Steelers let the (Wild)cat out of the bag

One of the most insignificant plays of the Super Bowl is significant for another reason. For the first time the Steelers ran a play out of the wildcat formation. The wildcat, has a running back lined up in the shotgun in the place of the quarterback and at the snap, the runner just takes off.

For a franchise who recently has been noted for running gadget plays in recent years, the wildcat has never surfaced…until the Super Bowl. The play went for no gain and that should be the last time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians ever calls that play for the black and gold. While some teams in the NFL have had some success, most notably the Miami Dolphins, running out of that formation, the Steelers should not revert to this collegiate formation.

People may argue that it works so well in college, so why not implement it in NFL playbooks. Well, for starters, the kids who run it in college are exceptional athletes. Take former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. This kid has exceptional speed, shiftiness, and isn’t that bad at throwing the ball either. In college, he was something special. Defenses could not keep up with him, thus allowing him to take the snap directly gave the Razorbacks an added advantage. In the NFL however, everyone is something special. While some players may be faster than others, defenses are smarter and quicker than in college. Also, in the Steelers’ case, their most success running the ball comes out of a power formation, with either a fullback leading the blocking or with two tight ends to seal off the outside rusher.

The reward was bigger than the risk, assuming that Willie Parker could use his speed to get to the outside and the possibly up the sidelines for a monster gain. However, Parker had to use extra efforts just get back to the line of scrimmage. The Steelers tried it, it didn’t work, and that should be that. Let the superior college kids continue to showcase their talents on Saturday, but when it comes to Sundays, please, keep the cat in the bag.