Some QBs are experts at sensing pressure and moving just one or two steps within the pocket to buy time. They do this while maintaining balance and continuing to look downfield. Tom Brady is the prototype. Rex Grossman is the opposite.
Late in the Jets game we had the pleasure of watching Grossman stand still, obliviously, while a Jets defender ran straight at him for what seemed like an eternity. No, the Jets defender did not come from Grossman's blind side. Nevertheless, Grossman stood still, took the sack, and fumbled.
Here are some of Rex's responses to pressure:
- backpedaling and more backpedaling until he is completely out of the play
- backpedaling and throwing off his back foot, which leads to numerous INT opportunities
- making small adjustments in the pocket to avoid pressure, but losing his balance and throwing inaccurately
- throwing the ball to nobody and getting called for intentional grounding
- not sensing obvious pressure and taking sacks
- taking sacks and fumbling (a Grossman speciality)
Grossman would be far better if he had the intangibles and footwork to sense and handle pocket pressure. Some of this can be learned by a QB who cares about the details. Ironically, John Beck excels in these particular intangibles -- footwork, movement within the pocket, small movements to avoid pressure followed by quick resets (unfortunately this concludes the list of things John Beck excels at).
Rex Grossman could improve these intangibles if he put in the time. But he doesn't seem like a QB who puts in the time. This was evidenced in part by him showing up to training camp over-weight and out of shape (which he acknowledged). John Beck showed up to training camp in shape, spending the off-season working with Drew Brees. Rex Grossman is the better QB, too bad he doesn't have John Beck's worth ethic.
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