Willis McGahee was skeptical of Denver’s “read-option” plays initially. This is the NFL. That’s college football stuff.
Could it work?
“At the beginning, I wasn’t too happy with the read option because it really wasn’t doing anything until I learned to run it,” McGahee said via the Denver Post.
Consider his mind changed. McGahee made an adjustment to his footwork and found results against the Raiders. Denver actually didn’t use the play that much until late in the game, but they had a number of big plays come from it.
I charted the game last night. Tim Tebow ran the ball out of the formation three times for 68 yards. Less than half of McGahee’s runs were out of the formation.
McGahee didn’t go crazy running the play early, but had his 60-yard score, his 24-yard touchdown, and another 17-yard run out of the formation late in the game.
“When I realized it was working, I kind of got back in love with the read option,” McGahee said.
ESPN’s Trent Dilfer, who will be a guest on PFT Live Wednesday, pointed out that the Raiders defensive ends, linebackers, and safeties were wildly undisciplined on defense. His word was “TERRIBLE.” It reminded me of the Patriots defense when they first saw the Wildcat against Miami in 2008.
The Chiefs defense figures to be better prepared for the attack this week.