Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR for the Lions, reveals his favorite play.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the most exciting young wide receivers in the NFL today. A key player for the Detroit Lions, St. Brown has become known for his impressive route running, precise hands, and ability to perform in clutch moments. But like any great athlete, he has his favorite moments, his go-to moves, and the plays that really make him feel connected to the game. In an exclusive interview, Amon-Ra St. Brown reveals his favorite play—a play that has become a staple in his success on the field, and one that he always looks forward to executing.
Early Beginnings: Understanding the Play’s Roots
The first thing you should know about St. Brown’s favorite play is that it isn’t just any ordinary pass. It’s a play that has been honed over the years, built upon a foundation of trust, timing, and preparation. Like most athletes, Amon-Ra’s favorite play has an origin—a moment in time when everything clicked. For him, that moment came when he was playing at USC. His coaches would emphasize the importance of perfecting every detail of a route, the fine-tuning of timing between the quarterback and wide receiver, and the nuance of reading a defense.
In those early days, St. Brown didn’t just learn to catch passes; he learned to feel the game and anticipate what was going to happen next. His favorite play has its roots in those lessons, particularly one that stands out: the “Dagger.” It’s a classic deep route used in the NFL, but to Amon-Ra, it is so much more than just a go-to play. It’s the embodiment of everything he’s worked on: trust in his quarterback, anticipation of the defense’s movements, and his ability to track the ball downfield.
What is the Dagger Play?
The “Dagger” is a deep passing route designed to break down a defense. The idea behind the play is to send a receiver downfield on a go-route, while a secondary receiver runs a post route. The post route acts as the “dagger” that cuts through the defense, pulling safeties away from the receiver on the go-route. The wide receiver on the go-route is tasked with getting behind the defense, using their speed to blow past the secondary and get open for a deep pass.
In its simplest form, it is a high-risk, high-reward play. When executed properly, it can result in a massive gain, or even a touchdown. For St. Brown, it’s not just about catching the ball. The intricacies of timing, spacing, and trust in the quarterback are what make this play so rewarding for him. The Dagger relies on the wide receiver’s ability to read the defense and make sure they’re in the right position when the ball is thrown.
St. Brown’s Take on the Dagger Play
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s execution of the Dagger has become one of his trademarks. He is known for his calm demeanor and his ability to run crisp, clean routes, but when it comes to the Dagger, it’s his understanding of how defenses will react that gives him an edge. “The key to the Dagger,” St. Brown says, “is not just the speed or the throw. It’s understanding what the defense is doing and knowing how to get open when they think they have you covered.”
What sets St. Brown apart from many other wide receivers is his ability to process information quickly. He watches how the defense aligns and reads how the safeties move before making his break. For the Dagger, that means making the perfect cut, angling himself in such a way that the defense has to make a tough decision—either stick with him and risk leaving the post route wide open, or give him space and let him get downfield. Either way, St. Brown knows how to take advantage of the situation.
One of the most notable aspects of his execution of this play is his impeccable timing. “Timing is everything,” he adds. “It’s not just about running fast or knowing where the quarterback will be. It’s about knowing when to make your move.” In the Dagger, the timing between the quarterback and receiver is critical. If they aren’t in sync, the play falls apart. But when it works, it’s nearly impossible to stop.
Trusting the Quarterback
Another integral aspect of Amon-Ra’s favorite play is the trust he has in his quarterback. Jared Goff, the Lions’ quarterback, is a key factor in the success of the Dagger play. For a play like this to work, the quarterback and wide receiver have to be on the same page. Goff’s ability to read the defense and throw an accurate deep ball is something St. Brown has come to rely on.
“There’s a lot of trust involved,” St. Brown says. “When we run the Dagger, I know that Jared is going to put the ball where I need it to be. He has an incredible arm, and he’s been great at giving me the chance to make a play.” Goff, for his part, has praised St. Brown’s ability to adjust to the defense and create separation when it matters most. “Amon-Ra is such a smart player,” Goff explains. “He can read defenses better than most wide receivers, and that allows me to throw with confidence, knowing that he’ll be in the right place at the right time.”
It’s this chemistry that makes the Dagger such an effective play for the Lions. It’s not just about the route; it’s about the relationship between quarterback and receiver. Goff trusts that St. Brown will get open, and St. Brown knows that Goff will get him the ball when he’s in position. The result is a play that feels almost automatic when it’s executed properly.
The Role of the Offensive Coordinator
Of course, no play happens in a vacuum. It’s important to understand the strategic role that the offensive coordinator plays in the success of the Dagger. The Lions’ offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, is known for his innovative playcalling, and the Dagger is one of his favorite concepts. Johnson has designed the offense to take advantage of St. Brown’s strengths, particularly his ability to read defenses and make sharp cuts.
When asked about the Dagger, Johnson says, “Amon-Ra is a perfect fit for this play. He’s not only fast and smooth, but he has a great understanding of the game. He knows how to read defenses and adjust his route on the fly. That makes him incredibly dangerous on plays like the Dagger, where timing and precision are everything.”
Johnson also credits St. Brown’s work ethic in practice. “Amon-Ra doesn’t just run through the motions. He works hard to perfect every route, every move. That attention to detail is what makes the Dagger so effective for him. He’s prepared for it, and when the opportunity arises, he capitalizes on it.”
The Impact on the Lions’ Offense
The Dagger play has become one of the most important elements of the Lions’ offensive playbook. With St. Brown as the focal point, the Lions can stretch the field and create big-play opportunities. The threat of the Dagger forces defenses to play with more caution, opening up lanes for other players to get involved. It also gives the Lions a chance to score quickly, putting pressure on opposing defenses to keep up.
But St. Brown’s favorite play is more than just a tool for gaining yards. It symbolizes the evolution of the Lions’ offense as a whole. Under head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the team has made strides to become more dynamic and unpredictable. The Dagger is a perfect example of this: a play that capitalizes on the skill of an elite wide receiver, the arm strength of a talented quarterback, and the strategic brilliance of an offensive coordinator.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Passion for the Game
For St. Brown, the Dagger is more than just a play—it’s a reflection of his love for the game. He is driven by the challenge of executing it perfectly, and by the opportunity to make something spectacular happen on the field. Whether it’s the anticipation of the defense’s movements or the split-second timing required to catch the ball, St. Brown approaches every aspect of the Dagger with an intensity that comes from his passion for football.
“I love the challenge of the Dagger,” St. Brown says. “It’s a play that demands so much focus and execution, and when you pull it off, it’s such a great feeling. It’s not just about making a big play; it’s about the satisfaction of seeing all the hard work pay off.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s favorite play, the Dagger, is a perfect reflection of his skill, understanding of the game, and ability to execute under pressure. It’s not just a simple deep pass—it’s a combination of timing, trust, and precision. From the moment he steps onto the field, St. Brown is ready to make the most of every opportunity, and the Dagger is one of his favorite tools to do just that. As the Detroit Lions continue to build a potent offense, the Dagger will remain one of their most effective weapons, with St. Brown at the center of it all, ready to make the next big play.