Leonard Floyd does many things well. He’s great in setting the edge and in pursuit of the ball carrier. He does not guess one way or the other, he reads the play as it unfolds. He can back into a zone in coverage, as well as cover the RB out of the backfield. He’s even lined up in the slot a few times. Robert Quinn does one thing well, he rushes the QB. And he does it very, very well.
SPEED
First and foremost, before any talk of technique, Quinn’s raw speed jumps out at you. He looks like he plays at a different gear than anyone out on the field. Before putting technique into the equation, he can beat you simply by his pure speed alone.
On this play, there is a TE cushioning the LT from Quinn. This should give the TE plenty of time to get back and cut off the edge. There is no threat of an inside move to worry aboot. But Quinn explodes off the line like a sprinter, beats the LT to the point, and flattens to the QB...
Here Quinn gets upfield so fast that the TE completely whiffs on the chip block...
This is a designed 3 step drop. You see the LT covering his inside first. This is because edge pressure should not even be a factor on this particular play. Yet Quinn is still able to get a hit on the QB...
This is another designed 3 step drop. The sack is 100% on the QB for not throwing it in time. But even if he did, Quinn would have still clobbered the QB...
The LT does a nice job driving Quinn out of position on this play. Yet because of his speed, Quinn is able to recover that ground quickly. He then hurries the QB into overthrowing a wide open receiver downfield...
Because of his elite speed, Quinn is never out of a play no matter what position he’s in. Here he chases down the QB from 13 yards behind the LOS...
Catches the ball carrier from the backside of the play...
Runs down the QB to the sideline from an inside stunt...
AGILITY
Speed isn’t everything, even elite speed. You have to be able to get off of a block. This is where Quinn sets himself apart from many speed rushers. He changes direction seamlessly and in an instant...
He displays special body control maintaining balance while not losing acceleration. On this play, note how Quinn gets dragged down to the ground by the shoulder pad without losing his footing. He then pops back up instantly at full speed...
Here Quinn contorts his body 90 degrees, literally facing the sideline, in order to get through the gap...
These traits just described are how Quinn gets off of blocks. On his signature move, he uses a dip to turn the corner with the least amount of resistance. He then bends his hips in order to make the sharp turn towards the QB. And he rips his arm upward to completely detach from the blocker and to gain added momentum...
Here is a slight variation where Quinn adds a stab right before the dip...
OTHER TECHNIQUES
On this play, Quinn raises his arms over his head and straightens his entire body in sort of a Superman pose. He contorts his body in a way that the offensive tackle simply has no where to grab onto...
Quinn also utilizes a unique jump cut cho maneuver. As the blocker goes to engage, Quinn leaps into the air. Then he chops the blockers arm as he is landing. With his feet not planted in the ground, it makes it difficult for the OT to move him or throw him off balance...
Here is a setup from the jump cut chop. The OT is anticipating the jump cut, so he waits to engage. But it never comes...
Here is an inside counter to the speed rush...
FINAL THOUGHTS
Three legit pass rushers on passing downs should cause fits for opposing offenses. 3rd and long becomes a daunting task.
Sure, you could leave extra blockers in, but that will also feed into the Bears strength. The more offensive players you leave in pass protection, the longer the QB has to hold the ball. And odds are that one of Mack/Hicks/Quinn will eventually spring free. Plays in which only 3 to 4 targets deployed require the receivers to run much longer routes in order to disperse the secondary and create space.
With Quinn normally going all out to the QB, the defense becomes more susceptible to the run and to screen plays. A run oriented strong safety could help to balance that.
Another concern is that since Quinn relies so much on speed, losing a step could be devastating to his game. And with already being in the league for some 9 years or so, losing a step is always a possibility. But there was definitely no sign of it in 2019.
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