Is the "spread" the new 3-4?

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Both new england and pittsburgh are spread teams, there's no doubt at all about that.

As for whether the 'spread' is the new 3-4, no, it's not. It's been in the NFL for years and years, it's just gone under different names. The run-and-shoot used the spread, different variants of the WCO and coryell offense used the spread. It's nothing new and it's not a gimmick.

Now, if you want to talk about variants like the spread option or the pistol, I don't think either of those will ever be standard in the NFL. And I think the wildcat's a gimmick that was worn out even before the 2008 season ended.

Now, as to whether the spread will ever be the in-vogue offense in the NFL, it's hard to say. But my guess is since it's a copycat league, since so much emphasis in the rules has been put on offense, and because of how it's proliferated through college football, it wouldn't entirely surprise me if it did.

I agree entirely with this EXCEPT that I think you are missing the comparison I was making... the 3-4 has been around for years as well... but I think that over time people realized it was easier to get the "talent" for a 3-4 and so it has become extremely popular... I am wondering if the entire league moves to spread heavy offenses for the same reason.

AT NO POINT am I advocating a spread option (hell I am not advocating anything...) but I am not sure that a spread team like the Pats couldn't also employ some of the "gimmicky" pistol and wildcat or spread-flex formations at some point as well.