Alex Smith & The Secrets of the RPO - Think Patience

How Does Alex Smith Throw an RPO – Think Patience

In today’s video, we will look at how Alex Smith throws an RPO. Normally, these RPO throws come out quick, but Alex does a nice job of hanging tough and throwing a second window slant. It’s a nice job of being calm and patient in the pseudo-pocket.

What Are You Going to Learn Today? – How Alex Smith Throws an RPO

Today you are going to learn how Alex Smith throws an RPO inside slant. I loved Alex’s patience and ability not to force a contested first-window slant. He simply waits for the next window and gets a completion. Many guys would come out and rip it based on the presnap read, but Alex Smith does a great job of being careful with the ball and waiting on a better throw.

Why is This Concept Important – Alex Smith and RPOs

The RPO is important because it plays to so many of Alex Smith’s strengths. He is a good decision-maker. He is always smart with the ball and rarely turns it over. He is also just a smart guy. He understands football and quarterbacking. This clip also shows his patience and capacity to play the play out and not get locked on a throw.

Where Does This Concept Fit – The RPO and Alex Smith Fit Together

You need to know how the RPO fits with Alex Smith’s game because they feed off each other. The RPO capitalizes on many of Alex Smith’s strengths. Watch for the Redskins to keep using RPOs to take advantage of Alex’s decision-making with short and intermediate throws that get the ball out of his hand quickly.

Going Forward – More RPOs for Alex Smith

Taken together, watch for the Redskins and Jay Gruden to use more and more RPO concepts. Alex Smith has run similar type plays since his days with Urban Meyer at Utah. He is comfortable with them, and they capitalize on so many of Alex’s strengths. More RPOs, Redskins.

J.T. O'Sullivan