Charles said:
I don't think its necessarily mobility, but the ability of a QB to make plays with his legs.
Manning isn't mobile but his footwork gets him out of many sacks even when his protection breaks down. He's able to slide, step-up etc to give himself more time.
But guys like Elway, Staubach, Montana and Young were able to take off and pick-up yards when the play broke down or when nothing was available. They weren't necessarily mobile put had the ability to get out of dodge. Drew can't........
Bledsoe doesn't posses the ability to make defense account for more than his cannon arm. He's a one dimensional.
Troy had some mobility, but our running game and Oline was so dominant he was always passing into favorable conditions.
Back up there Charles. Isn't it a given that you and I will never agree on anything? If so, then you need to delete this post or edit it.
:wink2:
I think the greatest "mobility" a QB can have is the ability to see a problem coming and visualize how to escape it. I would not call Peyton Manning "mobile" but it is rare that you see him abused like yesterday. In the pocket or out of it he can make plays because he out thinks the other guy.
I'm not saying QBs labeled statues are dumb when I say this. I do think many of them start to get shell shocked.
The ability to scramble for yardage is fine. It cannot beat the ability to surgically put the ball wherever you want it. Steve Young could always run. Until he learned to use that as the last resort he didn't really achieve all he was capable of as a QB. Same with Roger Staubach. There is a reason why Tom Landry hated it when he took off running.
The QBs first job is to throw the ball. They have to do whatever they can to accomplish this and there is no one right way to go about it. Whether it is stepping aside, or up in the pocket, flat out leaving the pocket, or getting rid of it quickly with timing routes you have to avid the rush. The idea is to make the defense pay when they over react. That can't be done if you are going down without ever trying to get away.
The only "running" QB I ever saw who came into the league realizing this was John Elway. He only seemed to run when it was a dagger in the heart of the opposition. I've seen several "running" QBs develop into great passers. I already mentioned Staubach and Young. I think you can add McNabb and McNair to that. Not until this year has Jake Plummer seemed to grasp this concept. Look at the results.
I love watching Mike Vick because he is flat out dynamic. I agree with people that as a passer he leaves a lot to be desired. It isn't because of his arm. The kid has a rocket launcher. It's because to this point his mind isn't mobile enough to see the best ways to rip the opponent's heart out. Heaven help this league if he ever gets it. I have no idea how you'd defend against it. Chicago killed him yesterday, but he doesn't get it yet.