Washington Football: 6 ways to revive Jake Browning’s draft stock

Trust, Trust, Trust

Trust, trust, trust. Trust in the system, trust in the protection, trust in the coaching staff. Most importantly he must trust that the players will be where they are supposed to be and make the plays necessary to succeed.

Far too often over the last two seasons, the delay in delivering the football on time, and in rhythm, appears to be a product of not trusting the players around him. When John Ross and Dante Pettis were running routes, the ball came out quick and on time. Unfortunately, after the loss of those receivers, there’s been a noticeable difference in Browning’s confidence to deliver the ball.

The system is in place, and while none of the receivers are necessarily the same as those mentioned, there’s talent throughout the position group, such as Aaron Fuller. It appears that Browning’s comfort level still isn’t there with them and it’s holding back his ability to perform the way he has in the past. He has to trust that his receivers will make the plays, and attempt to rekindle some of the explosiveness that has been lost over the last two seasons.

This offense is predicated on the run setting up the pass. Which is smart considering the Huskies have Myles Gaskin as their main running back. When opportunities present themselves to take those passing shots are bypassed and worse turned into drive drive-killing sacks, it shows his ineptitude. Receivers aren’t always going to be running free in the secondary but sometimes, he has to give them a chance to make something happen.

Trust that the staff is going to call the correct play. Browning has to believe that the coaching staff understands the game flow and that the right players will be in the package to accomplish the play. There’s little reason for him to doubt the staff. Chris Petersen has been doing this for quite some time, with success.

Most importantly, Browning must trust Browning. Half the battle is believing that he can do the job. He can’t second guess the reads, or his ability to fit the ball into the windows available. In other words, Browning has to stop overthinking and throw.