QuarterbacksGunslingers, Game Managers, Game Changers

Lesson Goals

• Trainees will learn the following during this lesson:

• The Quarterback’s Role

• Ideal size and physical characteristics possessed by NFL QBs

• How NFL scouts evaluate the prospects.

• Trainees will complete an assessment at the end of this presentation to test their knowledge.

Quarterback Role

• The quarterback is the leader of the offense.

• The quarterback is responsible for calling all of the plays that are given to him from the offensive coordinator or head coach.

• The quarterback has the ability to audible (change) the play based on what he sees from the defense.

• The quarterback can either throw the ball to a receiver or hand it off to the running back.

Quarterback Role

• The quarterback is usually the highest paid athlete on the team.

• Although they are the highest paid, they are usually the most scrutinized player on the team.

• If the quarterback cannot perform his job adequately the team will most likely lose the game and/or have a poor season resulting in turnover in coaching and general management aka you the scout will lose your job.

• So it is important to get it right when evaluating quarterbacks.

Quarterback Size and Physical Traits

• The general rule of thumb for quarterbacks is that you would like to see them over 6’2” and at least 220lbs.

• There are exceptions, however, players like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson who are both under 6’ still possess many of the qualities that NFL scouts are looking for even though they are shorter than most would like

• Still when evaluating quarterbacks the 6’2”, 220lbs is still the standard benchmark.

• We you look at a quarterback’s measurable look to see that he is taller and heavier than that.

Quarterback Size and Physical Traits

• During the combine most quarterbacks will throw the ball

• They will be judged on accuracy and velocity (more on this later)

• They will also complete the standard drills that all players can complete. Below are benchmark times and distances that scouts like to see when evaluating quarterbacks. The numbers listed are goals; anything under is better.

• 40 yard dash: 4.90 seconds

• 10 yard split : 1.70 seconds

• Vertical jump: 30”

• Broad jump: 9’0”

• 20 yard shuttle: 4.30 seconds

• 3 cone drill: 7.25 seconds

• Quarterbacks do not participate in the bench press or 60 yard shuttle drills.

The Basics of Game Film• One of the most important aspects of an NFL scout’s job is to

breakdown game film of players.

• Ideally, scouts will use All-22 game tape provided by colleges; however sometimes they have to make due with broadcast film.

• The differences between All-22 and broadcast is that All-22 game film keeps the camera in focus of all players where broadcast film usually follows the ball.

• For quarterbacks, broadcast film is fine because the ball is with them until they throw it or hand it off.

• Tip: When watching game film, you may need to pause and rewind quite often so do not be afraid to do so, in fact it is encouraged!

Evaluating Quarterbacks

• Before we go into discussion of each aspect of the quarterback’s game that needs to be evaluated, you are going to watch a video made by Phil Savage, former GM of the Cleveland Browns and current coordinator of the Senior Bowl, on how to break down quarterback game film

• Take notes and pay attention.

• Please open this link in a separate window.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzzecNwd6sI

Evaluating Quarterbacks• Phil Savage described three main things to look for while watching tape:

• Accuracy

• Arm Strength

• Mobility

• He also described three intangible things that you need to know when evaluating a player.

• Leadership and Toughness

• Work Ethic

• Making Good Decisions

• These will all be discussed as we continue our lesson.

Accuracy

• The single most important aspect of a quarterback’s game is accuracy.

• Accuracy is the ability to throw the ball on target every time.

• Knowing where to put the ball so that it stays out of defenders hands is the only thing that you can ask of your quarterback.

• How can we know how accurate a passer is? Just a simple completion percentage might seem enough, but as an NFL scout you will be asked to fill out a passing chart for each and every game.

Accuracy

• A typical passing chart looks similar to what is presented here.

• You can download the excel spreadsheet for this on the main page of this lesson on Blackboard.

Accuracy

• The top row signifies where the pass was thrown. For example if the ball was thrown on the left side of the field past the left has mark you would mark that pass in the left column depending on how long the pass was.

Accuracy

• The next four rows signify how long the pass was thrown. For example, if the ball was thrown beyond the left hash mark behind the line of scrimmage (where the ball is placed by the referees) you would place it in the left hand column at the bottom row.

Accuracy• In each of the column by row exchanges there is

this little box.

• The top row is the Competition/Attempt box

• If the quarterback threw 5 completions on 7 attempts this box would be marked as 5/7

• For the TD, INT, Yards, and Drops boxes just simply input if there was a TD or INT thrown to that direction. How long the passes were (add them together). Insert how many times the receivers dropped the ball.

• For yards, include the yardage made after the catch for example if the pass was from the 10 yard line and caught at the 20 but the receiver ran for 5 more yards, that would be a 15 yard pass.

• The “comp %” box is just the completions divided by the attempts

• 5/7 would be 71% completion rating

Accuracy

• After the game is complete add all the total TDs, Yards, INTS, and Drops and put them at the very bottom for a total score

• Add the total number of completions and attempts and calculate the total completion percentage

• An acceptable completion percentage for college prospects is 70%.

NOW YOU TRY!

• 1) Download the Excel spreadsheet on Blackboard entitled: “Blank Quarterback Chart”

• 2) Open this link of Teddy Bridgewater playing Ohio in 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ZmrpUwxak&list=UU3goSfAins9Aj8vWOHbxPZw

• 3) Fill in the chart

• 4) Take your time. Watch each pass multiple times to calculate everything.

Now you try!

• Does your chart look anything like this? If you within a few yards of this its ok!

Accuracy- Final Thoughts

• Besides using the chart, it is wise to make a list of each play as the game goes on.

• For our example of Teddy Bridgewater goes like this

• 1 -> left hash, 21 yards

• 2-> right hash, 4 yards

• 3 -> between hashes, 9 yards

• 4 -> right hash, 6 yards

• 5 -> right hash, 4 yards

• 6 -> left hash, 34 yards, TD

Arm Strength

• Another important aspect of a quarterback’s game is arm strength

• Can he make the long throws downfield?

• With arm strength comes velocity which is also very important.

• Can the quarterback throw the ball into tight quarters with speed so only his receiver can catch the ball?

• This can be viewed on tape in our example of Teddy Bridgewater that last throw was a long bomb and he hit the receiver in stride for a big 34 yard touchdown.

• Use your quarterback chart to assess how well the quarterback makes those long throws. If he is 7/10 on throws over 20 yards then he is doing well, but if there are a lot of incompletions or interceptions his arm strength comes into question.

Mobility• NFL defenses are ruthless; they are always gunning for the quarterback and

planning on the best course of action to disrupt him in any way.

• A good quarterback is able to sense pressure and move in the pocket (the area between the offensive tackles) and escape the danger to make the throw.

• One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at feeling the pocket presence is Drew Brees. Watch this video and see how he senses the defenders moves away from them, sets his feet, and makes the throw downfield.

• When watching draft prospects, the scout needs to pay attention to how the quarterback looks in the pocket. Does he escape, does he sense the danger? Does he move or does he just stand there and take the hit? The best quarterbacks can feel the danger and makes the necessary moves to escape.

Mechanics

• One thing that can separate a poor quarterback from a good quarterback is his throwing mechanics.

• Proper throwing motion is demonstrated here. Bad throwing motion is demonstrated here.

• To describe a good throwing motion two things must be present

• 1) The ball should be thrown with an over the shoulder motion and be release at its highest point above the shoulder

• 2) The quarterback should step through his throw, swinging his back foot through the throw with his front foot pointed toward the target

Mechanics – A little deeper

• Proper throwing motion is demonstrated here. Bad throwing motion is demonstrated here.

• What is the difference between these throwing motions?

• In the proper throwing motion video; the quarterback throws the ball over his head and steps through each pass

• In the video with Tim Tebow, he throws the ball almost to his side and pushes his whole body forward instead of his legs.

• When evaluating NFL prospects, keep an eye on his throwing mechanics. They can be coached, but usually under duress a player will revert to what is most comfortable to them.

Intangibles• As Phil Savage said in the video presented earlier, being able to

play the game is not all that is needed in a quarterback evaluation

• Leadership, Work Ethic, and Toughness all play into a quarterback’s evaluation.

• Since we cannot physically view this characteristics how can we identify if a player has them?

• Recall a previous lesson, scouts are sent out to interview almost anyone and everyone that the player knows. Through these interviews teams are able to get a grasp on the player’s character and know almost everything about them.