So, in some insomnia driven curiosity, I just had to know how consistent 3 read options per game is for NFL teams with mobile quarterbacks that run the read option. I did some research, and due to what I found, I'd like to propose a revision to the rule.

These are the averages of the season-long numbers I found for read option snaps per game. The snaps over the season were divided by 16 to reach the average snaps per game number I came up with. I find these to be consistent with individual games I've seen as well.

2012 Carolina Panthers: 9.1 (average read option snaps per game.)
2012 Washington Redskins: 7.4
2013 Washington Redskins: 5.1
2013 Buffalo Bills: 5.3
2013 Philadelphia Eagles: 10.6

Now, I couldn't find exact numbers for the Seahawks and the 49ers, but there are two articles that referenced the amount of read option snaps in a couple of games here:

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/60648/breaking-down-niners-options

 Against Atlanta, Kaepernick handed off to Frank Gore on all 11 option runs. (snip...) Against the Packers, Kaepernick kept the ball on seven of 16 plays...

and here:

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2012/12/19/3785742/breaking-down-the-stats-for-seattles-read-option-package

 Against Arizona, with the read option, Seattle averaged 6.7 ypc; 9 rushes for 60 yards and a touchdown. (snip once more...) Against Buffalo, however, Seattle averaged 10.9 yards per carry while using the zone-read option, 13 carries for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Now, I understand why the rule exists. In Madden 25, the read option was ridiculously dangerous. The unblocked defender was obnoxiously easy to read, and never made the "half-decision" you often see that can blow up the option. In this year's game, I find that's changed. Often a defender will start to crash down on the HB, and as the QB keeps it, find the awareness and athletic ability to make the play regardless.

In light of the read option being less exploit and more football in Madden 15, I'd like to propose a revision to the rule that goes as such: In a game, the user would be allowed a maximum of 10 "trick" plays on offense to use as they wish. Trick plays would be defined as any play using unconventional means or tactics (or positional assignments) to fluster the defense. By leaving a defender in the box un-blocked purposefully, the read-option would fall under this umbrella.

A short list of potential "trick plays":
Flea Flicker
HB Pass
HB Slip Screen (regular screens that don't involve a vacating offensive line would be unregulated)
Designed quarterback run plays (QB Wrap, QB Power, QB Sneak/Draw, any read option)
The Wildcat formation
The I-Form Niner Heavy formation (has a defensive lineman in the backfield to block).

By limiting these plays in any combination/proportion to a maximum of 10 per game, we would bring teams with mobile threat quarterbacks option snap numbers much closer into line with the real NFL (our current limit is up to 300% off from the actual amount of option plays the Redskins, Panthers and Eagles run!). By ammending the rule using my wording above, we would also put a hard limit on the other non-read option trick plays in Madden, which, unless I'm mistaken, wasn't there before, and in my opinion probably should have been.

Thanks for your consideration guys! I know I'm new here, and I'm not trying to undermine anything, I just figure if we're to be a sim league, playing the game like NFL teams do should be a big focus of the rule set, and right now that isn't an option for teams with mobile quarterbacks.

Last edited by woahprettyricky (1410827016)