How NFL quarterbacks learn dozens of new plays every single week
Carson Palmer is a six-foot-five, 235-pound starting quarterback in the NFL. He's a 13-year veteran in the league. He's also "freaking out."
That's because he's in the middle of learning dozens of new plays as he prepares for his Arizona Cardinals' Nov. 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Sports Illustrated's Peter King paints the hectic picture in a new story for The MMQB, which details how an NFL signal-caller like Palmer learns the litany of plays required for each game in only a matter of days. One of the plays the Cardinals are thinking of running against the Browns is called Pistol Strong Right Stack Act 6 Y Cross Divide:
And that's just one of the 171 plays Palmer had to master for a single game. Plus, every single play has a list of fail-safes and permutations in place, should the defense do something unexpected — adjustments to be made at the line of scrimmage before Palmer takes the snap. And once he's memorized every single form the play could take, Palmer has to run through the list of options in the heat of the moment, when the play is called and the ball is in his hands. For a passing play like this, for example, Palmer has to know which receiver is the first option, the second, the third.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Cardinals use virtual reality, comprehensive strategy meetings, and a gigantic whiteboard to help their quarterback learn the week's plays — but at the end of the day, Palmer simply does a lot of studying, writing, and reviewing. So after all that work, how'd Palmer do? He completed 60 percent of his passes against the Browns, including four touchdown passes, and the Cardinals won the game 34-20. Read the whole fascinating story at The MMQB.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
5 blustery cartoons about the Stormy Daniels testimony
Cartoons Artists take on gag orders, lurid details, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne Hathaway
The Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: May 11, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published