For my money, the best quarterback in the NFL is Tom Brady hands down. A short list of his closest competitors include Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, and possibly Matt Hasselbeck.
What makes these quarterbacks great?
I would argue that it is:
1. Decision Making
2. Accuracy
3. Pocket Presence / Footwork / Timing
That said, what are the biggest issues with Jay Cutler's game?
1. Decision Making
2. Accuracy
3. Pocket Presence / Footwork / Timing
Now, I am not in the Mike Mayock "who cares if he missed the pass, look how great his velocity is" camp.
I am weary of a player who is skiddish in the pocket, throws off his back foot, and tends to struggle with accuracy. I pose the question, even if these issues are a direct result of his experiences at Vanderbilt, who is to say that those can be coached out of him even at the next level?
An argument can be made that once you lose a quarterback and he developes bad tendencies in the pocket due to years of stress, he is tough if not impossible to rebuild.
Now, I have no problem admitting that Cutler has the physical skills that make scouts and fans drool, but, how could a player with such glaring weaknesses in the most important areas of the position be getting top 5 grades?
What makes these quarterbacks great?
I would argue that it is:
1. Decision Making
2. Accuracy
3. Pocket Presence / Footwork / Timing
That said, what are the biggest issues with Jay Cutler's game?
1. Decision Making
2. Accuracy
3. Pocket Presence / Footwork / Timing
Now, I am not in the Mike Mayock "who cares if he missed the pass, look how great his velocity is" camp.
I am weary of a player who is skiddish in the pocket, throws off his back foot, and tends to struggle with accuracy. I pose the question, even if these issues are a direct result of his experiences at Vanderbilt, who is to say that those can be coached out of him even at the next level?
An argument can be made that once you lose a quarterback and he developes bad tendencies in the pocket due to years of stress, he is tough if not impossible to rebuild.
Now, I have no problem admitting that Cutler has the physical skills that make scouts and fans drool, but, how could a player with such glaring weaknesses in the most important areas of the position be getting top 5 grades?