What do NFL coaches, evaluators think of Shedeur Sanders patting the ball? Unpacking a players’ debate

Like all well-informed and nuanced conversations, the debate took off in earnest on social media.

Is there reason for concern over Shedeur Sanders’ throwing motion?

A media member tweeted a video of Sanders throwing at Colorado pro day. The commentary presented:

“Lots of double-taps and hitches from Shedeur today, NFL defenders close windows quickly, this was a concerning workout.”

Then NFL players began to chime in.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton argued that Sanders could “pat the ball and be just fine” because “if DB’s [sic] was so good at breaking on ball pats they’d all have 8+ picks a year.”

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco accused Slayton of “tryna secure some future targets,” while Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons questioned: “You realize [a] Pat on the ball can be difference between a sack or a throw away/ completion?”

Slayton was ready with a response.

“Tom Brady literally the king of getting the ball out fast when he threw. So actually no patting the ball is not the difference.”

The conversation between players sheds a light on how they study opponent film and game plans, respectively. It also raises a question about the quarterback scouting process and ultra-detailed analyses that teams project onto a famously inexact science.

Some evaluators will say every detail is relevant to consider. But on the scale of relevance, where do teams consider patting the ball to be?

Yahoo Sports asked two former NFL offensive coordinators, one former NFL defensive coordinator and three talent evaluators for their perspectives.

Their main takeaway: The question at hand isn’t really about whether Sanders is patting the ball.

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