Newsletter: Football's Nuance is All Around Us

Social media has lost its way on understanding NFL route running, folks.

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 29: Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs away from a tackle attempt by Dylan Smith #11 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys after a catch in the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

I am here on this beautiful Monday to unfortunately complain about an all-too-common issue coming up in the social media-driven landscape — especially around football. Either during these Pro Day scenarios or during 1-on-1s at the Senior Bowl you will catch a clip of receivers running routes on air where they simulate different releases and different route types. Then these routes get mocked on social media, mostly by folks who can’t walk around the block, with lines like “my seven year old son runs that route in the living room” or “this looks like me in the backyard” all because the route simulates a tight release and has some sort of double move.

The route that drove me to write this came from the NFL Network’s coverage of Colorado’s Showcase day where Travis Hunter came to the event and ran routes at the last moment. He didn’t do defensive back drills, NOTEWORTHY, but did run some routes and this one is making the rounds. Let’s discuss.