Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El appeared on SB Nation’s charity video stream Tuesday morning, and commented on the former No. 12 overall pick soaring into the end zone.
A few supporters online commented that Williams should avoid launching himself, in order to avoid getting injured.
Randle El pointed out that beyond the risk of getting injured, Williams is not following what is taught in regards to ball security.
“Not even a shoulder. Like forget his shoulder. We want to make sure we had the ball at the end of the play,” said Randle El. “If he jumps and this ball, for whatever reason, it slips out of his hand and goes to the back of the end zone, man, we’re done. We’re toast. Touchback, their ball. So, ball security is what we preach. So, he knows that he is not supposed to be doing that. I love the athleticism. I love you want to be airborne and look like a plane. That’s great.”
Hopefully this isn’t a real quote because I hate to think Randle El is an idiot. If Jamo is going to lose the ball it’s going to be on landing. It’s a touchdown as soon as he crosses the goal line. Whether he’s diving or running the odds of him dropping the ball or pretty much the same. Unless he’s Desean Jackson and then odds of him dropping the ball while running are much higher.
This goes back to a talking point that Bill Belichick has with the Patriots. I realize he is considered a terrible coach now, but there are some really good lessons he has learned over the years and he creates film and talking points for his players regarding them.
One is NEVER reach the ball out over the goal line unless it is 4th down. The risk/reward ratio isn’t there. If you fall short of the TD the team can always go for it on the next down or at least get a field goal (if its not 4th down). But if you lose the ball its a game changer. Reaching the ball out puts it in a vulnerable position where it can be slapped out. Defenders are trained to do this. However, its also a sort of “unnatural” position that the guy is transitioning the ball into…on the fly. So if you watch closely, alot of times the guy reaching a ball over the goal line loses his grip and it slips out. Luckily they cross the goal line right before it happens, but sometimes they are not so lucky.
Here is a specific play that I like to keep in my head when I am thinking about the concept. RG3 jumped into the endzone and scored a TD on this play, sort of. As soon as he started to launch himself, the ball slipped in his hands. This is a guy that is paid to handle the football, and it happened to him. He appeared to briefly control it as he crossed the line…but it was deemed to be not long enough…because he immediately lost control again as he was going to the ground. It was called a (controversial) touchback. Mike Perarra said that when a ball is fumbled like that, the “going to the ground” rules apply just like on a catch.
And we should all remember this one. It was 1st and goal and Kerryon Johnson extended the ball out to try to get the touchdown. Why? Just secure the ball and move on to the next down. The result was a (controversial) 100 yard TD return by the Chiefs. Take the option out of the players minds so they don’t have to “decide” when to do it. Just don’t do it unless we specifically tell you its okay.
That man is sweet you don’t get a better #4 WR in this league that can be the #2 or #3 at any time or come in off the bench no touches and move the chains to win the game.
