7-on-7 Revolution

Football is a constantly evolving game. There's no telling where each evolution will start. Much of the passing and many of the quarterbacks that we watch today can be traced to 40-yard playing fields across the nation, particularly in Texas. For more than a decade 7-on-7 passing leagues have dominated the offseasons of many high school football players. "Without question, 7-on-7 is where we are in the passing game," said longtime Dallas Cowboys personnel director Gil Brandt. "Ten years ago, we had 90% running teams (in Texas high schools). Now, 90% are passing teams." These leagues are all about passing. They produce quarterbacks that are ready made for the always expanding spread offenses in college football. In 7-on-7 the young quarterbacks face no rush but they have only four seconds to throw. They learn to check through their progressions and get rid of the ball quickly. It's all passing, all over the field, all day. The leagues are huge in Texas fostering the change noted by Brandt. "If you go to Texas you can find passing tournaments going on right now. And if they're not no going on right now, they'll be going on later this afternoon and for sure tomorrow and the next day," said ESPN analyst Jon Gruden. The impact in the state can be seen by the growing number of Texas quarterbacks in the NFL. Drew Brees, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder and Colt McCoy all started throwing a ton in Texas. In the past NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill were selected in the top 10. All credit Texas 7-on-7 passing leagues with getting them to where they are. RG III used the leagues to show recruiters that a high school option quarterback could, in fact, throw the ball.

There have long been year round leagues and tournaments in baseball and basketball. Football has had nothing comparable until these 7-on7 leagues. We are just now seeing the impact. It's only going to increase. Although I applaud the existence, the impact and the fun, I don't like that the leagues only benefit quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs. Some running backs and linebackers might also find a place in the fun. There's a decent number of football players that have no place. A lot of the teams competing in these leagues are representing their high schools so a decent number of their teammates are left on the sidelines. Perhaps these players are enjoying their summers away from football but the team is being divided. I was a receiver so I would have loved these games. If I was a lineman I might view them differently. It's a small matter. Likely, no matter.

The 7-on-7 games are a big part of the passing offense revolution. It's still in the growing stages but we are seeing the impact on every level of football. We are seeing it in the spread offenses spreading in college every year. We are probably even seeing it in young quarterbacks being ready for the NFL far earlier than ever were before.