Bengals: What NFL coaches notice first about Joe Burrow on tape
The current state of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's strained calf has no impact on how NFL analysts view him amongst the other elite signal-callers in the NFL. When Burrow returns to the field to do more than just complete a mundane warmup, he'll be the same QB that is considered the most accurate in the […]
The current state of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's strained calf has no impact on how NFL analysts view him amongst the other elite signal-callers in the NFL.
When Burrow returns to the field to do more than just complete a mundane warmup, he'll be the same QB that is considered the most accurate in the league.
That's what ESPN's panel of analysts concluded Monday in the outlet's annual rankings of the top 10 NFL quarterbacks entering the 2023 season in 10 distinct categories. Burrow ended up ranking first in three separate categories: Accuracy, Touch, and Mechanics.
Only one other quarterback was ranked first in more categories as Patrick Mahomes came out on top in five categories. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson took the crown in the remaining two.
Burrow's arm talent is well known for being surrounded by his ball placement, touch, and timing. It's why he's technically the all-time leader in completion percentage (68.2%), and this is what pops off the film for coaches around the league, according to ESPN senior writer Jason Reid.
"Speak with NFL defensive coaches about Burrow, and the first thing they mention is his ball placement. What jumps off the game tape, they say, is that Burrow not only invariably places the ball in good windows for receivers to attempt to make a play on it, but he also has a knack of delivering passes with ideal touch on every throw in the route tree. That combination regularly leaves defenses frustrated." — ESPN's Jason Reid
Just because he doesn't have an absolute cannon of an arm doesn't mean Burrow is easy to play against. On the contrary, his overall accuracy makes it a chore for defensive play-callers to slow him down. Even great coverage isn't enough to get in the way of a perfectly thrown ball from Burrow to one of his receivers.
The standard of which Burrow has set after just three years in Cincinnati is extraordinary. Now it's about sustaining it for years to come.
Bengals: Joe Burrow seen running, throwing for first time since calf injury
Burrow’s recovery looks to be going just fine.
Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
