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CU Medallion [65764]
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What makes a great QB great?
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:15 AM
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Another post on here, regarding Trent Pearman, got me to thinking, what attributes make the really great QBs great?
There is a pretty short list of QBs who many consider the GOAT. In no particular order, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana. One thing those three have in common is that they did NOT have the superhuman "rocket arm" that scouts just drool over. So, what DID they all have?
The answer is both simple and complex. They all could take in and process information, and make the right decision about where to go with the football, nearly all of the time, faster than anyone else. Manning, in particular, was almost OCD about reading defenses. He looked for, and found, keys to what moves defenders were going to make post snap, just by watching endlesss reams of film and analysing tendencies. H then took advantage of that knowledge to beat them, by playing to their weaknesses. Sounds simple, but it obviously isn't, because very few are doing it.
The last thing that two of those three would ever be considered is "scramblers". Montana could move around pretty well in the pocket, and buy time better than either Brady or Manning. But, those other two guys made their decisions so fast and decisively, they didn't HAVE to scramble around a lot, because the ball was already gone. And, all three were very adept at "moving up in the pocket", as the announcers like to say.
We are, right now, in the first era where there are some real, world class ATHLETES playing the QB position. There had been a few over the years, such as Randall Cunningham, who were a notch above the norm in athleticism. But with guys like Lemar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen playing QB, offenses have now evolved to actually use that position as a weapon in the running game, as well as throwing the ball down the field. Just another headache for Defensive Coordinators.
But even then, the real attribute that makes these guys successful, when they are, is still the mental side. So, I say, and will continue to say, BRAINS is what makes an elite QB truly elite. The ability to process the game at a faster rate than most, and apply that knowledge to make the right checkdown, the right throw, heck, just the right HANDOFF or the right scramble when needed, is something that is far more valuable than any rocket arm.
Just look at a guy like young Brock Purdy, who just happens to play for the same 49ers franchise where Bill Walsh coached Joe Montana and that "West Coast Offense" to near perfection. Purdy is looking a whole lot like old Joe Cool right now. He is making the right decisions, and getting the ball to the right places at the right time. And, he has a lot of great offensive pieces in place to help him.
The great ones make it look so easy, which is why it is so frustrating to the rest of us, who know it is definitely NOT that easy.
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Orange Blooded [3650]
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Re: What makes a great QB great?
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:20 AM
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Arm talent isn’t just being able to sling the ball like Jamarcus Russell. Plenty of guys have strong arms. It is about being able to layer throws, eg, put it on a line or having the right trajectory to drop in between levels of the defense, etc. Being able to anticipate coverages, read coverages, knowing reads for those coverages, being able to make the throws when they’re there. Knowing when a play isn’t their pre and post snap. Knowing what your presnap options are, if a play isn’t schematically there. Knowing what your options are when the play breaks down. Being able to engineer time, being able to create with your legs in the pocket or escaping to make a play in the run game against the right downfield coverage. Knowing how to set your protections. Etc etc etc. it is complicated.
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CU Medallion [65764]
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"Finesse" is one of the words you are looking for. Knowing that the fastball is
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:31 AM
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not the right throw in all situations is something that at least two strong armed QBs in the league are still having to learn. I am speaking of our own alumnus Trevor Lawrence down in Jacksonville, as well as Josh Allen up in Buffalo. Josh has been known to just about injure his receivers with the ball, he throws it so hard.
"Nobody else can make that throw" is a highly overused announcer drool. But, watching those two guys I just named play a lot lately, they ARE capable of throws at times that 98% of QBs in the league CAN'T make, just from an arm strength standpoint. Butt, I like it when one of them floats a ball into a window that isn't even THERE better than those. There still truly is no defense against a perfectly thrown, hit the receiver in stride pass. Receivers having to slow down to catch underthrown balls is when defenders are given a chance.
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Orange Blooded [3650]
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Re: "Finesse" is one of the words you are looking for. Knowing that the fastball is
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:35 AM
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It’s definitely an art. Requires the ability to think fast (almost reflexive reads) and slow (coverages, presnap box counts, leverages, etc) and have the athletic abilities to make it happen. It’s why it is such a difficult position.
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Walk-On [120]
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Re: What makes a great QB great?
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:24 AM
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“It”…the great ones have “it”… as for what is “it”…ask Mike Patton!
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Heisman Winner [136361]
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Good thoughts in this thread- 76 you smoking anything for
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Dec 23, 2023, 10:42 AM
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Christmas or new year’s? Sorry for the threadjack
To add to the QB thread - supporting cast can make or break a good-great QB as well. But, you put a strong team around someone with the football IQ of those you mentioned and it is definitely something special
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Orange Blooded [3650]
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Re: Good thoughts in this thread- 76 you smoking anything for
Dec 23, 2023, 10:44 AM
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You fellas smoke cigars? I’ve been looking for something good to pair with my bourbon. I’ll be all ears (eyes) …
Also, yes, supporting cast goes a long way too. 2018 TLaw is a good example, compared with 2020 TLaw. Supporting cast helped bring him along in 2018 whereas he made due with his folks in 2020.
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CU Medallion [65764]
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Lol, I think he was talking about BBQ Butts. And no, right now, me and the
Dec 23, 2023, 7:55 PM
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whole family has "the cough due to WHO KNOWS WHAT!" And HAS had it for a couple of weeks in one form or another. I, and both sons are on first round of antibiotics, wife, who we all caught it from, is on her SECOND go round. It is a stubborn bug. Tests say it is NOT Covid.
The last thing I would be doing is running outside in the cold to monitor a butt for 8 to 10 hours right now. I would love to have me some good pulled pork right now, but not that much!
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Walk-On [127]
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Support
Dec 23, 2023, 10:43 AM
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I agree with what’s been said on here. But these QBs would not have had the success without good offensive linemen to give them time, and reliable receivers with good hands who know how to get open.
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CU Guru [1120]
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Re: What makes a great QB great?
Dec 23, 2023, 10:50 AM
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As far as the mental part goes wondering how much social media (if they pay attention to it) affects their thinking and playing. In the old days there was only newspapers and magazines. Now everyone can comment. The greatest armchair QB’s have perfect 20/20 hindsight including myself.
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