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The Perry interview thread inspired me to go back and re-re-watch his senior highlight film, paying special attention to the specific ways that Perry's skillset blends with Richt's potential offensive concepts - specifically, various aspects of the RPO, read-option, and the shallow cross/"triangle" offense.
Perry's highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2_qKaRC2s0
Let's talk first about Perry's natural athletic/mechanical QB traits before we get into schemes. The first thing I noticed on a detailed rewatch is how effortlessly he can vary the speed and release point of his throws depending on the need of the play. For example, you can see evidence of his "fastball" with a very compact release at 6:00, 7:36, 7:45, 7:52, 8:41, 9:30, and 12:36 - mainly on slant routes. You can further see how Perry can change his release point - at 8:29 for example - throwing an out route. And again at 14:20, this time taking some of the zip off of the slant to make sure the WR can get to it.
This leads me to my next point - deep ball placement and accuracy. Throws at 2:07, 4:24, 5:30, 9:48, 12:44, and 13:57 all showcase this. What's most impressive to me is that the ball has the same "jump" out of Perry's hands regardless of his throwing base. As a QB "purist" I really like to see a good solid foundation in the feet, shoulders, elbow, etc. for a consistent throwing motion. But the thing about Perry is that he can get the ball to his receiver - with startling accuracy - sometimes completely irrespective of his balance point/base. It's pretty amazing. Upon first inspection it may look like Perry is just playing Scramble Ball, and normally I'd say this kind of play will get a QB into trouble at the next level (and it may yet), but Perry's special ability to vary release points and velocity help to mitigate some of this.
The other thing that has led me away from the whole "Perry is just a backyard QB" narrative is his head and eyes. The play at 1:02 for example is subtly brilliant. It looks like Perry just flings the ball to a wide open man (which he does), but that subtle head fake to the screen is what draws in the CB and opens the play up.
Similarly, you can see additional examples of Perry using his eyes (and feet) to "bait" defenders at 4:01, 4:16, and 6:40.
Basically, N'Kosi Perry is just one of those instinctual, savvy athletic quarterbacks that somehow finds a way to put the ball in the absolute right place at the right time. And even when things break down or don't go well, he's not going to cost you the game (64 total TDs to only 13 total INTs - 56/6 in his last 2 years.)
So now I want to discuss why Mark Richt may be especially excited about what N'Kosi Perry brings to the table, beyond his natural ability.
Check out the plays at 9:37, 10:46, 11:32, 12:58, and 13:10 - these are precisely the screen/slant RPO plays that Richt was running last year with varying degrees of success under Brad Kaaya. Pay particular attention to how quickly and decisively Perry commits to the screen or slant, and how quickly the ball leaves his hand when he makes his decision.
At 3:51, 5:42, 6:54, and 12:25 we can see those elements of the read-option which can be incorporated into the RPO to make it more effective.
The play at 5:50 is especially intriguing. It's eerily similar to a play I highlighted here: https://www.canesinsight.com/thread/rpo-thread-coachs-mouth/118528?highlight=rpo with Dakota Watson and Clemson.
One of the things Mark Richt's offenses were known for back at FSU and UGA is what's called the "shallow cross" concept. You can read more about it here: Coach Mark Richt on the Shallow Cross Series | Bleacher Report but essentially, let's say you have 3 WRs/pass-catching options on one side of the field. One runs a hitch/slant, another a shallow cross/out, and the third a deep route of some kind. This is known in Richt's terminology as the "passing triangle" - it gives the QB 3 quick reads in one look. I bring it up here because you can see some of these plays already being run by Perry at 4:55, 5:05, 11:20, and 13:34
So why might Richt be so excited about Perry at QB, whether now or in the future? Beyond his physical gifts and QB savvy, it could be because he's at least in part ALREADY RUNNING RICHT'S OFFENSE.
As always, I welcome any and all discussion!
Perry's highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2_qKaRC2s0
Let's talk first about Perry's natural athletic/mechanical QB traits before we get into schemes. The first thing I noticed on a detailed rewatch is how effortlessly he can vary the speed and release point of his throws depending on the need of the play. For example, you can see evidence of his "fastball" with a very compact release at 6:00, 7:36, 7:45, 7:52, 8:41, 9:30, and 12:36 - mainly on slant routes. You can further see how Perry can change his release point - at 8:29 for example - throwing an out route. And again at 14:20, this time taking some of the zip off of the slant to make sure the WR can get to it.
This leads me to my next point - deep ball placement and accuracy. Throws at 2:07, 4:24, 5:30, 9:48, 12:44, and 13:57 all showcase this. What's most impressive to me is that the ball has the same "jump" out of Perry's hands regardless of his throwing base. As a QB "purist" I really like to see a good solid foundation in the feet, shoulders, elbow, etc. for a consistent throwing motion. But the thing about Perry is that he can get the ball to his receiver - with startling accuracy - sometimes completely irrespective of his balance point/base. It's pretty amazing. Upon first inspection it may look like Perry is just playing Scramble Ball, and normally I'd say this kind of play will get a QB into trouble at the next level (and it may yet), but Perry's special ability to vary release points and velocity help to mitigate some of this.
The other thing that has led me away from the whole "Perry is just a backyard QB" narrative is his head and eyes. The play at 1:02 for example is subtly brilliant. It looks like Perry just flings the ball to a wide open man (which he does), but that subtle head fake to the screen is what draws in the CB and opens the play up.
Similarly, you can see additional examples of Perry using his eyes (and feet) to "bait" defenders at 4:01, 4:16, and 6:40.
Basically, N'Kosi Perry is just one of those instinctual, savvy athletic quarterbacks that somehow finds a way to put the ball in the absolute right place at the right time. And even when things break down or don't go well, he's not going to cost you the game (64 total TDs to only 13 total INTs - 56/6 in his last 2 years.)
So now I want to discuss why Mark Richt may be especially excited about what N'Kosi Perry brings to the table, beyond his natural ability.
Check out the plays at 9:37, 10:46, 11:32, 12:58, and 13:10 - these are precisely the screen/slant RPO plays that Richt was running last year with varying degrees of success under Brad Kaaya. Pay particular attention to how quickly and decisively Perry commits to the screen or slant, and how quickly the ball leaves his hand when he makes his decision.
At 3:51, 5:42, 6:54, and 12:25 we can see those elements of the read-option which can be incorporated into the RPO to make it more effective.
The play at 5:50 is especially intriguing. It's eerily similar to a play I highlighted here: https://www.canesinsight.com/thread/rpo-thread-coachs-mouth/118528?highlight=rpo with Dakota Watson and Clemson.
One of the things Mark Richt's offenses were known for back at FSU and UGA is what's called the "shallow cross" concept. You can read more about it here: Coach Mark Richt on the Shallow Cross Series | Bleacher Report but essentially, let's say you have 3 WRs/pass-catching options on one side of the field. One runs a hitch/slant, another a shallow cross/out, and the third a deep route of some kind. This is known in Richt's terminology as the "passing triangle" - it gives the QB 3 quick reads in one look. I bring it up here because you can see some of these plays already being run by Perry at 4:55, 5:05, 11:20, and 13:34
So why might Richt be so excited about Perry at QB, whether now or in the future? Beyond his physical gifts and QB savvy, it could be because he's at least in part ALREADY RUNNING RICHT'S OFFENSE.
As always, I welcome any and all discussion!
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