Tag: passing game

NFL analyst rips Steelers’ passing attack: ‘Shouldn’t be this hard’

Analyst Brian Baldinger, known for his NFL breakdown videos, touches on the overall frustrations behind Pittsburgh’s awful passing attack.

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, creator of the popular Baldy’s Breakdowns videos, where he analyzes key plays from some of the best players in the league, told social media the painstakingly obvious on Monday afternoon: the Steelers’ offense is terrible. Typically highlighting what great players do right, Baldinger chose specific plays to illustrate where the Pittsburgh passing attack went wrong. 

On one key play, Justin Fields eyed a wide-open George Pickens running horizontally across the field, but the QB’s poor decision-making allowed the defensive back to make up the lost ground before he even attempted to throw the football. 

While much of the offense is under scrutiny, Baldinger highlighted that perhaps the best play of the night for the Steelers’ offense was made by none other than backup QB Kyle Allen, who hit TE Pat Freiermuth for 18 yards. 

Analysts and fans cannot make the tough decisions for Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers organization. With Russell Wilson beginning to practice in full, Tomlin needs to consider the idea of starting the veteran QB in hopes of giving life to this awful offense. 

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Travis Kelce describes the art of Patrick Mahomes’ game to former Chiefs QB Alex Smith

Travis Kelce sat down for an interview with former #Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and discussed the art of Patrick Mahomes’ game. | from @TheJohnDillon

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The Kansas City Chiefs have become one of the most consistently successful teams in the NFL since quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over under center in 2018.

With two Super Bowl titles to show for their effort, it seems nothing can stop the AFC’s preeminent powerhouse. Though Mahomes is unquestionably the driving force behind the team’s competitiveness week in and week out, he wouldn’t be as effective without the help of his receivers, most notably All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.

In an interview with former Chiefs signal-caller Alex Smith on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Friday, Kelce caught up with his former teammate and delved into the intricacies of his relationship with Mahomes.

“You kind of have your equal when it comes to improvisation and competitiveness when it comes to Pat at the quarterback position, right?” Smith asked. “Not only do you guys have so much success in rhythm in the passing game, but unbelievable connection off rhythm as you guys extend plays and your guy’s instinctiveness and how it marries is so unique. Can you take the listeners a little bit through. Is it just backyard ball? Is there a method to the madness? That relationship and obviously its growth as well.”

Kelce’s answer was about as in-depth as listeners could hope for it to be and entailed descriptions of both Mahomes’ play style as well as a look into how the pair function together within the Chiefs offense.

“Obviously, you don’t develop these kinds of things without being in practice,” He explained. “Going full speed, every single rep in the offseason and training camps. Those are all instincts that you build for in-game decisions. I feel like, you know, the one thing that Pat (Mahomes) does naturally better than any quarterback or player I’ve ever been around is improvise when the play shuts down. His ability to get out of the pocket and still be able to throw it anywhere on the field. As far as he needs to throw it, as short as he needs to throw it. Just being able to get it into somebody’s hands.

“When I saw that he has that ability, now it’s almost (that) you get more excited when the first play breaks down. They glove us on the first play, they just have our card, they have the right defense, the right coverage. And now, it’s even more fun because when Pat gets out of the pocket, guys tend to move more, it starts to become more of a broken-down play. Coverages don’t stay the same, voids open up in other areas. It’s really just backyard ball, you just go to the open spot and let Pat kind of throw you open.”

He ended his comments on the subject by reiterating the importance of preparation, particularly in the offseason, to ensure that the chemistry built over the course of Kansas City’s 17-game schedule doesn’t wane.

“That’s where you know, just being on the field with him during these OTAs reps, these training camp reps, seeing how he throws the ball to other guys, being like, ‘Oh, alright, that’s the kind of stuff Pat Mahomes can do!’ Now, when I’m in that situation, I’m ready for the football when it’s in the air.”

Kelce may have forged a legendary relationship with Mahomes, but his rapport with Smith was equally deadly for opposing defenses before 2017. Often overlooked in the new era of Chiefs football is the role that Smith played to mentor Kelce and Mahomes, who were rising stars during his time in Kansas City, and one can only imagine the impact that the retired quarterback had on both players’ trajectories.

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2023 NFL draft: Watch best college highlights of new Chargers WR Derius Davis

Get familiar with Derius Davis, the newest member of the Chargers.

After taking a TCU receiver in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Chargers decided to take another on Day 3 in the fourth round. Derius Davis is the newest member of the team.

While he won’t be much of a contributor on offense early on, Davis is the favorite to be the return man, as he was arguably the best in college football in this department.

Check out his best collegiate highlights below to get more familiar with Davis’ game:

 

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston expresses excitement to play with Justin Herbert

Quentin Johnston’s excitement to work with Justin Herbert was palpable in his first remarks as a member of the Chargers.

The Chargers drafted wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the No. 21 overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night. After hearing his name called, he spoke to reporters about his trajectory in an offense spearheaded by quarterback Justin Herbert.

Asked about what it might be like to play with Herbert, Johnston’s excitement to work with the veteran signal-caller was palpable.

“[He is a] great quarterback,” Johnston said. “I saw the call pop up and I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a great quarterback to be playing under.’ I shouldn’t have any problem coming in early and adjusting, soaking up as much stuff as I can from him as far as just football in general.

I feel like I need to come in, as a young guy, as a sponge, taking in as much information as I need to. Then, eventually, clicking with the quarterback and gaining that trust from him.”

Los Angeles needed an explosive element, which is something that Johnston brings. He has the deep speed that makes him a threat down the field and he is prone to take short passes to the house, with his acceleration, wiggle and play strength.

If he is as eager to share the field with Herbert as he let on in his first remarks as a Charger, the pair should become fast friends on the gridiron as Los Angeles looks to put together a bounce-back campaign next season.

Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes expect Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore to step up in 2023

Mahomes and Reid expect big things from Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore in 2023 as the receivers enter their second seasons with the #Chiefs. | from @TheJohnDillon

The Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps was gutted in free agency with the departures of Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but HC Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes didn’t seem fazed by the attrition in comments made to the media on Monday.

Both deflected questions about how they might mitigate the loss of such integral pieces to Kansas City’s air attack, pointing to Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore as weapons who seem primed to take a massive step forward in 2023. It’s especially the case, now that the two have a year with the team under their belts.

Speaking of Toney and Moore, Reid stressed the imperative of growth within his offense, and praised both receivers for approaching the game with a mentality that will make adjustments in their second year in the Chiefs’ system easier.

“I think it’s important that they continue to grow – both of them,” Reid said. “You know, KT (Kadarius Toney), he’s not like a seasoned veteran in the league. He’s still relatively young guy and young in this offense so growth will be important, how they handle this offseason (and) how they handle training camp and that whole workload that comes with it. But I’m expecting good things from them, for sure.

“They’re wired the right way and they’ve just got to keep improving and develop that relationship with Pat (Mahomes). And to Vahe’s (Gregorian) question there, Pete, I mean Pat’s been on it right from the get-go so he’s been all over it (building relationships) and with the guys, with the coaches. He checks them all the time, ‘Hey, how we doing?’ In free agency, ‘Hey, how we doing with the Draft?’ He’s interested in that which is unique, I think, so he’s either talking to myself or Brett all the time.”

Mahomes, for his part, echoed what Reid had to say, but placed more emphasis on the receivers’ abilities to take on a greater share of targets with Hardman and Smith-Schuster out of the picture.

“I think the biggest thing – I mean you start off with getting both those guys in year two of the offense and letting them expand their roles,” Mahomes explained. “I think you could see it, especially with Skyy (Moore) at the end of the season how he was getting more and more involved in the offense. I think he’ll continue to take those steps and be even better this next year when he’s more comfortable and can utilize his talents even more.

“And then with Kadarius (Toney), I think y’all saw what the upside this last year of how special of a talent he can be. And so to have him in that offense another year, have him working with (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and how we practice and training camp I think it’ll have his body in the best shape that you can possibly be in to go out there and be healthy all season long. And so, we’re excited for those guys to take those next steps within this offense.”

Though the coach and quarterback certainly seemed confident in their ability to compete with the talent they have available at present, the Chiefs’ fanbase will undoubtedly continue to clamor for the team to add another receiver before the 2023 offseason comes to a close.

With just a week remaining until the NFL draft takes place in the backyard of Arrowhead Stadium, fans may not have to wait long for the team to make their move on a promising receiver.

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Ravens reportedly offer contract to free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr.

The Ravens have reportedly offered free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. a contract

The Baltimore Ravens are in need of some offensive talent to pair with whomever their quarterback might be in 2023. They made a move in the right direction on Monday when reports surfaced that they had offered a contract to highly coveted wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is currently a free agent.

While no details regarding the amount of their offer were given in the report, early indications are that it was short of the $15 million that Beckham is seeking in compensation for the 2023 season. A former All-Pro pass catcher, Beckham has drawn interest from several clubs, though none have been able to secure his services to this point in the offseason.

Beckham would be the top wide receiver on the Ravens’ depth chart if he were to sign with Baltimore given the dearth of talent they have at the position at present, though the team could look to draft a younger talent to fill the number-one role later in April.

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Ravens OC Todd Monken says consistency in the passing game will be team effort

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that consistency in the passing game will be a team effort moving forward

New Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has high hopes for the team’s offense in 2023, and told reporters about his vision for the team’s attack plan in his introductory press conference. Asked about what he might be able to do to establish more consistency through the air next season, Monken made it clear that all efforts in that regard will only be successful with a full team effort.

“Well, it starts with working together. An elite passing game is timing; it’s working together, and I think the less you have of that, based on offseason or rotating your skill players, I think the harder that becomes. And I think the more consistent … The other thing is we have to do a great job of building concepts that fit together, so it fits in a quarterback’s brain – that, ‘OK, this is X, Y, Z, whatever, but it’s very similar [or] the same [as] how we start.’ And I think the more you go down that road, the easier it becomes. Obviously, the better you run the football, the better you throw it, so it starts with an excellent run game and then go from there.”

Monken’s success in his first year as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator will be determined by the performance of Baltimore’s quarterback next season, whomever that may prove to be. Certainly, he would have a leg up if the team can retain Lamar Jackson in the offseason, but should the worst come to pass, Monken will have his work cut out for him to scheme up an effective air attack in 2023.

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Pep Hamilton on the need to establish the run to throw the ball effectively

Hamilton made it clear that a multidimensional approach is the only way the #Texans’ offense will be able to get in gear

The Houston Texans’ offense has been nearly unwatchable for the better part of two weeks, and things will need to change if they have any intention of getting a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton spoke to reporters on Thursday about his approach to the matchup and gave some interesting insight into how he is preparing his unit ahead of the highly anticipated tilt.

Asked if there was anything he could do to get the offense to click earlier in games, Hamilton answered in the affirmative and explained that it will start with having a multidimensional strategy in place.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Hamilton said. “It’s one of those things where it’s always our goal. Coach (Lovie Smith) talks about it quite often. We have to establish the line of scrimmage, and we have to establish the run game. We have to come out and attempt to score and move the ball downfield. That starts with me just making sure that regardless of what we feel like we need to do to get guys settled in, we’ve just got to come out and attack and try and score points as often as we can.”

Getting the ground game in gear would go a long way toward bringing the Texans’ offense back to even a modest level of production. Early this season, they leaned on rookie running back Dameon Pierce to help push the ball downfield, but after two weeks of using him sparingly, it seems that the team is turning their back on that strategy.

Instead, they’ll look to newly minted starting quarterback Kyle Allen to move the offense through the air while utilizing receivers Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins. If they can get both elements working in unison, they just might be able to bring home their second win of the season against Cleveland.

Kyle Allen says timing, anticipation will be key for Texans’ passing game vs. Browns secondary

Kyle Allen says these two factors will be crucial to the #Texans’ chances of success against the #Browns in Week 13

The Houston Texans will be up against one of the more impressive 4-7 teams in the NFL this week in the underrated Cleveland Browns. With pieces on both sides of the ball that will present problems for the 1-9-1 Texans, the Browns are a squad that can surprise opponents, as evidenced by their win over the defending AFC champion Cincinnatti Bengals in late October.

Houston will need to have a rock-solid gameplan in place if they intend to make waves against Cleveland in this matchup, and their new starting quarterback Kyle Allen has a good idea of what it might take to secure his team their second win of the season. Especially against their stingy secondary, he made it clear that two factors would be the difference between success and failure for his unit in the passing game.

“You need timing and anticipation to beat guys like that,” Allen explained. “The way those guys play, they play with their eyes on the quarterback. They’re reading drops. They’re reading route combinations. They’re both very good players and they get put in good positions to make plays. They’ve got good guys on the edge, good guys on the outside. They’ve really got good guys throughout the whole defense, but those corners are especially good players.”

Cleveland might not be the most established team in the conference, but with players like Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett, and Grant Delpit on their defense, they can make life difficult for any quarterback trying to make his way down the field. Given the absence of a running game in Houston’s game plans in recent weeks, it would seem that Allen’s preparation will need to be perfect to avoid an embarrassing outcome in this game, but with nothing to lose, he may prove to have what it takes to pull off a herculean feat in this Week 13 matchup.

Davis Mills says NFL defenses are evolving to be increasingly difficult to pass against

Mills told reporters that NFL defenses are becoming harder to pass on due to innovative schemes and personnel decisions made by coordinators

The Houston Texans have struggled to move the ball through the air in 2022, and quarterback Davis Mills seemed hesitant to tell reporters that anything might change in that regard any time soon in comments to the media on Wednesday. Though it may not be the most heartening thing a player has said in a press conference, Mills’ reasoning was sound.

“I think how football has evolved in recent years. Across the league, I think defense has the one up on offense with just the sheer talent, speed and size of the defensive linemen and the blitz packages, that offenses are trying to find ways to catch back up,” He explained. “Running the football and beating them down is one way to do it, and another way is to win those one-on-one matchups when you can catch them in man-to-man coverage. Other than that, like I said, the rest of our stuff is progression based.

“You’ve got to fall back on your training and your preparation throughout the week to hopefully find someone open as it progresses, because right now there’s not a lot of things you can predict pre-snap. Teams are disguising really well. They are running coverages that aren’t very by-the-book of old school defenses, just straight coverages. They are running a lot of combination coverages and different ways to get to similar coverages, but it’s not the traditional way. There’s a lot of things you’ve got to react to and just go out there and be a football player so you can make a play.”

Luckily, the Texans’ strength is on the ground, and with just eight more games on their 2022 schedule, the team should be able to maintain the success they’ve found in the running game with rookie sensation Dameon Pierce. His hard-nosed running style has yet to fail Houston this season, and with a few more performances like the ones he has turned out in recent weeks, the team could effectively mitigate their lackluster passing attack which has held them back since the season opener.