Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Brady Best Over Time

Peyton Manning has won the MVP a record number of times and he deserves all the credit in the world, but it is Tom Brady that has really been the best quarterback in the league for over a decade!  Not only has he won 3 Super Bowls, but he has been within two Eli Maning miracle throws away from two more.  He led the Patriots to an unprecedented 16 game undefeated regular season in one of those losses and set the season record for touchdown passes just for kicks.
Others will put up bigger numbers, but he has kept up his team's impressive winning ways without big name running backs or receivers most of the time, playing in the Super Bowl last year with Danny Woodhead as the go-to guy in the backfield and Wes Welker becoming his top target.
2012 is almost upon us and without knowing who the new names on the roster, it is a given that Brady will have his Patriots ready to make another run to the big game.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

How Far Can Matt Cassel Take Chiefs?

The Kansas City Chiefs haven't made much noise in the NFL for a few years and have had quite the coaching carousel recently, but I think Romeo Crennel and company have started to put together quite a nice group that might have Peyton Manning rethinking his move to the AFC West.
Matt Cassel doesn't get the most hype in the league and for good reason.  He came out of USC after backing up Matt Leinart his entire career and fell in behind Tom Brady at the Patriots, but when he got his chance he certainly made the most of it and cashed in with the Kansas City Chiefs.
What I like about Cassel is his QB mechanics.  He is one of the more balanced quarterbacks throughout his drop, set-up and delivery.  He has good arm strength and now that the Chiefs have surrounded him with a very good cast of characters on the offensive side of the ball, the Chiefs may have a lot to say this season.  Trust the Romeo Crennel will put a quality product on the field from the defensive side and the running tandem of Jammal Charles and the resurgent Peyton Hillis, along with scat-back Dexter McCluster, even if they don't win big in 2012, they will be very exciting.
Even though I do believe Cassel has very good mechanics generally, I posted this photo of Cassel to show something that I do not like and that is leaning forward and lowering your shoulders to stop.  As you can see, this causes the back foot to reach out and possibly slip and the balance to be completely forward so that the QB is not ready to throw a pass if needed.  Watching Cassel play, he does not do this all of the time and hopefully will continue to play with his body balanced between his legs (shoulders and hips stay level) even while stopping at the deepest part of his drop and the Chiefs will give us a great show this year.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Tebow Trying To Improve Fundamentals


Living in the fishbowl that is the New York media is quite difficult for one of the biggest stars on the planet, just ask Timmy Tebow.  Running without a shirt hasn't been news for thousands of athletes over the years, but when Tebow does it, it becomes a hit viral video.
Beyond the humor of it hides the fact that he has become so big in the upper body and overall, that he really isn't considering himself a prospect to play quarterback in the NFL like any other QB in the league.  His arm swing is very slow and no snap to his delivery.  The decision-making process is obviously still a struggle for him and if you don't have the passing piece or the decision-making piece, bulking up for the running piece may be his best option, but he certainly won't be competing for a starting spot on a team that plays a pro-style system now or in the future, unless he undergoes an "Extreme Tebow Makeover" of his body and mind.http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:8214271