In the All-America Championship game, nearly every time the Chiefs pressured Joe Burrow, the Bengals quarterback came off surprisingly.
Posted at 6:23 p.m.
This ability to stay out of trouble while running is one of the big reasons Cincinnati is in the Super Bowl.
“It adds a whole new dimension to our offense,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. Joe can extend a play, improvise and create new options for receivers. He often went for first tries like that during the season.
“In today’s NFL, quarterbacks have to have that quality. »
Against Kansas City, on three occasions, what looked like a sack became a successful third down.
“He found a lot of ways to help us win,” Callahan added. It’s part of the development of a quarterback to adjust to the flow of a game. He knew the Chiefs’ covers would take him on a run here and there. He made it work in our favor. »
Burrow’s brilliance helps wingers such as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, who can break free for big wins.
Burrow has shown himself to be increasingly mobile as the season progressed, gaining confidence about his left knee, which was targeted for surgery in 2020 (the quarterback’s rookie season).
“It’s night and day compared to the first half of the season,” Burrow said of his ability to stretch a play. “I’m getting better at evading tackles. »
The operation in December 2020 was done in LA by the Dr Neal ElAttrache, the Rams doctor.
Burrow has done a lot of rehab around the corner and last April watched the draft at the home of Andrew Whitworth, a former Bengal, now a tackle with the Rams.
Burrow is reaping the rewards of all those hours of work with Nick Cosgray, the Bengals’ director of rehabilitation.
“It was a long and arduous process,” Burrow said. Nick really helped me get back to being the player I was. I wouldn’t be at this point without all the hard work he has done. »