The ultimate sign of respect for a wide receiver is using double coverage against him, whether in the form of a bracket coverage or a true double coverage scheme.
The ultimate sign of a receiver’s skill is when he is still able to beat that coverage.
On this touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams, the Baltimore Ravens tried their best to take away Adams as an option, but the quarterback and receiver were still able to connect for six:
Davante Adams is not fair. @tae15adams #GoPackGo
📺: #GBvsBAL on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/7TrHZ59kwr— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021
As you can see, the Ravens have a bracket coverage in place, with both a cornerback in press alignment against Adams, and a deeper defender playing with inside leverage. The fear? Adams on a quick slant route, and with a pair of defenders aligned across from him, it might be tough for the receiver to get open.
Yet, in a testament to his skills — and the fear of him on a slant — Adams breaks open on the out route. From this zoomed-in angle, you can see how the threat of a slant route gets the cornerback to slide to the inside, giving the receiver room to operate working towards the boundary:
Two defenders assigned to @tae15adams. Matt LaFleur had to let 'em know. pic.twitter.com/MQhWq18kAw
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021
Of course, some context. The Ravens due to injuries and illnesses entered Sunday very thin in the secondary, and are asking reserve cornerback Robert Jackson to cover Adams on this play. Still, as you can see in the above clip, beating a pair of NFL defenders is tough, and coach Matt LaFleur shows his appreciation.
