QB qualities in JJ's system

[RGV Pony]

Slow time on the board, so how's this for food for thought.

Of course we all hope JWill makes it back. If he comes back...or whomever comes in, I submit that to succeed he'll need to play much differently than he has before.

Going by JJ's comments last year when he was saying Tebow may or may not do well in JJ's system, and what's in the Hawaii book, and other comments, it looks like this is what's required of a successful starter in the new system:

-A QB who can throw long
-A QB who while being able to throw long has to throw accurately
-A QB who makes the correct reads and gets rid of the ball in a timely fashion

It seems to me Colt Brennan's performance in the Sugar Bowl is what it would look like if JWill (or any other qb) played like what we've seen the last few seasons. A QB not willing to work through his reads and who looks to (or is forced to) run first will have little success.

Maybe JJ feels Bo Mitchell may be more adept at making reads and making the throws? Maybe not.

Discuss.

[Dr Death]

As someone who has been immersed in the Run & Shoot for over 20 years, as well as having in-depth knowledge about JJ and Mouse Davis' scheme's, I feel I am qualified to address this.

You state that a QB who can throw long is a must... I would disagree... only because I have seen JJ/MD succeed in this offense with a variety of QB's... from Jim Kelly (Houston Gamblers - USFL) to Warren Moon (Oilers) to Rodney Peete (Lions) to Chris Miller - Billy Joe Hobert - Bobby Hebert - Jeff George (Falcons) to Timmy Chang - Colt Brennan (Hawaii). Of all those listed, George had, by far, the strongest arm. I would say, and many would agree, he had the greatest arm in NFL history, with only Elway as very close competition.

On the opposite end, Bobby Hebert would have to throw 2 passes to equal one Jeff George 80 yard toss. Yet Hebert won and was successful in the Run & Shoot.

For this offense to work best, the main thing your QB must have is accuracy. Many of the routes are short, within 5 yards... if he isn't accurate (see Chang) the offense will bog down. Chang set the NCAA record for most interceptions ever by a college QB.

Accuracy leads to the second most important thing, and is in fact, part & parcel of this... and that is consistency. The better your QB's accuracy, the higher the odds are that he'll be consistent week in/week out.

If he's not accurate and thus, not consistent, I don't care how strong his arm is or far he can throw it, you will be doomed to failure.

Every single week the QB in this scheme must be on... particularly at the college level, where JJ will throw 85 % of the time...

Further, the ability to not only read defenses, but also gather information quickly and make the right read... sounds easy... but things happen quickly in this offense, if your QB is slow... the play breaks down. It's one thing to read a defense, it's another to understand within that defense who will be open... before the ball is snapped...

It doesn't happen much at the college level, but in the pros, defenses would show one look pre-snap, then change post snap... this would require a quick thinking QB as well WR's...

There are certain things that can be taught... reading defenses is one... to a degree... ideally, your QB will have a feel for the game... and instinctively know things... such as in Cover 2 the Y or W WR... the inside slot guys, can run a post and be open... it's a lot of information to gather pre-snap with the ability to adjust after the snap that sets guys like Brennan apart from guys like Chang.

Suffice to say...

1: Accuracy...

2: which leads to Consistency...

3: Football smarts/reading ability...

4: Leadership... can't be taught... either has it or doesn't... if he doesn't... (George) his skills will only take you so far...

5: Arm Strength...

Hopefully this sheds a bit of light...

[SMU 86]

Thanks.

[OC Mustang]

Based on Dr. Death's comments, I believe JWill could (off-the-field issues notwithstanding) be a solid QB in this offense. I don't think we saw how accurate he can truly be last season b/c of that goofy-a$$ hand in the car-trunk injury (how the hell did that really happen??).

I could be wrong too. However, I think JWill's decision making was hampered by coaching...at least insomuch as the coaching didn't allow anybody to really eval his ability...other than the fact that he singlehandedly in many games turned out to be both the team's best asset and its worst liability (fumbles and INTs).

So I hope he gets a real shot and allows Bo Levi to redshirt.

[expony18]

i'm a big jwill fan... especially on his ability to play in an accuracy based offense... go back and watch his films, the deep ball is not is forte. the plays he did make on the deep ball, were either broken plays or the DB was out of position.

[Garret]

I just wanted to chime in to say that I agree 100% with Dr. Death's analysis. The most accurate QB who can read defenses quickly and lead his team will play and do well...regardless if he can throw the long ball. Besides, the bulk of the long gains in the offense will be due to short passes with long runs after the catch--a QB being accurate and getting the WR the ball with a chance to immediately run with it is the key to that.

Colt was the best I've seen from Hawaii QBs (going back 35+ years) at not just completing the pass, but putting the ball in the right location so that the receiver could run with the ball after the catch.

[Sideline]

Leadership, quick decision-making, accuracy, absence of spastic tirades. June and the receivers will take it from there.

A big arm is not necessary. I know it sounds elementary, but giving receivers the chance to maintain a sprint while catching the ball as opposed to consistently adjusting their bodies will be the difference of about 1000 yards and 100 points by the end of a season

[pony warrior]

Dr. Death seems to know what he's talking about. Since JJ recruited Bo Levi He probably sees these characteristics in him. He has one added characdteristic that Dr. Death doesn't feel is as important, a very deep ball.