Michael Thomas has a High Ankle Sprain

SaintFanInATLHELL · 09-17-2020, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

You have to consider that there is a progression to a play, as you yourself pointed out. There is a first, second, third, etc. option built into a play. Brees will throw the ball to the first open receiver in that progression. I would expect that Thomas would usually be the first option. If he is open, which he almost always is, then the ball will come his way. The other options could be open, as well, yet never see the ball. There are, of course, plays designed for others to be the primary option. If they are successful that's when they see the ball on a team with Thomas as the usual first option.

Smith could be open 90% of the time and only see the ball three times a game if Sanders, Cook, Kamara, etc. are earlier options in the designed play.

A QB seldom looks for the "most open" receiver unless it is a totally blown coverage.

With Thomas out some of these other usually open receivers are going to have their numbers rise substantially.

Exactly this. You can see this with Brees in practice. When he takes a rep, he passes the ball then continues his progression without the ball in his hand. Those represent the other options available if his first or second read isn't open.

One stat that is often discussed with Brees is how little time he keeps the ball in his hands. Generally 2.5 seconds or less. If Smith is the 3rd or 4th read on a play, Brees isn't going to hold the ball long enough to get to that read. With 180 targets last year, MT is generally the first read. Cook the 2nd. The back is the outlet. There simply are not a lot of targets left after that.

Now is Smith an All-Pro? Not by any stretch. All I'm saying is that the offensive staff keeps him out there because he's doing the job they are asking him to do. Note that the targets he does get are generally in the red zone, and that he often scores with them.

We will see now as he's moving up the ladder at least one rung. Let's see what he does with the opportunity.

SFIAH

09-17-2020, 09:14 AM	#11
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,783	Re: Michael Thomas has a High Ankle Sprain Originally Posted by AsylumGuido You have to consider that there is a progression to a play, as you yourself pointed out. There is a first, second, third, etc. option built into a play. Brees will throw the ball to the first open receiver in that progression. I would expect that Thomas would usually be the first option. If he is open, which he almost always is, then the ball will come his way. The other options could be open, as well, yet never see the ball. There are, of course, plays designed for others to be the primary option. If they are successful that's when they see the ball on a team with Thomas as the usual first option. Smith could be open 90% of the time and only see the ball three times a game if Sanders, Cook, Kamara, etc. are earlier options in the designed play. A QB seldom looks for the "most open" receiver unless it is a totally blown coverage. With Thomas out some of these other usually open receivers are going to have their numbers rise substantially. Exactly this. You can see this with Brees in practice. When he takes a rep, he passes the ball then continues his progression without the ball in his hand. Those represent the other options available if his first or second read isn't open. One stat that is often discussed with Brees is how little time he keeps the ball in his hands. Generally 2.5 seconds or less. If Smith is the 3rd or 4th read on a play, Brees isn't going to hold the ball long enough to get to that read. With 180 targets last year, MT is generally the first read. Cook the 2nd. The back is the outlet. There simply are not a lot of targets left after that. Now is Smith an All-Pro? Not by any stretch. All I'm saying is that the offensive staff keeps him out there because he's doing the job they are asking him to do. Note that the targets he does get are generally in the red zone, and that he often scores with them. We will see now as he's moving up the ladder at least one rung. Let's see what he does with the opportunity. SFIAH AsylumGuido likes this.
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode