While Deadspin just posted this, I’ll be fair and credit my co-worker to getting it to me first. Say hello to your new High School Football Headache, The A-11 Offense:
The base offense is one in which a center and two tight ends surround the football, three receivers are split right, three more split left and two quarterbacks stand behind in a shotgun, one of whom has to be at least 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Yes, it’s legal. With both quarterbacks back, it counts as a scrimmage kick formation, which means you don’t technically need people numbered as linebackers on the line. And while only 5 people can be eligible to receive passes, it doesn’t matter which 5.
While it’s nice to see innovation in football, I’m not sure if it’s a good thing that 80% of your offensive playbook is technically a “fake punt”. Spirit of the rules, and all that. As for defense, I’d think that after the shock wore off, you’d start sending more people back to cover the flats. After all, you know they’re not passing. Keep your best pass rushers on the line, and harass the quarterback(s). And just think of all the time you’ll have on the clock when every third pass hits the turf!
That being said, how long before Gooch implements the system?