Not a Sliver of Panic
What it takes to play the game. No choices. Standing strong in the pocket. How Joe Burrow plays the position with Poise.
Today we are going to look at a couple of darn good plays from Joe Burrow’s performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 4, 2022. These plays not only showcase Burrow’s poise but also showcase essential elements to playing the position: taking the appropriate drop, playing with a good base, and understanding when and where to put the ball.
Beating the All-Out-Pressure
Before focusing on Burrow’s part of the play, there is an important component of the play to log into the Sound Offense category. The defense is playing man, and the offense has a smash concept called. Basic smash is a hitch route by the number one and a corner route by the number two.
When that’s the case, the only route to beat man coverage is the corner route. So a note on the design of this play: the number one WR to the bottom of the screen runs a five yard in route as opposed to a hitch. This route is especially good at preventing a man defender from getting under it as I’ve discussed before when WRs run this flat in on slant concepts.
The smash concept is run at the bottom of the screen:
Some context on the game situation: after kicking two field goals in the third quarter, the Bengals were still down 20-24 early in the fourth quarter during this drive.
Facing the all-out-pressure here, Burrow takes a three step drop with urgency. The defense is showing the potential to bring seven rushers which they bring all of though the man over the center backs off after contact (the engaging of the center halts the center’s ability to help his buddies out).
The WR running the five yard in defeats the attempted collision and gets open by way of the in break against outside leverage from the cornerback. So it’s a clear picture for Burrow. The beauty of the play comes from the timing of the drop and having the eyes in the right place. Because of the pressure situation, there isn’t time to move on either. Either throw the ball or take the sack.
So this play is an example of a QB knowing where he needs to go with the ball facing an all-out-pressure situation, taking the appropriate drop, and throwing the ball on time. Under pressure from the defense and under pressure from the situation, this play is an all out beauty from Burrow.
No Panic
If the play prior didn’t do it for you this play also encapsulates the cool, calm, and collected nature of Joe Burrow. The situation here is a 3rd & 11 at the tail end of a four minute drill where a 1st down would be enough for the Bengals to kneel and run out the clock. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a game against Patrick Mahomes is giving him the ball back when you had the chance to win it (the 13 second rule).
So the stakes are high.
Watch:
The motion reveals man, and the play reveals the nature of Burrow. Seeing man-to-man with a slant route from the outside, Burrow knows he has a chance. He probably chooses the right side because the left side, being the same slant-flat concept, has a safety in the slant window pre-snap. Because the play call was mirrored quick game, Burrow has no backside choice if the right side doesn’t work out.
It’s a key defender read that’s most likely only going to have one route open. And the slant he chooses is just barely open. In fact, it’s only open because he gives it a chance, and because he throws the ball with perfect precision.
This play is another example of what it means for a QB to understand what it means to be in a play with no choices. When Burrow picked the right side, he eliminated the choice to go to the left. It being 3rd & 11 to win the game with Mahomes on the other sideline eliminated the choice to eat the sack. There was no choice but to stand strong and deliver the ball. To reiterate: the QB must know when he is in a No Choice play. This understanding is a mindset that will carry him through the play no matter the chaos around him. The big plays are made when the QB understands this nature of the game.
More:
Pay special attention to the QB’s drop. Despite the circumstances, there is not a sliver of rush or panic. He takes a shuffle three step drop and even resets his feet twice.
These two plays are the result of a quarterback in control of the situation. No matter the circumstance, the play must go on. And for the play to go on the quarterback must have a strong understanding of the play. Meaning, he must be able to imagine how the play will work against the defense given the pre-snap look through two things: his experience running the play and his understanding of numbers, space, and leverage. These two things combined allow the quarterback to play fast and play calm.
Until tomorrow,
Emory Wilhite
Thanks for reading — Subscribe to get the next post in your inbox tomorrow morning: