NFL: A Run Heavy Formation That Suits Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Others

The newest fad in the NFL is the spread offense, which in essence tries to stretch the defense as much as possible horizontally across the field. It is a mainly passing theory which has propagated the shift of offensive focus from running the ball to passing it.

However, in this offensive focus, I think there is space for a formation that tries to do the opposite.

I call it the 0-2-3, or 23 formation.

This is derived from a naming system which lists the number of wide receivers first, then tight ends, then running backs. Hence, this formation features no wide receivers, three running backs and two tight ends.

Obviously, this formation would be a run heavy one, because every offensive player lines up within the hash marks, and most are run blockers. 

Moreover, the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys all have the personnel to run it. 

I will run through the roles and ideal make up of each position in the following paragraphs.

Tight Ends

There are two tight ends, and they are to be the bookends at each side of the offensive line.

Ideally, both would be great run blockers, but this is an unreasonable expectation.

The main requirement is that one is a dangerous receiving tight end, like Jermichael Finley, Antonio Gates or Vernon Davis, who can stretch the field and make catches in double coverage.

The other tight end needs to be a good run blocker, so unless teams have a player like Marcedes Lewis or Jason Witten, then he is likely not to be an elite receiver. However, he does need to be able to play the role of a possession receiver making catches over the middle.

Running Backs

There are three running backs, and ideally these would include a dominant blocking full back, a power back and a scat or speed back.

The full back does not need to be a receiver or runner, but must be able to run block very well and blow away defenders.

The power back needs to be able to run well between the tackles, break tackles and also be a decent run blocker, as he would be asked to do this with some regularity. Therefore, former full backs like Peyton Hillis, or monsters like Brandon Jacobs would be ideal. He will also be the primary ball carrier.

The final scat back needs to be able to pick up yards running outside and beat tacklers one-on-one in the open field. He must also be a very good receiver, as he will be motioned out to a traditional wide receivers position on some plays.

The running backs could line up in many ways, but having them in an I form with the scat back behind the power back, behind the full back seems the best.

Now that the roles of the players are established, I can run over why the formation would be effective.

Firstly, because all the offensive players line up between the hash marks in a formation that is geared for running, the defense is likely to sub in more linebackers and defensive linemen to cope. This will make it easier to pass the ball because the secondary may be reduced to three or two players.

This is why a good receiving tight end is important.

Also, there will always be eight blockers in a running play, and nine if the scat back is running. This means that all but two or three defenders can be blocked man-for-man on a play. This would make it far easier for the runners, especially the scat back. This is because they generally play better in space, and that is what would be provided.

Because there are two tight ends and up to two "full backs", there are plenty of mobile blockers who can make effective blocks in the second level. This would increase the length of all runs where the runner gets more than five yards behind the line of scrimmage. These blockers are also valuable in the passing game. If the offensive line is over matched, extra tight ends and running backs can be kept back on passing plays to pick up the blitz or assist offensive tackles.

Another advantage is that both a power running back and a scat back is on the field at the same time. This would create doubt in the defenders mind as to who will take the carry. Also, depending on how the defense is lined up the quarterback could change from a inside power running play to an outside play with the scat back with ease and without any change in formation. Also, the chance to run both play action and fake hand offs would increase the confusion in the defense, and pull even more defenders out of the play.

The final advantage is in personnel. Generally, blocking full backs and blocking tight ends are very cheap and easy to get hold of, as they do not have great value to most teams.

A variation that could be made to the formation is substituting a large wide receiver like Brandon Marshall or Calvin Johnson in for the receiving tight end. This would add an extra headache for the defense. They could play a corner back to cover him, but then the corner back would be over powered in the run game. But if they use a safety to cover the wide receiver, the offense would have a huge advantage in the passing game. It would weaken the running game, but improve the passing game.

I will use the Giants and Patriots to show what personnel could be used. In the Giants case, a variation with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and Kevin Boss as tight ends, and Bear Pascoe (FB), Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw would be very dangerous. For the Patriots, a two tight end look with Rob Gronkowski and Algee Crumpler as the two tight ends, Aaron Hernandez as the full back, and Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead as the running backs would be just as dangerous.

Thanks for reading this article. If you have any questions about the formation, or have found flaws, then please comment.