Does anyone have any idea to why this is? I remember when he first started in '02 he used to do these ridiculous play fakes where he would have his back completely turned to the defense and just walk with the ball casually. I remember commentators (specifically Simms & Gumbel) would marvel at the guts he had to do this. The last time I can remember him really selling it was against Philly in '03 which was his first game back from the wrist injury and consequently the pass was picked off by Michael Lewis. During this time alot of people regarded him as the best in the business at play action, even better than Peyton. Now it seems he just does a quick balk at the RB and sets up for the pass. Just wanted to get some of your guys' thoughts.
Because it doesn't fool anybody anymore? Cmon, you've gotta know the league stopped biting on that playfake long ago. Especially with Martin averaging 3ypc or something anemic like that. There's no playfake if there's no running game. Modern DC's study films and tendencies moreso than ever before. It was only a matter of time until the league caught up with that playfake.
sooner or later he was going to be destroyed,turning your back on the defense is very very risky.Eventually one player wouldn't bite and blindside chad.
it has something to do with his lack of confidence in his Oline and his lack of a running game...the running game wasnt a threat so it wasnt too successful in addition to him getting creamed every other play...but his hard fake was savage as hell and im sure if we see him back on the field with a decent runing game this year we will see it again...i just laugh when the camera man actually follows the running back like he has the ball
This has nothing to do with Pennington. Hackett liked it, Heimerdinger did not. Also, once Chad was hurt in 2004, they didn't want to risk further injury
I buy the "league caught up with it" theory. Everybody breaks down film right down to the frame by frame level to see what's happening and you can't get away with sleight-of-hand for long unless it's very rarely used. The HB Option Pass is a perfect example. If you ran the play 3 times a game the DB's would never bite on it. Twice a season? Now that works.
Pennington didn't get better as he got more experience he got worse. What made Pennington an elite QB for 12 games in 02 was his great hard play fakes. Not only did it sucker the D creating wide open WR, by allowing Pennington to roll toward the open WR side, it shortened his throws. When the league caught up with it and stopped biting Pennington was forced to throw out of the middle of the pocket sideline to sideline and he just isn't that good at doing it.
Yeah, a lot of the 2002 success was the league seeing Chad for the first time and getting to see Hackett's offense executed well for the first time also.
I was at the game in Philly that you mention... and that was one of the best fakes... sucked that it was picked... his fault though... the guy was open and he didn't get enough on it if I remember....
Play fake? He doesn’t play period. What’s he supposed to do – fake out the other third string quarterbacks by hiding the clip board in his pants?
well in 2003 2002 we had one of the best pass blocking offensive lines in the league. Im sure he just had alot of confidence in his line. their is no way in hell he could do that with the 05 line.
Are you talking about last year or are you including the previous year too? Aside from the fact that he hasn't played much I think there are 2 other factors(one has been touched on). 1-He's smart enough to know he can't rely on his protection. The man was mauled. 2-Last year we had zip for a running game so if he went back with the fake everyone knew more than likely it was a fake or the RB(Curtis) would be had behind the line a lot. Again, due to the putrid OL performance.
Maybe because Chad has barely played in 2 years! Before that, Hackett ran 2 things so much that no one was fooled!! -Play action -Draws On almost every play. Just genius
