Falcons safety Jessie Bates III has emerged as possibly the most important piece their defense has found in the secondary. He does this by making sure that he prepares with unparalleled detail. His commitment to digital note-taking has become the secret weapon in helping him get the jump on his competition. Bates has an acute feel for the game. He’s built a system that reliably puts him a move ahead of his opponents.
Bates’ dedication to his craft is visible in a practice of his that centers around Michaelangelo’s admiration for technology. His logs go back more than a decade and feature every flight taken, every meeting attended and every match he’s played. Running Michigan’s advantage, Bates’ digital stylus, team-issued tablets, and Bates’ insatiable motivation help produce an extensive log of opponents’ key tendencies and play calls. He continues to test these notes just before game time. This routine makes him an efficient preparer. It sets a rhythm for the defensive back seven by keeping them a day-ahead pace.
Constant and consistent communication with his coaches and teammates is key. He stays up late studying, texting defensive backs coach Jerry Gray for tips on how to prepare for the following day’s third-down presentation. By reviewing Gray’s look-ahead cutups, Bates analyzes the previous week’s game to strategize for upcoming opponents. Combined with his explosiveness and playmaking ability, his knack for reading plays and tendencies makes him a scary, dangerous presence on the field.
Bates’ game is about instincts, guess work, reading, processing so much information at a really high pace. He has a clear recollection of the 2023-24 league matchup against Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints. It was in that game that he pulled off an incredible interception. Whether he’s called into action specifically or not, his instincts usually send him to the right place at the right time. Those who watch him cite this quality as simultaneously haunting and supernatural.
“I know that Derek Carr was hot, and motion, usually on third down, means that guy’s hot.” – Jessie Bates III
“Understanding where the back is is huge as well when understanding what a quarterback’s progression is.” – Jessie Bates III
Bates further into how formations impact ways of playing. He isolates aspects such as the pre-snap positioning of receivers and possible read – heater routes.
“You get two-by-two [as in two receivers on either side of the formation] and you see the back away [as in the RB is to the opposite side of the field]. Where your No. 3 is is usually the second read. The first part of the read is usually to the two-man stack.” – Jessie Bates III
His coach, Raheem Morris, draws comparisons between Bates and former NFL standout Ronde Barber, whom he coached during his time in Tampa Bay. Morris points to Bates’ innate ability to make the most of any situation.
“However many coaches we have, we add one.” – Jerry Gray
In this follow-up post, Morris continues to reflect on Bates’ deep philosophy of making assertive plays with no second-guessing.
“I wanted people to be in the right area, and I remember Ronde telling me he had played in this league for a while… ‘Either you ride with me, or you don’t.’” – Raheem Morris
What sets Bates apart from others is his willingness to take risks. As Gray points out, it’s his desire and willingness to pounce on opportunity that frequently leads to game-changing plays.
“There’s certain little things that he knows. ‘I see the look, I take the look, and I take the chance.’ A lot of guys who are good football players are afraid to take the chance.” – Jerry Gray
Both coaches emphasize to their younger players that they should watch and learn from what Bates does. Morris urges young players everywhere to take a long look at Bates.
“[To] a lot of the young guys, I highly recommend going to see what his process is, what he’s doing.” – Raheem Morris
Bates is an efficient and quick information processor. This keen instinct allows him to recognize concepts such as the “dagger concept,” further enriching an already impressive skill set. His football intelligence, preparation and instinctual play all serve to amplify the Falcons overall defensive game plan.
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