The Future of the NFL

In a series of events that most football fans have likely not noticed, the professional football league is changing at a pace that is unlike any since the dawn of the forward pass. The Wildcat and the drastic addition of the shotgun is really only the beginning of the NFL makeover.

The days of a power, one-back running game and the blocking-only tight end along with many other NFL common places are soon to be over, so get ready for the future.

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The Two-Quarterback System

By far the biggest new-coming to the NFL in a long time, it may seem like a stretch as of now. But three players in particular will revolutionize the game in a way never thought of before.

The first is the most notable in Mike Vick. In his play with the Eagles thus far, he has only solidified my predicted change. Vick, the former Pro Bowl quarterback, was never known as a great passer, but a playmaker there may have been none better ever.

The Eagles are likely going to move on from McNabb and give Kevin Kolb the keys to the team, but the quarterback position won’t be all his. Vick is only going to get more comfortable as this season and another offseason goes on, and his passing potential will be undeniable.

With the pocket passing and accuracy of Kolb and the explosiveness as well as the passing ability of Vick, the Wildcat will be just a formality and Vick will be throwing 5-10 passes a game easy by 2010.

Pat White was drafted surprisingly by the Dolphins in the second round, even though they already have their franchise quarterback Chad Henne waiting in the wings.

However, with Henne the definition of a pocket passer and not a proven scrambler, White can take advantage of a team’s over-pursuing blitz schemes and run all over them.

However, White was drafted in the second round to be more than a “Wildcat” player. He can throw the ball as well as most scramblers in the NFL, and with the Henne and White rotation, you get the best of both worlds.

Finally, look at Tim Tebow. His passing ability isn’t improving as most had hoped for this offseason, and he still doesn’t have the ability to throw in NFL passing windows. However, his gutsiness, leadership ability, and will-to-win may be one of the best of any football player ever.

So he can’t be an every down quarterback, but why not use him in the certain situations? Tebow will be an NFL quarterback, but as (and hopefully) he progresses, use him sparingly with another capable starter.

While it isn’t talked about in news or analysts circles, I guarantee NFL teams and scouts are very intrigued by this idea. Even guys like Vince Young will benefit from this.

The two quarterback system is something I feel will be in the NFL by 2011, and I am very excited to see it. My opinions go a lot further than this, so if you would like to know about schemes, teams, or situations it would work in, please email me at [e-mail]

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Running Back/Wide Receiver Hybrids

Most of these changes stem from the tremendous success and overload of the spread offense. In my opinion, the shotgun back and the receiving threat has morphed the college running back into a receiver/running back hybrid in the mold of Brian Westbrook.

The most notable newcomer of this role is Percy Harvin, who will likely be a Viking running back at times as well as play his regular receiver role. Guys like Dexter McCluster and Jeffery Demps still in college are in the mold of this quick receiver and spot speed back in the NFL.

With the next new addition linked to this, look for the receiving backs and No. 3 or No. 4 receiver options to become common place in the NFL.

Shotgun and Hurry Up In Every Team's Game Plan

College offenses have adapted this set-up in their game plan and many have had outstanding success thus far. NFL teams have had the shotgun in their arsenal for over 20 years now, but the shear prevalence of it has increased in the past few years.

Likely from the transition of college coordinators infiltrating the NFL, the shotgun has become a key factor in nearly every offense, with the Steelers, Patriots, Colts, and Saints already ahead of the game.

Also, the influx of hurry-up offenses nearly has no answer for opposing defenses, and teams like the Bills and the Steelers have put that as a staple of their offense even outside of the last 5:00 minutes of the half or game.

Soon, hurry-ups will be a threat each team will use a game, and the shotgun will become more than just a 3rd-and-8+ yard formation.

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Versatile Tight Ends Everywhere

Pass catching tight ends have been a deadly weapon for offenses for many years now, especially since the emergence of Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates and even Dallas Clark.

However, many teams have two or more of these receiving tight ends such as the Steelers, Cowboys, and Patriots and have caused headaches for NFL opponents.

Teams don’t know whether the two tight ends will form a seven-man blocking unit or add two weapons for the quarterback that usual linebackers have to cover.

With last years draft class including receiver/tight end hybrids such as Shawn Nelson and Jared Cook, along with Gates, Clark, Gonzalez, Witten, Winslow, the tight end position is becoming a focal point of many offenses.

The sheer confusion and unexpected-ness that having receiving tight ends brings will mean a guy like Jermaine Gresham and the rest of the future tight end pass catchers will soon lead to more and more teams running two or even three tight end sets consistently.

Interior, 4-3 Pass Rushers a Hot Commodity

While the Steelers and Patriots have had arguably the best and most consistent defenses over the past 10 years, two defensive coordinators from other NFL teams will have a lasting impact on the pass rushing philosophy of the league.

The first is Rex Ryan, former Ravens coordinator and now Jets head coach. While the Ravens were also in the mix for the best defense in the league, Ryan’s star player the past few years has really made the biggest impact.

Bart Scott, the inside linebacker currently of the Jets, as well as he partner in crime, nose tackle Kris Jenkins, have turned the inside pass rushing game into a disrupting force that sets the stage for the game.

Scott and Jenkins get constant pressure up the middle that even confuses and disrupts the play of one of the NFL all-time greats in Tom Brady. Most pocket passers can’t handle the confusion and domination this rushers bring, and until the offense can catch up, these inside blitzes will be deadly.

The second is Steve Spagnulo, former Giants coordinator and now Rams head coach. Spagnulo is known for his devastating 4-3 defensive end rotation that lead the Giants to the Super Bowl on the sacking ability and pressure of Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwienuka, and others.

Pass rushers have always been coveted, but their ability to single-handedly influence the game and the playoffs like that unit did will increase the stock of all pass rushers coming out of college.

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