Jackson Free Press

I hate buzzwords. I hear them all the time when watching the news or political programs. If you work for a corporation, you are sure to hear buzzwords around the office. I listen for new buzzwords, almost like a hobby.

It kills me to hear football people talk about "sustainability," for example. These football talking heads are not talking about jobs or energy.

After another win for the Denver Broncos this weekend—this time over the Minnesota Vikings—the conversation will come up once more about Denver's offense. The Broncos switched to Tim Tebow at quarterback, and all the young man has done is win games. Tebow is 6-1 as the starter, and the Broncos have gone from 1-4 to 7-5 with Tebow at the helm.

"Sustainability," at this point, is referring to Denver running an option offense. Option offenses of all types work pretty much the same way: They put pressure on the defense by making it have to play sound assignment football. Critics claim the option will not work in the NFL, and it is only a matter of time before defenses catch up.

Tebow and the Broncos have been running a spread read option, and it has worked well. To quickly explain: A read option is when the quarterback looks for a key man to read. The "key" is an unblocked defensive player. If this defensive player takes the quarterback, he gives the ball to the running back. If the defender takes the running back, the quarterback keeps the ball.

The talking heads say an option offense will not work in the NFL because of the speed and skill of NFL defenders; therefore, the offense is not sustainable. So-called experts said the same thing when Georgia Tech hired Paul Johnson from Navy. The option, the talking heads said, would not work in the ACC. The ACC would have the speed and skill to shut down this offense.

Since Georgia Tech hired him in 2008, Johnson has compiled a 38-18 record. That includes an ACC championship in 2009 and just one losing season at 6-7. Georgia Tech has reached a bowl game every season since Johnson became the head coach.

The option is sustainable in the NFL as well. Denver has to draft correctly for the offense to work, but it will be just as hard to prepare for in the NFL as it is in college ball.

Tebow's 6-1 record proves it.

Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.

Previous Comments

ID

165598

Comment

Tebow's winning ways are about to end. God is a Steelers' fan too. How else could Ben Roughburger be hurt but get up and still play with all the pain? Sure God appreciates the praise Tebow is throwing his way. However, God like the rest of the Steeler nation has his own pick in mind. It will be another Steelers/Packers Super Bowl. New Orleans already has one ring. Why are you greedy?

Author

Walt

Date

2011-12-14T18:00:59-06:00

ID

165601

Comment

I already said on the Great Debaters sports thread on Facebook and I'm going to say it here! If Denver T'roncos beat the New England Patriots this weekend, you might as well get ready to see them in Indianapolis on Sunday, February 5, 2011 Because these guys are just winning and in all possible ways.

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-12-15T13:42:30-06:00