Perry Fewell on the read-option: 'Understand it; then you can defend it'

The NFL was taken by storm last season with the onset of the read-option, run by the likes of Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks and Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.

Now, the New York Giants have another divisional foe set to utilize the fast-pace, high-powered offensive attack.

It comes in the form of Chip Kelly and his Philadelphia Eagles. Kelly is credited with making this style of offense thrive in the college ranks, and this coming season we'll all watch to see how it translates to the NFL.

For New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, it's a trend that may thrive -- and eventually falter -- much like the Wildcat.

"I think the college system has kind of taken hold in the National Football League. We have a lot of quarterbacks that have the ability to run and do that and I know that is coming into our league. It will be interesting to see," Fewell said during the recently-concluded mini-camp.

"I look at that offense kind of like the Wildcat. The Wildcat took us by storm and then until you can see it, understand it; then you can defend it."

Kelly will get an array of talent with the '13 crop of Philadelphia Eagles. The team returns Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and welcomes new additions in the form of tight ends James Casey and Zach Ertz, as well as former Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones.

Of course, Fewell and his defense did not fare too well against the RGIII-led spread-option in 2012.

In two games against the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants surrendered a total of 850 yards. Running back Alfred Morris topped the 100-yard mark in both contests, while Griffin accounted for almost 600 yards in the games combined.

We'll all be tuned in to see how the team fairs against Kelly's Eagles on Oct. 6 and against RGIII and the 'Skins on Dec. 1.

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