The best QBs who can read defences also are thinker types - Dave Dickenson, Damon Allen, Danny McManus to name a few of the best. Doug Flutie could do that also but he is unique in combining his zest to beat defences with his own bag of tricks including scrambling. Damon used to be a great runner when a bit younger than now but he is a thinker first and foremost at this stage of his career.
I always really enjoy reading your posts Football 16. Your post on quarterbacks reading defences and the different skills and orientation of Dickenson and Printers is the best I've read on a comparison of both quarterbacks and the approach to the position.
Perhaps the only area that we slightly disagree is in the area of quarterbacks being taught how to read defences. Over time most quarterbacks, if they have the proper approach, can be taught to read defences. A classic example of that is former B.C. Lions quarterback Joe Paupao. Relying on his rifle arm early in his career he couldn’t read a defence at all and constantly threw into double coverage. At the end of his career he was quite adept at reading defences and in fact, threw twenty two completions in row in one game. Coaches are able to give quarterbacks reads which enable them to determine which reciever to throw to on any given play.
What separates the great quarterbacks from the good quarterbacks is the intangible of instinct, the ability to see the whole field, and most importantly, to slow the game down. For most great quarterbacks the game is played slower than anyone else on the field. In fact its a rare ability that all great athletes have, whether its Wayne Gretzky or Steve Nash. It’s something coaches can’t give them. They are able to step outside of the ‘programmed’ read to see a defensive back slip, or see broken defensive assignment away from the play and make the defence pay.
While Dickenson is refered to as a ‘thinking’ quarterback and Casey is not has nothing to do with their intelligences… Printers is very bright and does know how to read defences. However, he doesn’t have Dickenson’s experience or orientation, at present. If quarterbacks last, over time, life fine wine, they become ‘thinking’ mans quarterbacks. In fact their long term survival and success is based upon making that adjustment.
I think you’ve hit it bang on when you say that Dickenson will set up the whole field and systematically try to beat you whereas Casey, even though he can read a defence, has the orientation that he can beat you with his athleticism, determination, and his arm.
I really also believe that Dickenson is thinking much more of the entire dirve while Casey is focused more in the present, on beating you with one single play. Dickenson also sees the entire play better. However, Chapdelaine calls all the plays from the bench so the quarterbacks on the Leos have only the opportunity to audible unless they go into their ‘no huddle’ offence.
I really enjoyed reading your insights on the NFL game compared to the CFL game. When I played in the United States I learned how rigid the thinking is. Coaches have a protype of most positions, especially at quarterback. While the NFL recently has changed, in that they are looking for more athletic quarterbacks, height and weight are still prime considerations. It wasn’t always that way in the NFL, back in the days of Fran Tarkenton, but evolved. NFL coaches are adverse to risk whereas in the CFL coaches have much more of an open mind to players and stereotypes are much less rigid. There are exceptions in the NFL like New England coach Bill Behlachekwho drafted 5’9 reciever
Deon Branch after having two 5’10" recievers on his roster. People questioned the decision, saying the Pats needed a protype Terrell Owens tall strong reciever, but Belachek proved them wrong. Politics also play a more important consideration in the NFL where a higher round draft choice will be given every opportunity to prove himself in comparison to a Ricky Ray who will not get the same kind of opportunity.
My personal view is that Casey Printers is a long way from the NFL and would be wise to stay in the CFL. His game is more sutied to the CFL. I enjoy watching Dickenson and Printers play for different reasons. I consider us Leo fans lucky to have both at the present time, although I know the situation cannot exist forever. I also really like Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson and can’t wait to see them play. We’re oozing with depth.
I think the key for the Leos, at the quarterback position, is to design plays and game plans, where possible, which takes advantages of their strengths. Each plays a different style and the offence, to a degree, should be a reflection of their style, when each is in the game.
Great to read your comments Football 16!!
