Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Who is the NFL’s “Captain Checkdown” when it comes to quarterback play? There’s nothing inherently wrong with checkdown passes — the best quarterbacks in the league employ them regularly, and they can be vital to an offense's success and efficiency — but quarterbacks shouldn’t be too keen on them.

Checkdowns are designed to generate a positive play out of a negative situation. Elite coverage or unexpected pressure can disrupt a passing play's timing and take away the bigger play a quarterback wants to make, but checkdowns allow signal-callers to still generate a positive play rather than throw the ball away or take a sack.

The problems arise when quarterbacks are too quick to hit their checkdown options, which never gives bigger plays an opportunity to develop. With that in mind, which NFL quarterbacks fall into which categories?

Check the check down charlies here

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Before opening the link, I can't lie I was thinking of Teddy B.

Kinda surprised to see Carr & Ryan so high up on the list.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Personally, l've see Ryan on that list for a long time.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Checkdown comparisons are apples and oranges. I'd rather have the checkdown than an interception. Of course it becomes obvious when a QB becomes a chicken. Happy feet, erratic throws etc. When Reggie left they asked Payton what woud he miss the most and Payton said, the 30 yards on a check down pass. Way too many POSITIVES about a check down to be negative about them, but I do acknowledge some QBs get frightened too soon and use them to the detriment of the Long game and NFL defenses catch on quick.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Gotta say, I’d put Brady high on the list. He sure was Captain Checkdown when he lead the comeback in the SB against the failclowns.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

With Kamara Winston can check down all he wants.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel like Winston doesn't check down very well. He doesn't have enough touch to the ball and he zips it with too much velocity.Maybe it's because I still see Kamara making circus catches on a simple check down.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

I think he takes too long making the check down decision and it makes him rush the throw.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

I don't think we have truly seen what he is currently capable of doing. I feel that basing whatever we saw from his time in Tampa must be taken with a grain of salt. He was never asked to "check down", but rather to constantly go for the big play, in other words, "no risk it, no biscuit". He has now had two years learning from Payton and/or Brees. In his brief stint last season he had no fewer than two starting offensive linemen missing every game and just like the rest of our QB's didn't have a tremendous amount of time to throw the ball.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

I believe Winston has had plenty of time in the Saints system, but has yet to have a legitimate chance to show what he has absorbed. He'll now be getting that well earned chance. No more being thrown under the bus schematically by the vastly over-rated Bruce "No risk it, no biscuit" Arians. No more trying to always having to play catch up with the 31st (2018) and 29nd (2019) ranked scoring defenses in the NFL letting him down game after game.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

I didn't say he couldn't get or be better, just what I've observed (rightly or wrongly) in the sample size we have.
I mentioned on another post Winston should be brought along slowly. If I was PC I'd tell JW to go progression #1, #2, then go directly to checkdown. If check down is not there, TAKE THE SACK, and live another day. If he gets good at that and the protection is there then go through more progressions.

Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes
 

Agree with the sample size.

If Pete Carmichael is aware as I think he is he should be able to ascertain Winston's capabilities of handling the progressions facing arguably the best defense in the league in practice. I doubt he's going to see anything more capable once the season starts.

Of course, I may be wrong, but I fully expect Winston and the Saints offense to be rolling right off the bat.