STRENGTHS
Sam has all the size, arm strength and leadership skills to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He is smart and has a high football IQ. He is that type of football player that never gives up and lives to play football. Sam does a good job playing from the shotgun or under center and is athletic enough to, manipulate the pocket or make the yardage needed, to make a first down with his feet. He’s a strong runner with the lower body strength of a tight end. Sam has played a lot of football at the quarterback position and his intangibles to play that position are off the chart. He’s a “grinder” type of quarterback, the type who just wants to win any way he can. Sam has the potential to be a starting quarterback for some team at the next level. The question is how long will it take?
CONCERNS
Sam has accuracy issues throwing the ball that would make a bald coach grow hair on his head in frustration. He holds on to the ball too long and then tries to throw the ball harder with more velocity, affecting his accuracy. He aims the ball instead of throwing the ball. He doesn’t throw with a consistent base, throwing his mechanics off and throw off his release point. He takes the difficult throw instead of the easy throw. His decision-making is stubborn, waiting for his receiver to get open instead of anticipating or moving on to another target. He doesn’t identify matchups in his favor before the snap of the ball. The short of it all, Sam is stubborn. I’m not saying he is not coachable, I’m saying when the game starts he struggles to bring the mechanics of passing the ball from practice to the game and reverts back to all of these bad habits.
BOTTOM LINE 4.11
Sam reminds me a lot of Ryan Fitzpatrick and like Ryan, Sam can be his own worse enemy. On the field, Sam wants the ball to go where…he wants the ball to go and, the hell with if it is not supposed to go there. The game is not about stats for Sam, it’s not about being the best player on the field or even being the top quarterback, it’s about sticking that dam ball where he wants it to go, come hell or high water. To Sam, there is no play or pass on the field that he will not make. I’m not suggesting Sam thinks he is Superman, on the contrary. I am suggesting, that Sam feels like he MUST complete his assigned duties and that assigned duty is to complete the play called, no matter what happens or what the consequences. I think he thinks; every play must go for ten yards or the next play must make up the difference. If a running play goes for three yards than the next play has to go for 17 yards to make up the difference. This attitude is commendable but also destructive and like Ryan Fitzpatrick, until Sam can mature and CONTROL this attitude he will struggle on the field and turn the ball over or not complete the pass at the most inopportune times of a game. Nevertheless, Sam has starting QB ability if he can just become less stubborn.
