Having installed some of our basic passing plays in Part One of this three-part series, it is time to turn our attention to the run game, as well as the play-action passing game. As a reminder, this three-part series on “my game script” was inspired by the great Mark Bullock, who you should definitely be…
The Cover 3 defense has been a staple of some of the best defenses in recent memory. It’s a basic coverage that relies on 3 players eliminating the deep thirds of the field, while the remaining 4 players focus on underneath coverage (assuming 4 defenders are rushing). There are many variations to Cover 3, but…
Over the past few years for NFL teams that are rebuilding, the blueprint for potential success has been to draft a quarterback while also having a proven veteran signal-caller ahead of them. It is a method that has had both positive and negative results for many teams. Some of the most successful examples have been…
Everything closes fast in the NFL. Pockets collapse, running lanes shrink and the window to win the Super Bowl can be wide open today and nailed shut tomorrow. A good quarterback improves those Super Bowl chances. He might help to give you a couple of windows instead of just one. Longevity with a team is…
In 1999, Paul DePodesta was hired by the Oakland Athletics as an assistant to the then GM Billy Beane. DePodesta, and his trusty sabermetrics, led the A’s to unprecedented success given their budgetary restrictions. Along with the help of a successful novel and film adaptation, Beane and DePodesta helped usher in an era of analytics…
Welcome on in my friends to the latest installment of “Check With Me,” my semi-regular column addressing quarterback issues at both the NFL and collegiate levels. Today we’ll dive into some NFL teams that need to address QB2, some reader questions, highlight another cause to support in “Helping One Another” and stay away from any…
It happens every winter. First, it comes, as Ned Stark warned us. Then, the questions are raised regarding the crop of quarterbacks: Can they make all the throws? Do they have enough velocity? Last year the 49 miles per hour number dogged Deshaun Watson through his draft day and into his rookie season (more on…
There have been interesting discussions lately about how teams in need of a quarterback should go about improving the position this offseason. Whether it’s through free agency, the draft or both – all options come with caveats. Depending on your team’s organizational philosophy there will be different ways decision makers go about filling the need…
The major takeaway from the Alex Smith trade, other than the fact that Patrick Mahomes is going to be the starting quarterback in 2018 for the Kansas City Chiefs, is that Kirk Cousins is going to be able to test the free agent market. For the last two seasons Cousins has played on the franchise…
“Death is certain. The time is not.” The words of Jaqen H’ghar (courtesy of HBO’s Game of Thrones) could not more perfectly describe a situation than that of Alex Smith’s. When the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the 10th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and drafted Texas Tech quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, Smith knew…
After five games, the Philadelphia Eagles stand atop the NFC East with a 4-1 record and their only blemish is a road loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. A big reason for their success has been the play of second-year quarterback Carson Wentz. The young QB has been dazzling this season, completing 62.1% of…
The New England Patriots lost a 42-27 game to the Kansas City Chiefs to open the NFL regular season on a night that was supposed to be a celebration for the Patriots. However, the Chiefs were able to play spoilers as they moved the ball down the field with ease – mainly due to the…
The NFL season is upon us, and after another whirlwind offseason of coaching changes and player movements, I’m pleased to present the 2nd edition of my NFL Roster Valuation model. For those not familiar with the previous iteration, the goal of my roster assessment isn’t to fall in line with others that put together individual…
Mechanics in any sport is a tricky subject. There are usually distinct differences between what is considered the right way and the wrong way of performing an athletic task. Yet, sometimes players find a way to succeed in their own unconventional way. You’ll find examples that aren’t exactly textbook from every sport. For some reason…
To some Patrick Mahomes II is considered the best quarterback in this draft class. Mahomes was the second quarterback off the board Thursday night after the Kansas City Chiefs traded up 17 spots to take him with the 10th overall pick. After some time learning from the sidelines, Mahomes appears to be the eventual successor…
The Cleveland Browns made the right decision staying with Myles Garrett and not taking Mitchell Trubisky. In the end, I believe the Trubisky hype was all media-driven and that the Browns were locked in the entire time, which is what I maintained throughout the process. Cleveland allowing teams to come up around them for Deshaun…