As we start to look ahead to the 2020 season, we can imagine some players who are going to benefit from new situations in the campaign ahead. Whether due to a new scheme, different coaching, or even some new teammates, here are some players poised to thrive in the year to come thanks to their new situations.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Carolina Panthers
Pairing Teddy Bridgewater with new Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady is, on paper, a match made in heaven. The two have history together, dating back to when Brady was on the offensive staff in New Orleans under head coach Sean Payton. When Brady moved northwest to become the passing game coordinator for LSU, he brought with him an offensive scheme heavily influenced by Payton’s West Coast offense. Last year, the LSU Tigers (and assumed first-overall selection Joe Burrow) ran an offense heavy with West Coast designs right out of Payton’s playbook, while mixing in run/pass option elements and vertical shot plays downfield.
That offense is ideal for Bridgewater, and look no further than what he was asked to do last year when replacing an injured Drew Brees. During that five game stretch, Bridgewater made quick decisions, got the running backs involved in the passing game, and showed the quick decision-making that is critical to running both Payton’s offense, and Brady’s.
Take, for example, how quickly Bridgewater reads this “Pout” (post/out) concept against the Jacksonville Jaguars:
If Bridgewater hesitates at all, he is throwing his tight end Josh Hill into danger. But because Bridgewater hits his drop depth and gets the ball out, the corner cannot rotate over in time.
You can also look at this in-breaking route to Michael Thomas against the Chicago Bears:
(As an aside, some of you might have seen the NFL making their “GamePass” product available to all during these times of quarantine and isolation. Welcome, my dear friends, to the dreaded “Soldier Field All-22 Angle.”)
The QB gets the benefit of added information before the play, as pre-snap motion lets him know the Bears are in man coverage. He comes out of a play-action fake (with his back to the defense) firing on this route to Thomas working towards the middle of the field. Again, any hesitation from the quarterback here and the passing window is closed.
The view from the end zone illustrates just how quick the process is from Bridgewater:
The passer carries out the play fake and comes up throwing, without a hitch in his drop. Timing and decisiveness leading to a big gain for the offense, and it comes with Bridgewater forced to take his eyes off the defense for a second to carry out the play-fake.
Bridgewater’s fit in Brady’s offense is ideal, and it makes him a candidate for a very strong 2020.