02-25-2021, 09:17 AM
The stat is a bit misleading but also a good sign for a rookie. Here is the thing, rookies tend to be "scared" to throw into tight windows in the NFL because they don't want to make a mistake. That isn't always a bad thing though because there are plenty of tight windows in the NFL you can't throw into that they just haven't figured out yet. On the other hand, as QB's get more experience they learn where those windows are and they know when to take the check down versus trying to make what is called a "drive throw" into a tight window. You will see a lot of those vets there throw a lot more check-downs and screens which obviously aren't going to be "aggressive" but they are the right plays, and some of that comes back to the scheme as well.
Now I am not saying Burrow had guys running free all day, you can always use better weapons, but I can go back and find plenty of guys who were running free that wouldn't have been tight-window throws he could have taken but chose to be more aggressive into a tougher throw. That fearlessness is a good thing because he is learning by doing and it will help him progress a lot more quickly than being too scared to make the throw. Interestingly enough, I was just listening to one of the draft guys I follow talk about this being Trevor Lawrence's greatest attribute. He is not scared to throw into tight windows and expects his receiver to make the play that needs to be made.
Coming full circle, you have to give your receivers time to uncover. If you are instantly moved off your spot at snap you can't let them uncover and you have to go ahead and chuck it up. There is a lot of complexity here so I wouldn't say it supports or disproves anything but it is nice to see a rookie QB taking his shots and not being scared of mistakes.
Now I am not saying Burrow had guys running free all day, you can always use better weapons, but I can go back and find plenty of guys who were running free that wouldn't have been tight-window throws he could have taken but chose to be more aggressive into a tougher throw. That fearlessness is a good thing because he is learning by doing and it will help him progress a lot more quickly than being too scared to make the throw. Interestingly enough, I was just listening to one of the draft guys I follow talk about this being Trevor Lawrence's greatest attribute. He is not scared to throw into tight windows and expects his receiver to make the play that needs to be made.
Coming full circle, you have to give your receivers time to uncover. If you are instantly moved off your spot at snap you can't let them uncover and you have to go ahead and chuck it up. There is a lot of complexity here so I wouldn't say it supports or disproves anything but it is nice to see a rookie QB taking his shots and not being scared of mistakes.
