1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

COACHES CORNER: The RPO focus in Miami's new offense this year

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by DOLFANMIKE, Jun 2, 2021.

  1. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

    5,403
    4,485
    113
    Mar 22, 2008
    California
    This is a breakdown of the RPO by one of the best RPO coaches in football at the Nike Coach of the Year clinic that I've attended almost every year for 32 years.

    [URL unfurl="true"]https://coachesinsider.com/football/alabamas-rpos-with-steve-sarkisian-univ-of-alabama/[/URL]





    As big as Alabama is they could easily load the box themselves and just maul defenses up and down the field, but they understand the importance of attacking space and taking advantage of leverage and numbers when you have it. These simple RPO’s are just that, simple! They make it easy on a QB as he has to get a pre-snap read of the numbers in the box, depth of corners, and alignment of apex defenders. Majority of the time, Bama is facing a loaded box which makes it an easy decision for Jones to hit the perimeter with the pass option. This is a great lesson for the rest of us high school and youth football coaches. Even the best team in the nation with a great coaching staff keeps it simple and doesn’t over complicate the offense.


    Alabama RPO


    RPO = RUN PASS OPTION. Pre snap RPO’s are different than the common post-snap RPO’s where the QB will either give the ball to the back, or throw the football based on the given conflict player. In a pre snap RPO, the QB is going to decide to either throw the ball to one of his receivers, or give the ball to the back based on the look that he gets before the ball is snapped. In a pre-snap RPO, there is no “mesh point” between the QB and the RB like there is in the post-snap RPO’s. Alabama utilized some simple pre-snap RPO plays early against Notre Dame in the semifinal game. Let’s take a look at a few of them.


    You will notice that the RPO doesn't require the QB to run the ball. The RPO is either an RB run or a pass to a WR/TE.













     
    OwesOwn614, Tone_E and Sceeto like this.
  2. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

    5,403
    4,485
    113
    Mar 22, 2008
    California









    All of this stuff can easily be googled all over the net. The commentary you see is from the sites that had the video support.

    All of it is 100% reliable in terms of what the RPO is at Alabama and all those that copy them.


    If you want to know all the read breakdowns and rules/responsibilities ... here you go:

    [URL unfurl="true"]https://coachtube.com/course/footba...mail70&track=6a05bf66554b8dc9708c3d435fbd914f[/URL]
     
    Tone_E and Sceeto like this.
  3. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Fingers crossed that they don't make it the main focus. I don't enjoy watching it at all whatsoever.
     
  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I see it the exact opposite, we need to play to Tua's strengths and place him in an offense where he will be the most effective. If that's running an RPO, then so be it. All I care about is winning.
     
    DOLFANMIKE and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  5. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    It seems an odd thing to do to draft a QB in the top five who's so limited that he can only succeed in one very limited offensive scheme, doesn't it?

    I say put him in a bunch of different schemes and looks over the next two years and see if he sinks or if he swims. If he does well, we extend him and he's the QB of the future. If not, we look for someone else. But I don't want to commit to a guy who's a one trick pony for the rest of his career.
     
    mlb1399 and resnor like this.
  6. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    We pretty much did that with Tannehill to the point where the majority of the fanbase thought he was a bum...only to see him lead the league the following year with a different team. But in reality, RT took over an offense that was "dumbed down" for an average QB that couldn't seem to get that offense flowing properly. Call it dumb luck or a genius vision, but Tannehill was a perfect fit for what they designed for Mariota.

    I DEFINITELY don't want that with Tua and we should make the offense just as "easy" for him this coming season. If he does well, then mix in some new flavors in 2022 by building on what he's already doing well. But the pieces need to be there around him and that's what we spent the last two years building. Big, imposing line. Speedy receivers with a large catch radius. A lock-down defense that continually gives favorable field position. That's what almost every quarterback not named Marino or Manning need in order to compete on a weekly basis.

    Again, the only thing I want to see out of Tua is wins- I could care less how exciting the football is. As long as he's making smart decisions and growing as a professional, then it's a win/win situation since we'll have more to build on next year.
     
  7. VManis

    VManis Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    5,741
    9,813
    113
    Nov 10, 2010
    What is the point in doing this? If Tua thrives in an RPO based offense and that offense can be successful in the NFL, why experiment just to see if he can also be successful in other systems? Would you have advocated for Walsh trying other systems to see if Montana was as good in something other than the WCO?
     
    resnor and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  8. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I personally don't equate wins with players at all. For me, that's on coaches. But to that point, the development of the QB and of the offense is FAR, FAR more important that wins for me in 2021. I want the offense to get to the point where it can be effective week after week, put up yards and score points against most opponents.

    Given the choice between the offense making good strides and winning eight games, or the offense being horribly inconsistent and still a big question mark but winning eleven games, I'll take door number one and have high hopes going into 2022.
     
    resnor likes this.
  9. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Walsh's system worked, and it turned out that Montana wasn't the only QB that could run it, right? It wasn't about Joe, it was about the system and the players around him. To me, that's basically the polar opposite of what we're talking about with Tua.
     
  10. flounder97

    flounder97 Well-Known Member

    347
    271
    63
    Jun 7, 2010
    Richmond, VA
    RPO seems pretty prevalent in college, so why not run a system that players have spent years playing in?
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  11. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I see them both as the same result- good quarterback play equates to wins. That's not saying Tua is winning the game, it simply means the offense is successful and able to outscore the opponent. Heck, in my mind the defense will be the one that continues to carry this team since I expect them to take a good bit of that 2nd year pressure off Tua's shoulders.
     
  12. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    RPO is the opposite of a limited offensive scheme.
     
    DOLFANMIKE likes this.
  13. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

    5,403
    4,485
    113
    Mar 22, 2008
    California
    By saying "very limited" in terms of all the ways an RPO can be used I think you don't have a full understanding of what the offense is or how many ways it can be used. The stuff I posted is just a very small look at ways it is used with simple reads.


    Here's some other ways its already been used that most don't understand are a part of the RPO system.
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I don't like it.
    I don't want to watch it.
    It's not what I want the Dolphins to be.

    So all I can do is hope that it blows up in their face, they go to something else, and that works really well.
     
  15. patcobb

    patcobb Active Member

    335
    138
    43
    Jul 28, 2011
    What if Tua has a huge leap forward this year and we make the playoffs. Maybe even win a playoff game...If the RPO is a big part of him succeeding than who gives a FUC*? how it's done. They don't call it "franchise" for any other title in the organization other than QB. Its hard to be a good coach with a bad qb. You could make the argument that QB>HC
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  16. flounder97

    flounder97 Well-Known Member

    347
    271
    63
    Jun 7, 2010
    Richmond, VA
    I’m really curious as to why. Especially if they are consistent and win game s using it.

    What would you prefer they use as a base offense? I know everyone wants flexibility, but there has to be a foundation to built off of.

    Outside of my morbid curiosity, I think you are going to be very disappointed watching the offense this year. They are built for RPO. It’s going to be the base everything works off of.
     
    resnor likes this.
  17. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    11,116
    5,824
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Unlucky has been pretty clear about his preferences. He doesn't like the aesthetics of an RPO system. Aesthetics seem to inform a lot of his opinions, from numbers to play style. Please correct me if I am misrepresenting you.
     
    resnor likes this.
  18. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,815
    4,660
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    He wants them to run the ball when it's a dead art. He wants the old Wannestadt system.
     
  19. flounder97

    flounder97 Well-Known Member

    347
    271
    63
    Jun 7, 2010
    Richmond, VA
    3 yards and a cloud of dust would be awesome, but I think it’s been proven that won’t work in the NFL today. I can appreciate aesthetics but functionality matter more IMHO.
     
  20. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,892
    62,937
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    You guys misunderstand me. I don't want 3 yards and a cloud of dust, and its not really the aesthetics.

    What I want is an offense that balances the run and the pass, and can do both effectively. I want to be able to move down the field 5 yards at a time, gain a ton of first downs, eat the clock, have a high completion percentage in the passing game, and avoid turnovers.

    As far as the passing game goes, I want the QB to drop back, take his time, scan the field, and throw to the open man with the intent to get positive yardage and not worry about big plays or YAC. Just catch the ball and move down the field.

    What I don't want is to pass the ball as soon as the QB takes the snap, to run pass plays that rely on YAC to succeed, to run very often with the QB, or to force deep passes when they aren't there.
     
  21. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,802
    10,300
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    Here's what everyone SHOULD want. What is it that Tagovailoa does well...and build the offense around that. We have seen too many times quarterbacks being drafted for how well they played in the NCAA and once they're in the NFL, they want to completely CHANGE the way he plays. Those quarterbacks tend to flop.

    If it's an RPO, then so be it. If it's pocket passing, then so be it. Whatever it is he does well, build around his strengths. If its not what you want, then draft a quarterback for the scheme you want to run.
     
  22. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,161
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Too bad we dont have any threat at running back... they will just gamble and play the pass... and chance the fact that Tua is not going to tuck the ball in and run with his constant injury history
     
    The_Dark_Knight likes this.
  23. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,802
    10,300
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    That’s why I wanted Najee Harris! That kid is going to be a beast in Pittsburgh
     
  24. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    The RPO scheme should be the foundation for this Qb..imo
     
  25. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,802
    10,300
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    If it fits his skills set, then yes. If it doesn’t…

    Most of you are too young to remember but Lou Holtz was once the head coach of the Jets. He had Broadway Joe Namath, Super Bowl winner as his quarterback. It was HILARIOUS watching Namath try to run the option

    Point being…set your offensive scheme to the strengths of your players
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  26. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007

    Agreed.

    I am not a fan of Tim Tebow and I think he is the worst pure passing quarterback to ever start in the modern era.

    Saying that I think the Broncos made a huge mistake of not tailoring their offense to his strengths. If you are going to start Tebow, go 100% old school running QB type team. Get other big quarterbacks. Play to their strengths. Don't try to pigeon hole Tebow into a real offense because he will always fail.
     
    Silverphin likes this.
  27. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

    8,600
    6,736
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Slightly left of center
    One almost Old Guy to another I get it. But riddle me this?
    Do you want the QB to be able to call a play in the huddle?
    Do you want the QB to able to call a play at the LOS? Or audible and change the play at the LOS?
    Do you run the play called or the best play against the Defense you see?
    With the RPO game I get the best of all worlds. Coach calls a play, based on game plan opposing D et al. QB lines up, sees the D is wrong for the play and audibles based off pre snap read.
    Hut one! Play says DE does this Offense does that we win!
    Championship!!!!
    The RPO game is the natural progression of mathematical football ie; Algebra-Calculus-Trigenometry.
    Watch some June Jones Coached University of Hawaii Football (RIP Colt) to see an RPO offense taken to a whole different level where every player (WR, QB, RB, TE) had a different read/ responsibility based on the Defense every play.
    It was unstoppable til it got beat by pure physical differences in the Sugar Bowl.
     
  28. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Well, it was what he ran in Alabama at a pretty high level. And to Lucky's point, it WAS NOT all quick throws and one man reads. They ran a fairly balanced offense and attacked all three levels.
     
  29. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    That’s why I said what I said, it fits it perfectly, and besides that, the scheme itself does its own damage to defenders.
     
  30. resnor

    resnor Derp Sherpa

    16,321
    9,873
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    New Hampshire
    I think that EVERYONE wants an offense that can go out and grind out 5 yards a down when they want to, and to be able to go out and gain positive yardage on passing plays.

    But it's always a balance, and different aspects are going to work better than other aspects. RPO doesn't have to mean that it's snap and throw in .83 seconds.
     
    KeyFin and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  31. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Hey coach??

    Woukd you consider an RPO offense a Rhythm passing offense?
     
  32. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    5,227
    6,527
    113
    Dec 7, 2014
    My fandom began in the mid-00s which means I basically began around the time the team was sinking to 1-15.

    Since then I've seen Trent Green die, John Beck embarrass himself, a guy named Cleo Lemon take the field, Chad Pennington rise only to get hurt, 3 full years of Chad Henne failing, 4 years of Joe Philbin failing, 3 years of Adam Gase failing (which included a year of Jay Cutler failing), a slew of meaningless games with guys like Matt Moore, Brock Osweiler and Ryan Fitzpatrick starting, not to mention the 1 mediocre guy Miami did manage to acquire (RT17) end up turning his career around after being sent packing.

    What I'd prefer is meaningless at this stage. Give me something that's actually above-average. I don't care if it's Tom Brady being a statue, Lamar Jackson running around, Ricky Williams going for 2k on the ground or something else. Give me an offense that doesn't rank in the bottom 1/3rd of the NFL.
     
    Puka-head and resnor like this.
  33. patcobb

    patcobb Active Member

    335
    138
    43
    Jul 28, 2011
    As much as we say the team success rests on tua development, how much of his development rests on this super young and developing line?
     

Share This Page