Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

Not everyone gets to relive their high school glory days, but the New Orleans Saints gave fullback Zach Line that chance in a big moment Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

It was the latest example of coach Sean Payton getting creative to create an explosive play opportunity for an offense that was missing a couple explosive players: In the third quarter, facing a third-and-1 from the Bears 44, Payton dialed up an option with Line serving as the pitch man and backup quarterback Taysom Hill trailing him ready to receive a pitch.

The play gained 23 yards and extended a Saints drive that would ultimately end with Hill catching a touchdown pass to put the Saints in front by 16 points. It was one of five plays New Orleans ran that gained 20 yards or more as the Saints out-gained the Bears 424-252.

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There were a lot of things that went right with the play, but start with the first decision that needed to be made: Line had to read the defensive end and decide both when and whether to pitch the ball to Hill or keep himself.

It’s no coincidence that it was Line making that call. He was an option quarterback in high school, and though the personnel was a little different this time around, it’s not his first time running this play with the Saints — the team ran it twice in 2017, Line said.

“Yeah,” Line said with a grin. “That’s how that came about.”

Payton said he actually took the play with him from his early days with the Dallas Cowboys, learning it from Bill Parcells and Maurice Carthon. They’d have the option play ready for a specific short-yardage front. The difference between the Cowboys version and his, Payton said, was the personnel.

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Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

That was a well executed play call on 3rd and short.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

Payton has easily been our MVP to this point this season.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

That was a beautiful rugby toss to Hill. It was perfectly placed and wasn't thrown too hard. It just kind of hung there for a moment.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

Yep. Just like he'd done it hundreds of time before....which he had. Guess it's kind of like riding a bike. You never forget.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

NFL: Fullbacks are a relic. You don't need them anymore.
Payton: Hold my playbook.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

They definitely aren't a relic. They're not utilized much anymore cause teams want to pass every down.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

And if he would have gotten blown for a loss people would be saying how much of a stupid play call it was.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

And since stuff in football is cyclic it would not surprise me at all to see Fullbacks have a comback in the next 5-10 years. Especially the ol' Riggins, Alsott types that runs the ball. Mainly because most teams aren't built to stop that type of player. There is an emphasis on speed at LB and the secon level and not so much on power needed to stop such a guy.

Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé
 

I still remember that Dallas game when our FB Mike Karney scored three times!

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