Pro Style vs Spread QB Prospects

[D-Unit]

Debate about the advantages and disadvantages of the Pro Style versus Spread Option QB prospects. Is the new passing trend in the NFL transforming to make it easier for Spread QBs to succeed in the NFL where they weren't before? If so, then does that devalue the QB position? Have other thoughts?

[mightytitan9]

I think it drastically depends on the type of spread offense. We've seen a shift in philosophy in the NFL, it used to be passing from the shotgun wasn't a common practice except on third down. Now days, nearly all NFL teams run some version of a spread offense at some point.

I think the main thing in grading prospects is to remember to look at the throws and how they translate to the NFL. Of course, they are going to have the typical easy throws, quicks throws to WR ect (which has made it's way to the NFL also) but you just need to look beyond the totals, completion percentage etc. You need to watch the film. Look especially at the accuracy, and how that QB does when under pressure and throwing into tight windows. Most QBs can throw completions and the receiver can adjust the route when he's open by 3+ yards.

Other than that, reading the defense and how smart the guy is.

As for the original question, I don't think it devalues the position, those elite QBs are still going to command major money. It may however devalue some in the draft that aren't considered "elite" because it may be easier to find a QB with similar skills in the middle rounds, but the elite are going to stay elite

[rawdawg]

I think there are benefits to being a spread QB in college. I think it teaches QBs one of the most fundamental things a QB needs to know....how to read defenses and put your offense in the most successful position possible.

The spread teaches QBs to read the ends, safeties, go thru very quick progressions with the receivers, and even allows the QB to call the right play. I think people underestimate the number of pre and post-snap read a spread QB has to make. Granted, they aren't calling plays from a huge playbook, but I think it helps the QBs take a step in that direction.

[nepg]

Not anymore. And it's become obvious that one of the reasons the NFL has made the rules changes it's made recently is in-part to make the transition from college to pro easier for QBs.

[descendency]

There are more important distinctions to be made.

I don't think the biggest issue is spread vs pro style. I think it's far more important to judge the depth of the throws (relies heavily on shallow throws vs a normal amount of deep, intermediate, and short).

NFL teams use aspects of the spread offense in their offenses. The difference between the college game and the pro game is that pro QBs are responsible for deeper throws more often.

[PossibleCabbage]

Originally Posted by descendency

There are more important distinctions to be made.

Very much this.

Not all "spread offenses" are the same. Some ask for more from their QB, some ask for less. Things a guy was asked to do in college that he did well are things you can probably be confident that he can do in the pros. Guys who were asked to do less, you're less confident in, but that's not to say that they can't do those things in the NFL.

Likewise, a lot of "pro systems" in college don't honestly ask for a lot from the QB. Just because a guy lined up with a fullback in the backfield doesn't mean he can read a defense. You get preassigned targets or limited reads in all sorts of "pro style offenses" in college.

Most NFL teams who play young QBs are tailoring their offenses to those guys strengths and weaknesses anyway. If you're dead set on hammering a square peg into a round hole, it's not going to work that well. But it's not like all of the round pegs are going to be that great a fit either.

[Bob Sanders Dreadlock]

YFS needs to be in this thread

[Brent]

Ignore the system, isolate the player and the throws/reads they have to make.

[jrdrylie]

I'll stop having a bias against spread QBs when one has sustained success in the NFL.

[Armchair Scout]

Originally Posted by jrdrylie

I'll stop having a bias against spread QBs when one has sustained success in the NFL.

Do you mean spread QBs from college? Because Drew Brees has had pretty good sustained success.

Honestly, I think the distinction doesn't matter as much any more. Most top QB prospects of the past 5 years or so have been more in the pro-style vein, mainly because many of those schools got more top recruits that the NFL would look at. That is changing now, and I think most of the early 1st round QB prospects of the next 5 years will come from spread offenses (Manziel, Hundley, Mariota, etc.).

[Pat Sims 90]

Does not matter anymore, but the stereotype will still be there that Pro Style QBs are more ready to start in the NFL then Spread QBs.