We break down the 49ers use of the full-house pistol, "bug eye" formation in their win over the Miami Dolphins.
While the 49ers offensive philosophy is built around power rushing, the team opens the door to a wide variety of schemes and game plans within that broader philosophy. The team mixes up their formations and personnel packages week in and week out, as they game plan against their opponents' weaknesses and for the 49ers own strengths.
Amidst all the discussion about the QB position, and the concerns some have about the team's opportunities in 2012, I continually drift back to the idea that the coaching staff is working to figure out exactly what they want to do with all these new pieces. The addition of Colin Kaepernick as starting quarterback and LaMIchael James as backup running back has put the staff in a position where they need to figure out how they can mix and match these parts.
This idea scares some people, which is quite understandable. The 49ers got to the NFC Championship Game with a specific philosophy, and had gotten off to a 6-2 start this season. Although there was clearly downside to this philosophy, the upside was the idea of there being a certain steadiness to it.
http://www.ninersnation.com/2012/12/11/3755590/49ers-vs-dolphins-colin-kaepernick-and-the-bug-eye-diamond-full-house
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Colin Kaepernick and the 'bug-eye', 'diamond', 'full house pistol
Dec 11, 2012 at 10:48 PM
- Ronnie49Lott
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Dec 11, 2012 at 11:05 PM
- Gore_21
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Really cool stuff. We have to be one of if not the most unique offenses in the nfl. I love all our formations we use (maybe more than anyone else in the league) and the shifting but at times our conservativeness holds us back. I just wish we were as creative in the pass game; seems like we could do a better job getting the ball in the hands of VD and then Crabtree, Manningham and now James and letting them work their magic in the open field. Also, our screen game is lacking.
Anyways, I wonder how much of this is Roman and how much of it is Harbaugh? How much is Geep Chryst putting in? Makes you wonder if Roman would leave if all these formations and shifts would go with him and if Harbaugh or Chryst (or new oc) would continue with all these variations. I have to believe he would have to because to me it seems like coach is evolving with the NFL and becoming revolutionary. We have seen that we will do just about any style to win a game. shotgun, under center, pistol, full house pistol, single back, 2 back, power i, spread (although not too much), option and whatever else I missed.
Anyways, I wonder how much of this is Roman and how much of it is Harbaugh? How much is Geep Chryst putting in? Makes you wonder if Roman would leave if all these formations and shifts would go with him and if Harbaugh or Chryst (or new oc) would continue with all these variations. I have to believe he would have to because to me it seems like coach is evolving with the NFL and becoming revolutionary. We have seen that we will do just about any style to win a game. shotgun, under center, pistol, full house pistol, single back, 2 back, power i, spread (although not too much), option and whatever else I missed.
[ Edited by Gore_21 on Dec 11, 2012 at 11:07 PM ]
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:12 PM
- jreff22
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Not a fan of it, I would rather have a WR out wide so the kid has options if he wants to throw....or let VD get into the mix.
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:19 PM
- Ronnie49Lott
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Originally posted by Gore_21:Agree with the bold. My heart is hoping that they are working on the passing game in practice and are waiting for the playoffs to unveil it. My head says what we see is what we got.
Really cool stuff. We have to be one of if not the most unique offenses in the nfl. I love all our formations we use (maybe more than anyone else in the league) and the shifting but at times our conservativeness holds us back. I just wish we were as creative in the pass game; seems like we could do a better job getting the ball in the hands of VD and then Crabtree, Manningham and now James and letting them work their magic in the open field. Also, our screen game is lacking.
Anyways, I wonder how much of this is Roman and how much of it is Harbaugh? How much is Geep Chryst putting in? Makes you wonder if Roman would leave if all these formations and shifts would go with him and if Harbaugh or Chryst (or new oc) would continue with all these variations. I have to believe he would have to because to me it seems like coach is evolving with the NFL and becoming revolutionary. We have seen that we will do just about any style to win a game. shotgun, under center, pistol, full house pistol, single back, 2 back, power i, spread (although not too much), option and whatever else I missed.
I'd like to think that the base offense is Harbaughs and the OC's just add their touch to it. The variety of formations are probably a DC's nightmare!
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:19 PM
- PTulini
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It's well documented that Harbaugh has studied some of the pistol offense from Nevada-Reno HC Chris Ault in the past.
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:26 PM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by jreff22:
Not a fan of it, I would rather have a WR out wide so the kid has options if he wants to throw....or let VD get into the mix.
I don't mind using it a handful of times a game as it gives the d another thing to think about but one thing that has been standing out to me is how few times we see 3 or 4 wr sets. I'd like to see more Crabtree, Moss, Manningham and/or Jenkins (Williams before).
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:29 PM
- jreff22
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Originally posted by Gore_21:Its a reason why the passing numbers are down, we keep shifting to more running formations and give him little option to audible to something better. I will keep saying it until I see otherwise, they are toeing the line of Vick 2.0 with these running sets. Stack the box and jam the WR's, the play can be killed.
Originally posted by jreff22:
Not a fan of it, I would rather have a WR out wide so the kid has options if he wants to throw....or let VD get into the mix.
I don't mind using it a handful of times a game as it gives the d another thing to think about but one thing that has been standing out to me is how few times we see 3 or 4 wr sets. I'd like to see more Crabtree, Moss, Manningham and/or Jenkins (Williams before).
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:32 PM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by jreff22:
Its a reason why the passing numbers are down, we keep shifting to more running formations and give him little option to audible to something better. I will keep saying it until I see otherwise, they are toeing the line of Vick 2.0 with these running sets. Stack the box and jam the WR's, the play can be killed.
I am wondering how often do we audible from run to pass (especially with kap). Seems like every time it's pass to run or run to a different run. I could be blanking but don't recall too many occasions from the fan stand point but obviously we don't the calls. Edit: side note that's definitely something kap has to work on; I think he hasn't audibled a hand full of times and ran us into a brick wall. I think it could take some time just like it will with the playclock. Just glad Kap didn't go in at the beginning of last year; he is hardly ready now. So much more goes into being a QB than throwing the ball.
[ Edited by Gore_21 on Dec 11, 2012 at 11:38 PM ]
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:39 PM
- jreff22
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Originally posted by Gore_21:His adjustments and audibles have been off...but with a simple system designed for runs the options will be limited. IMO a dumb handcuff to have this late into the season. We have run that set with Gore, Miller, and Tufku (sp) in the backfield if I remember correctly....what the hell kid of pass can you change to from that?
Originally posted by jreff22:
Its a reason why the passing numbers are down, we keep shifting to more running formations and give him little option to audible to something better. I will keep saying it until I see otherwise, they are toeing the line of Vick 2.0 with these running sets. Stack the box and jam the WR's, the play can be killed.
I am wondering how often do we audible from run to pass (especially with kap). Seems like every time it's pass to run or run to a different run. I could be blanking but don't recall too many occasions from the fan stand point but obviously we don't the calls. Edit: side note that's definitely something kap has to work on; I think he hasn't audibled a hand full of times and ran us into a brick wall. I think it could take some time just like it will with the playclock. Just glad Kap didn't go in at the beginning of last year; he is hardly ready now.
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:48 PM
- Ronnie49Lott
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Originally posted by jreff22:Does limit the passing options somewhat.
Originally posted by Gore_21:His adjustments and audibles have been off...but with a simple system designed for runs the options will be limited. IMO a dumb handcuff to have this late into the season. We have run that set with Gore, Miller, and Tufku (sp) in the backfield if I remember correctly....what the hell kid of pass can you change to from that?
Originally posted by jreff22:
Its a reason why the passing numbers are down, we keep shifting to more running formations and give him little option to audible to something better. I will keep saying it until I see otherwise, they are toeing the line of Vick 2.0 with these running sets. Stack the box and jam the WR's, the play can be killed.
I am wondering how often do we audible from run to pass (especially with kap). Seems like every time it's pass to run or run to a different run. I could be blanking but don't recall too many occasions from the fan stand point but obviously we don't the calls. Edit: side note that's definitely something kap has to work on; I think he hasn't audibled a hand full of times and ran us into a brick wall. I think it could take some time just like it will with the playclock. Just glad Kap didn't go in at the beginning of last year; he is hardly ready now.
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:48 PM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by jreff22:
His adjustments and audibles have been off...but with a simple system designed for runs the options will be limited. IMO a dumb handcuff to have this late into the season. We have run that set with Gore, Miller, and Tufku (sp) in the backfield if I remember correctly....what the hell kid of pass can you change to from that?
We have sent Gore out wide (maybe not from that formation though)... Miller has been becoming more of a receiving threat but yeah those 2 guys probably don't scare anyone lining up out wide. I'd be more scared of them coming out of the flats and getting yac after a dump off. Not sure how much good Tukuafu is doing out there anymore... I think he is hit and miss... jumbo too because I don't think we are bootlegging and throwing enough out of it.
Out of that full house pistol set maybe we get guys like Vernon, Delanie or even a WR like Crabtree/Jenkins/Manningham back there with a combo of Miller/James/Gore as we evolve more.
[ Edited by Gore_21 on Dec 11, 2012 at 11:51 PM ]
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:52 PM
- Ronnie49Lott
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Originally posted by Gore_21:Tafukit(gave up on spelling his name) is great at blocking corners and safeties but has he even touched the ball?
Originally posted by jreff22:
His adjustments and audibles have been off...but with a simple system designed for runs the options will be limited. IMO a dumb handcuff to have this late into the season. We have run that set with Gore, Miller, and Tufku (sp) in the backfield if I remember correctly....what the hell kid of pass can you change to from that?
We have sent Gore out wide (maybe not from that formation though)... Miller has been becoming more of a receiving threat but yeah those 2 guys probably don't scare anyone lining up out wide. I'd be more scared of them coming out of the flats and getting yac after a dump off. Not sure how much good Tukuafu is doing out there anymore... I think he is hit and miss... jumbo too because I don't think we are bootlegging and throwing enough out of it.
Dec 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
- Gore_21
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Originally posted by Ronnie49Lott:
Tafukit(gave up on spelling his name) is great at blocking corners and safeties but has he even touched the ball?
LOL.... I think he's a really good athlete and you would think he could catch but I don't think we have thrown one ball his way and I know for sure he hasn't gotten a carry. To me getting someone like Delanie, VD, crab, mario or AJ back there (not all the time, just some times) would be more lethal because those guys can run with or catch the ball. I wonder if those guys could handle a pitch though?
Dec 12, 2012 at 12:03 AM
- jreff22
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Originally posted by Gore_21:was getting a response ready prior to reading that lol
Originally posted by Ronnie49Lott:
Tafukit(gave up on spelling his name) is great at blocking corners and safeties but has he even touched the ball?
LOL.... I think he's a really good athlete and you would think he could catch but I don't think we have thrown one ball his way and I know for sure he hasn't gotten a carry. To me getting someone like Delanie, VD, crab, mario or AJ back there (not all the time, just some times) would be more lethal because those guys can run with or catch the ball. I wonder if those guys could handle a pitch though?
Dec 12, 2012 at 12:04 AM
- Ronnie49Lott
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Originally posted by Gore_21:Pitch Practice is needed!
Originally posted by Ronnie49Lott:
Tafukit(gave up on spelling his name) is great at blocking corners and safeties but has he even touched the ball?
LOL.... I think he's a really good athlete and you would think he could catch but I don't think we have thrown one ball his way and I know for sure he hasn't gotten a carry. To me getting someone like Delanie, VD, crab, mario or AJ back there (not all the time, just some times) would be more lethal because those guys can run with or catch the ball. I wonder if those guys could handle a pitch though?