Back to the New York Giants Newsfeed

Summer School: Defending the run/pass option

It isn’t a problem that can be solved by personnel, or scheme, or coaching. Or perhaps it’s a problem to which the solution is “d) all of the above.”

The problem the Giants, and defensive coordinator James Bettcher in particular, need to solve is the RPO, or Run/Pass Option.

Every few years it seems as though a new offensive concept bubbles up from the college ranks and takes the NFL by storm.

A decade ago the Miami Dolphins rode the “Wildcat” past the New England Patriots and won the AFC East. Within a year there were imitators across the league, and not even a year after that, the fad died out as defenses adapted and perfected their counters.