This is the year of the passing game, with huge numbers being racked up all over the league, and one coach has decided to take the passing game in a slightly different direction.
We appear to be in store for a record season. In the history of the NFL – two quarterbacks have achieved a 5,000-yard season – Dan Marino and Drew Brees. This year, there are 3 QBs on pace to obliterate Marino’s record of 5,084 yards. Brady is on pace to break it by about 700 yards. The wide receivers don’t want to be left out either. Wes Welker is on pace to crush the single season receiving yardage record and be the first receiver to crack the 2,000-yard season. The record for most yards in a season is still held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice with 1,848 yards in 1995.
Now, apparently the big guys want in on the action, too.
The first warning sign was New England’s 325-pound nose tackle Vince Wilfork grabbing two interceptions early in the season. It was inspiring to see him running in the open field, using the stiff arm.
It was certainly inspiring to San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. This week, following their bye week (or “Improvement Week” as Harbaugh calls it), the 49ers got a few new players involved in the passing game.
They completed a 17-yard pass to 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive tackle Joe Staley. If that wasn’t enough, they also completed an 18-yard pass to 6-foot-2, 330-pound defensive tackle Isaac Sapoaga.
That was actually 20 percent of San Francisco’s passing yardage completed to 300-plus-pound receivers. And those guys can do some serious damage in the open field. Let’s face it, a 190-pound cornerback is going to have considerable trouble taking down a 330-pound receiver without some help. It’s like a cheetah jumping on a rhino’s back.
Maybe we’re on the verge of something new. Maybe this is the Harbaugh-version of the West Coast Offense, 2011 Edition. I can’t wait to see what happens next weekend.
