SB Nation User Blog: DolphDallas

Peter Prisco Personnel Package

DolphDallas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:56:28 -0000

Question: What if it were possible to morph into the wildcat (and back out again) from a base offense without substitutions or even a huddle? Would the Wildcat be used more than just a few times a game? Would it be used as often as every other play?

I did a fanpost on six different ways to run the Wildcat using one set of personnel which I will call the Peter-Prisco-Personnel-Package describe in more detail here,

If we create a base offense using that same personnel group, then it is theoretically possible to morph into the Wildcat from that base offense and go back into it without changing personnel and without a huddle. The plays would have to be scripted or game-planned out first, but it would put an enormous burden on the defense to get ready in a short amount of time. I advocate doing it at the beginning of the game, in the last 2 minutes of the first half, coming out at the beginning of the second half, and at the end of the game of a blowout loss either way. The rationale is to give playing time to Chad Henne and Pat White in a somewhat predictable environment while the game still matters and the burden of the offense is squarely on Ronnie and Ricky and not on them.

If you prefer Bess or Camarillo to CH/PW in the formation or you prefer CP10 in the package to CH, then just sub them in. You simply lose the advantage of surprise, rushed defensive play-calling, and the preventing of substitution packages from the defense. You also lose flexibility in what formation you can surprise the defense with.

Anyway, here's a list of three basic base offenses that can be run with the Peter Prisco Personnel Package and a rationale for why that base offense would be a legitimate NFL base offense and not a gimmick offense.

I've also included some fun variations off of the base that also put great pressure on the defense and spread it out while making the base offense more flexible.

SET IB-Base: Chad Henne Triggers the I-Formation

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT TE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW
_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB
_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW

Option 1: PW possible motion leftt (for eventual end around run/pass option left) AND/OR go downfield (quick slant most dangerous)
Option 2: Henne quick slant to PW or Henne play action handoff to RB or RW
Option 3: Henne handoff on end around for PW (run/pass option) or Henne pass.
Note: Pat White is an inferior receiver to Bess and Camarillo in terms of route running and catching. However, in this base offense, the object is to get the ball in his hands as much as possible via quick slants, screens, reverses, reverse passes, as well as deep fly patterns and let him use his elusiveness, speed, and the threat to pass make him as dangerous as a conventional WR.

SET IIB - Base: Chad Henne Triggers the Double Wing Passing Spread Offense

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT _ _ _ __ _ _TE _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _RW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _PW
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _CH _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Option 1: CH lateral pass to a retreating PW run/pass option behind TE blocking
Option 2: PW motion left optional handoff, PW run/pass option
Option 3: RW or RB motion back to CH for play action handoff or Henne pass.
Note: Ronnie and Ricky are superior to all NFL wingback/HB/TE’s in running ability and speed and are equal to most WB/HB/TE in terms of blocking and catching. Therefore a base offense based on them playing from the wingback position would be a substantial enough dual threat to be a true base offense.

SET IIIB - Base: Pat White Triggers the Spread-Option Offense

CH_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT TE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _TG
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW PW RB

Option 1: TG motion right (option handoff)
Option 2: RW and RB cross in front of PW, optional handoff either right or left
Option 3: PW pass or run.
Note: Does the spread option have a future in the NFL? At this point is looks like just a variant of the Wildcat with a balanced line and depends a lot on the QB development of Pat White. I include it as a possible base offense since you can pass or run out of it and go either direction equally well. The lack of quality from the QB position is offset by the flexibility to morph into the Wildcat or the spread play by play. You could also view it as one more deadly variant that can be run from your Peter-Prisco-Personnel-Package.

Fun and Creative Variants

SET IIB - Base: Pat White Triggers the Base Double Wing Spread Offense

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT _ _ _ __ _ _TE _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _RW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _CH
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _PW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Option 1: RW or RB motion back to PW for play action handoff or PW run/pass.
Option 2: PW lateral pass to CH retreating behind TE blocking, CH pass

SET IIB-TTV: Chad Henne Triggers the Empty Backfield Under-Center Spread - Tim Tebow Variant

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT _ _ _ __ _ _ _TE _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _RW_ RB
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW

Option 1: CH backward-lateral pass to PW run/pass option behind TE and RW/RB blocking or receiving
Option 2: PW motion left across the field set up in the slot on the left side (5 wide).
Option 3: Henne three-step-drop and quick pass or QB draw/sneak down the middle.

SET IIIB-TTV: Pat White Triggers the Empty Backfield Shotgun Spread - Tim Tebow Variant

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT _ _ _ __ _ _ _TE _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW_ RB
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _CH

Option 1: PW receives the snap, run/pass option
Option 2: PW lateral pass to CH run/pass option behind TE and RW/RB blocking or receiving
Option 3: CH middle screen back to PW

SET IIIB - Base: Pat White Triggers the Quadruple-Option Offense

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LT LG C RG RT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _TG
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW _ RB
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH

Option 1: Dive option into the middle left or right (RW or RB).
Option 2: QB keeper PW run/pass
Option 3: Pitch outside RW or RB
Option 4: Pitch back to CH for pass

SET IIIB - Base: Ronnie Brown Triggers the Spread-Option Roll Out Pass Offense

TG_ _ _ _ _ _LT LG C RG RT TE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _RW
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH RB PW

Option 1: RW motion right (option handoff)
Option 2: RB run option
Option 3: PW and CH cross in back of RB, optional pitch either right (CH roll right and pass) or left (PW roll left run/pass)

Poll

What do you think?

Base offense? We don't need no stinking base offense!

2 votes

We are better off with a traditional base offense, not this PPPP crap

2 votes

Mixing the Base Offense with the Wildcat will result in big plays and confused defenses. Great way to get some PT for CH and PW

28 votes

We would lose some games we might have won with CP at the helm from the start.

1 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

The Peter Prisco Playbook

DolphDallas — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:41:07 -0000

Introducing The Peter Prisco “When We’re Finished With You, You’re Gonna Hate the Wildcat Also” Playbook

Peter Prisco penned that he hated the Wildcat Offense. So I thought of all of the Wildcat plays
I could think of and put them together in a playbook that I named in his honor.

My philosophy for running Wildcat plays would be similar to what some offensive coordinators do.
They script the first 20-24 plays and then see how the defense reacts to the plays.
The advantage is that the team can practice these plays over and over again and fine-tune the execution.

My thought is, “Why not use the Wildcat AT THE BEGINNING of the game from a pre-prepared script of plays using the same personnel in a NO HUDDLE offense?”
There would be some disadvantages (for example, Chad Henne split out wide on some plays),
but the advantages of
surprise,
preventing substitution and reorganization of the defense in a huddle,
taking away the aggressiveness of the defensive game plan,
and the added improved execution from additional practice would outweigh the disadvantages.
It would also probably force the defense to burn some timeouts to get the right personnel on the field or to stop a blatant mismatch or confusion in lining up.

I have six different SETS for the Wildcat below.
I envision the coaching staff would just call out (or pass the word along) which set they wanted and a row of people on the sidelines could hold up cards with roman numerals on it to inform/remind the players on the field (remember it is scripted).
The route combinations for the receivers would be based on distance, not on down.
So the route combinations would be pre-set and be the same for 6 possible combinations:
A] 1 yard or less to go
B] 2-4 yards to go
C] 5-7 yards to go
D] 8-10 yards to go
E] 11-14 yards to go
F] 15 or more yards to go

If you are a receiver, just look at the down and distance and based on where you line up in the formation, you will know what route to run.
It eventually can be made more complicated by having different route combinations based on distance for each set, but at the beginning to minimize confusion, they can keep it simple.

I see the other teams defense would be so shocked and awed by the no-huddle option attack that they would be demoralized even when the Dolphins were not running it anymore.

Without further ado, here’s the Peter Prisco Playbook:

SET I: Chad Henne Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TG
RW
PW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH RB

Option 1: Either RW or PW motion right (option handoff)
Option 2: Henne optional handoff to RB counter left
Option 3: Henne pass or run (hopefully pass)
Alternate 1: No motion right. Quick lateral screen to PW behind RW blocking, PW run or pass.
Alternate 2: No motion right. Fake screen to PW, optional handoff to RB, Henne pass.
Alternate 3: RB motion left. RW or PW optional reverse to the right (possible double reverse TG) or Henne pass.

SET II: Chad Henne Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW
TG
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW CH RB

Option 1: TG motion right (option handoff), possible double reverse to PW
Option 2: RW and RB cross in front of CH, optional handoff either right or left
Option 3: Henne pass.

SET III: Pat White Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH
TG
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ RW PW RB

Option 1: TG motion right (option handoff), possible double reverse to CH for pass
Option 2: RW and RB cross in front of PW, optional handoff either right or left
Option 3: PW pass or run.

SET IV: Pat White Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TG
RW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PW_CH

Option 1: RW motion right (option handoff)
Option 2: PW run or pass or possible handoff to RB reverse left
Option 3: PW or RB toss back to CH for pass

SET V: Ronnie Brown Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TG
RW
PW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RB CH

Option 1: Either RW or PW motion right (option handoff) possible double reverse TG
Option 2: RB run or pass (hopefully run)
Option 3: RB toss back to Henne pass
Alternate 1: No motion right. Quick lateral screen to PW behind RW blocking, PW run or pass option.
Alternate 2: No motion right. Fake screen to PW, RB run or pass (hopefully run)
Alternate 3: RB takes snap, option handoff to CH running right, CH pass or optional handoff to RW or PW to the right

SET VI: Ronnie Brown Triggers the Wildcat

_ _ _ _ _ _TE LG C RG RT LT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CH
RW
TG_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _RB PW

Option 1: Either RW or TG motion right (option handoff) possible double reverse pass for CH
Option 2: RB run or pass (hopefully run)
Option 3: RB toss back to PW run or pass
Alternate 1: No motion right. Quick lateral screen to TG behind RW blocking, TG run or pass.
Alternate 2: No motion right. Fake screen to TG, RB runs right option handoff to PW running left for run or pass
Alternate 3: PW motion left. RW or TG optional reverse to the right (possible double reverse pass CH) or RB run or pass (hopefully run)

Poll

This idea would work...

in preseason only and only against Area-League scrubs

0 votes

first game only, but then would be obsolete once studied

0 votes

first four games or less, then obsolete

4 votes

half the season and a few times later on

4 votes

all season long baby!

10 votes

this is a bad idea

5 votes

23 votes | Poll has closed

Chris Clemons is most like...

DolphDallas — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:49:16 -0000

It's hard to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since training camp and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if you read about/saw Chris Clemon's style of play and thought, hey, he might become...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think Chris Clemons is most like (and if you think of another S that fits better, post it)

Poll

Chris Clemons is most like...

Dick Anderson 6-2 196

3 votes

Sean Dawkins 6-0 210

13 votes

LaRon Landry 6-1 214

21 votes

Lawyer Milloy 6-0 210

15 votes

Louis Oliver 6-2 224

19 votes

Antrel Rolle 6-0 202

23 votes

Jake Scott 6-0 188

1 votes

Darren Sharper 6-2 210

18 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

John Nalbone is most like...

DolphDallas — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:46:42 -0000

It's hard to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since training camp and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if you read about/saw John Nalbone's style of play and thought, hey, he might become...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think John Nalbone is most like (and if you think of another TE that fits better, post it)

Poll

John Nalbone (6-4 255) is most like...

Mark Bavaro 6-4 245

5 votes

Dave Casper 6-4 240

0 votes

Ben Coates 6-5 245

0 votes

Anthony Fasano 6-4 255

16 votes

Donald Lee 6-3 260

1 votes

Heath Miller 6-5 256

9 votes

Justin Peelle 6-4 255

8 votes

Jeremy Shockey 6-5 251

6 votes

Alex Smith 6-4 258

4 votes

49 votes | Poll has closed

Brian Hartline is most like...

DolphDallas — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:35:44 -0000

It's hard to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since training camp and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if you read about/saw Brian Hartline's style of play and thought, hey, he might become...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think Brian Hartline is most like (and if you think of another WR that fits better, post it)

Poll

Brian Hartline has the potential to become...

Fred Biletnikoff 6-1 190 (BTW IMHO Camarillo = Biletnikoff)

16 votes

Irving Fryar 6-0 190

10 votes

Joe Horn 6-1 206

13 votes

TJ Houshmanzadeh 6-1 197

25 votes

Ahmad Rashad 6-2 205

4 votes

Andre Reed 6-2 190

5 votes

David Tyree 6-0 206

18 votes

91 votes | Poll has closed

Patrick Turner is most like...

DolphDallas — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:36:58 -0000

It's harc to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since training camp and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if you read about/saw Patrick Turner's style of play and thought, hey, he might become...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think Patrick Turner is most like (and if you think of another WR that fits better, post it)

Poll

Patrick Turner is most like...

Plaxico Burress 6-5 230

35 votes

Muhsin Mohammad 6-2 215

25 votes

Mike Jenkins 6-5 215

12 votes

Keyshawn Johnson 6-4 214

62 votes

Joe Jurivicius -5 230

16 votes

Ernest Wilford 6-4 225

9 votes

Mike Williams 6-6 235

8 votes

167 votes | Poll has closed

Wake at RILB?

DolphDallas — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:04:57 -0000

With the Jason Taylor signing (thanks to Daniel Snyder for generously participating in the rent-a-player for a 2nd Round and 6th Round pick Dolphins charitable franchise-rebuilding program), what about Cameron Wake moving to RILB?

I realize that he is raw, but he seems to be above average in coverage, is a great athlete, jumps well to bat down passes over the middle, could cover backs and TEs better than OLBs, and could run sideline to sideline making plays.

Would make blitzes up the middle interesting and he could always loop around on a stunt with JT.

Just wondering if he would be more of a liability than an asset.

A linebacking core of Porter, Crowder, Wake, and Taylor sounds nice on paper, but may be detrimental in live games. I sure would like to see it late in games that are blow-outs.

Poll

Porter, Crowder, Wake, and Taylor is

worse than Porter, Crowder, Ayodele, and Taylor

17 votes

superior to Porter, Crowder, Ayodele, and Taylor

51 votes

Use Porter, Crowder, Wake, and Taylor on 3rd and longs only

32 votes

Wake would be better than Porter as a DE in the nickel 4-man DLine

15 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

Sean Smith is most like...

DolphDallas — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:13:38 -0000

It's way too early to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since OTAs and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if you read about/saw Sean Smith's style of play and thought, hey, he might become...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think Sean Smith is most like (and if you think of another DB that fits better, post it)

Poll

Sean Smith is most like...

Nambdi Asomugha 6-2 210

16 votes

Mel Blount 6-3 205

7 votes

Antonio Cromartie 6-2 210

22 votes

Rashean Mathis 6-1 200

3 votes

Chris McAlister 6-1 208

5 votes

Deion Sanders 6-1 195

3 votes

Bobby Taylor 6-3 216

12 votes

Pat Watkins 6-5 208

1 votes

69 votes | Poll has closed

Post-Draft 2009 Schedule Analysis/Predictions

DolphDallas — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:27:08 -0000

I'm sure we did this before the draft, but I don't recall seeing this done after the draft (and other team's drafts) so what do you think the record will be for

YOUR 2009 DOLPHINS...

Mia @ Atl - L Young secondary going up against Matt Ryan + Experience.

Ind @ Mia - L Young secondary going up against Hall-of-Fame veteran

Mia @ SD - L More Travel = Less Preparation. Hurts our young secondary.

Buf @ Mia - W Home AND Humidity doom the Bills (lack of talent doesn't help)

NYJ @ Mia - W Miami almosts won last time against Brett Farve > Mark Sanchez.

NO @ Mia - W The Wildcat wins a score-fest. Sparano gets the lead and PTR.

Mia @ NYJ - W CP10 + Meadowlands = Victory

Mia @ NE - L Randy Moss wins this round, Belicheck off the bye is too much.

TB @ Mia - W Can somebody tell me who their starting QB is? Thought so.

Mia @ Car - L Short-week preparation/travel is a disadvantage to a younger team.

Mia @ Buf - W Toronto Dome dooms the Bills (lack of talent doesn't help)

NE @ Mia - W Young Secondary is no longer young. No longer small either.

Mia @ Jac - W Improved their offense (especially OL), but not their defense.

Mia @ Ten - L Tenn at home is tough. Like our chances with an improved Run D.

Hou @ Mia - W Not afraid of Andre Johnson anymore.

Pit @ Mia - W Desire to Make Playoffs > Desire to achieve higher seeding.

Summary: 10-6 after an 0-3 start.

Good enough to make the playoffs? IDK

If they do, they will be one of the more dangerous teams...

Pat White reminds me of...

DolphDallas — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:42:06 -0000

It's way too early to project who the draft picks will be most like because we haven't seen them in action against NFL caliber talent.

But since OTAs and scrimmages and games are far off, I was wondering if in your draft analysis you saw Pat White play and thought, hey, he plays like...

So, to pass the time until organized team activities arrive, vote on who you think PW is most like and if the person you think he is most like isn't in the poll, make a comment "nominating" a QB/RB/WR you think Pat White is most likely to become.

Poll

Pat White could become...

Jeff Garcia 6-1 195

7 votes

Joe Montana 6-2 200

3 votes

Roger Staubach 6-3 197

1 votes

Kordell Stewart 6-1 218

40 votes

Fran Tarkenton 6-0 190

13 votes

Michael Vick 6-0 215

58 votes

Seneca Wallace 5-11 196

18 votes

Steve Young 6-2 215

26 votes

166 votes | Poll has closed