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Building the Perfect NFL Quarterback
By Matt Miller, NFL Draft Lead Writer
Take a step into the laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein, and let's piece together what it would take to make up the ideal NFLquarterback.
Looking at the four key body groups needed to be an NFL quarterback—eyes and brain, arm talent, body and torso, legs and feet—which current NFL passers would you pick from to create the ultimate quarterback?
It's not that difficult, really.
Head/Eyes: Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)
The whole "coach on the field" talk has really gone overboard in the last decade, but when you're talking about Peyton Manning, it's pretty true. Manning is the smartest quarterback in the NFL today when it comes to pre- and post-snap reads and adjustments. The fact that he's still able to tear up the NFL with half an arm speaks volumes to his eyes and IQ.
There are other quarterbacks worthy of consideration here—Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees—but none has displayed the consistent ability to beat defenses with his eyes and IQ. Manning has been doing that since he stepped into an NFL huddle.
Arm: Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
When looking for the perfect quarterback arm, it's important to remember that big arm strength is pointless if there's no accuracy. So while guys like Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford have stronger arms than Aaron Rodgers, they can't compete with his touch, accuracy and velocity combined.
Rodgers does it all with the football. He can throw short, intermediate or deep without losing his velocity or accuracy. That consistency is what you're looking for in seeking the NFL's top arm. With Rodgers' combination of relatively young age, top-tier accuracy and velocity, there's really no other arm worth considering for the top spot.
Body/Torso: Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
Cam Newton looks like he walked straight out of central casting into the NFL. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, he's muscular, athletic, flexible and solid enough to withstand the beating an NFL quarterback will take in today's game.
Newton is a great athlete, and that adds to this, as core strength is incredibly important to quarterbacks taking hits, breaking tackles in and out of the pocket and torquing their bodies to power big throws. Newton has Adonis-like qualities in terms of the ideal build and body for an NFL quarterback.
Legs/Feet: Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers)
There are many great runners in the NFL today. Robert Griffin III was seriously considered, but he's had knee injuries that put his lower body in question moving forward. Johnny Manziel was a deadly college runner and mover but doesn't have the footwork needed to make the cut here. Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson also came into play.
But if you want strength and speed in a mobile quarterback, Colin Kaepernick is the answer.
Kaepernick has the long stride, powerful legs and breakaway speed to be a threat as a running quarterback. He's also asked to move the pocket plenty in Jim Harbaugh's offense and has shown the ability to step up in the pocket to find passing windows or running lanes. He's also young and fresh and has been able to avoid injury as a runner. That's all very important when determining the foundation of our ultimate quarterback.
By Matt Miller, NFL Draft Lead Writer
Take a step into the laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein, and let's piece together what it would take to make up the ideal NFLquarterback.
Looking at the four key body groups needed to be an NFL quarterback—eyes and brain, arm talent, body and torso, legs and feet—which current NFL passers would you pick from to create the ultimate quarterback?
It's not that difficult, really.
Head/Eyes: Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)
The whole "coach on the field" talk has really gone overboard in the last decade, but when you're talking about Peyton Manning, it's pretty true. Manning is the smartest quarterback in the NFL today when it comes to pre- and post-snap reads and adjustments. The fact that he's still able to tear up the NFL with half an arm speaks volumes to his eyes and IQ.
There are other quarterbacks worthy of consideration here—Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees—but none has displayed the consistent ability to beat defenses with his eyes and IQ. Manning has been doing that since he stepped into an NFL huddle.
Arm: Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
When looking for the perfect quarterback arm, it's important to remember that big arm strength is pointless if there's no accuracy. So while guys like Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford have stronger arms than Aaron Rodgers, they can't compete with his touch, accuracy and velocity combined.
Rodgers does it all with the football. He can throw short, intermediate or deep without losing his velocity or accuracy. That consistency is what you're looking for in seeking the NFL's top arm. With Rodgers' combination of relatively young age, top-tier accuracy and velocity, there's really no other arm worth considering for the top spot.
Body/Torso: Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
Cam Newton looks like he walked straight out of central casting into the NFL. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, he's muscular, athletic, flexible and solid enough to withstand the beating an NFL quarterback will take in today's game.
Newton is a great athlete, and that adds to this, as core strength is incredibly important to quarterbacks taking hits, breaking tackles in and out of the pocket and torquing their bodies to power big throws. Newton has Adonis-like qualities in terms of the ideal build and body for an NFL quarterback.
Legs/Feet: Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers)
There are many great runners in the NFL today. Robert Griffin III was seriously considered, but he's had knee injuries that put his lower body in question moving forward. Johnny Manziel was a deadly college runner and mover but doesn't have the footwork needed to make the cut here. Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson also came into play.
But if you want strength and speed in a mobile quarterback, Colin Kaepernick is the answer.
Kaepernick has the long stride, powerful legs and breakaway speed to be a threat as a running quarterback. He's also asked to move the pocket plenty in Jim Harbaugh's offense and has shown the ability to step up in the pocket to find passing windows or running lanes. He's also young and fresh and has been able to avoid injury as a runner. That's all very important when determining the foundation of our ultimate quarterback.
