Basic question re:WR reads

[Patjew]

Hi All- Maybe a stupid question, but how do WRs know when to adjust their results due to a blitz? I mean, isn't the blitz normally behind them, which leads me to ask, how do they know it's there? If it's a safety blitz I guess the WRs could see that coming, but how can they see if it's only the front 7 blitzing and they're already several yeards downfield, or if it's a delayed blitz?

 

[Tunescribe]

Hi All- Maybe a stupid question, but how do WRs know when to adjust their results due to a blitz? I mean, isn't the blitz normally behind them, which leads me to ask, how do they know it's there? If it's a safety blitz I guess the WRs could see that coming, but how can they see if it's only the front 7 blitzing and they're already several yeards downfield, or if it's a delayed blitz?

The quarterback reads the defense and checks off the play at the line of scrimmage if he anticipates blitz. The QB communicates this to the receivers via voice, hand signals, leg signals, etc. Most of the adjustments are already done pre-snap. Other times a receiver will break off his route depending on what a defender in his area is or is not doing. It's fascinating how much information these guys are expected to process and react to in split seconds.

 

[JoeSixPat]

The quarterback reads the defense and checks off the play at the line of scrimmage if he anticipates blitz. The QB communicates this to the receivers via voice, hand signals, leg signals, etc. Most of the adjustments are already done pre-snap. Other times a receiver will break off his route depending on what a defender in his area is or is not doing. It's fascinating how much information these guys are expected to process and react to in split seconds.

Furthermore there is nearly always a short dump pass option so there's bound to be at least one receiver turned and ready to catch even if the QB hasn't properly seen the blitz formation.

 

[marty]

The quarterback reads the defense and checks off the play at the line of scrimmage if he anticipates blitz. The QB communicates this to the receivers via voice, hand signals, leg signals, etc. Most of the adjustments are already done pre-snap. Other times a receiver will break off his route depending on what a defender in his area is or is not doing. It's fascinating how much information these guys are expected to process and react to in split seconds.

This also brings into focus the "familiarity" aspect of the QB/WR relationship. Beyond what the QB may signal presnap, as the play develops, adjustments can be made on the fly between a QB and WR that have been together for some time. Brady showed an example of this during an All Access segment(IIRC) with Branch when he showed how Branch was almost "reading my mind", as they ran a route with no signals at all.

 

[Patjew]

Thanks folks!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

This also brings into focus the "familiarity" aspect of the QB/WR relationship. Beyond what the QB may signal presnap, as the play develops, adjustments can be made on the fly between a QB and WR that have been together for some time. Brady showed an example of this during an All Access segment(IIRC) with Branch when he showed how Branch was almost "reading my mind", as they ran a route with no signals at all.

If you could crunch enough tape I wouldn't be at all surprised that you'd find a very subtle sign had been given.

For our Hong Kong mirror wrecker: As I understand it from my reading and listening...there are pre- and post-snap reads for every player on the field. The WRs are upright, so they have an opportunity to see across the formation for blitz reads on the other side, they also will see signals from skill position players on the other side or in the backfield. On their own side they need to be reading the players there and watching the QB for route changes since there are changes right up until the snap. After the snap, they need to read the defenders as they drop to their assigned coverage area or man-up on receivers - this will also indicate blitzs and tell them to break-off and look for the ball early.
The Defense tries to counter by moving around to give false reads, part of the reason the Patriots and Colts (for two) get up to the line early is it allows Tommy and Peytie to make a pre-snap read, start the snap count, then stop and make another adjustment as the defense shifts and gives away it's intentions. The Pats linemen have to be really disciplined since they may be in their stance for 10 seconds or more while the pre-snap dancing goes on (and that's not just Peyton's soft shoe routine).
I recall color men commenting about missed reads by WRs, usually new guys. You'll also note the guys in the booth calling a blitz before it happens, just because they read it from the formation the way the guys on the field should be doing.

 

[The_Dragon]

The Defense tries to counter by moving around to give false reads, part of the reason the Patriots and Colts (for two) get up to the line early is it allows Tommy and Peytie to make a pre-snap read, start the snap count, then stop and make another adjustment as the defense shifts and gives away it's intentions. The Pats linemen have to be really disciplined since they may be in their stance for 10 seconds or more while the pre-snap dancing goes on (and that's not just Peyton's soft shoe routine).

It was interesting to see the Jets against the Pats this year where the LB's all milled around in a group behind the defensive line until just before the snap. It gave them an advantage in that Brady found it very hard to read what exactly they intended.

In the playoffs it was great to see the battle of wits when the Pats countered this by changing the snap count and running a no-huddle offense to keep the Jets guessing. Also they used a lot of quick passes to the sideline to cut down the amount of time Brady had the ball in his hand.

I thought it was fascinating to watch. Great stuff.

 

[Patjew]

It's amazing how complicated the game is and how many subtle nuances there are. Novices see it as big guys just smashing each other and running around, when actually there's far more thinking and planning with football than any other sport, as far as I can see. I mean, I've been a huge NFL fan for over 20 years, and I don't know squat. And I'm obviously quite brilliant.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I mean, I've been a huge NFL fan for over 20 years, and I don't know squat. And I'm obviously quite brilliant.

Brilliant indeed! That might just be my new sig!

 

[Patjew]

Brilliant indeed! That might just be my new sig!

Now THAT would make me proud.

 

[mgteich]

At least as important as reads by the WR, is the ability to make catches even though the throw isn't perfect, or their position in reference to the defender isn't perfect. The upgrade in these deparatments is likely to be enormous. We are talking about Moss and Stallworth instead of Caldwell and whoever.

 

[Patjew]

At least as important as reads by the WR, is the ability to make catches even though the throw isn't perfect, or their position in reference to the defender isn't perfect. The upgrade in these deparatments is likely to be enormous. We are talking about Moss and Stallworth instead of Caldwell and whoever.

I'm really looking forward to some nice long-ball connections this year!

 

[shakadave]

This also brings into focus the "familiarity" aspect of the QB/WR relationship. Beyond what the QB may signal presnap, as the play develops, adjustments can be made on the fly between a QB and WR that have been together for some time.

This point reminds us of why the Pats will usually win just 27-16, rather than 38-12, during Moss and Stallworth's first year with Brady.

 

[brdmaverick]

Sometimes you will see a QB throw a ball that is not even close to the WR and it just looks awful.

More often than not his is because a WR saw blitz and checked off his route while the quarterback was throwing to where he EXPECTED him to be on the original route.

 

[fgssand]

This also brings into focus the "familiarity" aspect of the QB/WR relationship. Beyond what the QB may signal presnap, as the play develops, adjustments can be made on the fly between a QB and WR that have been together for some time. Brady showed an example of this during an All Access segment(IIRC) with Branch when he showed how Branch was almost "reading my mind", as they ran a route with no signals at all.

No question there will be many instances of wrong / bad reads and sure, this will hurt in the short term but improve as the season rolls on.

On the other hand, the sheer talent and ability of both Stallworth & Moss will enable catches to be made that their predecessor had no chance of coming down with. Also, Brady will be able to take more chances by throwing into traffic knowing these guys will win the "jump balls". They will come away with balls thrown into the face of single and double coverage. Now, I do not mean throw it up for grabs per se, more so to just get it close, in an area where only the receiver can get it - and they will. Just taking more chances will result in many more positive results through the air.

The potential for an exciting, multi-faceted offensive powerhouse is there for the taking. I bet Brady must pinch himself every morning, after he awakens and thinks about all of his new weapons.