Post by JABF on May 9, 2021 15:54:34 GMT -6
This is what I mean by the media simply writing for clicks. This unnamed evaluator makes stuff up in order to knock Fields and the Bears. Because if he doesn't, he won't get quoted. And if he doesn't get quoted, this writer won't come back to him. The writer needs someone to provide him with a "real take" on Fields but also knows that if he doesn't generate clicks, he'll be looking for a new job. Farr does a good job of providing the truth.
I hate this period after the draft and before TC. SO much making stuff up.
The things I really LOVE about Fields are his pocket abilities--he's an accurate thrower, has good awareness, throws with anticipation, and makes reads. The other stuff--running ability, "improvisation", huge arm, etc--is gravy to me. I've seen plenty of QBs in the latter categories flame out. Give me a guy who can PLAY NFL QB FROM THE POCKET every time.
Here's where your own personal eye-test is king. Since the draft I have been watching Fields' snaps. I have watched every single snap except for a few late in the Ohio State vs Alabama championship game (LOL, it got late that night and I had to head for bed... old age sucks :-). Some games I've watched multiple times. I've also paused and re-watched many plays. Yeah, I admit I've been crazy-curious to see this guy we've drafted.
He is not some perfect finished product. He does make some mistakes (T.Lawrence does too... they all do). Sometimes he does hold on to the ball too long and gets sacked. It's not him being unaware in the pocket. Any idiot can see he's trying to get that extra heartbeat of time to make a play. The only downside to some of these is that he is willing to sacrifice his body to get that big play made. Holy cow, he makes the big plays (by far) most of the time. But sometimes, yes, he takes a sack in doing so. We've all seen great NFL quarterbacks do this exact same thing. I want to emphasize that MOST of the time this works out fantastic and he DOES make incredible bigtime plays. Over and over and over again.
The guy is a machine.
The guy does go through his progressions, sometimes, even to a 4th read - and makes the play. But sometimes he doesn't. It looks to me like he is giving his preferred guy another heartbeat of time before making the throw. That's not "not going through his progressions" and no it is NOT locking in on one receiver. It's a timing thing. This Fields guy cranks off 50 and 60 yard passes and it takes a BIT of time sometimes for his receiver to get where he needs to be. And these plays are completed with crazy good frequency. And crazy-good accuracy. Fields reads defenses really well for a college QB going against the best defenses in college football. I am so impressed. He KNOWS where the weakness will be - he sees where the D is vulnerable and he strikes there. But sometimes the play is a BIT slow to unfold. All he is doing is not giving up on the BEST option in these situations. Screw the "making his progressions" thing. I've seen him make plays where the ball is IN THE AIR 60 yards for the TD. He just crushes teams this way.
Watch his plays. Trust what YOU see. Not these people stirring the crap about "oh, he doesn't have pocket awareness" or "oh, he doesn't go through his progressions" stuff. Check it out yourself. Give it the old eyetest. You will be pleased.