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

Attached Thumbnails · 10-22-2019, 08:27 AM

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.

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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K Major · 10-22-2019, 08:38 AM

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

AsylumGuido · 10-22-2019, 08:43 AM

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

Rugby Saint II · 10-22-2019, 01:48 PM

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.

dam1953 · 10-22-2019, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

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.

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.

neugey · 10-22-2019, 04:06 PM

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

CHA_CHING · 10-22-2019, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by neugey

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

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

The Dude · 10-22-2019, 06:56 PM

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

Crusader · 10-23-2019, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by neugey

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

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.

SmashMouth · 10-23-2019, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Crusader

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.

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

https://www.footballdb.com/games/box...gid=2006121007

10-22-2019, 08:27 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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. 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. more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails Crusader and K Major like this.
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10-22-2019, 08:38 AM	#2
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,619 Blog Entries: 3	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.

10-22-2019, 08:43 AM	#3
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,220	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. Thirty3 and CHA_CHING like this.

10-22-2019, 01:48 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	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. SmashMouth likes this.

10-22-2019, 02:12 PM	#5
dam1953 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,645	Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II 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. 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. SmashMouth likes this.

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10-22-2019, 04:06 PM	#6
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,697 Blog Entries: 13	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. jnormand, Crusader, SmashMouth and 2 others like this.

10-22-2019, 05:06 PM	#7
CHA_CHING 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 1,159	Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé Originally Posted by neugey NFL: Fullbacks are a relic. You don't need them anymore. Payton: Hold my playbook. They definitely aren't a relic. They're not utilized much anymore cause teams want to pass every down. Crusader and SmashMouth like this.

10-22-2019, 06:56 PM	#8
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048	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. ChrisXVI likes this.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048

10-23-2019, 04:48 AM	#9
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025	Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé Originally Posted by neugey NFL: Fullbacks are a relic. You don't need them anymore. Payton: Hold my playbook. 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. SmashMouth likes this.

10-23-2019, 07:58 AM	#10
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Saints' FB-to-QB option had its roots in Dallas ... and in Zach Line's high school resumé Originally Posted by Crusader 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. I still remember that Dallas game when our FB Mike Karney scored three times! https://www.footballdb.com/games/box...gid=2006121007 jnormand and Crusader like this.