So I've been thinking about this for a while and decided to see what some of our folks here think. After watching the Browns do nearly everything wrong since 1999 I started to think of a way to shake up the NFL and possibly elevate a poor franchise from the ashes. Before you dismiss me or think this is a joke, hear me out a little.
The Offense: Triple Option (wishbone/flexbone) with power-I and Maryland-I concepts. Pretty straight forward. Run, chew clock and shorten the games, play elite defense, Invest money heavily into OL, WR, and the entire defense.
Money: Let's get right to the big issue in pro football, and also why people think this offense can't be ran at this level. My initial thought has been that the huge money saver in this scheme would be obviously not paying QB's high salaries which would enable the team to spend heavy in other areas... in to go hand in hand with this offense... would be investing big money into the defense. The best compliment to a ground and pound, clock chewing, and turnover protective offense would be an elite defense.
The QB: This goes with what I just wrote above. Think of all the outstanding Option QB's that graduate and have no future in the NFL. I'm sure there are droves of these guys who would love a chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage for cheap. Off the top of my head I'll use former Georgia Tech QB Joshua Nesbitt. The perfect Triple option QB for this offense has to be tough obviously. Throwing the ball is secondary and will usually be on rollouts and or against single coverage. Really here you are after a gritty leader who makes great decisions. Running a triple option offense will require you to carry 3 active QB's almost all of the time, but I'm sure you wouldn't have trouble keeping a few good ones on your practice squad.
Coaching: I would want the head coach of this team to be a defensive guy, in fact I would want my defense to be the primary identity of this team. I would hire a great defensive mind to be the HC, but also hire Ken Niumatalolo as the offensive coordinator.
RB's: This is where this gets tricky. Obviously you will need a FB (BB) and a pair of HB's (AB) to run this offense to capacity, but with NFL RB's having a short shelf life and guys almost always available you could also rely heavily on drafting and free agent signings to save money. You don't need a "Feature Back", your QB is the feature back. Another great money saver to enable building dominance elsewhere.
Offensive line: Probably the toughest part of this scheme at a pro level would be finding undersized stud lineman. Guys like Patriots G Shaq Mason are out there, but hard to find. You would also need versatile guys who can switch positions. Another huge factor here is that you can go cheap on Tackles. You are a running machine, when you throw the ball its setup to make an easy read and usually a rollout. Again... No elite LT contract, No "feature back", No franchise QB.
TE/WR: You obviously need great blocking TE's which are easier to find. One spot you can afford to spend some of that money is in a few big WR's. 6'4''+ great blocking possession type guys.
My idea is pretty simple. No NFL millionaire defensive lineman want to be cut block, No NFL pass rush specialist wants to face the triple option let alone play the run all day, nor are the equipped to. I have no doubt that if the money were spent right (heavy on defense) and the coaching was in place that this could shake up the NFL and really be effective. Think of all the opposing high power offenses sitting on the sidelines watching their defense get worn down and clock go away. It puts more pressure on them to make the most of their limited possessions which plays into the hands of our assumed elite defense chocked full of Pro Bowlers waiting to pounce and force turnovers.
In closing I would like to say that I think Cleveland is the perfect place to do this. The fans don't care about flashy... they want a winner.... even an ugly winner. This would certainly piss off the rest of ownership and I'm sure a bunch of rule changes would come into play, but I have no doubt that if planned out properly and being committed to this offensive system that the triple option offense can work in the NFL with the right guys running it.
