I've seen a lot of media point to Mahomes' 15 interceptions as something that could be a hindrance for this season. Something he needs to improve on. And while, yes, throwing 15 interceptions is bad, there's a lot of factors.
So I went back and found footage of every interception from the season. If the link is next to the team name, then you'll have to find the play in the box score, and ESPN has the video. Otherwise, it's a direct link to YouTube.
In the end, Mahomes can only control certain things. Arm punts are situational (and Tech scored more than 4 TDs on these, as well). Tipped balls are usually just luck. Miscommunication happens, especially when he scrambles. In the end, I only legitimately hold him responsible for 5 of the 15. He made 3 outright bad passes, and the defense made 2 great plays. Usually the D making a great play is because the defender was in a good position when the ball was thrown.
4: Legitimate "arm punts." Basically, Pat taking a shot downfield and the INT wasn't a "fault" or necessarily a bad result. Now, the improvement here is that Pat develops more awareness and instead of going "all or nothing" that he can spot underneath routes.
3: Deflected/tipped/hit while throwing. You could argue the SHSU interception was tipped, but it was also a bad pass, so I put more blame on Pat. He needs to be more aware of the DL, but overall, when you throw the ball 500+ times, some will get tipped at the line. You are then subjected to luck and if a defender can get to it.
3: Outright bad passes. Read the D wrong, underestimated the position of the DB, something. Balls that shouldn't have been thrown.
3: Miscommunication. Whatever happened, it looked to be multiple faults.
2: Great defensive play. Both against Oklahoma. The Striker INT looked like a hot read, snap and throw. Striker read it well and stopped the blitz and jumped in the passing lane. The INT in the endzone of Reg Davis looks more like a bad adjustment by Reg and a great play by the CB. Reg should have been there, but the CB redirected the route and was in position.
1) SHSU
2 & 3) Arkansas: http://espn.go.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=400763431
13) West Virginia
So I went back and found footage of every interception from the season. If the link is next to the team name, then you'll have to find the play in the box score, and ESPN has the video. Otherwise, it's a direct link to YouTube.
In the end, Mahomes can only control certain things. Arm punts are situational (and Tech scored more than 4 TDs on these, as well). Tipped balls are usually just luck. Miscommunication happens, especially when he scrambles. In the end, I only legitimately hold him responsible for 5 of the 15. He made 3 outright bad passes, and the defense made 2 great plays. Usually the D making a great play is because the defender was in a good position when the ball was thrown.
4: Legitimate "arm punts." Basically, Pat taking a shot downfield and the INT wasn't a "fault" or necessarily a bad result. Now, the improvement here is that Pat develops more awareness and instead of going "all or nothing" that he can spot underneath routes.
3: Deflected/tipped/hit while throwing. You could argue the SHSU interception was tipped, but it was also a bad pass, so I put more blame on Pat. He needs to be more aware of the DL, but overall, when you throw the ball 500+ times, some will get tipped at the line. You are then subjected to luck and if a defender can get to it.
3: Outright bad passes. Read the D wrong, underestimated the position of the DB, something. Balls that shouldn't have been thrown.
3: Miscommunication. Whatever happened, it looked to be multiple faults.
2: Great defensive play. Both against Oklahoma. The Striker INT looked like a hot read, snap and throw. Striker read it well and stopped the blitz and jumped in the passing lane. The INT in the endzone of Reg Davis looks more like a bad adjustment by Reg and a great play by the CB. Reg should have been there, but the CB redirected the route and was in position.
1) SHSU
- Thrown high, tipped by Sadler. Bad pass.
2 & 3) Arkansas: http://espn.go.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=400763431
- 3rd and 11 go route. Basically an arm punt.
- 3rd and 5, end of half arm punt (prevented any return)
- 3rd down, arm punt. Already down 35-14. Ran from pressure and just launched it. Worst part was only 1 Tech player on that side of field. Baylor S caught it running with no Red Raiders in sight..
- Mahomes never saw him. Bad pass. Never should have thrown.
- Scrambling arm punt in to the EZ from https://youtu.be/HdDv57UAOkI?t=43
- Eric Striker makes great play. Mahomes quick throw, didn’t even look.
- Pump fake and then ball tipped by DL
- Decent throw, Reg Davis was in bad position. Good play by CB Austin.
- Arm hit when he threw
- Bad pass or bad route by Jakeem (or both)
- Miscommunication with Batson, game was over. https://youtu.be/R0XwPbtBYfA?t=2h50m47
13) West Virginia
- Just a bad pass, no excuse: https://youtu.be/17fABWj5S9c?t=50m40s
- 4th down scramble, misread Jakeem going deep https://youtu.be/DhS2PsYCBME?t=1m30s
- Deflected off Tony Brown, popped in the air
