The 5 step drop is buying time for Stafford. That's the entire point of the drop back, its supposed to work/sync with route 1 in the majority of passing plays. If a DB is playing bump and run it can throw the timing off. That's all pre-snap understanding. If Stafford isn't throwing its not because he's trying to do too much. It's because he's not getting a good look. We saw multiple times last night where he tried to get it in early and it was deflected or jumped.
I haven't looked back at the game, but I'm sure they tried multiple times to get the ball out early. Then when you're on 3rd and 10 or 3rd and 12 those concepts no longer work.
Taking a sack is preferable to another int or fumble. You can't just read the entire field in less than 4 seconds. It's pre-snap and rhythm in most cases. Stafford is an elite reader too. He's probably the best in the league along with Rodgers.
