Nick Sirianni Talks Offensive Evaluations, Jacoby Brissett, Offensive Line

[Blue]

2. Jacoby Brissett's ability to create was impressive; now it's about getting even quicker within the offense: After getting a chance to fully evaluate starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett's performance from 2019, Sirianni said a few aspects really stood out — most of all, Brissett's ability to escape heavy pressure and find a way to make a big play.


A prime example: Week 8 against the Denver Broncos, trailing by one, 13-12, and pinned back to his own 11-yard line with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter, Brissett was chased into the end zone by All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller; a crushing safety was all-but assured.


But, somehow, Brissett was able to escape Miller's grasp, keep the play alive, and, on the run, deliver an absolute strike down the field to T.Y. Hilton, who made a tip-toe catch along the sideline at the Indy 46-yard line. Five plays later, Adam Vinatieri knocked in a 51-yard field goal with 26 seconds left to give the Colts a 15-13 victory.


"One thing that you see that you really like about Jacoby is his ability to create — his ability to create and extend plays," Sirianni said. "He's doing it a little differently than a Lamar Jackson, he's doing it a little differently than a Deshaun Watson; he's doing it a little bit like a Ben Roethlisberger where he's just so physically strong in the pocket, got great pocket movement, and just has a good feel where the defenders are — and Jacoby's not a run-first guy; he's gonna break it in the pocket when he needs to and evaluate what's happening downfield before he runs.


"So that really stood out in his game, and especially on the coaching side of it you're like, 'Man, maybe that wasn't the best play right there, but he made it work because he's able to extend plays,'" Sirianni continued. "And that was exciting to watch, and good for you as a coach just thinking about that, like, 'Man, defense studies tape, too; the defense had that right play and call there, but Jacoby made it work.' So I thought that was really outstanding what he did in the pocket extending plays."


Moving forward, Sirianni said Brissett will be tasked with continuing to improve at quickly scanning the field and getting the ball out of his hands. Another offseason of work will only help in that area.


"He always knew where to go with the football, and then we just speed that up a little bit. 'Yes, you knew where to go with the football; let's get there just a little bit quicker, just a little bit quicker, just a little bit quicker.' " Sirianni said. "And that comes with experience, and that comes with playing time. You know, you see these guys that have been starting at quarterback at some of these franchises for, you know, 15, 16, 17, 18 years — like, there's nothing those guys haven't seen, alright? So sometimes it's brand new, what he sees, but as you build those reps and you build that game experience, that really will speed that up. And that's nothing but reps, and you get that in practice, and you really get that in games."