Guy Chamberlin
Heisman Trophy Winner
This is a good point, but the Flexbone doesn't JUST feature a running quarterback.
Sure, he may run the ball, but there are 3 OTHER guys that could get the ball on any given play. It's not all on the quarterback, and that's the main problem we've had the last several years. Also, like I said, the Flexbone is not the same as Osborne's offense, and there's absolutely no proof that B1G defenses would eat it alive. The only proof I have going for me is the fact that Army marched into Ann Arbor a few years ago and took them to overtime. Who is more talented - Army, or us?
I agree with a lot of what you're suggesting, but I think Osborne was referring to defenses getting much faster at both DL and LB, making it harder for any slow developing play to get the corners. Whether it's a QB or a choice of RBs, the play is moving horizontal. That works great if you're mixing it up with some vertical lanes, but announcing your intentions as a Run First, Second, and Third offense makes it easier to scheme against. Osborne passed a little more than some remember, and those 18 attempts a game made the option more dangerous.
Especially when your option QB rolled down the line, then suddenly took a three step drop and had a safe, easy pass. Always thought that was perfect for Adrian Martinez's skill set, but don't recall seeing it often.