inb4 someone assumes that is all we do at QB this offseason and complains about our FO for not bringing in a real back up
Fales is not an NFL quality backup at this time. He has trouble throwing with anticipation and on time. Tends to drift in his drops, is indecisive, trouble reading defenses, and gets happy feet in leaving the pocket too soon. He's a 3rd stringer still in a strong developmental stage. We still need a competent back up.
Some brief looks from the week 17 game vs Buffalo at those issues. Lack of anticipation: 12-10 yd Hitch and the ball should be gone as the receiver hits the top of his stem as he cuts back. Better seen here as Fales adds an unnecessary 2nd hitch step, and pats the ball before releasing. "If he's even, he's leaving". Fales waits too long before releasing the ball and holds it well after the wing looks inside, by again adding an additional hitch step, patting the ball, and eventually overthrowing his target b/c of an improper follow thru. 3x2, 01 Bunch Lt, Tight Rt. Spot concept variation to the fieldside bunch. The Spot concept is a half-field triangle read that typically consists of Corner/Snag/Flat routes. Here the variation is a Post is in place of the Corner, and the Snag becomes a Curl. The Post by the #2 is the route that comes open over the second level. Fales doesn't anticipate this, holds the ball for too long, and is flushed from the pocket. cont . . .
Trouble reading the defense: 2x3 Gun Empty. Motion signals zone. Although the defense does a good job of hiding it's C3 Cloud weak coverage with a quick bluff of Quarters, there's still a very nice 1v1 matchup on the boundary once the CB sinks to the flat. Just needs to be a tad more patient as the pressure isn't heavy enough to warrant an escape, but rather just stepping up in the pocket. Drifting in his drop: Not seen is the fieldside receiver (Stills) running a Shake "Nod" route (double move of Corner to Post). Fales despite already being on the far hash, drifts further into the boundary before having to throw back fieldside. Also of note, and not seen, is the boundary TE (Fasano) runs smack into outside leverage by the CB when he should have continued vertically inside of him to garner the attention of the backside safety who is able to break on the Shake route. Obviously not a complete breakdown of Fales, and I left out what positives there were (not a whole lot) to simply demonstrate some lingering problems.
