As NFL offenses have evolved, space has become increasingly important. If schemes can create space, and offenses use it effectively, they immediately become better.
Take the Air Raid offense. Popularized at the college level, many of its concepts are based around that. Getting your playmakers the ball in space and letting them work. I talked to Chicago Bears rookie Austin Reed about this at the Shrine Bowl, and he shared some interesting tidbits with me.
“We’ve seen successful NFL offenses use this as well in recent years,” Reed said. “One area of focus has been on the flats, a place where lots of big plays start.