Poor Game Management and Decision Making
The ability to keep the offense on schedule and constantly moving forward is near the top of the list of important attributes for a quarterback. That means having the sense and feel for when to check it down, throw the ball away, or eat it.
In this department, Sanders has a long way to go.
A big part of this is his inability or unwillingness to get the ball out within the natural timing and rhythm of the play. Too often, he looked to make the big play or lean on his legs to play that sandlot style of football.
The result was too many bad sacks and forced throws last season, as you’ll see repeatedly below.
This first play was a 3rd-and-15 and the Browns were on the verge of field goal range. You’re likely not getting a 15-yard completion here, so a quarterback needs to be prepared to dump the ball off, take the yards he can get, and put the team in better position to kick a field goal.
Sanders had the flat open to his left here but held onto the ball hoping for the bigger play. He ended up getting swarmed by pass rushers and knocking the Browns out of field goal range altogether:
That’s poor situational management.