Jared Goff tends to be the last big name people talk about when it comes fans talk about the Detroit Lions. He tends to be viewed as the benefactor of good talent around him rather than a good quarterback as an individual. New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wants everyone to know that isn’t how coaches view Goff.
"In the coaching sphere, there's as much respect for Jared as anybody. What he's done the last three seasons, he's been as consistent of a player at that position as anybody in the league," Staley said about the quarterback.
Staley points to the change in success in both Detroit and Los Angeles with Goff at the helm. That has been best exemplified with the Lions. They’ve been perennial contenders, and Goff is one of the catalysts of that success.
Timing is going to be one of the Saints' biggest challenges to stopping Jared Goff
One trait Staley specifically pointed to what Goff's timing putting stress on defenses. "I just think it's the timing that he plays with. He plays with such good timgin. What that does is it allows his playmakers to also play within rhythm."
The Saints have their work cut out for them on defense, and the speed in which Goff gets rid of the ball. It makes it increadibly difficult to defend an offense with that many run after the catch threats. It's one of the things that allows short passes to be big gains.
Saying Goff gets rid of the football quickly undersells just how fast the ball is out of his hands. He essentially had the fastest time to throw in the NFL last year at 2.58 seconds on average, per Pro Football Focus.
Davis Mills averaged 2.55 seconds per throw, but he didn't have 200 dropbacks. And no other player with a quicker release even reached 100 attempts. Goff dropped back 621 times, for prespective.
Goff's release can make it difficult to get the quarterback down, so getting hands up is going to be important for the defensive line during their pass rush snaps. It also puts a fascinating spotlight on Chase Young's knack for quick pressures. That should make for an interesting battle of speed on Sunday.
Now the system will change with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, but quick releases have been a bread and butter of Goff's game. It's unlikely that changes too much. The fact Goff can consistently get the ball out that quickly is a testament to how quick his receivers uncover.
With players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, all you need to do is get the ball in their hands sometimes because of how dangerous they are after the catch. That's the most deadly part.
Part of that RAC excellence is skillset of the receiver, but the timing helps maximize the receiver's skillset. It's a thankless part of a position that is regularly praised, but it's important.
The Saints won't be able to always stop Goff from offloading the ball expeditiously, so they have to make sure they limit the Lions run after the catch. Otherwise, 7 yard catches can quickly turn into 20+ yard gains. It's a silent assasin, but how quickly Goff gets rid of the ball could prove Staley right and gash his defense on Sunday.
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