Tweet
Qb mobility, my chart
Of course a quick release, and good pocket mobility is key to avoiding a sack. Just look at Dan Marino. He was sacked 9-12 times a year ( which is amazing ) , throwing many deep passes. 95% of the public doesn't understand that a quick release, which Marino had a lightning quick release, and good pocket mobility combined with a good feel for the rush is key to avoiding sacks. Being good with the hot reads and audibles helps too.
But what about beyond that? Here is my chart for running qb's.
5.0 - 5.2 - Qb is slow and not a threat to run the ball. But he can be a good QB sneak artist if he is big and he has the right feel. Otherwise he is not a runner and can not be a RPO type of guy, or really buy himself a second chance with his feet. A slug.
4.8 -4.9 Qb can beat the slower DL men in foot races and if he has a quick release can be hard to sack. Outside of a QB sneak and man defense vs. 4 or 5 wide receivers he is generally not a threat not to run the ball. Can be easy to sack IF his release isn't fast AND he is not good reading a defense / knowing this hot reads.
4.6 - 4.7 Qb is semi mobile and can run the ball , but he is not a running QB in zone defense. He is a threat to run the ball in man defense if the defense loses containment. The QB can run for 5-10 yards and needs to be accounted for on downs like 3rd and 5. Generally this player is faster than all but the most speedy DL men, and some Linebackers. The QB can run for first downs and beat defenders to the sticks. It is important to factor in quickness, acceleration and the ability to make a man miss to determine what type of running threat he is, but this player is not going to produce many 15 + yard runs!
4.5 - 4.59 Now this player can run faster than all DL and most LBs. He can beat some DB's in footraces and is a threat for long runs. Rush containment is a must for this type of player. A truly mobile QB. A threat for big runs. You can game plan this mobility and the player can average 30 yards a game. Qb leads run, naked boots, and RPO's is a real threat.
4.41-4.49 Now this QB is FAST. Game planing for him as a runner is a must!
4.3- 4.4 QB has very rare speed can take a run the distance and out run most of the Db's.
IMO the offense coaches are ahead of defense coaches. They understand spacing better and how to use these types of players. This combined with the rule changes and referees to protect running QB's have given us the game we have today. And the bogus fines for hitting a qb legally and the threat of being kicked out of a game given has allowed mobile qb to shine as runners more. But I think in time the defense will simply assign a man, a hybrid LB/DB to mirror and spy the QB's that are truly mobile ( 4.59 and below ) for most of the downs, mitigating the 30-50+ yards so and so gets while running the ball as a QB. The defensive coordinators will adjust and the better head coaches will adjust... I think.
I have not seen an article like this in a football magazine or the web so I reserve the right to edit this! Just my .02 sense from a guy who used to coach an old wing T type of offense. To say the game has changed a lot since then is an understatement.
-JB
Of course a quick release, and good pocket mobility is key to avoiding a sack. Just look at Dan Marino. He was sacked 9-12 times a year ( which is amazing ) , throwing many deep passes. 95% of the public doesn't understand that a quick release, which Marino had a lightning quick release, and good pocket mobility combined with a good feel for the rush is key to avoiding sacks. Being good with the hot reads and audibles helps too.
But what about beyond that? Here is my chart for running qb's.
5.0 - 5.2 - Qb is slow and not a threat to run the ball. But he can be a good QB sneak artist if he is big and he has the right feel. Otherwise he is not a runner and can not be a RPO type of guy, or really buy himself a second chance with his feet. A slug.
4.8 -4.9 Qb can beat the slower DL men in foot races and if he has a quick release can be hard to sack. Outside of a QB sneak and man defense vs. 4 or 5 wide receivers he is generally not a threat not to run the ball. Can be easy to sack IF his release isn't fast AND he is not good reading a defense / knowing this hot reads.
4.6 - 4.7 Qb is semi mobile and can run the ball , but he is not a running QB in zone defense. He is a threat to run the ball in man defense if the defense loses containment. The QB can run for 5-10 yards and needs to be accounted for on downs like 3rd and 5. Generally this player is faster than all but the most speedy DL men, and some Linebackers. The QB can run for first downs and beat defenders to the sticks. It is important to factor in quickness, acceleration and the ability to make a man miss to determine what type of running threat he is, but this player is not going to produce many 15 + yard runs!
4.5 - 4.59 Now this player can run faster than all DL and most LBs. He can beat some DB's in footraces and is a threat for long runs. Rush containment is a must for this type of player. A truly mobile QB. A threat for big runs. You can game plan this mobility and the player can average 30 yards a game. Qb leads run, naked boots, and RPO's is a real threat.
4.41-4.49 Now this QB is FAST. Game planing for him as a runner is a must!
4.3- 4.4 QB has very rare speed can take a run the distance and out run most of the Db's.
IMO the offense coaches are ahead of defense coaches. They understand spacing better and how to use these types of players. This combined with the rule changes and referees to protect running QB's have given us the game we have today. And the bogus fines for hitting a qb legally and the threat of being kicked out of a game given has allowed mobile qb to shine as runners more. But I think in time the defense will simply assign a man, a hybrid LB/DB to mirror and spy the QB's that are truly mobile ( 4.59 and below ) for most of the downs, mitigating the 30-50+ yards so and so gets while running the ball as a QB. The defensive coordinators will adjust and the better head coaches will adjust... I think.
I have not seen an article like this in a football magazine or the web so I reserve the right to edit this! Just my .02 sense from a guy who used to coach an old wing T type of offense. To say the game has changed a lot since then is an understatement.
-JB
Comment