Our YAC (Yards After Catch) could be better. Part of our relatively low YAC is the zone type defenses---the correctable part to improve that is KM leading the receiver with the ball placement.
KM needs to get rid of the ball and throw to the place where the receiver will be. Too many times KM is waiting for the receiver to already make his turn and settle in the soft spot of the zone. By the time the ball gets to the receiver, the defender is on his back. Too many attempts are broken up by the defender who has the reaction time to make up the separation earned by the receiver. Happens a lot to Fitz and Kirk. Even when the catch is made, our receivers don't have the opportunity for YAC.
With practice and trust, KM will learn to throw the ball to Fitz when Fitz is running and has his back to KM. KM'S throw needs to be to the spot where Fitz is going to be. Fitz will break off the route, turn, snatch the ball out of the air and will have a greater opportunity to continue moving upfield for some YAC. Fitz won't be twisted into a pretzel going for a ball low and behind him.
Recall the Isabella throw that had Isabella trying to curl around before heading upfield. If KM delivered the ball before Isabella turned, Isabella would have the split second to gain some YAC. Instead, he surrenders the first down and gets tackled behind the first down marker and is the reason we don't get that necessary first down. You'll see that move from other QBs and WRs who are in sync with one another and they gain additional YAC by the first move of 'giving up' the 1st down.
DHop is playing the sideline and KM can make the throw in anticipation of DHop getting to the spot---one reason DHop has a lot of yards over the WRs playing the middle of the field routes.
Here's the leading receiver stats:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/player/_/stat/receiving
Our team YAC average is 4.85; KC is at 5.9. That's a yard more per catch---a lot of yards over the course of 16 games. Most of our YAC is due to DHop making the catch in stride and moving down the field. Not so much with our other WRs. Edmonds is making his YAC after short passes and room to move up field.
