As a long-time Carolina Panthers football fan, you can imagine the extreme pleasure our new rookie quarterback has brought me this year. It’s one thing to be hopeful; another thing entirely to have your hopes exceeded to levels you couldn’t have imagined. While it hasn’t translated into many wins (thanks, 32nd ranked defense!) Cam Newton’s preternatural ability to make incredibly difficult plays bodes well for his future development.
One facet of Cam’s play that has startled many has been his prolific passing yardage. He is already on pace to shatter the NFL rookie passing record by a wide margin, and will likely end up with over 5,000 yards of total offense before the season ends, an offensive production typically reserved for only the most elite quarterbacks during their primes. Despite these facts, his sublime running ability still tends to overshadow his stellar throwing ability.
For my first ever NFL-related blog post (or post in general for years, for that matter) I have decided to breakdown one particular play: a 30 yard post route from Newton to Steve Smith completed against the Indianapolis Colts. It is not one of his many deep throws that shows up on the highlight reels, but I still think it exemplifies his unusually advanced passing ability (video encoded by kchaney9735:)
*As an amusing aside, did anyone catch the announcer’s slip in calling Cam “Peyton?”
The ball is placed at the Carolina 38 yard line. Cam sets up in the shotgun formation, with DeAngelo Williams rolling out to the right flat leaving an empty backfield, and the Colts set up in a four man front, with four linebackers and a single safety deep.
Highlighted is the play’s primary target: Steve Smith.
Pre-Snap Formation
There are two fascinating points in the next snapshot (the line represents the path of the throw, and Smith is highlighted again at his progress in his route):
1.) Steve Smith has yet to break into his route, yet Cam has already begun his throw. This is very unusual for most rookie quarterbacks, who typically have to “see” that a receiver is open before they will begin to throw to him. Cam trusts that Steve will follow his route and that he can fit the ball into the tight window between the defender rolling off LaFell’s route, the cornerback running back into the play, and the linebacker running across Shockey’s crossing pattern.
2.) Cam is targeting a route that, if successful, will guarantee a first down. Again, for a rookie quarterback, it is extremely unusual that this kind of play would even be called for on 1st down, or that the player would even attempt the throw. However, elite quarterbacks must be able to beat a team “with the ball,” or be able to aggressively force defenders to cover parts of the field beside and behind them rather than throwing underneath and hoping that they miss tackles.
The path of the ball and its intended target
At this moment, this is what Cam sees (his throwing target is superimposed.) Notice that Steve Smith is not in his direct line of sight:
Cam's vision of the field before the throw
Now, notice that this throw forces three defenders to attempt to cover the play (highlighted circle, ball also highlighted). We also see that the margin for error in this throw is rather slim, as an overthrow will lead to an interception from the trailing cornerback, an underthrow will result in a play on the ball by the underneath defender, and any throw to far too the right could allow for a play by the linebacker peeling into coverage:
The throwing window
Again, from Cam’s vantage point, we see the three defenders all converging into the play, and Steve Smith breaking into his route (throwing target superimposed):
Flight of the ball
Finally, we have the actual catch. The ball arrives perfectly in sync with Smith’s route, hitting him in the hands in stride and allowing him to maintain full speed into field. Because of the ball’s excellent placement, none of the defenders are in a position to immediately tackle him or impede his progress.
The catch is made
Cam’s view of the result:
Cam watches the ball hit Steve Smith in stride
The completed catch turns a ten yard gain into a 30 yard pickup, and forces six Indianapolis defenders to give chase:
Steve Smith runs from the herd of Colts defenders
This single play epitomizes the numerous high-level, NFL-quality throws that Cam Newton makes every game. In it, we see the following traits:
1.) The ability to “throw a receiver open.” Before Steve Smith ever breaks into his route, the ball is on its way to being delivered to him.
2.) The ability to fit a throw into a tight window before it exists. The target of the throw was set in between three potential defenders who all broke towards the play in reaction, yet only Smith was in position to catch it.
3.) The ability to deliver a throw in stride to the target while leaving the defenders off-balance and unable to make an immediate play on the receiver. Due to the placement of the ball, Smith was able to gain an additional 20 yards on the play despite having six Colts defenders converging to him.
The final result of this drive? Why, a Cam Newton rushing touchdown, of course:
Superman smiles