LeftCoastFinFan
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Okay, so now that the emotional dust has settled, there are a few facts that have come to light about who John Beck really is. After reading everything out there, from scouting reports, to BYU fan opinions, to minicamp recaps, these seem to be the data points:
- his arm strength is not a problem; in fact, it is much better than advertised, definitely sufficient, and may be one of the strongest in the game (see Jay Cutler's combine numbers). I would summise that it is absolutely stronger than Tom Brady's, and who wouldn't want him for a QB? (BTW, Beck himself said the 50yd, on the knees, through the goal post story is bunk, so unless you have it on video, quit using that to support this argument. It only detracts from the actual facts, which support his arm stength just fine without tall tales).
- he is a "student of the game", and spends a lot of time breaking down film;
really good QBs work at it. They have the physical tools, but don't rely one that alone to prepare to compete every week. This is the biggest knock against C-pep, and this is one P Manning's biggest strengths. I guess it really applies to all players (read - Zach), but is an essential quality for a successful NFL QB.
- his accuracy is above average; well above average if you want to go by most of the scouting reports. They list this as one of his biggest assets. Most of what I see talks about short-medium range accuracy, but that is really where most elite QBs are measured. Long range passes are most often/should be opportunistic, which means you need to be able to gun it when they guy blows past the safety and is wide open. You generally are not "threading" a 40 yd pass in between opposing DBs.
- his decision making is solid; so, he studies and prepares, and he has the ability to put the ball where he aims... but does he choose to aim where the open man is? Sounds like he does. It sounds like he is the anti-AJ Feeley. Feeley used to not only make poor decisions and throw to the covered man, but he used to stare down his receivers, and that used to drive me nuts! From the reports I have read, Beck makes good decisions, quickly, AND he already has the maturity to look off DBs.
- he isn't very fast in the 40, but has the ability to be effective when escaping the pocket; Who cares what his 40 time is, if he can roll out and throw on the run? Sounds like he can do this, and he evidently has the speed to get to the end zone when it is open. He has some rushing TDs, so he is not a complete statue like Marino was at the end. This means opposing D's still have to account for him in close to the goal line. If his name is not Michael Vick, what more do you expect from a QB? (from the film I have watched, he reminds me of Elway when he runs, but maybe that's just me)
- he doesn't have ideal height, but he is a couple of inches taller than Drew Brees, and we ALL know how well Brees has done.
- he is a couple of years older than most rookie QBs; Does anyone really consider this a problem? I consider it an asset. He has a maturity and focus that comes from real responsibility in life. Let's assume he pans out, and doesn't get injured, he could play until he is 36? 37? 38? Figure 9-10 years? I'm okay with that.
Now for the biggest attribute - Efficiency!
This is really what it is all about, right? How "efficient" your QB is; putting pre-game planning, and accuracy, together with solid decisions on the field, to move your team into the end zone, right?
The most efficient QB playing today, IMO, is Tom Brady. Doesn't have a really big arm, but he knows who is open and gets the ball to them. He knows how to manage the clock and the game. When an opportunity to connect deep comes up, or to run the ball for yardage, he makes the most of it.
While I am not going to stand here (actually I am sitting) and tell you that I think John Beck is efficient, after one mini-camp, I WILL tell you that he appears to have all of the components that contribute to efficiency.
And what more could you ask for in a rookie QB? Only time will tell whether he develops into a John Elway or a John Navarre.
I can't wait to see him play! :)
- his arm strength is not a problem; in fact, it is much better than advertised, definitely sufficient, and may be one of the strongest in the game (see Jay Cutler's combine numbers). I would summise that it is absolutely stronger than Tom Brady's, and who wouldn't want him for a QB? (BTW, Beck himself said the 50yd, on the knees, through the goal post story is bunk, so unless you have it on video, quit using that to support this argument. It only detracts from the actual facts, which support his arm stength just fine without tall tales).
- he is a "student of the game", and spends a lot of time breaking down film;
really good QBs work at it. They have the physical tools, but don't rely one that alone to prepare to compete every week. This is the biggest knock against C-pep, and this is one P Manning's biggest strengths. I guess it really applies to all players (read - Zach), but is an essential quality for a successful NFL QB.
- his accuracy is above average; well above average if you want to go by most of the scouting reports. They list this as one of his biggest assets. Most of what I see talks about short-medium range accuracy, but that is really where most elite QBs are measured. Long range passes are most often/should be opportunistic, which means you need to be able to gun it when they guy blows past the safety and is wide open. You generally are not "threading" a 40 yd pass in between opposing DBs.
- his decision making is solid; so, he studies and prepares, and he has the ability to put the ball where he aims... but does he choose to aim where the open man is? Sounds like he does. It sounds like he is the anti-AJ Feeley. Feeley used to not only make poor decisions and throw to the covered man, but he used to stare down his receivers, and that used to drive me nuts! From the reports I have read, Beck makes good decisions, quickly, AND he already has the maturity to look off DBs.
- he isn't very fast in the 40, but has the ability to be effective when escaping the pocket; Who cares what his 40 time is, if he can roll out and throw on the run? Sounds like he can do this, and he evidently has the speed to get to the end zone when it is open. He has some rushing TDs, so he is not a complete statue like Marino was at the end. This means opposing D's still have to account for him in close to the goal line. If his name is not Michael Vick, what more do you expect from a QB? (from the film I have watched, he reminds me of Elway when he runs, but maybe that's just me)
- he doesn't have ideal height, but he is a couple of inches taller than Drew Brees, and we ALL know how well Brees has done.
- he is a couple of years older than most rookie QBs; Does anyone really consider this a problem? I consider it an asset. He has a maturity and focus that comes from real responsibility in life. Let's assume he pans out, and doesn't get injured, he could play until he is 36? 37? 38? Figure 9-10 years? I'm okay with that.
Now for the biggest attribute - Efficiency!
This is really what it is all about, right? How "efficient" your QB is; putting pre-game planning, and accuracy, together with solid decisions on the field, to move your team into the end zone, right?
The most efficient QB playing today, IMO, is Tom Brady. Doesn't have a really big arm, but he knows who is open and gets the ball to them. He knows how to manage the clock and the game. When an opportunity to connect deep comes up, or to run the ball for yardage, he makes the most of it.
While I am not going to stand here (actually I am sitting) and tell you that I think John Beck is efficient, after one mini-camp, I WILL tell you that he appears to have all of the components that contribute to efficiency.
And what more could you ask for in a rookie QB? Only time will tell whether he develops into a John Elway or a John Navarre.
I can't wait to see him play! :)
