I guess I dont fully comprehend why a person can light it up in college in a pro-style offense yet fail so miserably at the pro level. What is it that makes a guy go from college GOD to a scrub? Yet a person who was decent in college turn into an amazing QB on the pro level? More over, for all the football heads out there, what are some things you look for in a college QB that can translate well to the NFL?
I think decision-making is the most important, which goes hand in hand with being able to read a defense. Another huge key is mental preparation - the willingness to put in the work off the field, mostly in the film room. Obviously you have to have a certain level of accuracy and throwing power to begin with, but that's usually not the issue when it comes to translating college to pro success. On decision-making: In college, I think it's much more possible for a guy with a great arm on a team full of talent to light it up (see Jamarcus Russell) without putting in the work in the film room and having to make crucial decisions in the game. They might be able to lock on more or less to one or two receivers each play (as opposed to checking 4 or 5 options in the pro's in a matter of seconds depending on what the defense is doing) and have a great o-line to keep pressure off of them, allowing them put up big numbers. They just simply outdo the other team with their talent and the talent around them. In the NFL, EVERYONE is talented. Defenses are much smarter and much more prepared...and their are no cupcakes in the NFL. Thus, if the QB can't process everything in 3 or 4 seconds after the snap and doesn't study the film extensively, they don't make it.
In college, some QBs (especially at the big schools) have talent advantages all over the field. They don't have to be as precise on throws because the WRs will get more separation. They don't have to be as good at decision making, because they'll get more time in the pocket due to a superior OL. Etc. Because not everyone in college is really all that talented, smart decision making (Major Applewhite) can overcome weaker fundamentals (arm strength) because someone will always be fairly open if you know how to diagnose who that will be and can scan the field. At the pro level, you need quicker decision making and more precise throws. In a way, this benefits guys like Joe Flacco and Big Ben - they had to learn these things in college because their teams didn't have talent advantages over all their opponents. Guys like Vince or Leinart had superior teams and could afford to be less fundamentally sound.
Decision Making and reading defenses (how a player studies film...) competently Quick releases Leadership skills (One big thing that separates the best QB ever from the ok to good but not quite best ever material or the solidly above average guys who aren't quite as skilled-strong armed, mobile with quick releases vs. the guys who had all the talent in the world and failed. *cough* decent to good offensive line *cough*: You need 5 guys up front who will at least keep this guy or kid alive. There have been some really talented QBs who have come out of college and had the careers shortened or ended early, for taking too many hits or getting that one super violent blow too many.
You just got me thinking about other QBs who came from some really small programs and did very well in college (and even beat some big time teams). Brett Favre (one that is mentioned often, his Southern Miss teams beat Alabama and Florida State in college, mainly because of him). Steve "Air" McNair (Came from a historically black university, a I-AA, drafted 3rd overall in the draft, pretty big risk, but it paid off) Terry Bradshaw (Louisiana Tech ????, division II school) The Great Johnny Unitas (Louisville, at the time, this school actually reduced its spending to athletics and the team was forced to play two-way football). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Unitas Daunte Culpepper (not a great QB, but good QB and pretty good coming out of college) Randall Cunningham (UNLV) Neil Lomax (Portland State)
I'm beginning to believe more and more that intelligence is the trait every great QB must have. I'm not necessarily talking about Wunderlic Test intelligence, but in-game intelligence. There are plenty of QBs in the league that have less than desirable arm strength and plenty of QBs that struggle with accuracy at times, but no QB survives if they consistently make bad decisions and look lost out there.
1. you have to have the athleticism to make it to the pros which most have. 2. Quick Decision making 3. Leadership 4. study study study Rocket River
10$ says he'd probably beat 90% of this bbs in the 100. He is not the most athletic in the NFL .. but he is still more athletic than like 95% of the world. Rocket River
I think it's more interesting how small school/weak program QBs seem to do so much better than QBs from larger schools/power programs.
