]

I've always wanted to see the statistics of offenses on the series immediately after the Wildcat formation is used. With the Jets, it seemed like it completely threw Sanchez entirely off his rhythm. I know it's cool that Smith would get 7 yards every now and then, but it's not cool when your QB gets neutered in the process.

[Bleedin Green]

Smith >>>> Edwards

Haha, you're such a douche. You know that, right?

[Bleedin Green]

I've always wanted to see the statistics of offenses on the series immediately after the Wildcat formation is used. With the Jets, it seemed like it completely threw Sanchez entirely off his rhythm. I know it's cool that Smith would get 7 yards every now and then, but it's not cool when your QB gets neutered in the process.

Agree with this, which plays into the fact that more than anything else about the Wildcat, Schotty got the most crap for the timing. It seemed like the moment Sanchez started getting into a rhythm, half way through the drive he got pulled off the field for a Wildcat play and then came back in completely off his game.

[JiFtheOracle]

Haha, you're such a douche. You know that, right?

There's things in life I'm very good at.

[Jets Voice of Reason]

There's things in life I'm very good at.

Oh, if being a chubby humper was an olympic sport.

[jason423]

I've always wanted to see the statistics of offenses on the series immediately after the Wildcat formation is used. With the Jets, it seemed like it completely threw Sanchez entirely off his rhythm. I know it's cool that Smith would get 7 yards every now and then, but it's not cool when your QB gets neutered in the process.

That could be an interesting study. My guess is for young guys like Sanchez it throws them off when they are in a groove but for veterans it makes no difference unless they get all mad about being taken out of a game. Im not a fan of the Wildcat at all and I think once you get one big play out of it in a game you should just retire the play from the gameplan. Nothing is worse than seeing Smith get his one big run and then get another 6 attempts for a total of -3 yards and a fumble on an end around to Cotchery. The only team to ever use the formation effectively for the duration of a game was Miami in 2008 because of the novelty of the act, more imaginative play designs, and perfect personnel to run it. Once teams realized that they only had 3 or 4 base formations, what to look for when RB2 would go in motion, hitting the QB at the line, and the fact that a guy like Fasano can actually fall down as a decoy it pretty much became irrelevant. I think only the slowest and worst defensive teams in the NFL give up anything extra to the Wildcat than they would a normal handoff in the same situation.

[GhostOfGlennFoley]

Let Smith throw out of the goddamn thing. Remember when they were playing Miami and you saw the defenders signal to each other to get up to the line? They KNEW he was going to run. The difference with Smith and the other Wildcat "QBs" is that he can be used as a legitimate QB.

[Bleedin Green]

That could be an interesting study. My guess is for young guys like Sanchez it throws them off when they are in a groove but for veterans it makes no difference unless they get all mad about being taken out of a game. Im not a fan of the Wildcat at all and I think once you get one big play out of it in a game you should just retire the play from the gameplan. Nothing is worse than seeing Smith get his one big run and then get another 6 attempts for a total of -3 yards and a fumble on an end around to Cotchery. The only team to ever use the formation effectively for the duration of a game was Miami in 2008 because of the novelty of the act, more imaginative play designs, and perfect personnel to run it. Once teams realized that they only had 3 or 4 base formations, what to look for when RB2 would go in motion, hitting the QB at the line, and the fact that a guy like Fasano can actually fall down as a decoy it pretty much became irrelevant. I think only the slowest and worst defensive teams in the NFL give up anything extra to the Wildcat than they would a normal handoff in the same situation.

I mostly agree with this, but there are certain exceptions. For example, if you have Brad Smith, you should be giving him the ball every single play against the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith has made a career off owning those guys the past two years on everything from Wildcat plays to end-arounds to special teams. Those guys flat out suck at doing anything about it.

[RutgersJetFan]

I mostly agree with this, but there are certain exceptions. For example, if you have Brad Smith, you should be giving him the ball every single play against the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith has made a career off owning those guys the past two years on everything from Wildcat plays to end-arounds to special teams. Those guys flat out suck at doing anything about it.

What's that say about Sanchez?

[#27TheDominator]

Smith >>>> Edwards

Haha, you're such a douche. You know that, right?

Depending on the price he might be right If Smith is cheap enough and Holmes and Edwards super expensive, I might prefer to bring Smith back.

I've always wanted to see the statistics of offenses on the series immediately after the Wildcat formation is used. With the Jets, it seemed like it completely threw Sanchez entirely off his rhythm. I know it's cool that Smith would get 7 yards every now and then, but it's not cool when your QB gets neutered in the process.

He didn't gain 7 yards now and then, he gained an average of 7.1. If Sanchez is a big enough pussy that this neuters him he doesn't deserve his balls.

[HessStation]

If not having Brad Smith means no wildcat then I never want to see him again.

[Bleedin Green]

If not having Brad Smith means no wildcat then I never want to see him again.

In your dreams. It would probably mean less wildcat, but don't think for a second you aren't going to see wildcat plays run by the likes of Joe McKnight and Jeremy Kerley.

[Barcs]

Smith is NOT > than Edwards or Holmes. He just has a different role. I find that very hard to believe, however that the Jets were #1 wildcat. I rarely saw it successful, besides the couple times when Smith made the play into more than it was. It failed constantly and waste downs for us. If Smith goes, we should take the stupid wildcat and get rid of it completely.

[#27TheDominator]

Smith is NOT > than Edwards or Holmes. He just has a different role. I find that very hard to believe, however that the Jets were #1 wildcat. I rarely saw it successful, besides the couple times when Smith made the play into more than it was. It failed constantly and waste downs for us. If Smith goes, we should take the stupid wildcat and get rid of it completely.

He averaged over 7 ******* yards per carry! The ******* guy never took a handoff so whether it is "Smith making the play more than it was" or the play, it worked. The numbers don't lie.

[Barcs]

He averaged over 7 ******* yards per carry! The ******* guy never took a handoff so whether it is "Smith making the play more than it was" or the play, it worked. The numbers don't lie.

It was Smith making the plays into more than they were. Most of the time it was not successful, regardless of Smith's yards per carry (which may also reflect his kickoff returns, not just wilcat). His average is high because of the few times he turned a simple play into a TD or big yardage, which is a reflection of him, not the wildcat scheme. Plus the bungals totally botched that TD of his. It could have been easily prevented, with decent defense. I rarely saw the wildcat get more than 2 yards last season, except against Bills. When you have Smith taking hand offs, and he gets 2 yards, 8 times, then gets 80 yards in one, the average changes big time, so yard per carry is deceptive. What was our 1st down success rate using the wildcat? That's the stat that should matter when finding the best wildcat team, not a few Brad smith mega plays. Brad Smith is one of the best Special teams all purpose guys in the league, no question. During the rare times when our wilcat was successful, it was almost completely because of him. If the Jets think they can get rid of him and still have a good wildcat, they are delusional. I blame that on Schotty's scheme. I can't count the amount of times we tried a wildcat, but did a simple run up the middle, when this is better done with Shonn Greene in a normal scheme. I can only remember one time the whole season we actually switched it up and had Smith pass. The rest of the time the defense read the play like a book.

[#27TheDominator]

It was Smith making the plays into more than they were. Most of the time it was not successful, regardless of Smith's yards per carry (which may also reflect his kickoff returns, not just wilcat). His average is high because of the few times he turned a simple play into a TD or big yardage, which is a reflection of him, not the wildcat scheme. Plus the bungals totally botched that TD of his. It could have been easily prevented, with decent defense. I rarely saw the wildcat get more than 2 yards last season, except against Bills. When you have Smith taking hand offs, and he gets 2 yards, 8 times, then gets 80 yards in one, the average changes big time, so yard per carry is deceptive. What was our 1st down success rate using the wildcat? That's the stat that should matter when finding the best wildcat team, not a few Brad smith mega plays. Brad Smith is one of the best Special teams all purpose guys in the league, no question. During the rare times when our wilcat was successful, it was almost completely because of him. If the Jets think they can get rid of him and still have a good wildcat, they are delusional. I blame that on Schotty's scheme. I can't count the amount of times we tried a wildcat, but did a simple run up the middle, when this is better done with Shonn Greene in a normal scheme. I can only remember one time the whole season we actually switched it up and had Smith pass. The rest of the time the defense read the play like a book.

If you rarely saw it gain more than 2 yards last season then you rarely watched. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry. That's carry. Not kick returns. It is times he carried the ball from scrimmage. Wildcat or handoff/pitchout (which I believe was 0). If he made the play into more than it was fine. The play still averaged that much. If Barry Sanders averaged 5 ypc because he made the play into more than it was, would you stop giving him the ball? It seems the guy can't cut it as a WR and is good with the ball. This is as good a way to get it to him as any

[Barcs]

If you rarely saw it gain more than 2 yards last season then you rarely watched. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry. That's carry. Not kick returns. It is times he carried the ball from scrimmage. Wildcat or handoff/pitchout (which I believe was 0). If he made the play into more than it was fine. The play still averaged that much. If Barry Sanders averaged 5 ypc because he made the play into more than it was, would you stop giving him the ball? It seems the guy can't cut it as a WR and is good with the ball. This is as good a way to get it to him as any

Ok, so it didn't include the kick off returns (it would have been a lot higher). My point was that YPC for a special teams / WC guy, can be deceptive, since we only use the scheme once or twice per game at most and like I said, he could run 2 yard gains 10 times and then have one mega play that will change the average big time. It's not like a starting running back who gets 20-30 carries per game. I'm still interested in the actual times the WC got the 1st down. That's the most important stat, not YPC. To clarify I love Brad Smith, but hate the wildcat scheme. Regardless of YPC, it still failed to get the 1st down most times, IMO because of a very simple, predictable scheme that ran the same play 90% of the time. I cursed Schotty's name almost everytime they resorted to that garbage scheme. I'd much rather see Sanchez take a shot to Holmes or Edwards, or Shonn Greene power his way to 3-4 yards.

[#27TheDominator]

Ok, so it didn't include the kick off returns (it would have been a lot higher). My point was that YPC for a special teams / WC guy, can be deceptive, since we only use the scheme once or twice per game at most and like I said, he could run 2 yard gains 10 times and then have one mega play that will change the average big time. It's not like a starting running back who gets 20-30 carries per game. I'm still interested in the actual times the WC got the 1st down. That's the most important stat, not YPC. To clarify I love Brad Smith, but hate the wildcat scheme. Regardless of YPC, it still failed to get the 1st down most times, IMO because of a very simple, predictable scheme that ran the same play 90% of the time. I cursed Schotty's name almost everytime they resorted to that garbage scheme. I'd much rather see Sanchez take a shot to Holmes or Edwards, or Shonn Greene power his way to 3-4 yards.

See above:

The backup receiver ran the ball from the wildcat 30 times for 212 yards and a touchdown … 7.1 yards per run. Half the time he handed the ball off, and the Jets other rushers had 4.0 yards per carry and a touchdown.

IF correct that is 60 carries for 382 and 2 TDs. That's a pretty good days work. Gimmick or not. They probably got a few first downs in those 400 yards.