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While the Wildcat has become the latest trend-setting craze to hit the NFL, several teams have upgraded their personnel to better suit the formation. Here’s a look at who could be taking snaps behind center and what teams you can expect to utilize the Wildcat in ’09.
Definition of the Wildcat
There are many variations of the Wildcat, but the distinguishing factor is a direct snap to the running back and an offset offensive line. In this offense, a tight end and a guard line up to the left of the center, and to the right is a guard and two tackles to form an unbalanced line. The quarterback is sent out wide as a flanker. One running back lines up in the shotgun behind the center while the other lines up as a receiver on the left side and goes in motion before the snap.
Why It Is Effective
The gaps that defensive players are trained to fill are skewed in the formation, creating confusion along the defensive line. The quarterback position is usually ignored by run defenses, but when a running back lines up in that spot, he becomes a threat. If a free safety joins a strong safety in run support, the back end of the field is wide open. That is not ideal, considering that defenses cannot discount the possibility of a pass from the running back to an eligible receiver. The defense is stretched thin, forcing it to look for a between-the-tackles run, a perimeter run, a counter run, or a pass.
The Most Dangerous Wildcat Weapons
Some NFL teams have better results than others with the Wildcat offense, but there’s no denying these players keep opposing defensive coordinators up late at night.
Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders
Let’s give credit where credit is due. Before the Wildcat, there was the Wild Hog. McFadden gave opposing defenses nightmares while at the University of Arkansas with his innate ability to burn defenses both through the air and on the ground. However, the Raiders seemed to rarely utilize those talents last year during his rookie season.
Ronnie Brown/Pat White – Miami Dolphins
While McFadden is the new-school “throwback”, it was Brown who brought this style of play to the forefront at the pro level, grabbing everyone’s attention in a week three match-up with the Patriots in which he accounted for five touchdowns (four rush/one pass), gaining 119 yards on six plays. The fact that the ‘Fins used a second round pick on Pat White on draft day tells you that the team plans additional tricks in ’09.
Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings
No stranger to lining up at quarterback is Harvin, the rookie out of Florida who took many of his reps lined up in the “Wild Gator” formation. It’s no secret that the Vikings have already begun implementing plays designed for Harvin to be used in a similar role in Minnesota.
Potential Wildcat Bust Outs
As more and more teams continue to implement the Wildcat offense, look for these players to create a niche for themselves as dangerous offensive threats.
Devin Hester – Chicago Bears
Anytime you can create more opportunities to have the ball in the hands of Hester, you must explore that option. Rumblings have indicated that the Bears will look to utilize the Wildcat offense with the intent to capitalize on the special abilities of the “Windy City Flyer”, arguably the league’s most dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands. Opposing teams will not be too happy about seeing him lined up at quarterback.
Vince Young – Tennessee Titans – Vince Young
While the former number three overall pick in 2006 has failed to live up to the hype, Young still possesses unique talent. The Titans must find ways to incorporate Young into the playbook and make better use of their $58M dollar man.
Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys
Playing alongside McFadden in college, Jones has experience playing in the Wild Hog offense and is expected to play a big role on offense for the Cowboys this season. Knowing that owner Jerry Jones is never one to be left out of anything, you can bet that Dallas will be applying the Wildcat alignment and installing plays for the dynamic Jones.
Mike Vick – Atlanta Falcons (suspended)
The latest trend in the NFL has caused quite a stir and just may create an opportunity for quarterback Mike Vick to find a new home. Technically, the Falcons still own his rights, but the team is expected to cut or trade him if he is reinstated.
It’s An AFC Thing
Surprisingly, ten out of the fifteen players mentioned in this column come from the AFC. Here’s a list of some other notable players to keep an eye on as potential Wildcat standouts.
Hines Ward – Pittsburgh Steelers
A former jack-of-all-trades “Slash” player at the University of Georgia, Ward has a proven track record in this type of offense and is more than capable of running the Wildcat. The Steelers have never been shy about trying some trickery, so expect some added wrinkles from the defending Champions this year.
Joshua Cribbs – Cleveland Browns
The Pro Bowl return-man is in the middle of an ugly contract dispute with team management but he is expected to report to camp next week. When he does, don’t be surprised to see the Browns get to work immediately on expanding the playbook. New head coach Eric Mangini experimented with the Wildcat last year with the Jets and Cribbs enjoyed some success taking direct snaps last season.
Troy Smith – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens ran their own version of the Wildcat last season, playfully naming it the “Suggs Package”, after linebacker Terrell Suggs suggested publicly that Troy Smith should see more playing time. Baltimore’s formation has Smith under center and Joe Flacco split wide. One play resulted in a 43-yard bomb from Smith to Flacco.
Brad Smith – New York Jets
Coming over from Baltimore, new Jets head coach Rex Ryan also knows a thing or two about the Wildcat. Ryan has had some interesting perspectives, both offensively—watching the Ravens run it—and defensively, where his unit held the Dolphins to just two yards on five attempts out of the Wildcat formation during a week seven contest last season. Smith, a former college quarterback (Missouri) is the ideal candidate to man the charge.
James Casey – Houston Texans
The rookie from Rice made a name for himself as the star of the “Thor Package”, rushing for 240 yards and tossing two touchdown passes when lined up at quarterback. The tight end is expected to be used in an assortment of ways for the Texans and is a triple-threat on offense; he can beat opposing defenses with the catch, run, or pass.
Julian Edelman – New England Patriots
The first thought that came to mind when the selection of Edelman was made in the seventh round was “Wildcat”. Belichick, whose father Steve played and coached the Single Wing offense, was reintroduced to it in a week three contest against the Dolphins when his Pats allowed 119 yards and five touchdowns on six plays. The Patriots had various Wildcat packages installed in their offense shortly thereafter. While New England didn’t have great success with it last year, they certainly seem intrigued by it and will at least continue to try new things involving the former Kent State quarterback.
For a look at how the Wildcat offense originated and the pioneers responsible for its development read part one of our Wildcat Series.
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