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Brothers of invention; Coaches will try any gimmick to win - even a Fun ''n'' Gun.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Patrick Hruby, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Yards are good. Points are better. And the Lombardi Trophy is awfully shiny. But if you're looking to take the true NFL measure of Steve Spurrier's signature Fun 'n' Gun offense, forget those gleaming baubles and instead focus on the following question: How long until someone rips the ol' ball coach off? In pro football, imitation is more than just the sincerest form of flattery. It's a way of life - and frankly, as Marty Schottenheimer might say, a good way to stay employed. If a new idea works, it will be copied; if it still works, it will spread like a virus; if it stops working, it will end up in the wastebasket of league history - gathering dust alongside leather helmets, the drop-kick and single-bar facemasks (punters excluded, of course).

Herein, a look at some of the NFL's wackiest, wildest and most creative gimmicks and innovations:

THE RUN-'N'-SHOOT

Bright idea: In 1958, a high school football coach in Columbus, Ohio, happened upon a pass-happy sandlot football game; he promptly drew up an offense that he dubbed a "departure into insanity." The scheme became the basis for the run-'n'-shoot, a four-wide receiver, spread-the-field attack that relies on the quarterback and his receivers to read the same defensive keys and change routes on the fly. Sorta like Spurrier's Fun 'n' Gun.

Gurus: Mouse Davis (Detroit Lions), June Jones (Atlanta Falcons), Kevin Gilbride (Houston Oilers).

Highlights: Led by quarterback Warren Moon, the run-'n'-shoot Oilers were one of the NFL's top offensive units in the early 1990s; the 1995 Atlanta Falcons became the first team in NFL history to have a 4,000-yard passer (Jeff George), a 1,000-yard rusher ("Ironhead" Heyward) and three 1,000-yard receivers (Eric Metcalf, Bert Emanuel, Terrance Mathis).

Lowlights: In a 1993 playoff game, the Oilers took a 35-3 third-quarter lead over the Buffalo Bills but lost 41-38, the worst collapse in postseason history; Heisman trophy winner Andre Ware ran-and-shot his way to NCAA records at Houston but flopped as an NFL quarterback.

Lasting impact: Though no current NFL team uses the traditional run-'n'-shoot full-time, most incorporate some of its principles into their offenses, most notably the high-scoring St. Louis Rams.

Quotable: While serving as Houston's defensive coordinator in 1993, Buddy Ryan memorably labeled the system the "Chuck 'n' Duck"; during the Oilers' season finale, he got into a sideline fistfight with offensive coordinator Gilbride.

THE 46 DEFENSE

Bright idea: Attack, attack, attack. And attack some more. Such is the modus operandi of the 46 defense, a high-risk, blitz-happy, turnover-producing scheme that stacks the line of scrimmage with as many as eight chaos-creating pass rushers, giving quarterbacks scant time to throw before getting clobbered. Tough bump-and-run corners are mandatory, even though the sack artists gobble up the credit.

Gurus: Buddy Ryan (Chicago Bears, Oilers), Jeff Fisher (Tennessee Titans), Gregg Williams (Bills).

Highlights: The 1985 Bears, who fielded one of the most dominating and feared defenses in league history. Led by Defensive Player of the Year Mike Singletary and six other Pro Bowlers, Da Bears gave up less than 11 points per game, led the...

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