Back shoulder fade?

[cstjohn17]

The back shoulder fade is a lethal tool if executed correctly but it seems strange that it has become a primary route for the Patriots. It always looks forced. They used it a lot with LLoyd and now with Thompkins.

Is it me or are they relying on this too much and forcing it into very tight coverage?

 

[andrewgarrr]

Most of those plays aren't drawn up to be difficult throws/catches - the receiver just doesn't get enough separation.

 

[Mack Herron]

That pass is not supposed to get separation. The idea is to get the CB to turn and run with the receiver, which means the receiver has to get to the CB. Once his back is turned, he cannot see the pass and it is difficult to defend if you have a QB who can throw it. Unless you are Randy Moss, it is a higher percentage pass than trying to get the WR to run by the CB and throwing it over him.

 

[ausbacker]

To me, this seems like one of the reasons the Patriots drafted Aaron Dobson. He doesn't appear to need much separation to make these types of catches especially in tight areas like the Red Zone.

 

[detpatsfan]

Part of the reason why I argued the Pats should have kept Tebow. He's clearly Tight End material and at 6'3 a nice tall target with a good wingspan who would be a perfect target in the fade.

 

[Pewsterbaby]

Brady had that throw down pat with David Givens. It was a thing of beauty that looked effortless time and time again, day in and day out.

 

[TriplecHamp]

To me, this seems like one of the reasons the Patriots drafted Aaron Dobson. He doesn't appear to need much separation to make these types of catches especially in tight areas like the Red Zone.

agreed 100%, 3 things needed for a back shoulder fade: Good ball skills, communication and accuracy. If you have the speed to really threaten deep its an almost unstoppable route against most corners.

 

[RobAllan]

The Pats run it so much because Brady is our QB. He's one of the few QBs that's accurate enough to throw that ball again and again, even when in pressure situations.

The problem is, you need a receiver that knows to expect the throw and is able to position himself correctly in coverage. I think we've been looking for that type of receiver for a while now but can't seem to find the right combination of route runner (being in the right spot for the ball to arrive) and athleticism (being in the right position against a DB to catch the ball.)

I think we need a rare bird on the outside, and I hope one of the rookies becomes one. I can't imagine how hard it is to find a guy that is smart enough to learn our offense but also can trust his instincts and body enough to grab that kind of a ball.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

If Lloyd was here..Brady could throw it becasue he knew him well...these rookies you still can't throw that ball...they don't seem ready for it

 

[Ozymandias]

The wide-outs has to get that timing down with Tom for that to ever be effective. None of them have consistently shown that they do yet.

But, if they do, it's of the most difficult pass routes to stop, for any defensive back.

 

[the Patriot]

Is it just me, or has Brady always had problems with fades?

 

[wolverinejoe80]

you have to remember, brady is literally afraid of throwing picks. he really despises it. so he would rather throw fade, so the WR can go get it instead of possibly throwing picks. also many of brady's overthrows happened because of his INTphobia.

 

[English Patriot]

If i'm not mistaken the back shoulder throw is supposed to be the most difficult and perfect throw a QB can make.

It's meant to be put in a place where no matter how good the coverage, only the receiver has a chance to go and get it. I'd like to emphasise the word chance because it is exactly that and difficult to complete.

I will say this though my fave QB outside of the walls of Gillette, Rodgers is incredible when it comes to the back shoulder throw, but then again he had Jennings and Nelson to make that throw to and not Deion Branch.

 

[captain stone]

Brady tried a back-shoulder fade with Dropson yesterday, who...you guessed it...
dropped the ball.