Let’s talk about that speed option play....

A lot has been made and talked about regarding the debacle that happened on Sunday night. I have many things I would like to say on a variety of topics, but currently I am still waiting on the All-22 film to be available to go over some things, so I will wait until I can look at that and do a post at a later time. 

For now, I want to talk a little bit about that 3rd and 1 play call in the second half that seems to be a hot topic for...... well literally everyone. Everyone seemingly has an opinion on that play, and I have some (very) strong ones myself. So here we go. 

This play call was absolutely atrocious, and for so many reasons. Let’s start with a simple one:

Third and short is absolutely positively never a doubt in no uncertain terms NOT a situation to EVER call a speed option. It is not a good play call at ANY level (even youth and high school football), let alone in the NFL. There are simply too many things that could go wrong execution-wise that could cause the play to get blown up. It is a slow developing play in a situation where the defense is attacking hard. Third and short situations require the offense to be aggressive and fast in order to counter what the defense is throwing at them. A speed option just isn’t it. 

So let’s move on to execution:

I’ll admit, the play actually sets up decently from what can be seen from the broadcast view. The o-line and Ben Braunecker all get a hat on a hat and leave the DE on an island, a perfect set up for a speed option. However, Mitch Trubisky doesn’t attack downhill and force the DE to make a decision. He prematurely flips it to Montgomery, who ends up getting stretched out wide and going for a loss. 

The argument from people who want to defend Nagy is that this play set up perfectly, and if executed by Mitch properly, goes for an easy first down. 

Listen, I’m not going to disagree with that assessment. However, I’m gonna back this up to my previous point. In this situation, the play needed perfect execution to work, and the Bears didn’t have it. This is not even mentioning the fact Nagy called the play to the short side of the field (which is absolutely an inexcusable mistake). That’s is why so many other play calls are better in this situation. For example, lining up under center (in the I or singleback) and just doing a simple dive handoff has a much higher chance of success. Multiple things can go wrong on a play like that (missed block, penetration, etc.), but all it takes is a RB at full speed to hit the hole hard and keep his legs churning to pick up a measly yard. That’s it. But in this situation, Nagy decided to go with the "cute" play call that required the perfect execution. Which leads me into my next point:

This play call does not put this team specifically in the best position to succeed. 

The Bears have struggled everywhere and with everything this season on offense. So why on an important 3rd and 1 are to putting pressure on your pourous offensive line and your struggling QB (who is dealing with a shoulder injury AND apparently a hip injury that occurred in this game)?

This is not even mentioning the one thing the Bears have been doing well of late:

The I-formation

For the past couple weeks, the Bears have lined up more in the I-formation and attacked downhill with a fullback and a David Montgomery. So why in such an important situation, are you not leaning on the tried and true? Let JP Holtz lead block and go kill another person (like he’s been doing so frequently of late) and let your tough SOB of a RB put his head down and churn his legs. I guarantee you, the Bears pick up the first down in that situation if they go double TE I-formation right up the middle. Show confidence in your offensive line and your RB in this situation and smack the other team right in the mouth. You have no idea the kind of confidence boost that can give your offense and your team as a whole when you get down and dirty in that situation. I am furious that Nagy decided to go soft when he had a perfect opportunity send a message to his whole team (and the league). This is the play that ended the Bears season (and should end Nagy’s coaching tenure with the Bears)