That's a nostalgic take that ignores modern defensive evolution. The spread creates more running lanes than any option scheme ever did, with quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson averaging 6.9 yards per carry in college. Defenses now face run-pass conflicts on every snap, which is far more mentally taxing than defending a predictable triple option. Physical imposition happens at the line of scrimmage with RPOs, where linebackers get punished whether they commit or not. The game hasn't lost its soul, it's just evolved beyond a scheme that top defenses now stuff for 2.8 yards per play.