“Read Option” Dilemma

During the past NFL season, we’ve seen several teams incorporate various “option” concepts into their base offense.  The “Read Option” from the Pistol or Shotgun formation has not only become a nightmare for opposing defense coordinators but for APBA Football gamers too.  The nature of the play is for the quarterback to read the isolated defender and either had the ball off to the running back if the defender maintains outside containment or tuck the ball and run to the outside if the defender goes inside for the running back.  APBA Football rules prohibit the quarterback from running outside unless it’s a scramble or once a game on a bootleg (trick play).  I’m very curious how the game company is going to address this issue since this is a designed run and not a scramble. 

I have no idea what their solution will be, however, I know how I’m going to handle it during my current replay. Tim Tebow will see his first game action in next week’s matchups and will become the full-time starter the following week.  The “Read Option” became a big part of Denver’s offense with Tim Tebow averaging around 8 carries per week.  During a game against the Chargers, he had 22 rushing attempts.  His card has three scramble numbers resulting in one scramble per every 12 passing attempts.   So if he had 20 passing attempts and 8 runs in an actual game, I’m going to assume 2 of those runs were scrambles resulting in 6 designed runs.  Since his “R” column is not the typical scramble numbers (3-5-7), I will abide by the rules and run him inside on the designed runs or outside once a game on a bootleg.

Next Replay

Although the pollsters overwhelmingly wanted to see a 1972 NFL Replay, I couldn’t resist the chance to replay a season with three 5,000 yard passers.  I’ve placed my order for the 2011 APBA NFL set and will replay the entire season upon completion of my current replay  and once the preparation work is accomplished.

Ray Dunlap’s Quota Chart

During my replays, I use the actual box score and attempt to replicate the game versus establishing “game averages”.  One of the challenges of playing like that is ensuring players don’t exceed their actual rushing or passing attempts to the point where overall statistics are skewed. With regard to running backs, I’ve found Ray Dunlap’s Quota Chart to be the answer.  It establishes a ceiling based off the running back’s actual carries for that season. For example, New York Jet’s running back, Leon Johnson, had 41 carries during the 1998 season; however, Ray’s system would allow him a maximum of 65 carries.  This provides tremendous flexibility, prevents over usage of other players and doesn’t have a negative impact on team and individual statistics. 

DUNLAPQUOTACHARTS

Historical Database

My favorite site for conducting research for an upcoming replay is BBallsports.com. It is a comprehensive database for the four major sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Hockey).  It captures nearly every statistic imaginable and covers several decades (i.e., football, 1920 – 2010).  If you have never visited it, please, give it a look. I’ve placed the link in my Blogroll on the side bar. 

 

SPECIAL TEAM’S CHEAT SHEET

If you are like me and conduct replays over a wide array of eras, rules associated with the kicking game can get confusing.  My goal is to eliminate any confusion regarding rules or ball placement associated with kickoffs, missed field goal (FG) attempts, blocked FG attempts and two-point conversions.

KICKOFFS

Pre-1974:  The ball was placed at the kicking team’s 40-yard line.

1974-1994: The ball was placed at the kicking team’s 35-yard line.

1994-2010: The ball was placed at the kicking team’s 30-yard line.

Post -2011: The ball is placed at the kicking team’s 35-yard line.

Landing Zone (2024 season and beyond).

Kickoffs that travel 45 yards or less OR goes out of bounds regardless the distance will not be returned, and the ball will be placed at the receiving teams 40-yard line.

Kickoffs that travel between 46 and 64 yards must be returned.

Kickoffs that travel 65 yards or more and remains in bounds, will be placed at the receiving teams 30-yard line.

 FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS

Pre-1974: Add only 7 yards to all FG attempts because the goal post was offset from the goal line.

Post – 1974: Add 17 yards to all FG attempts because the goal post was moved to the end line.

MISSED FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS

Regardless of era, all missed FG attempts from the 20-yard line or closer results in the opposing team taking possession at the 20-yard line.

Pre-1974: Missed FG attempts resulted in opposing team gaining possession at the 20-yard line if the kick was not or could not be returned.

1974-1994: The opposing team would take possession at the line of scrimmage, unless the kick was attempted from inside the 20-yard line.

Post-1994: Missed FG attempts from beyond the 20-yard line result in the opposing team taking possession at the spot of the kick.  (This is 7-yards behind the line of scrimmage).

BLOCKED FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS

If blocked FG is on or behind the neutral zone, it is treated like a fumble and can be advanced by either team.  Beyond the neutral zone, a blocked kick is treated like a punt and can be advanced only by the defense, unless a defensive player fumbles the ball, after which an offensive player can advance it.

TWO-POINT CONVERSION

American Football League (AFL):  Adopted two-point option in 1960 and was used for the duration of the league.

National Football League (NFL):   Adopted two-point option in 1994 and is still a viable option in today’s game.

TOUCHBACKS

Touchbacks are placed at the receiving team’s 25-yard line (versus the 20-yard line) starting in the 2016 NFL season.

See rules associated with the Landing Zone above for touchbacks associated with the 2024 season and beyond.

“Yards per Carry” Calculator

The average of the RB’s card may or may not reflect his actual yards per carry. If the RB is slotted to spend a lot of time in “A” index, the card normally is downgraded and the opposite is true if the RB will spend a lot of time in “C” index. Factors such as hot or cold dice, defensive alignment, line changes associated with keying, blitzing, nickel or dime defenses will have either a positive or negative impact on the card’s performance. Attached is a “Yards per Carry” Calculator to estimate the runner’s average based off his card. If the RB has a “K” (breakaway run) in his “R” column, determine if he has a ‘1 or “2” in the “K” column of RPN 66. For example, Tony Dorsett’s card listed in “Top Rushing Performances” has 3 K’s on his card and a “1” in the “K” column associated with RPN 66. I would insert “3” adjacent to RB with a “1” @ RPN 66 in the All-Purpose Rusher (15-17-19) table. Finally, ensure all 36 numbers listed under the RB’s “R” column are entered into the calculator.

Yards Per Carry Calculator

QB Completion Calculator

There are countless factors which impact the performance of a QB’s card ranging from hot or cold dice, frequency in A, B, or C passing indexes, defensive alignment, keying, blitzing, nickel or dime defenses to name a few. With that being said, it’s still fun trying to “guess” the production of a QB’s card whether it’s for an upcoming league draft or a solitaire replay.  Attached is a “QB Completion Calculator” to use as a “jumping off” point to estimate the “completion percentage” based off the QB’s card. First, determine how many scramble (26 & 27) and rare play numbers (31 & 32) are on the QB’s card and subtract from 36 and enter remaining numbers in the “Frequency” column.  For example, QB card has (2) 26, (1) 27, (1) 31 & (1) 32, ignore these 5 and enter the remaining 31 numbers into the frequency column.

QB Completion Calculator

APBA Pro Football Replays and More!

Featured

I’ve used the APBA Football Master game to replay several seasons.  The Master game provides the “ebb and flow” of an actual contest and allows the “coach” the opportunity to deploy multiple personnel packages to mirror today’s game or the single platoon system of yesteryear. On numerous occasions, I’ve matched team records and have come extremely close to replicating team and individual statistics.

My original purpose for creating this blog was solely to present my current and previous replays, offer “method of play” alternatives, share innovations, provide tools for evaluating individual cards, post links and informational tips to assist with preparing for and conducting season replays.

Of course, season replays will always remain the focal point, however, it’s my goal and ambition to cover all aspects of APBA Football ranging from historical, solo tournaments, league play and the finer points of Face-to-Face play. To accomplish this, I’ve enlisted the help of the finest minds in all APBA Football. My team of authors have been former card makers for the game company, innovators, league commissioner, writers for the APBA Journal, and APBA Hall of Famers.

Site authors are Mr. Mark Zarb, Mr. Ray Dunlap, Mr. Dave Urban, Mr. Greg Wells, Mr. Phil Molloy, Mr. Dan Flynn, Mr. Doug Reese and Mr. Scott Griffin.

I’ve created a quick reference site directory to aid visitors searching for the 20 most popular topics not found in the upper site menu (Home, Method of Play, YPC Ratings, etc).

SITE DIRECTORY

For any APBA Football related questions, feel free to contact me at oguard62@yahoo.com.