NFL’s biggest game-planning nightmares today; plus, Brandon Staley’s unexpected flaw and Philly’s trade
Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. Today’s installment covers:
The biggest problem for one head coach who could be on the hot seat.
A savvy trade by a top-tier Super Bowl contender.
But first, a look at five of the most difficult game-planning assignments …
With Halloween right around the corner, it feels like a perfect time to spotlight some of the dynamic players who keep opposing coaches up at night. You know, those guys who are an absolute nightmare to prepare for.
Now, since quarterbacks are the outsized focus of EVERY game plan, let’s concentrate on the anxiety-inducing figures who don’t line up under center.
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The NFL’s transformation into a pass-centric league has put a premium on running backs with RB1/WR2 skills. McCaffrey is currently football’s premier playmaker out of the backfield, possessing the speed and quickness to turn the corner out on the perimeter, as well as the strength and power to pick up dirty yards between the tackles. He’s a stellar route runner with reliable hands and explosive catch-and-run ability. McCaffrey showcased spectacular all-around skills during his time in Carolina — going 1,000/100 (rushing yards/receptions) in 2018 and 1,000/1,000 (rushing yards/receiving yards) in ’19 — but he feels even more dangerous in San Francisco.
With Kyle Shanahan making CMC the centerpiece of the 49ers’ offense as a matchup nightmare, the 27-year-old has scored at least one touchdown from scrimmage in each of his last 16 games (postseason included). Whether attacking loaded boxes as a downhill runner or cooking linebackers/safeties on isolation routes from the slot or out wide, McCaffrey creates chaos for opponents unable to match up with his rare athleticism and agility in space.
The four-time first-team All-Pro keeps defensive coordinators up at night contemplating different strategies on how to slow down one of the most electrifying players in league history. Hill is averaging 108.8 receiving yards per game since arriving in Miami two offseasons ago, with few opponents having the horses to keep up with the potent playmaker in Mike McDaniel’s scheme.
Whether Hill is racing across the field on jet sweeps, bursting to the sideline on escape motion to get a running start ahead of the snap or just blowing past defenders on an assortment of vertical routes and deep crossers, the eighth-year pro stretches defenses horizontally and vertically with unrivaled speed, burst and acceleration.
As a terrifying threat in the open field with the vision, elusiveness, strength and power to run around defenders or through arm tackles, Hill is a nightmare to deal with on the perimeter. Given the extraordinary challenges around crafting a game plan to limit his big-play production, Hill’s a no-brainer pick for this list.
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer is a freestyle specialist on the perimeter with the green light to run to open areas. The unpredictability of Kelce’s routes and destinations makes it nearly impossible to draw up a game plan that neutralizes his impact on the Chiefs’ offense.
Moreover, Kelce’s synchronized improvisation with Patrick Mahomes keeps the pressure on defenders to “plaster” (i.e., stick with their assigned pass catchers during scrambles) No. 87 at all times or risk surrendering a big gain on a broken play or key down. With Andy Reid encouraging his top playmakers to play a two-man game of sorts, the challenge of defending the Chiefs’ passing game drives opposing coordinators crazy ahead of matchups with the defending Super Bowl cham
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