Football...Spread vs The Pistol

Old time football player (high school)...I know just enough to be dangerous...Or at least I think I am.  I'd like to ask a few questions and get you football thoughts.  Is this true...When you run the spread you can run the pistol off of it??  Are these 2 different offenses?  Also with both offenses the defensive end (outside tackle) has become less of a pass rusher and more of a stay at home read type of player.  These formations are requiring that player to be disciplined and more stay at home.  It seems that position is changing to have more of a linebacker play that spot.  Your thoughts?  And a more technical question...Defenders in the box for defense...Will the QB make the change at the line depending how many are in the defensive box (tackle to tackle)??  Brian    

The pistol was actually developed as a way to run a power game out of the spread, as far as I know.  I think it started in Nevada when Kaepernick was there.  I remember they rushed for like 350 per game doing this!

As to your second question, allowing the QB to call plays at the line depends on the comfort level the HC has in his QB.  I'm sure both Mannings, Brady, Rodgers, and a few others do.  Now my team, the Vikings, I'm sure Frazier has no trust in Ponder at this point, and just runs AD no matter how many are in the box.  Of course, it helps that AD is a freak of nature!