Here's my take on Feeley. He's again learning a new offense-which works to his defense. But from what we noticed last year and evidentally what OZZY and others are saying is still the case, his problems have nothing to do with arm strength, but are all mental.
When a play is called the QB is naturally gonna have either a designed or expected primarary receiver in mind for the play. The route of the receivers though are probably designed with alternatives to what the defense gives him. So just because the play is designed with a primarary receiver (either from the coaches, or in the QB's own mind) doesn't necessarily mean the defense facing that receiver is ideal for the play called. That's why it is crucial for the QB to go through his reads and check down to the open man.
Feeley doesn't do this well. He seems bent on getting the ball to the primarary irregardless of the coverage. Almost as if he doesn't know the progression of his reads per play. This does come with reps, but also film study and actually recognizing YOURSELF the tendency to lock-on too early.
That's my biggest gripe against Feeley, he just seems like a dumb-arse at times. He should be spending more time than anyone in the film room. But have we EVER read anything of his study, being obsessive with it, you know like ZT. I know, it doesn't necessarily mean it ain't so .......but you'd think one beat writer would pick up on it.
Some other things that bother me with Feeley are his Quick-decision making skills. His (need to make a quick decision) seem borne out of desperation rather than preparation. And yes, you can plan for the worst case per play, it takes knowing down and distance and a general strategic mindedness. Again, something AJ seems clueless with at times.
And finally I question his toughness at times. I know , I know pain is sometimes difficult to mask. But I played a little receiver under Johnny Majors and one thing I distinctly remember him teaching our QB's (Tony Robinson at the time) was NEVER, EVER show confusion in your body language after plays. You know, where a QB shrugs his shoulders while looking at the coach between plays. Like, "What's the play, or Whatta I do". That would send the coach in a tirade! To me showing pain has the same effect on the opposition. This was something Fiedler was MUCH, MUCH better in at masking. While Fiedler lacked arm strength for the outside throws (Which should have only been called to the short side of the field for him) his game-manship, to me seems superior to AJ's.
The bottomline is I hope the things like not seeming to know his progression, or check-offs will work themselves out through the pre-season with reps. I am worried that he's forming negative habits that he himself may not even notice, (making it incumbent upon the coaching staff to point out and drill out of him). I also give him the benefit of the doubt for learning the offense etc. But the things that are more nature than nurtured (or coached-repititious) may ultimately doom him as a solid QB.
In the end, I'm a never say die dolfan and root for anyone at any position for the 'Fins to be the best and bring us to the second undefeated season!
NEVER SAY DIE!
