Quote:
Originally Posted by RodInCanton
Not trying to start anything here but honest question (and don't want to read entire thread). Why do people think he will be any different from any other Texas Tech qb in recent history? Or more general from any air raid offense? These qbs put up ridiculous stats in college but never work out in the NFL. What makes Mahomes different?
I have no idea how he will turn out but personally I would shy away from any qb from an air raid offense if I was GM of a team.
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When i watch Mahomes i don't think about his stats. Matter of fact, the only stat of his i actually know is the 734 yard oklahoma game because it's repeated so often. College production doesn't indicate much, unless numbers are abnormally low.
His stats in an Air Raid offense pretty much mean dick to me. That's not why I, and i assume others, like him.
When you watch every snap of his you'll notice he has some very pro, and "star" like traits.
1. Excellent pocket presence. He moves very well in the pocket and he has good athleticism. He's not going to just be arm tackled either. He has a strong base and he's able to wiggle free from the reach of rushers.
2. He keeps his eyes up field. He has numerous plays, some successful and some not, in which he's flushed out of the pocket and is still able to launch it downfield accurately. He hardly ever gives up on plays.
3. He's able to throw with velocity and accuracy with out having his feet under him. It's rare that you see a QB be successful when throwing w/o setting his feet. Mahomes is an exception to that rule. He's able to throw from multiple trajectory points, accurately and with velocity. You can't coach that.
We all watch and go, "wow, horrible footwork"...and then he launches a strike 50 yards downfield. He doesn't need perfect footwork to be successful.
AND more often that not, he does throw with his feet set. When not running for his life he moves in the pocket naturally, steps up, and makes the throw.
4. He has good energy around the LoS. He looks live, if you know what i mean. He plays with confidence and control. The game & situation doesn't look too big for him.
5. He's got the balls to make gutsy throws and the velocity to stick it into a tight window. It's an outstanding trait to have. It allows room for error. It allows for improvisation which is often needed during a play.
6. Improvisation. "Sandlot" ball is generally a term thrown around negatively, often times because it results in turnovers. But Mahomes actually has success with it. Because of his mobility, athleticism and arm strength, he has the ability to make plays when a play breaks down, which they often do in the NFL.
Bah, im ranting now. I could keep going, including with his negatives but....
TL;DR
**** his stats. His stats in the Air Raid system are a minor note when evaluating him. Look at what you see on the field. He has some outstanding traits that you'd want to see from the QB position. Traits that will translate well in the NFL.
The question is how will he A) become better at reading a defense B) get better at going through progressions.
You're not going to teach him to not throw INTs. You live with the INTs because they're part of his nature. And you're not going to change his footwork too much. That rarely works anyway.
**** im ranting again...