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

SmashMouth · 05-25-2022, 03:20 PM

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

K Major · 05-25-2022, 03:46 PM

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.

Rugby Saint II · 05-30-2022, 10:57 AM

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

Thirty3 · 05-30-2022, 11:23 AM

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.

Boston Saint · 05-30-2022, 11:42 AM

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.

darksoul35 · 05-31-2022, 06:34 PM

With Kamara Winston can check down all he wants.

jeanpierre · 06-01-2022, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Boston Saint

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.

Tom Brady can't credit RB James White enough for Brady's success...

jeanpierre · 06-01-2022, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Thirty3

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.

Can't argue with that rationale. Still have to be able to push it deep downfield to keep the defense honest, from collapsing down, but a checkdown can still get you a first down...

Rugby Saint II · 06-02-2022, 11:57 AM

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.

SaintGnome · 06-02-2022, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

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.

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

05-25-2022, 03:20 PM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29	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

05-25-2022, 03:46 PM	#2
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,619 Blog Entries: 3	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. AsylumGuido, SmashMouth and jeanpierre like this.

05-30-2022, 10:57 AM	#3
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	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. jeanpierre likes this.

05-30-2022, 11:23 AM	#4
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	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. SmashMouth and jeanpierre like this.
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

05-30-2022, 11:42 AM	#5
Boston Saint 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5,137	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. jeanpierre likes this.

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05-31-2022, 06:34 PM	#6
darksoul35 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,041	Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes With Kamara Winston can check down all he wants.
darksoul35 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,041

06-01-2022, 01:25 AM	#7
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes Originally Posted by Boston Saint 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. Tom Brady can't credit RB James White enough for Brady's success... SmashMouth and Boston Saint like this.

06-01-2022, 11:38 AM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes Originally Posted by Thirty3 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. Can't argue with that rationale. Still have to be able to push it deep downfield to keep the defense honest, from collapsing down, but a checkdown can still get you a first down... Rugby Saint II and Thirty3 like this.
	Last edited by jeanpierre; 06-01-2022 at 12:05 PM..

06-02-2022, 11:57 AM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	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. MatthewT, jeanpierre and Thirty3 like this.

06-02-2022, 12:55 PM	#10
SaintGnome 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bradenton,FL Posts: 642	Re: Captain Checkdown: The quarterbacks who most and least rely on checkdown passes Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II 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. I think he takes too long making the check down decision and it makes him rush the throw. jeanpierre, Rugby Saint II and Thirty3 like this.