Evaluating a young QB- Part 2 (The OC)

We know quarterbacks (QBs) have to ball out, call plays, read coverages, throw the ball on time and throw it accurately. But he also needs other things around him to be sucessful. A QB needs good talent around him and that includes the Offensive Coordinator (OC). If that guy doesn’t dial up good plays for the offense and for the QB, it can make the QB look inept and cause the offense to continuously stall out. So let’s look at a particular play from the same Tennessee/Baltimore game from Part 1 of this blog post and see how the OC did or did not help his QB out. But this is not an indictment on this particular OC. This is only one play that was chosen to point out a flaw I have spotted around the league at times. Here we go.

Here’s a 3rd down play for the Titans. Actually, it’s the 3rd down play, 2 plays after the play where Malik failed to throw to one of his open WRs. It’s 3rd down and 7. The Titans are lined up in 11 personnel here on offense. That’s 1 RB, 1 TE and 3 WRs.

Above, this is post snap and the WRs are running their routes. The TE has released off the line too. But no one has turned around just yet.

The WRs are are still running their routes. The WR at the bottom is 7 yards down field, the other WR is about 10 yards down the field. And the WR at the top is around 9 yards down field. The TE is a couple yards downfield and uncovered. But no one has turned around to look for the ball or made a break or cut in any direction. What the hec!

By the way, the defense looks to be playing a combination of man on the one receiver side, at the top of the screen, with a safety helping deep. And in the middle and bottom of the screen, the defense is sitting in a zone, possibly Cover 2. Moving forward;

One WR is finally starting to turn around, 15 yards down the field, on a post route. The other two WRs still haven’t made a break or turned around yet. And the TE is finally about to give Willis an open target. But he still hasn’t yet. Why do OCs run a 3rd down play where every WR is running down the field for 12 yards before one of them even turns around or makes an out cut, in cut, curl, post, post corner, slant or skinny post? OCs have to design plays that give their QBs a better chance on 3rd down. Every WR can’t be running 12-15 yards before they give their QB a target.

And then, let’s not just talk about the OC, what about the TE (circled in green)? He needs to present himself as available to his QB much sooner that he does here. It doesn’t matter that he isnt at the 1st down marker yet. That’s why players like Gronk was so vital for Brady and Kelce is so important for Mahomes. These guys just don’t keep running the designed route to the perfect distance, as performed in practice. They break off their routes in the open area and quickly present themselves to their QB. The OC has to help the QB out but the players around him have to help him out too. Moving forward;

The pocket has broken down, just as the TE appears open. It’s too late. Willis waited as long as he could and now the pressure is on him. He eventually bails out the pocket. Look at this view.

There’s plenty of space for the TE to settle down and present himself as a target for the QB. But this play ends up with Malik holding the ball and running again, and he did not get the first down. If the TE turns around and Malik throws it, they may not get that 1st down but they would get positive yards. The OC has to design a better play to give the QB quicker options after the snap. And the TE has to have better awareness.

So yes, young QBs like Willis have to make the plays that are there for them. But OCs have to give their young QBs quicker options in the passing game. And the players around those young QBs have to decifer information quickly and make plays for the QB and team. It all has to work together if you want to have a successful offense and develop a young QB. Just ask the fans in Pittsburgh and Chicago.

And that will do it. Thanks for checking this out. For Part 1, click here.