NFL's QB Problems
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I know somewhere l saw a list of a good half dozen young QBs that were drafted high fairly recently but haven’t been cutting the mustard, so they’re on the bench. Young and Richardson were on it.
I half wondered if it might not be a bad idea for the Browns to swing a trade for one of those guys and see if he can morph in to a Goff-like story.
It's funny because this a disease that has manifested itself at the highest levels, but the condition(s) start at the lowest levels. Which is to say, it's a problem lumped onto the NFL that professional football alone likely can't fix.
A couple years ago I got into coaching. Was asked to be an assistant and had a blast doing it. Moved on to something else and was asked to coach an alumni team that following summer, except at the top spot. Brought in a few of the kids who were graduating seniors that year.
NONE of them had played in an offense that put them under center. This isn't hyperbole. I had a RB and a kid I tried out at QB who had never once run without being in the gun. Had to teach things from footwork and stance pre-snap, to drive step from the center, proper hand offs, then timing and sells on fakes. It was unreal for me because it was rare when we went to the gun when I was a kid.
I also threw in things I empowered my QB to do. Make a check at the line to kill to a run. We had two "lookie" sight adjusts I let him work with as well in a couple formations for specific plays. Keep in mind I only had 10 weeks to put this group together, but they did pretty great considering.
Now I told you that story because in that experience, I saw in real time what comments Tom Brady echoed about modern quarterbacking. In essence that these kids, starting at the most fundamental levels, aren't being comprehensively developed as football players both physically AND mentally. Instead you bring in great raw athletes and then put them into what amounts to, I call a "Nanny State" system. Where I'm teaching that system, controlling it from the top down like a complete psychopath, and not empowering my QB to be an extension of myself as a coach on the field.
When you think of the great QBs, you think of them as passers and field generals. Not elite athletes. I'm not saying you can't be the latter and get it done, look at Lamar Jackson. But what has held the Ravens offense back, especially in crucial moments, is that he has consistently failed to elevate himself to that elite passer status.
But by and large, what the current state of offense has done, starting about 20 years ago, between the advent of RPO, QB-run centric, hand-holding offenses has lead to this mental neutering of QBs. Taking the control of the game from their hands, and putting it entirely on the coaches to play their chess match while removing the dynamic element of the cerebral signal caller.
Meaning these kids struggle to learn and process difficult and higher functioning offensive concepts and now can't act as the proper extension of their coaches, mentally speaking, on the field; because they're so used to having their decision making handled for them pre and post snap.
Patrick Mahomes has admitted he had little idea how to read defenses his first two years. His success is a testament to the KC coaching staff. But his accession to greatest is the far removed exception, not the rule. Now these kids are lucky to be average passers at best, while NFL front offices continue to trip over themselves and their silly obsession with athleticism. All forgetting you're in a post-Vick age where running QBs with subpar passing ability are neutralized by athletic defenses.
It's funny because this a disease that has manifested itself at the highest levels, but the condition(s) start at the lowest levels. Which is to say, it's a problem lumped onto the NFL that professional football alone likely can't fix.
A couple years ago I got into coaching. Was asked to be an assistant and had a blast doing it. Moved on to something else and was asked to coach an alumni team that following summer, except at the top spot. Brought in a few of the kids who were graduating seniors that year.
NONE of them had played in an offense that put them under center. This isn't hyperbole. I had a RB and a kid I tried out at QB who had never once run without being in the gun. Had to teach things from footwork and stance pre-snap, to drive step from the center, proper hand offs, then timing and sells on fakes. It was unreal for me because it was rare when we went to the gun when I was a kid.
I also threw in things I empowered my QB to do. Make a check at the line to kill to a run. We had two "lookie" sight adjusts I let him work with as well in a couple formations for specific plays. Keep in mind I only had 10 weeks to put this group together, but they did pretty great considering.
Now I told you that story because in that experience, I saw in real time what comments Tom Brady echoed about modern quarterbacking. In essence that these kids, starting at the most fundamental levels, aren't being comprehensively developed as football players both physically AND mentally. Instead you bring in great raw athletes and then put them into what amounts to, I call a "Nanny State" system. Where I'm teaching that system, controlling it from the top down like a complete psychopath, and not empowering my QB to be an extension of myself as a coach on the field.
When you think of the great QBs, you think of them as passers and field generals. Not elite athletes. I'm not saying you can't be the latter and get it done, look at Lamar Jackson. But what has held the Ravens offense back, especially in crucial moments, is that he has consistently failed to elevate himself to that elite passer status.
But by and large, what the current state of offense has done, starting about 20 years ago, between the advent of RPO, QB-run centric, hand-holding offenses has lead to this mental neutering of QBs. Taking the control of the game from their hands, and putting it entirely on the coaches to play their chess match while removing the dynamic element of the cerebral signal caller.
Meaning these kids struggle to learn and process difficult and higher functioning offensive concepts and now can't act as the proper extension of their coaches, mentally speaking, on the field; because they're so used to having their decision making handled for them pre and post snap.
Patrick Mahomes has admitted he had little idea how to read defenses his first two years. His success is a testament to the KC coaching staff. But his accession to greatest is the far removed exception, not the rule. Now these kids are lucky to be average passers at best, while NFL front offices continue to trip over themselves and their silly obsession with athleticism. All forgetting you're in a post-Vick age where running QBs with subpar passing ability are neutralized by athletic defenses.
B. I. N. G. O.
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I know somewhere l saw a list of a good half dozen young QBs that were drafted high fairly recently but haven’t been cutting the mustard, so they’re on the bench. Young and Richardson were on it.
I half wondered if it might not be a bad idea for the Browns to swing a trade for one of those guys and see if he can morph in to a Goff-like story.
It's funny because this a disease that has manifested itself at the highest levels, but the condition(s) start at the lowest levels. Which is to say, it's a problem lumped onto the NFL that professional football alone likely can't fix.
A couple years ago I got into coaching. Was asked to be an assistant and had a blast doing it. Moved on to something else and was asked to coach an alumni team that following summer, except at the top spot. Brought in a few of the kids who were graduating seniors that year.
NONE of them had played in an offense that put them under center. This isn't hyperbole. I had a RB and a kid I tried out at QB who had never once run without being in the gun. Had to teach things from footwork and stance pre-snap, to drive step from the center, proper hand offs, then timing and sells on fakes. It was unreal for me because it was rare when we went to the gun when I was a kid.
I also threw in things I empowered my QB to do. Make a check at the line to kill to a run. We had two "lookie" sight adjusts I let him work with as well in a couple formations for specific plays. Keep in mind I only had 10 weeks to put this group together, but they did pretty great considering.
Now I told you that story because in that experience, I saw in real time what comments Tom Brady echoed about modern quarterbacking. In essence that these kids, starting at the most fundamental levels, aren't being comprehensively developed as football players both physically AND mentally. Instead you bring in great raw athletes and then put them into what amounts to, I call a "Nanny State" system. Where I'm teaching that system, controlling it from the top down like a complete psychopath, and not empowering my QB to be an extension of myself as a coach on the field.
When you think of the great QBs, you think of them as passers and field generals. Not elite athletes. I'm not saying you can't be the latter and get it done, look at Lamar Jackson. But what has held the Ravens offense back, especially in crucial moments, is that he has consistently failed to elevate himself to that elite passer status.
But by and large, what the current state of offense has done, starting about 20 years ago, between the advent of RPO, QB-run centric, hand-holding offenses has lead to this mental neutering of QBs. Taking the control of the game from their hands, and putting it entirely on the coaches to play their chess match while removing the dynamic element of the cerebral signal caller.
Meaning these kids struggle to learn and process difficult and higher functioning offensive concepts and now can't act as the proper extension of their coaches, mentally speaking, on the field; because they're so used to having their decision making handled for them pre and post snap.
Patrick Mahomes has admitted he had little idea how to read defenses his first two years. His success is a testament to the KC coaching staff. But his accession to greatest is the far removed exception, not the rule. Now these kids are lucky to be average passers at best, while NFL front offices continue to trip over themselves and their silly obsession with athleticism. All forgetting you're in a post-Vick age where running QBs with subpar passing ability are neutralized by athletic defenses.
It's funny because this a disease that has manifested itself at the highest levels, but the condition(s) start at the lowest levels. Which is to say, it's a problem lumped onto the NFL that professional football alone likely can't fix.
A couple years ago I got into coaching. Was asked to be an assistant and had a blast doing it. Moved on to something else and was asked to coach an alumni team that following summer, except at the top spot. Brought in a few of the kids who were graduating seniors that year.
NONE of them had played in an offense that put them under center. This isn't hyperbole. I had a RB and a kid I tried out at QB who had never once run without being in the gun. Had to teach things from footwork and stance pre-snap, to drive step from the center, proper hand offs, then timing and sells on fakes. It was unreal for me because it was rare when we went to the gun when I was a kid.
I also threw in things I empowered my QB to do. Make a check at the line to kill to a run. We had two "lookie" sight adjusts I let him work with as well in a couple formations for specific plays. Keep in mind I only had 10 weeks to put this group together, but they did pretty great considering.
Now I told you that story because in that experience, I saw in real time what comments Tom Brady echoed about modern quarterbacking. In essence that these kids, starting at the most fundamental levels, aren't being comprehensively developed as football players both physically AND mentally. Instead you bring in great raw athletes and then put them into what amounts to, I call a "Nanny State" system. Where I'm teaching that system, controlling it from the top down like a complete psychopath, and not empowering my QB to be an extension of myself as a coach on the field.
When you think of the great QBs, you think of them as passers and field generals. Not elite athletes. I'm not saying you can't be the latter and get it done, look at Lamar Jackson. But what has held the Ravens offense back, especially in crucial moments, is that he has consistently failed to elevate himself to that elite passer status.
But by and large, what the current state of offense has done, starting about 20 years ago, between the advent of RPO, QB-run centric, hand-holding offenses has lead to this mental neutering of QBs. Taking the control of the game from their hands, and putting it entirely on the coaches to play their chess match while removing the dynamic element of the cerebral signal caller.
Meaning these kids struggle to learn and process difficult and higher functioning offensive concepts and now can't act as the proper extension of their coaches, mentally speaking, on the field; because they're so used to having their decision making handled for them pre and post snap.
Patrick Mahomes has admitted he had little idea how to read defenses his first two years. His success is a testament to the KC coaching staff. But his accession to greatest is the far removed exception, not the rule. Now these kids are lucky to be average passers at best, while NFL front offices continue to trip over themselves and their silly obsession with athleticism. All forgetting you're in a post-Vick age where running QBs with subpar passing ability are neutralized by athletic defenses.
Really good reply here, thanks for the insight. It’s kind of surprising to me too. I can’t speak to youth football but my kid went the travel softball route and there’s really no end to how much money a parent can spend on personal trainers, hitting instructors, hotel rooms, $400 bats, etc.
With how much money is at stake in football l’m surprised there aren’t specialized QB instructors who try to mitigate the gap to get young aspiring stars up to speed. It stands to reason coaches just want to win at all levels, so l understand them putting their best athletes at the premium positions.
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Makes me wonder if we could see a renaissance of pro-style offenses in college football. If I was a high school QB i would prefer going to a school who runs an offense from under center that teaches me how to think under fire.
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It's funny because this a disease that has manifested itself at the highest levels, but the condition(s) start at the lowest levels. Which is to say, it's a problem lumped onto the NFL that professional football alone likely can't fix.
A couple years ago I got into coaching. Was asked to be an assistant and had a blast doing it. Moved on to something else and was asked to coach an alumni team that following summer, except at the top spot. Brought in a few of the kids who were graduating seniors that year.
NONE of them had played in an offense that put them under center. This isn't hyperbole. I had a RB and a kid I tried out at QB who had never once run without being in the gun. Had to teach things from footwork and stance pre-snap, to drive step from the center, proper hand offs, then timing and sells on fakes. It was unreal for me because it was rare when we went to the gun when I was a kid.
I also threw in things I empowered my QB to do. Make a check at the line to kill to a run. We had two "lookie" sight adjusts I let him work with as well in a couple formations for specific plays. Keep in mind I only had 10 weeks to put this group together, but they did pretty great considering.
Now I told you that story because in that experience, I saw in real time what comments Tom Brady echoed about modern quarterbacking. In essence that these kids, starting at the most fundamental levels, aren't being comprehensively developed as football players both physically AND mentally. Instead you bring in great raw athletes and then put them into what amounts to, I call a "Nanny State" system. Where I'm teaching that system, controlling it from the top down like a complete psychopath, and not empowering my QB to be an extension of myself as a coach on the field.
When you think of the great QBs, you think of them as passers and field generals. Not elite athletes. I'm not saying you can't be the latter and get it done, look at Lamar Jackson. But what has held the Ravens offense back, especially in crucial moments, is that he has consistently failed to elevate himself to that elite passer status.
But by and large, what the current state of offense has done, starting about 20 years ago, between the advent of RPO, QB-run centric, hand-holding offenses has lead to this mental neutering of QBs. Taking the control of the game from their hands, and putting it entirely on the coaches to play their chess match while removing the dynamic element of the cerebral signal caller.
Meaning these kids struggle to learn and process difficult and higher functioning offensive concepts and now can't act as the proper extension of their coaches, mentally speaking, on the field; because they're so used to having their decision making handled for them pre and post snap.
Patrick Mahomes has admitted he had little idea how to read defenses his first two years. His success is a testament to the KC coaching staff. But his accession to greatest is the far removed exception, not the rule. Now these kids are lucky to be average passers at best, while NFL front offices continue to trip over themselves and their silly obsession with athleticism. All forgetting you're in a post-Vick age where running QBs with subpar passing ability are neutralized by athletic defenses.
Really good reply here, thanks for the insight. It’s kind of surprising to me too. I can’t speak to youth football but my kid went the travel softball route and there’s really no end to how much money a parent can spend on personal trainers, hitting instructors, hotel rooms, $400 bats, etc.
With how much money is at stake in football l’m surprised there aren’t specialized QB instructors who try to mitigate the gap to get young aspiring stars up to speed. It stands to reason coaches just want to win at all levels, so l understand them putting their best athletes at the premium positions.
Really good reply here, thanks for the insight. It’s kind of surprising to me too. I can’t speak to youth football but my kid went the travel softball route and there’s really no end to how much money a parent can spend on personal trainers, hitting instructors, hotel rooms, $400 bats, etc.
With how much money is at stake in football l’m surprised there aren’t specialized QB instructors who try to mitigate the gap to get young aspiring stars up to speed. It stands to reason coaches just want to win at all levels, so l understand them putting their best athletes at the premium positions.
Some good points you make IBB. The Mannings have a QB Camp they invite a lot of promising QBs to - many of previous attendees eventually became 1st round draft picks. Trent Dilfer has also been trying to do this with kids. Sometimes the best teachers aren't the star QBs.
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Really good reply here, thanks for the insight. It’s kind of surprising to me too. I can’t speak to youth football but my kid went the travel softball route and there’s really no end to how much money a parent can spend on personal trainers, hitting instructors, hotel rooms, $400 bats, etc.
With how much money is at stake in football l’m surprised there aren’t specialized QB instructors who try to mitigate the gap to get young aspiring stars up to speed. It stands to reason coaches just want to win at all levels, so l understand them putting their best athletes at the premium positions.
Some good points you make IBB. The Mannings have a QB Camp they invite a lot of promising QBs to - many of previous attendees eventually became 1st round draft picks. Trent Dilfer has also been trying to do this with kids. Sometimes the best teachers aren't the star QBs.
Some good points you make IBB. The Mannings have a QB Camp they invite a lot of promising QBs to - many of previous attendees eventually became 1st round draft picks. Trent Dilfer has also been trying to do this with kids. Sometimes the best teachers aren't the star QBs.
I’m reminded of this when l think about Ted Williams’ managerial career.
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Some good points you make IBB. The Mannings have a QB Camp they invite a lot of promising QBs to - many of previous attendees eventually became 1st round draft picks. Trent Dilfer has also been trying to do this with kids. Sometimes the best teachers aren't the star QBs.
I’m reminded of this when l think about Ted Williams’ managerial career.
I’m reminded of this when l think about Ted Williams’ managerial career.
Eggs-actly. Or, all the QBs FO Exec John Elway got wrong until he finally decided to go sign an already proven Peyton Manning. One would think a great QB would find it easy to go find/draft a great QB. Having said that, I think Elway's back-up QB (Gary Kubiak) became far more efficient at understanding all that goes into what young QB prospects need to succeed and even down to the extent of which ones appear to be a better choice to draft. Just a guess on my part though...
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This is a variation of the thing l saw about recently drafted QBs who aren’t all panning out. Would a guy like Mac Jones be worth picking up if he could be gotten for cheap? He studied under Bill B. a couple years and played well against us from what l recall.
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Is the Wonderlic test still a thing? I thought that was something college QBs took to assess their cognitive abilities and how those might translate to the NFL, or something along those lines?
I always thought it was a silly name for a test, unless it had something to do with Tootsie Pops.
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Is the Wonderlic test still a thing? I thought that was something college QBs took to assess their cognitive abilities and how those might translate to the NFL, or something along those lines?
I always thought it was a silly name for a test, unless it had something to do with Tootsie Pops.
Is the Wonderlic test still a thing? I thought that was something college QBs took to assess their cognitive abilities and how those might translate to the NFL, or something along those lines?
I always thought it was a silly name for a test, unless it had something to do with Tootsie Pops.
Nah, has to do with lesbian porn I'm pretty sure.
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Yep, as long as he keeps producing the way he is I'll be happy to ignore that. Can QBs change over time? I think they can.
The Chargers caught the Winston passes that the Ravens did not. Stef has been telling us that Watson gives (gave) us the best chance to win. It's Coach-Speak that happens to be true.
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