Cleveland Browns vs Arizona Cardinals: Film Room Session

Josh McCown’s interception 

Early in the fourth quarter, trailing by four points, the Browns had the ball in Arizona territory. The drive was stalled on a Josh McCown interception and deflated the Browns chances of winning the game. On the play the Browns line up in an offset I-formation with twin receivers to the left. The Cardinals have eight defenders in the box and are playing man to man coverage on the Browns outside receivers (Travis Benjamin and Taylor Gabriel). The Cardinals also have one deep safety who’s responsibility is over the top help for the corners who are in man.

On the snap, outside receiver Benjamin runs a deep post and inside receiver Gabriel runs a wheel route. Gabriel beats his defender on the wheel and has separation heading up the sideline. If the ball is thrown now, as Gabriel begins to cut up field he would be open and the safety would have no time to make a play.

However, McCown waits to deliver the ball. The ball doesn’t reach Gabriel until he is in the end zone. McCown holding on to the ball, allows corner back Justin Bethel, to catch up to Gabriel and for the single high safety, Rashad Johnson to break and make a play on the ball. By the time the ball gets to Gabriel he is in double coverage and has no chance to win a jump ball at 5’7”. Safety Rashad Johnson is able to read where McCown is going with the ball and is able to come over the top and make a critical interception. McCown had man on man coverage is what he wanted to throw the wheel route to Gabriel. However, he did not deliver on time and allowed the safety to help over the top and make a big play.