Passing in the middle of the Field

Sep 19, 2022, 9:46 AM

There's lots of complaining about this and I agree that it's justified. We do not utilize the middle and could likely have a lot of success if we could do it well.

But - be careful for what you wish.

The middle is crowded except on all-out blitzes without a nickel/dime in the middle. When the middle is defended, it causes some concern on the part of the receiver about taking a hard lick. If he does, he's likely to drop or fumble the ball, so he tends to take his eyes off the ball and it results in an incompletion or interception after it bounces off of his hands. Those extra defenders in the middle have a better chance at an interception on an incompletion than a secondary defender on a sideline route. Also, the crowding allows tighter coverage, which presents much tighter window into which the QB has to throw - causing at times the QB to tighten up and not throw accurately.

When you combine our WR's tendency to drop passes with the extra danger in having them work in the middle of the field and the pressure on the QB, it's a recipe for disaster.

To work across the middle, a receiver either needs to have strength without fear or an ability to gain separation..... or both.

TEs usually are the best bet for the strength player, but our TEs haven't demonstrated a lot of success in catching the ball - partly because we have needed them to block.... but it does appear that we are using them a little more in the passing game this year and that will probably increase as/if the OL improves.

The separation receiver requires someone like Renfrow who can get open in a phone booth. If he can get separatrion, there's less chance of his distraction and droppping the ball - or having an incompletion result in an interception - and gives a better window into which the QB can throw.

My belief is that the coaches know all of this all too well - and also recognize that the eroot solution to opening up the passing game is the OL development. If we can pass protect without the TEs held in, then we can use them in the passing game. Once that happens, the middle should open up on defenses that load the box - and once we do that, the deep passing game AND the run game should be more successful.

As usual, it all comes down to improvement in the OL. Be patient - we'll get there.

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