From what I recall of the Gailey pistol, it was a gimmick offense that didn't run the ball, relied on trick plays to catch the defense off-guard, and was a pure one-read offense. It was a pure I-formation offense with the RB a few yards back.

The pistol that Reid looks to be installing will rely on a spread option, will likely rely on more exotic formations (especially with a FB lined up beside the QB), and will likely mirror a traditional offense in that passes will still be progression-based.

Two totally different offenses, as it looks like the spread/pistol have matured to a point where it might make sense in the NFL.

Good points.

The spread/pistol as it's been run by Urban Meyer and Chris Ault is a completely different animal than what Gailey threw out there. Meyer's offense is pretty complicated and Smith was the best of the bunch who ran that system (all of his QB's have been very successful in that system, but Smith was head and shoulders above the other due to his ability to incorporate a better forward passing game versus guys like Tebow).

I'd also like to mention that Ault, at 66, isn't a spring chicken and decided to basically change his entire offensive game plan when he switched over to the pistol offense in 2005 at Nevada. It's a very innovative offense that defenses have a serious problem adjusting to and I don't see Reid being so set in his ways that he won't utilize a guy like Smith, who has experience in the Meyer's spread, in making adjustments to his West Coast/Lavell Edwards based system that will incorporate both Smith's understanding of the spread and Ault's innovations in the pistol.

Quote:

Ault wanted to combine the spread passing game that you get from the shotgun with the power running game. The running back lines up behind the quarterback, so he is moving toward the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback is only 4 yards behind the center as opposed to 6.

Fits what the Chiefs have done in terms of revamping the offensive line, signing A. Smith, drafting Knile Davis a bit higher than some anticipated, etc.

I'm fully anticipating a pretty high powered, keep the defense on it's heels offense that will utilize a high number of short to intermediate routes and a ton of zone read plays where you will see Smith, Charles, McCluster, Davis and Grey pitching out or using the Utah Pass at the line of scrimmage.

Should be fun, especially after watching that horrible shitstain of a Daboll offense last season.

"*Game plan tip: No.81 aligned out of position--he is getting the ball."

I kinda want to go back through some recent film and see how this related to Jackson. If it is a consistent trend, one can reasonably expect it to apply to Bowe.