The immense detail that goes into every NFL play

As fans we argue about player progression and development all the time, pointing out which players are picking things up and which players aren’t, but rarely do we actually get a glimpse into the game in its true complexity. As much as I’m sure all of us maintain a stout dislike for the Dallas Cowboys, at the retirement press conference for Jason Witten, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett recounted a story about Witten’s attention to detail.

I could attempt to describe it for you, but it’s so much easier to simply watch this four minute video.

That is no more than a window giving a slight glimpse into the complexity of the pro game, and how much detail is required for a receiver on any given play. Taking that level of attention to detail and applying it to the entire route tree as well as to blocking skills, and it’s no wonder that it’s so hard to find tight ends who are competent as both receivers and blockers.

So, no matter how much one dislikes the Cowboys, this is a great example of the detail that goes into every position on every play in the NFL.