What if the Single Wing Was Resurrected: The Ultimate NFL Single Wing Backfield

The Single Wing offense was one of the first offenses in the game of football. The offense has been dead for several decades in the NFL, but is still popular among youth and high school levels.

The offense was invented by the famous Pop Warner in 1907. By the 1940s, nearly 80 percent of all college and pro teams were running the offense. 

By the 1960s, nearly every team was running this offense, so it died down; considering that every team ran it, every coach was familiar with it. 

The offense has made some sort of a comeback in the NFL with the whole Wildcat formation, which uses a spread single wing formation with no quarterback. 

If the offense were to be resurrected some more today, I have compiled the ultimate backfield for this offense to succeed

This article was first seen on Sports Haze.

Tony Santorsa is Sports Haze's AFC East Beat Writer, and you could read more sports stories at www.SportsHaze.com. You can also follow Tony via Twitter @ TonySantorsa

The Formation

This offense is very unique, it consists of no quarterback.

Instead, it consists of all athletes that are smart, quick and can block. 

The offense is a direct snap offense with a possibility of three players receiving the snap, with four running backs in the backfield.

Fullback: This is the position more like the quarterback of today's offense. He is usually the field general that can block well, but throw as well. He is typically a thrower that can run.

Tailback:  This position is for the best runner; a back that can run in-between the tackles as well in sweeps. 

Blocking back: This position is for the strongest and best blocker out of the backfield. The majority of the plays are run off of his kick-out block, and he will occasionally receive "short" snap wedge plays. 

Wing back: This position is for the fastest and best receiving back. He will be used in the flats on roll-out passes with the wing back being the primary target. Also, you can use the wing back to come back across the formation for a counter or a reverse. 

Fullback: Tim Tebow

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to facing the Indianapolis Colts at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinge

Tim Tebow is probably the strongest and most athletic NFL quarterback out there today. 

Tebow is best known for his college days at the University of Florida with offensive guru Urban Meyer.

Meyer would run a modernized spread single wing offense with Tebow as the quarterback.

Tebow would be the ideal fullback in the single wing offense today. He is very strong and could be a good blocker, also he can throw on the run.  

Tailback: Ronnie Brown

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Running back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass against the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Ronnie Brown is perfect for this offense.

Brown would receive the majority of the snaps and could run off-tackle, up the middle or outside.

Brown is a very special player, not only can he run, but he can throw well enough to get the ball where it needs to go. He has taken some snaps as the quarterback in Miami and has run the Wildcat efficiently, and he would do amazing as the tailback in a single wing offense. 

Blocking Back: Aaron Hernandez

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots is brought down by Donte Whitner #20 of the Buffalo Bills during on September 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 38-30. (Pho

Aaron Hernandez is an interesting athlete.

He is listed as a tight end, but has the speed to play receiver and the strength to be a fullback.

With Hernandez's attributes, he would be an ideal blocking back in the single wing.

He would quickly get to his kick-out blocks, and run quality pass patterns in the flats, along with running the ball here and there. 

Wing Back: Reggie Bush

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Reggie Bush is one of the best all-around athletes in the NFL. 

Bush can run the ball effectively outside on sweeps, and he can line up as a wide receiver.

Bush would be a great fit for the single wing offense and could be a top receiving with the ability to break out big running plays.